Cheap stuff: Lots o' LEGOS, chocolate factory tours, DIY ballet
$10 and under
Double the music at Durty Nellie's
Stop by Durty Nellie's for an evening of rock 'n' roll with the groups 7th heaven and Hi Fi Superstar. The concerts are for ages 21 and older.
10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. Doors open at 8 p.m. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
LEGOs and more LEGOs
The Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club presents its largest annual show at the Eighth Annual Holiday LEGO Train Show at Cantigny Park. See thousands of LEGO blocks that have been combined to form amazing structures.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, in the visitors center at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Admission is free. Parking is $5. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org.
An 1800s holiday
Experience the holiday season as it was in 1880s Schaumburg at the Christmas in the Valley program at Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm. Highlights include crafts for both children and adults, hayrides, traditional holiday treats, barn chores and a visit from Father Christmas.
1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, at Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Admission is $2 per person; $8 per family. Ages 3 and younger are free. (847) 985-2100 or parkfun.com.
Free
Chocolate galore!
The Long Grove Confectionery factory opens its doors for a Christmas Open House. Guests can tour the factory to see how some of Long Grove Confectionery's specialties are created. Other highlights include a coloring contest, face painting, warm chestnuts, carolers, apple cider and doughnuts and chocolate samples.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Long Grove Confectionery factory, 333 Lexington Drive, Buffalo Grove. Free. (888) 459-3100 or longgrove.com.
'Dance-along Nutcracker'
Audience members of all ages can get up and dance with the performers at the "Dance-Along Nutcracker," an audience-participation version of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet.
Noon and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. Free. (312) 744-6630.
Community Concert Band
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band performs holiday favorites and music selected by members in its "Holiday Traditions" concert.
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Call for tickets. (847) 718-7702. Visit arlingtonheightsband.org.
Chatting with Abe and Mary
Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln re-enactors Max and Donna Daniels present their "Presidential Press Conference with The Lincolns" program at the College of Lake County. CLC students, posing as Civil War-era reporters, will ask the "Lincolns" about Civil War topics. After the students ask their questions, the audience may ask questions. The public is invited to attend this history presentation.
7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the C-Wing Auditorium at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free. (847) 543-2047 or clcillinois.edu.
Christmas House Tour
See Kline Creek Farm's old-fashioned farmhouse transformed for the holidays. Guests can see trees decorated in Victorian fashion with popcorn strings, paper chains, small gifts and cornucopias filled with candy and nuts. View special holiday desserts including plum pudding, marzipan and springerle cookies. Learn why handmade gifts were often considered more special than store-bought items in the 1890s.
Tours run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays through Dec. 28 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, Winfield. Free. No registration required. Note: Farm is closed on Dec. 25. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.com.