Cheap stuff: Holiday lights, author Carolyn Crimi, MCC concert
Free
Let there be (lots of!) lights
The “Symphony in Lights” annual holiday light show features more than 250,000 LED lights embedded in thousands of feet of holiday foliage and choreographed to the taped music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
From dusk until 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at the Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook. Show runs daily, beginning at dusk, through Friday, Dec. 31. Program runs every hour on the hour until 9 p.m. Free general admission. Visit thepromenadebolingbrook.com.
Storytime fun
Chicago area children's book author Carolyn Crimi reads from her new book, “Principal Fred Won't Go To Bed,” in a storytime session recommended for youngsters ages 3 to 7. Participants are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal.
4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at the Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. Free and open to the public. (847) 446-8880. (847) 446-8880.
Crafts, treats and more
The Women of Faith group from the Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights hosts The Gingerbread House Cookies, Crafts and More Bazaar. The group will sell cookies, baked goods, treats and crafts. Vendors will be on hand to offer ornaments, jewelry and more. Other highlights include special crafts and activities for children in The Candy Cane Room.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Free admission. (847) 253-4839 or faithlutheran-ah.org.
Rolling down the rails
The Lake County Model Railroad Club hosts its annual open house. Visitors can get an up-close view of the club's permanent HO-scale model railroad, in a 30-by-60-foot room occupying more than 1,500 square feet. The layout includes the latest digital technology to simulate real railroad activity. The open house includes a scavenger hunt for youngsters.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Lake County Model Railroad club, at the rear entrance of 107 S. Main St., two blocks north of Route 176, Wauconda. Admission is free. Guests bringing an item for donation to the Wauconda Food Pantry will receive a free raffle ticket for a door prize. For information, call Norm at (847) 736-1489 or visit lcmrr.org.
The ‘little black dress'
The Round Lake Area Public Library hosts Decades of Dresses Fashion Show: The Little Black Dress. Vintage clothing collectors Ruth Thomas and Chloe Berg present and model outfits from their collections focusing on the famous “little black dress” from 1885 through 1991.
2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. Free admission. (847) 546-7060.
Musical afternoon in McHenry
McHenry County College's Concert Band and Chorus present an afternoon of classical music and miscellaneous songs.
3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, in the conference center at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Free admission. (815) 479-7814.
$10 and under
Dig right in
The Sons of the American Legion in Palatine hosts a dinner for the public. The meal features beef merlot served over noodles, green beans, various side dishes bread or rolls, coffee and desserts. A cash, full-service bar is open in the clubroom.
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at the American Legion Hall, 122 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. $4-$8. (847) 359-1606.
Christmas at the Mill
Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook celebrates the start of the holiday season with Christmas at the Mill. Guest can dine on wine and cheese at a preview party, then shop at an artisan boutique with handmade gifts.
Wine and cheese party runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at the Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. $8. Artisan boutique runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 20 and 21. Free admission Saturday and Sunday. (630) 920-9720 or grauemill.org.
Toys and games galore
Guests can preview and play with the hottest new toys and games on the market and meet inventors at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair. Other fair highlights include “Star Wars” characters, sports mascots and entertainment by Radio Disney.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 to 13. Admission is free for educators, librarians and Scouts in uniform. (312) 595-7437 or chitag.com.
Festival of Arts and Crafts
The DuPage Expo Center's Festival of Arts and Crafts features more than 170 booths of handcrafted original arts and crafts. Browse through items including watercolor paintings, calligraphy, jewelry, clothing, home decorations and outdoor yard accents.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 21, at the DuPage Expo Center, 4050 E. Main St., St. Charles. $2. Children under age 12 are free. Visit stepbystepcraftshows.com or dupageexpo.com.