Zoo all aglow with Festival of Lights
Freebie
Lighting up the Cosley Zoo
The Cosley Zoo in Wheaton showcases its Festival of Lights and Christmas Tree Sale through Thursday, Dec. 30. Guests can see lighted displays, visit the zoo's animals, purchase holiday gifts and greenery and more. Lights go on each day at 3 p.m.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily Sunday, Dec. 26, through Thursday, Dec. 30, at the Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Free admission. (630) 665-5534 or visit wheatonparkdistrict.com./cosleyzoo.
Sunday
Holiday Magic
Brookfield Zoo hosts it annual holiday light festival, Holiday Magic, featuring an estimated 1 million lights along the zoo's walkways. See 120 animated light displays, featuring scenes with animals, snowmen and more. Other events include ice-sculpting demonstrations, model trains, live music and dance performances, and singing to the animals events.
4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Jan. 1, at Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Activities are free with paid zoo admission of $9.50-$13.50. Parking is $9 per car; $12 per bus. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org.
The nuttier side of the holidays
The Second City comedy troupe offers “The Second City's Holiday in the Heights,” a sketch comedy show that spoofs the holiday season. The program is for mature audiences only.
7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $29.50-$34.50. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
7th Heaven
The rock band 7th Heaven headlines at Durty Nellie's in Palatine.
10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
This week
Dunham and his puppets
Stand-up comic and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham takes to the stage at the Allstate Arena with his puppet pals Walter, Bubba J, Peanut, Jose Jalapeno and others.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont: Tickets are $45.50. Parking is $20 (cash only). (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Can you stay awake until midnight?
Steve Cochran hosts his eighth annual “New Year's Eve Comedy Show for People Who Can't Stay Awake Until Midnight” on Friday, Dec. 31. The evening features comedy and music with Steve Cochran and friends at 7 p.m., followed by an early countdown to the new year at 9 p.m. The Egyptian Theatre lets the party continue by offering live big band music, dancing, wine and hors d'oeuvres at 9:30 p.m. with an official countdown to 2011 at midnight.
Events begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd St., DeKalb. Tickets begin at $25 for Steve Cochran's portion of the evening; package deals are available for those who want to attend the Egyptian Theatre's party also. Call (815) 758-1225. or go to egyptiantheatre.org.
New Beginnings welcomes the new year
The New Beginnings singles group invites the public to its Gala New Year's Eve Dinner and Dance Party. The evening features dancing, a catered buffet dinner and a champagne toast at midnight.
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at St. Hubert Catholic Church, 729 Grand Canyon St., Hoffman Estates. Admission is $35. No tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Last day to order tickets is Monday, Dec. 27. Call Joan Neville for information at (847) 397-9643 or (630) 306-8893.
‘Rock and Roll is here to Stay'
Vocalist Tony Bernard presents a musical evening of pop/rock tunes in “Rock and Roll is Here To Stay.”
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $25 in advance; $30 at door. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com.
Tribute to the Stones
Tributosauras presents a musical tribute to the legendary rock group the Rolling Stones at FitzGerald's in Berwyn.
9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $25. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.