No reservations for New Year's Eve? No problem

Some people plan weeks in advance for New Year's Eve. But if you're a bona fide procrastinator, here are a few ideas if you still hope to have some fun ushering in 2012.

There are lots of shows to choose from, plus a few earlier options that cater to families. But call ahead — we checked ticket availability Thursday, but some places might sell out.

Early Eve laughs

The Hemmens Cultural Center once again stages its family-friendly “The New Year's Comedy Show for People Who Can't Stay Up ‘Til Midnight!” The show features host Tim Clue, comedian Rocky LaPorte, comic Spike Manton and the WGN TV Morning News team of Ana Belaval and Pat Tomasulo with music by Sons of the Never Wrong. Tickets start at $25 for the 7:30 p.m. show. The Hemmens Cultural Center is at 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.

Second City's ‘Holidays'

See The Second City's sendup of holiday traditions in its special suburban comedy revue, “Holidays in the Heights,” at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets include a complimentary glass of champagne and party favors; the 10 p.m. show also comes with a countdown and balloon drop. Tickets are $50; $60 for stage table seating (the 10 p.m. show is nearly sold out). (847) 577-2121 or MetropolisArts.com.

Ring in ye olden times

Welcome in the new year by turning the clock way back at Medieval Times in Schaumburg. Dinner and tournament performances are at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, plus there's a special New Year's Eve celebration at 9:30 p.m. featuring extra party favors, dancing, a balloon drop and more. Tickets start at $69.95 for adults and $35.95 for kids ages 12 and under for the 9:30 p.m. performance (Tickets start at $59.95 for the 4 and 6:30 p.m. performances). (888) 935-6878 or medievaltimes.com.

Back-to-back Rat Pack

Hear song standards once made popular by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and others when impersonators in “Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show” (direct from the Las Vegas Hilton) take to the stage for New Year's Eve shows at 6 and 10 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets are $45 (the 6 p.m. show is nearly sold out). (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

Promised laughs

The “9th Annual Greatest Night of Comedy” features comedians like Cory Holcomb, Rickey Smiley, LaVelle Crawford and more for two New Year's Eve shows at 7 and 10 p.m. at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place, 2301 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Tickets are $49.50-$99.50. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com.

R&B revels

Groove to the R&B sounds of The O'Jays and laugh along with their special comedy guests at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Tickets are $69.50-$99.50. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com.

Comedy times three

Fans of improvisational comedy might want to try their luck with Laugh Out Loud Theatre, which hosts New Year's Eve shows at 6, 8:30 and 11 p.m. Saturday. In addition to the show, the price of admission gets you cocktails, appetizers and a champagne toast. Tickets to the 6 p.m. show are $39; it's $59 for the 8:30 p.m. show and $69 for the 11 p.m. show. (847) 240-0386 or LOLtheater.com.

Instant comedy

Haven't had a chance to visit The Comedy Shrine at its new digs in Aurora? Why not visit on New Year's Eve? There are family-friendly shows with the troupe Running With Scissors at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at $18 for adults and $13 for kids (plus a one-drink purchase). Then “Whose Line” takes over for two improvised comedy shows. The 8 p.m. show is for ages 16 and older and costs $28 (plus a two-drink minimum), while the 10:15 p.m. show is for ages 21 and older and also features a champagne toast at midnight. It's $36 plus a two-drink minimum. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com.

Stand up in St. Charles

Standup comedian Dobie Maxwell has two New Year's Eve gigs at Zanies comedy club at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. The performance at 8 p.m. Saturday is $30, while the 10:30 p.m. show includes party favors and a midnight champagne toast for $40 (both shows also require a two-menu item purchase). (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com.

Rosemont Ballroom

DJ Lil Jon is the star entertainment at the Chicago New Year's Eve Ball 2012. The event features charity casino gambling and a silent auction for Kids Fight Cancer, dancing, party favors and more at the Rosemont Ballroom in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. General admission starts at $59 while VIP tickets start at $139 (prices go up on the day of the event). Guests are asked to wear upscale clothing for this event, which lasts from 9 p.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. the next morning. ChicagoNYEBall.com.

More Rosemont reveling

The Hyatt Regency O'Hare's New Year's Eve celebration features the bands Modern Day Romeos and Jaktripper, plus dance music by DJ-Spin and access to the venue's Red Bar featuring pop singer Tony Ocean. A fantasy casino is also part of the fun, plus a champagne toast and plenty of party favors. The event runs from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. Tickets are $75 per person with a VIP upgrade for an additional $34.

1940s fun

The Willowbrook Ballroom's New Year's Eve dining and dancing packages may be sold out, but there are still admission spots available for dance-only patrons at 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Dance to 1940s big band hits from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. courtesy of the Teddy Lee Orchestra and Dan the DJ. Tickets are $35-$45 and include party favors, snacks, coffee and more. (708) 839-1000 or WillowbrookBallroom.com.

Roaring '20s

The Hollywood Casino in Aurora conjures the glamour of the 1920s with #8220;A Roarin' New Year's Eve Party#8221; on its casino floor from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. On tap are $2 drink specials, music from the Gold Coast Orchestra and flapper girls handing out plenty of party favors at 1 W. New York Street Bridge, Aurora. hollywoodcasinoaurora.com.

Party like it's 1989

Once the countdown to 2012 is over, continue the celebrations at the new Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, which hosts the 1980s cover band Breakfast Club from 12:30 to 4 a.m. in its bar Cube. There are also food and beverage specials ranging from a $39 New Year's Eve Buffet in the Canopy restaurant and a Breakfast Buffet from 2 to 4 a.m. for $9.99. The Rivers Casino is at 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines. (847) 795-0777 or playrivers.com.

An early swing

The Victory Centre of Bartlett hosts an early New Year celebration at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. There's big band jazz music courtesy of the six-piece combo The Limited Edition, and plenty of swing dancing at 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Free and open to the public, but registration is requested. (630) 213-0100.

Fresh start

The singles group New Beginnings celebrates New Year's Eve with a gala dinner and dance from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Saint Matthew Church in the Hughes Center, 1001 Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Tickets to the catered buffet dinner and dance are $35-$40. Music will be provided by DJ Paul Drake. (847) 397-9643.

Bond with Berlin

If you love the classic holiday movie musical #8220;White Christmas,#8221; then don't miss the final few shows of its acclaimed stage version (retitled as #8220;Irving Berlin's White Christmas#8221; to reflect who wrote the songs) at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Two New Year's Eve shows are at 4 and 8 p.m. (847) 634-0200 or MarriottTheatre.com.

New Year's disaster

Camp Midnight presents the 1970s disaster flick #8220;The Poseidon Adventure#8221; at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago (they even time the screening so New Year's Eve in the film coincides with the one in real time). Dress up as your favorite character for a pre-film costume contest presided over by host #8220;Dick O'Day#8221; and members of the theater troupe Hell in a Handbag Productions. The fun starts at 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $28. (773) 871-6604 or musicboxtheatre.com.

Get your game on

The Chicago Wolves take on the Charlotte Checkers in some early New Year's Eve American Hockey League action at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets are $13-$40. (800) 843-9658 or chicagowolves.com.

Get even more puck action via the East Coast Hockey League when the Chicago Express play the Greenville Road Warriors at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Tickets are $9-$26. (224) 220-1333 or chicagoexpresshockey.com.

Holiday Magic

Brookfield Zoo opens its gates to its 30th annual Holiday Magic celebration from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 31. Holiday lights, animated light sculptures and a laser show are featured. Magicians, live music and a train display are part of the fun. Ring in 2012 a bit early at the #8220;Zoo Year's Eve#8221; celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Youngsters can make crafts, play games and count down to the #8220;new year#8221; at 8 p.m. in the Holly Jolly Theater and Hamill Family Play Zoo. Brookfield Zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield. Admission to #8220;Holiday Magic#8221; is free with paid $9.50-$13.50 general zoo admission. Parking is $9 per car. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org.

Winter Wonderland

Drive through 97 acres of holiday lights and scenes at the Cuneo Museum and Garden's annual Winter Wonderland. It's open from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $10 per car, $25 for buses and vans. (847) 362-3042, vernonhills.org or cuneomansion.org.