Sunday picks: David Alan Grier plays Schaumburg
Bark central
Cheer on your favorite dog breeds as they compete at the 107th Skokie Valley Kennel Club Dog Show and Expo this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $7 general admission; $3 kids. (847) 692-2220 or rosemont.com. 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Here's to Grier
David Alan Grier is famous for his comic TV work (“In Living Color”) and also starring on Broadway (“The First,” “Porgy and Bess”). See Grier show off his standup comedy skills starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Gluhwein gathering
Twenty local and international vendors will be on hand for a ChristKindlFest with lots of traditional German holiday music, food, spiced wine, ornaments and more starting Thursday at the BMO Harris Parking lot, Cook Street at Station Street, Barrington. Free admission. (847) 387-3130 or christkindlfest.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Singing with Santa
Children are invited onstage with old St. Nick during the interactive musical production “Sing Along With Santa: Santa and the Snow Queen” at Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $10. steelbeamtheatre.com. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Ballet classic
Schaumburg Dance Ensemble's annual production of “The Nutcracker” is back, featuring a cast of more than 100 performers. See this beloved Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet this weekend and next at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $26; $18 students and seniors. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
All aboard!
Hop on the Holiday Express train to celebrate the season at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Along with train rides, guests can meet with Santa Claus, see items from Victorian Christmases, view holiday lights, and hear stories and music. Visit the Candy Cane Village playground and make ornaments at the Little Elf Holiday Shoppe. $5; free for kids 2 and younger. (630) 892-1550 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
A Christmas Concert
The Naperville Municipal Band presents its Christmas Concert in Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Free. (630) 778-9994 or napervilleband.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
Candlelight Reception
Costumed interpreters discuss pioneer life in the 1840s at the annual Candlelight Reception at Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Other highlights include tours of the candlelit inn/museum, traditional 19th-century dulcimer music from The Scantlin' Reunion, a bake sale, demonstrations of fireplace cooking and more. Free; donations are welcome. (630) 584-8485 or email info@garfieldfarm.org. 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
'Captain Superlative'
Clockwise Theatre presents the holiday production “Captain Superlative” at the theater, 221 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. The cast is made up of teenage performers from across Lake County. $12. clockwisetheatre.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7
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Get some adults-only laughs from the quirkier aspects of the Christmas season when the Paramount Theatre hosts #8220;The Second City Dysfunctional Holiday Revue#8221; starting this Friday at the intimate Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday from Dec. 5 through 21