Weekend picks: Be wowed by 'Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular'
Top pick
Classical circus
Seasonally inspired circus acts share the stage with a full classical orchestra for a "Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular" at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25-$85. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Saturday
Calling all Lego lovers
Thousands of Lego bricks are transformed into a variety of landscape and holiday scenes at the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club's 14th Annual Show in the Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. New to this year's show is a 26-foot-long Lego replica of the U.S. naval battleship the USS Missouri on display in the First Division Museum's lobby. Free admission with paid $5 parking fee; parking is free if you donate a new unwrapped toy for the Marine Toys for Tots drop boxes inside the Visitors Center. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13
'Home Alone'
See a free screening of the 1990 family holiday film "Home Alone," written and produced by John Hughes, at the Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. The PG-rated film stars Macaulay Culkin as an 8-year-old who, when accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation, goes to great lengths to protect his home from a pair of burglars. Guests can take photos with Santa Claus, who will be on hand to greet moviegoers. classiccinemas.com. Doors open at 9 a.m.; movie starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Holiday Faire
The McHenry County Fair Association hosts its annual Holiday Faire at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. With a theme of "Homemade for the Holidays," the fair showcases 30 booths of handmade items and holiday gifts for purchase. Kids can create winter crafts and holiday ornaments, and Santa Claus will visit with guests. Other highlights include a hayride with storytelling, gingerbread house and cookie-making competitions and more. Admission is $2 per person, or one nonperishable food item for donation to local food pantries. Children ages 7 and younger admitted free. (815) 338-5315 or mchenrycountyfair.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
Anyway's Santa lunch
Bring your camera and meet Santa at Anyway's American Grill and Pub, 304 W. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Specials include the famous turkey chili topped with cheddar cheese and chives, $3.99 cup or $4.99 bowl. Or the hangover crabby balls made with a mix of crab and shrimp, spicy jalapeño peppers, onions, pepper jack cheese and spices, hand-breaded, fried and served with a side of chipotle aioli for $9.99. (630) 351-8870 or anywayspub.com. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Wallop of hops
The returning Beer Fest Beatdown promises an unconventional mix of sampling craft beers while watching Mexican-style wrestling at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $45 (includes commemorative glass and 25 tasting tickets); $65 VIP tickets; $10 designated drivers. (888) 732-7784 or beerfestchicago.com or searscentre.com. Noon Saturday, Dec. 12
Mozart for kids
The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series looks ahead to its 10th season by retransmitting its very first opera simulcast: the family-friendly version of "The Magic Flute" sung in English and staged by "The Lion King" director Julie Taymor. See it at select participating movie theaters in Rosemont, Mount Prospect, Chicago, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Batavia and more. Prices vary by venue, but largely $14-$18. Visit fathomevents.com for exact locations. 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Ice, ice baby
The Polar Peak snow-tubing hill opening has been delayed, but MB Financial Park will still be hosting an ice-carving competition from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday with four local ice carvers. Guests are invited to vote for their favorite sculpture. Visitors can also skate in the park's ice rink. Admission to the rink is free, with skate rental available for $8. For skating hours and information on all Frozemont activities, visit rosemont.com.
Land of sweets
Dancenter North stages its 27th edition of "Magic of the Nutcracker" at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15-$36. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Marley's turn
Jacob Marley tells his side of Ebenezer Scrooge's story in Organic Theater's revival of Tom Mula's "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol." Inspired by Charles Dickens' classic tale, the play centers on Marley, who examines his life with help from a spirit named Bogle. Richard L. Gross stars as Marley opposite Amy Powell's Bogle. See it at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $20, $30. (630) 637-7469 or organictheater.org. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
'Wonderful Life'
Improv Playhouse executive producer David Brian Stuart directs and stars as George Bailey in the company's production of "It's A Wonderful Life," staged as a 1940s radio broadcast with sound effects and period radio commercials. Libertyville character actor Egon Schein plays Clarence, the angel eager to get his wings. The show is recommended for ages 7 and older. It's at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Advance tickets cost $10-$20; $15-$25 at the door. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com. 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
Jingle pop
Demi Lovato, Pentatonix, Jason Derulo and 5 Seconds of Summer are some of the pop and rock acts attached to this year's edition of the Jingle Bash at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $60-$105; $13-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
'Dazed' at Metropolis
One of Second City's touring ensembles returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, to perform "Holidazed," a seasonal sketch comedy sendup of everything from shopping and gift-giving to office parties and family dinners. $30, $35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Improv duo
"Whose Line is It Anyway" veterans Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood display their amazing flair for improvisational comedy when they perform "The Two Man Group Tour" at Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $55-$75. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Linus and Lucy
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by hearing Vince Guaraldi's beloved TV score performed live by David Benoit with special guest Jane Monheit in a "Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown" at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $40-$50. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Mike and Joe
Rock out to hits from the '90s to the present when Mike and Joe performs songs from Foo Fighters, Fallout Boy, Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran and more at H.O.M.E Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $5-$10. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Country vibe at BaseCamp
If you're feeling the need for a little country music, head to Lisle this weekend. The Naperville band Mason Rivers has been putting out energetic, twangy rock in a few different incarnations since the band's inception in 2000, but its current blend of city bar tunes and country vibes seems to be the perfect mix for a raucous good night. They bring the show to BaseCamp Pub & Eatery, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle, for a 21-and-older show. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
Sunday
Rejoice greatly
Voices in Harmony allows audiences to participate with a performance of the Sing-Along Messiah today at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $18. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
Be my Baby
Fans of 1960s girl groups such as The Ronettes won't want to miss Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Party Ever! at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13