Weekend picks: Michael McDonald taps holiday cheer for pop, carols at Genesee

Hits & holidays

Michael McDonald mixes pop songs with carols in the concert “Season of Peace: Holiday & Hits” on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $44.50-$102.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Crafty creations

Shop for all kinds of creative and artistic items as part of the Shipshewana on the Road sale this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $5; free for kids 12 and younger. (847) 680-7200 or shipshewanaontheroad.com. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

Artisan collective

Artists sell and display their wares as part of the three-day Winterfest Art Market this weekend at the Water Street Studios, 1604 S. Water St., Batavia. Free admission. (630) 761-9977 or waterstreetstudios.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15-16

Clara's dream

The Berkshire Ballet Theatre returns with its version of Tchaikovsky's “The Nutcracker” this weekend at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $28-$30. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15; 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

Seasonal stop

If you're out for a day of shopping at Oakbrook Center Saturday, Dec. 15, stop by The District to warm up. From 1 to 4 p.m., patrons can enjoy complimentary holiday arts and crafts, Stan's Donut decorating, Mrs. Claus Storytime, holiday tunes and nostalgic games. While you're there, grab a seasonal snack or drink from eateries such as Stan's Donuts, Butcher and The Wok, Freshii, Cilantro, DMK Burger, David's Tea, Lolli & Pops, Greek Kitchen, Nando's and Potbelly. The District is at 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, oakbrookcenter.com/en/events/warm-up-24193.html.

Tchaikovsky classic

Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet teams up once again with the New Philharmonic to perform “The Nutcracker.” Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet plays this weekend at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $44; $34 youth. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

Season's symphony

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra's “Merry, Merry Chicago!” concerts return with conductor Michael Krajewski at the helm. Also featured are vocalist Storm Large of Pink Martini, narrator David Lively and the Young Naperville Singers this weekend and next at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $41-$154. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 and 22; 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23

Worth a walk

See a Community Trees display, The Great Holiday Tank Bake-Off and more as part of the Holiday Stroll and Open House at the First Division Museum and McCormick House Visitors Center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission, but $5 parking. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Christmas at Wire

Berwyn's Wire is bumping the holiday spirit up to 11 with its three-night music festival, the 20 Bands of Christmas, featuring a sleighful of touring and local acts. The second night features Seattle post-hardcore band Emery with special guests The Airway, When We Was Kids, Lower Nature, Glass Houses, Qualia, Luzma' and The Worst of It. And Punchline, Mark Rose, Rookie of the Year, Zombie Schoolboy, Westwood, You Vs. Yesterday and The Dead Seahorses wrap up the weekend with a shiny bow. Single-day and three-day passes are available for the all-ages fest. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $20 for single-day passes; $50 for a three-day pass. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.

Standing anchorman

Pat Tomasulo, WGN-TV newscaster and host of “Man of the People,” returns to perform standup this weekend at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-item purchase. For ages 21 and older. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Rocking carols

Classic Christmas hits and a selection of Fresh Aire compositions make up the “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis” concert on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $39-$69; $15-$25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Complete 'Illusion'

Hear rousing rock from the 1970s and '80s when Dennis DeYoung returns with “The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album Tour” on Saturday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $65-$85. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15

Such characters

There are lots of fun photo opportunities for families as part of the weekly Characters on Ice events at the Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free admission with your own skates; $8 charge for skate rental. (847) 349-5008 or rosemont.com/thepark. 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays, Dec. 16, 23 and 30

Psychedelic figures

Find out more about the current Elmhurst Art Museum exhibit “The Figure, Humor and the Chicago Imagists” with a special Sunday symposium. Artist and curator Suellen Rocca and author Dan Nadel discuss alternative figures in American art at The Schaible Science Center, Illinois Hall, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, before heading over to the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, to view the exhibit. Free admission, but reservations are requested. elmhurst.edu/2018artsymposium. 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

Merry Motown

The Masters of Soul Holiday Show features Christmas carols with a Motown sound on Sunday at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $35-$40; $34-$39 seniors; $15 youth. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16

Concert highlights

Blue Mud, Captain Coopersmith, The Sedonas, Space Mafia, Mike Gassett: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Violet Crime, Blaqrock, Detour North, Pleasantries: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $7-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

The Shams Band 10-year Anniversary show with Cutta, Donnie Biggins: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $10; $30 package includes screenprinted commemorative poster. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com/calendar.

Ides of March Christmas Show: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$59. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Chapter 1: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

DJ NoDJ, Zombie Manana: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Bourbon on Division, 2050 W. Division St., Chicago. $10. (773) 796-5879 or bourbonondivision.com.

Kevin Mileski's annual Christmas Show: 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Lamplighter Inn, 60 N. Bothwell St., Palatine. (847) 991-2420 or lamplighters.com.

Tonic Freight Train, Fire the Canon, The Loose Cannons: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $7. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com.

Kerry Patrick Clark: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at The Grayslake Heritage Center, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake. $18 suggested donation, $15 seniors, $13 members. thelakecountyfolkclub.org.

• Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.