Weekend picks: Great Train Show chugs into Grayslake
Choo! choo!
The Great Train Show features hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, operating exhibits and more this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10 ($9 Sunday only). (847) 680-7260 or greattrainshow.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30
Indoor fun
The Family Fun Fest features inflatable zones, kiddie rides, a rock-climbing wall, a petting zoo and more this weekend at the Mega Center at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $15-$25; $20-$35 on New Year's Eve. (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30; noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31
Such characters
There are lots of fun photo opportunities for families as part of the weekly Characters on Ice events on Sunday at the Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free admission with your own skates; $8 for skate rental. (847) 349-5008 or rosemont.com/thepark. 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 30
Game on
See the Chicago Bears play the Minnesota Vikings in a theater setting on Sunday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Free admission. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. Noon Sunday, Dec. 30
Waltzing away 2018
Soprano Alisa Jordheim and baritone Corey Crider are back to sing with the New Philharmonic to see off 2018 with three "New Year's Eve Concerts" on Monday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $67. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2, 5:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30
Hard-knock life
See comedian and actor Christopher Titus mine his difficult upbringing for humor this weekend in a series of standup shows at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Weekend shows $27. New Year's Eve $75 dinner and show; $33 show only at 7:30 p.m. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30; special NYE shows 7:30 and 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31
Funny town
The DeRay Davis Annual Funny & Famous Chi Town Comedy Countdown returns this weekend with guests Lil Duval, Michael Blackson, Jess Hilarious, Gary Owen and DC Young Fly and more at McCormick Place's Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $59-$275. (312) 791-6900 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 30 to 31
Stand-up guy
Stand-up comedian Michael Palascak headlines Chicago-area Zanies clubs this weekend. A veteran of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "The Late, Late Show with James Corden," Palascak trained in sketch comedy and improv at The Second City, iO Chicago and The Annoyance. He played Chicago's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and a solo show, "Pursuing Happiness," about young adults moving away from home, getting a job and getting married. 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago. $25 plus a two-item minimum. (312) 337-4027. See zanies.com.
Concert highlights
Dark Side of the Yule with Classical Blast: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Mustard Plug Annual Holiday Show with the Eclectics, Still Alive, Bumsy & the Moochers: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $13. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $30-$35. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.
• 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.