Best Bets: Rosemont lights up and ‘The Nutcracker’ dances into Grayslake
Light up the holidays
This weekend marks the holiday tree lighting at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free, family-friendly activities take place during the “Light Up the Park” event, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, carolers, visits with Santa and Mrs. Clause, and ice sculpting. Free. (847) 349-5009 or parkwaybankpark.com. Family activities from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, with the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.
Holiday adventure
The Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo, presents the Time Warp Express, an interactive trolley adventure to save Santa Claus after he is sucked into a Christmas time warp. Meet Santa and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. $29.95; free for kids 4 and younger. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com/train-tours-time-warp-express. Friday, Nov. 22, through Monday, Dec. 30
House music celebration
House music pioneers Byron Stingily and Marshall Jefferson, known as Ten City, headline a concert at Metro Chicago, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, celebrating the 40th anniversary of house music. They’re accompanied by a 14-member band and Good Girls. For ages 18 and older. $40 in advance, $50 at the door, $150 for a table for 2. metrochicago.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22
‘Last Waltz’ tribute
Nicholas Tremulis, Howard Levy, Lilly Hiatt, Mud Morganfield (Muddy Waters’ son) & Rick Kreher, Lauren Jelencovich, Nathan Graham, Matt Keen and The Alright Maybes unite for a concert at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, that re-creates “The Last Waltz,” Martin Scorsese’s celebrated 1978 film commemorating The Band’s final concert. Proceeds benefit the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, which provides education and community outreach programs. $49-$125. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23
The tragedy of ‘Hamlet’
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago, presents the U.S. premiere of “The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark,” a reimagining of William Shakespeare’s tragedy that fuses theater and dance. Dancer/choreographer Guillaume Côté, former principal dancer of The National Ballet of Canada, plays the titular role in the production directed by Robert Lepage (Cirque du Soleil, Metropolitan). Tickets start at $59. harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24
Ruth Page’s ‘The Nutcracker’
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts presents its annual production of “Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker,” featuring original choreography by Ruth Page. Chicago’s longest running “Nutcracker,” the ballet was staged at Chicago’s Arie Crown Theatre from 1965 until 1997. This version re-creates highlights from the original production and features international guest artists as well as students from the Ruth Page School of Dance. $15-$65. ruthpage.org. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Governors State University Center for the Performing Arts, 1 University Parkway, University Park; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8 at Northeastern Illinois University, Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 21 and 1 p.m. Dec. 22 at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.
Cabaret at The Hemmens
Award-winning entertainers Daryl Nitz (Elgin native and Larkin High School graduate) and George Howe celebrate the 25th anniversary of their cabaret show “The Nitz & Howe Experience” at The Hemmens Cultural Center, Cabaret Theater in the Round (lower level), 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets start at $20. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24
Free holiday concert
The Music Institute of Chicago Chorale opens its 2024-2025 season with a free choir and brass concert titled “Clap Your Hands” at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The program includes Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata.” Free. musicinst.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24