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Des Plaines hosts a winter wonderland
The Lake Wonderland Winter Festival features dozens of decorated holiday trees with thousands of twinkling lights, horse-drawn sleigh rides, winter games, arts and crafts and ice carving demonstrations. Other highlights include live reindeer to pet and feed, visits with Santa Claus, music, puppetry and magic shows.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in Lake Park, on Lee Street between Howard Street and Touhy Avenue, Des Plaines. Admission is free. There is a $3-$5 charge for sleigh rides. (847) 391-5700.
This afternoon
Happy 'Howl-iday'
The True Hearts of Rottweiler Rescue (THORR) group hosts a "Howl-iday Bazaar" with gifts for pets and people. Find stocking stuffers, jewelry, candles, holiday decorations and treats for pets. All proceeds will benefit the THORR charity which is dedicated to placing orphaned and displaced Rottweilers into loving homes.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at BC Dog Training Center, 920 Turret Road, Mundelein. Admission is free. Visit thorr.org.
Alice's adventures
Kidz Kabaret presents "Alice in Wonderland," a stage adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic children's novel of a girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a magical land. Showtimes at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at The Comedy Shrine, 22 E. Chicago Ave., above Bar Louie, Naperville. $7-$10. (630) 355-9212.
'Keep 'Em Flying'
The Lake County Discovery Museum offers a special lecture/presentation on its current "Keep 'Em Flying: How the Homefront Helped the Frontlines" exhibit. The exhibition features postcards, photographs, uniforms, Civil Defense booklets and wedding dresses from the World War II era - illustrating America's role in the war from the home front to the front line.
2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Drive, Wauconda. General admission is $2.50-$6. (847) 968-3400 or lakecountydiscoverymuseum.org.
Antiques and collectibles
Hundreds of dealers offer antiques and collectibles at the Kane County Flea Market.
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $5; free for ages 12 and younger. Free parking. (630) 377-2252 or kanecountyfleamarket.com.
This week
Comedy and country
Comedy star Jeff Foxworthy headlines at the Pheasant Run Mega Center. The evening also features country music from Brandon Kinney, Cross Country Junction and the PennyMaeDixon Band.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Pheasant Run Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $67-$79. (312) 559-1212.
North Shore's 'Nutcracker'
The North Shore School of Dance presents its 20th annual production of the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker."
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Lake Forest High School's Raymond Moore Auditorium, 1285N. McKinley Road, Lake Forest. $14-$20. (847) 432-2060.
Dave's look at the holidays
Family entertainer Dave Rudolph, known for his interactive shows, brings his holiday parodies including "Frosty the Slow Man" and "Candy Cane Twist" to Oakton Community College.
Noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $5-$7. (847) 635-1900.
A pageant within a play
Albright Theatre Company presents "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," a stage adaptation of the beloved book about a group of unruly kids staging a Christmas pageant.
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Batavia Government Center Building, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. $7-$10. (630) 406-8838 or albrighttheatre.com.