Budget-friendly fun: Skate with Santa this weekend

Free

Santa on skates

Santa and Mrs. Claus will strap on skates and take to the ice with visitors at the Skate with Santa event at the Triphahn Center and Ice Arena, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Guests are invited to bring their cameras. Plus, don't miss the cookies and hot chocolate. Free admission and skate rental. (847) 885-7500 or heparks.org. 4:20 to 6:10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20

'Elf'

See a screening of the 2003 family holiday film "Elf," starring Will Ferrell, in the visitors center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Take-home craft activities for kids begin before the film. The film is rated PG. Free with paid $2 parking fee. Visit cantigny.org. Crafts at 4:30 p.m.; movie starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18

Light up the night

See thousands of colorful holiday lights and holiday scenes at the annual Zoo Lights fest at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. Be wowed by musical light shows, ice-carving demonstrations, crafts, ice skating, animal encounters and more. Free admission. lpzoo.org. 4:30 to 9 p.m. nightly (except Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24-25) through Sunday, Jan. 3

Still shopping?

Find original handmade items by local crafters and artisans for those on your holiday gift list at the seventh annual Christmas Craft Fair at Knupper Nursery & Landscape, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Admission is free, but a nonperishable food item for donation to the Palatine Food Pantry will be accepted. (847) 359-10809 or knuppernursery.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19

$15 and under

SharkDog

The pop/rock band SharkDog plays covers from the Black Crows, Eddie Money, Tom Petty, John Cougar, Rick Springfield and many others at Dock's Bar and Grill, 313 Liberty St., Wauconda. Cover charge is $5. (847) 526-3625 or docksbarandgrill.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19

'Miracle on 34th Street'

Wheaton Drama combines live music, sound effects and special guests for the classic holiday tale "Miracle on 34th Street" at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. The show is designed to give audience members the feeling that they are watching a live, old-time radio show as it is being broadcast across the airwaves. $15. (630) 260-1820 or wheatondrama.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18-19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20

Celebrate in Elgin

A holiday variety show, including music and dance performances from local Elgin groups like the Eastern Groove Studio, Urban Dance Concept, the Elgin Master Chorale and many others, takes center stage at the Elgin Celebrates The Holidays event at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. GreenRoom Improv, the current resident improv troupe at the center, serves as masters of ceremonies at the celebration. $10. All proceeds benefit performing arts groups in Elgin. Call the Hemmens box office at (847) 931-5900 or see hemmens.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20

Kris Kringle Market

Find holiday gifts made by local artisans at the Kris Kringle Market, in the ballroom of the Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St., Libertyville. Don't miss the free photos with Santa Claus, free cookies from Mrs. Claus, music and Christmas karaoke, raffle prizes and more. Admission is $3 for ages 16 and older. Free for kids younger than 16. For information, call Donna at (847) 400-4589. 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22