Weekend picks: 'Nutcrackers' aplenty across the suburbs
Traditional Tchaikovsky
The von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet teams up with the New Philharmonic for another annual run of "The Nutcracker" this weekend at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $44; $34 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Brunch with Santa
Santa Claus is coming to brunch at Mon Ami Gabi in Oak Brook. He'll hear last-minute gift requests and pass out treats to the kids. Reservations required. Mon Ami Gabi is at 260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 472-1900 or monamigabi.com/home/?loc=oakbrook. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Hurrah for Hanukkah
Jam with The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band at two Hanukkah Concerts at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $20-$23; $25-$30 parking fee per car or van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Brunch & Pajamas
Put on your PJs and head to e+o food and drink for a special holiday Brunch & Pajamas. The buffet includes a special hot cocoa bar. Get in on a holiday photo shoot with a professional photographer. Brunch is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids. Reservations required. e+o food and drink is at 125 Randhurst Village Drive, Mount Prospect, (847) 398-3636 or eofoodanddrink.com/. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Spectrum singing
Families with autistic children are invited to attend a concert featuring Grammy Award-winner Dan Zanes for a Holiday Sing-Along at the College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $28; $27 seniors; $8-$15 kids. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
'Nutcracker' tots
More than 100 performers are featured in Berkshire Ballet Theatre's take on Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet "The Nutcracker," which features a "Mouse Queen" for the first time. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $28-$30. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Classic 'Nutcracker'
Salt Creek Ballet presents its take on Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet "The Nutcracker" this weekend at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $20-$42. (847) 673-6300 or csparks.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Handel with care
Handel's beloved Christian oratorio "The Messiah" will be performed at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. The Apollo Chorus performs a traditional concert. Tickets are $30-$70. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Go 'Downtown'
British 1960s pop star Petula Clark ("Sign of the Times," "I Know a Place") performs in concert Sunday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17
Rocking Christmas
Classical Blast! melds rock music with symphonic orchestrations for the concert "Dark Side of the Yule" at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17