Wheaton's Festival of Lights continues through 2009
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Fest at the zoo
Wheaton's Cosley Zoo hosts its Festival of Lights and Trees through the final days of 2009. See lighted displays, visit the zoo's animals and purchase holiday gifts and greenery.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, through Wednesday, Dec. 30, and 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Free, but donations for the zoo's programs are appreciated. (630) 665-5534 or wheatonparkdistrict.com.
Today
Merv's music
Finger-style guitarist Merv Collins performs a variety of music at Long Grove's Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Cafe.
2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Cafe, 320 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free. (847) 821-0011.
'Aga-Boom'
See "Aga-Boom," a circuslike spectacular filled with acrobats, physical comedians and more.
1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $37. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.
More and more holiday lights
If you still haven't gotten your fill of colorful holiday lights this season, drive over to the Cuneo Museum and Gardens in Vernon Hills. The museum is featuring its annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show with thousands of twinkling lights forming holidays scenes and familiar characters.
6 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, to Saturday, Jan. 2, at the Cuneo Museum and Gardens, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. $5 per car Mondays through Thursdays; $10 per car Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (847) 362-3042 or cuneomuseum.org.
A celebration of sports
Kids can get burn off some of that pent-up holiday energy by trying out a wide variety of indoor sports activities at the Chicago Sports Fest. Football, bowling, fishing, table tennis, boxing and martial arts are just a few of the sports available. The event also features sporting tournaments and demonstrations.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 27, and Monday, Dec. 28, in Halls A and B at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Free admission (except for volleyball tournament). Visit explorechicago.org.
This week
The Globetrotters bounce their way into Rosemont
The world famous jokesters of basketball, the Harlem Globetrotters, bring their own comical brand of basketball to the Allstate Arena.
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, and 2 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $21.50-$171.50. Parking is $11. (800) 745-3000.
Bring in the new year with Billy
Comedian Billy Gardell stars in a New Year's Eve comedy show at Schaumburg's Improv Comedy Showcase. Guests can purchase a "show-only" ticket or a full dinner/show/bar package for the evening.
Comedy show runs from 10 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, in Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for those getting the prime rib dinner buffet at 8 p.m. Cost is $75 for the show only; $120 per person for the full dinner/show/bar package. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com.
New Year's Eve for the family
Blues Bar hosts its early-in-the-day Mount Prospect New Year's Eve Family Bash with performances by a magician, a Capannari's Ice Cream sundae bar, a countdown to New Year's Eve and a balloon drop.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Blues Bar, 2 W. Busse Ave., Mount Prospect. For children in preschool through fifth grade, accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $8 per person and are available at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. (847) 259-8600 or blues-bar.com.
Bubble Bash 2009
The DuPage Children's Museum hosts its daytime New Year's Eve countdown, Bubble Bash 2009. Count down to the new year of 2010 at noon. The event features musical performances by Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans and a "Bubble Wonder" demonstration by Geoff Atkin.
9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 31, at the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. $15 members, $20 nonmembers. Call to register. Attendance is limited. (630) 637-8000 or dupagechildrensmuseum.org.