Best Bets: Great Train Show heads to Grayslake; Rob Schneider plays Schaumburg
On the rails
The Great Train Show bills itself as the nation's only coast-to-coast model train show. For its return to Lake County, the show features hundreds of tables of trains, accessories for sale, huge operating exhibits and more this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10-$11 daily; kids ages 11 and under admitted free with guardian. (847) 680-7200 or greattrainshow.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 28 and 29
‘SNL' alum
Longtime fans of “Saturday Night Live” and the streaming sitcom “Real Rob” won't want to miss Rob Schneider performing standup comedy this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $38 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29
Ratt rocks
Hear heavy metal hits such as “Round and Round,” “Back for More” and others when Ratt performs in concert tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27
Funny fest
Chicago comedian DeRay Davis hosts multiple standup shows with stars such as Michael Blackson, Lil Duval, Rickey Smiley, Bruce Bruce, Red Grant, B Simone and more for “DeRay's Comedy Count Down Festival of Funny” starting Saturday at McCormick Place's Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $72-$253. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. Saturday to Tuesday, Dec. 28 to 31
Alt-rock Blossoms
The Gin Blossoms perform the band's “New Miserable Experience Live” tour with guest Jonathan Polit on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $30-$75. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28
Holiday laughs
The Practical Theatre Company features screenwriter Dana Olsen, former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Gary Kroeger and “Veep” writer Emilia Barrosse performing comedy sketches in a show called “Big Holiday Bag O' Fun” starting Saturday at Studio 5, 1934 Dempster St., Evanston. $35-$55; $60-$75 on New Year's Eve. (800) 838-3006 or studio5.dance. 8 p.m. Saturday to Monday, Dec. 28 to 30; 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
Local ‘Idol'
Mount Prospect native and “American Idol” ninth season winner Lee DeWyze performs an intimate concert set on Sunday at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave., Chicago. $40. (800) 838-3006 or leedewyzeofficial.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29
Early NYE
The Carol Stream Park District lets kids celebrate a “Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball” early on Monday with music, a bounce house, games and more at the Simkus Recreation Center, 849 W. Lies Road, Carol Stream. $18 (for kids ages 8 and under; guardians admitted free and must be present). (630) 784-6100 or csparks.org. 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 30