German traditions Those who can't make it to downtown Chicago will be pleased to know that the Western Suburbs play host to a Christkindlmarket Naperville outpost. Enjoy outdoor shopping and sampling spiced wine starting Friday, Nov. 23, at Naper Se...

Choo, choo! See electric miniature trains whiz by various landscapes at the Lake County Model Railroad Club Open House this weekend at 107 S. Main St., Wauconda. Free admission. (815) 388-4301 or lcmrr.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 ...

Maybe Illinois has produced so many cool movies because it offers such a vastly diverse spectrum of locations to tell highly visual stories. Or maybe our state has pumped out impressive pictures because the Illinois Film Office and Chicago Film Offi...

Oscar winner Academy Award-winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique returns for a series of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $44 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com....

Fun for the whole family, engaging storytelling and audience participation are all part of "An Evening of Magic & Illusion with Kevin Spencer" at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 at the College of Lake County. The performance, inclusive for people of all abili...

Nature lights Nature and colorful displays combine once again for another season of Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum. This year's version launches with an Illumibrew preview complete with a beer tasting to accompany all the visual w...

Capra classic Find out all about director Frank Capra's classic 1946 Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life" in a new exhibit. "Hometown Holiday: It's a Wonderful Life in Elmhurst" continues through Sunday, Jan. 6, at the Elmhurst History Museum, 12...

‘Thy word' Celebrated Christian pop singer and songwriter Amy Grant (“That's What Love is For,” “Baby, Baby”) returns to perform in concert on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $65-$75. (815) 356-9212 ...

Sloppy and silly Get nostalgic for gross-out games when the national tour of “Double Dare Live!” sets up its bizarre obstacle course on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35-$55; $15-$25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosem...