Celtic Woman brings its “Home for Christmas: The Symphony Tour” to North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall in Naperville on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18. (Courtesy of Kip Carroll)

Aretha Franklin’s rescheduled concert at the Chicago Theatre is set for Saturday, Dec. 17. (Associated Press, 2013)

Megon McDonough, left, performs “Season of Light” Saturday.

Broadway veteran Ashley Brown appears with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for its series of “Merry, Merry Chicago” holiday concerts at Symphony Center in Chicago.

Berkshire Ballet Theatre returns with its version of “The Nutcracker” at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18. (Courtesy of Kayla Natoli Photography)

Comedian Finesse Mitchell returns to the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.

Ralphie May performs Saturday at the Arcada Theatre. (Courtesy of Stacey Pokluda)

Comedian Ralphie May performs Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. (Courtesy of Gary Dineen/Comedy Central)

Figure skating exhibitions are part of the 16th Annual Winter Carnival at the Glenview Ice Center. (Courtesy of the Glenview Park District)

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Symphonic greetings

Broadway star Ashley Brown and the Chicago Children’s Choir are guest stars for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s series of “Merry, Merry Chicago!” holiday concerts at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $38-$110. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21-22; and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23

‘SNL’ alum

Fans of comedian Finesse Mitchell (“Saturday Night Live,” “Showtime at the Apollo”) won’t want to miss his ongoing standup gigs this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18

Tchaikovsky classic

More than 120 performers are featured in Berkshire Ballet Theatre and Summers Academy of Dance’s production of the classic Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker,” which returns this weekend to the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $28-$30. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18

Due ‘Respect’

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, performs iconic hit songs like “Think,” “Daydreaming,” “Freeway of Love” and more in a rescheduled concert at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $49.50-$149.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17

Christmas cabaret

Cheer on Crystal Lake singer Megon McDonough when she performs selections from her recent holiday album “Season of Light” at the Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette. $30. (847) 251-7424 or wilmette theatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17

May we laugh?

Catch up with comedian Ralphie May following his 2015 Netflix comedy specials “Unruly” and “Imperfectly Yours” at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $25-$65. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17

Fun on ice

Kids on winter break can take part in charity hockey games, enjoy character skating sessions, watch figure skating exhibitions and more at the 16th Annual Winter Carnival starting today at the Glenview Ice Center, 1851 Landwehr Road, Glenview. Prices vary by activity. (847) 724-5670 or glenviewice center.org. Friday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 8

Top pick

Hibernian holidays

Fresh off the release of the holiday album “Voices of Angels,” the Irish ensemble Celtic Woman returns with the “Home for Christmas: The Symphony Tour” concerts this weekend at North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 Benton Ave., Naperville. $90-$105. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18