Dickens in Dundee

Dickens in Dundee once again brings the magic of the season to the villages of East and West Dundee. Tree-lighting ceremonies kick things off at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in East Dundee and at 7 p.m. Friday in West Dundee. See local merchants’ windows come to life during the Living Windows event. The Spirit of Christmas Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Second Street in West Dundee and travels across the Main Street Bridge into East Dundee and ends near the Dundee Township Visitors Center (The Depot) on River Street. Don’t miss the gingerbread house crafts, the Festival of Trees, Santa’s petting zoo and a visit from Santa Claus. Free. dickensindundee.org/. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

Free days at Adler

Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, is offering Illinois residents a week of free general admission (with proof of residency). Note: Some activities/shows require fees. (312) 922-7827 or adlerplanetarium.org. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Friday, Dec. 3-9

Tea time

Spend an afternoon eating cookies and holiday treats and singing holiday carols at the Holiday Tea at the Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin. Plus, hear the music of North Side Brass and pianist David Nelson. Free. elginhistory.org. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

Lighting up the night

See Those Funny Little People, hear carolers singing and more when Randhurst Village hosts its Holiday Festival, with events running from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. And then stick around for the Holiday Light Projection Show at Randhurst’s Center Court, with 3-D images of elves, snow, icicles and other holiday scenes projected onto the Hampton Inn building, all accompanied by holiday music. Randhurst Village is at the intersection of Rand and Elmhurst roads in Mt. Prospect. (847) 259-0500 or randhurstvillage.com. Free. Light show runs every half-hour from 6 to 8 p.m. daily from Saturday, Dec. 3, through Saturday, Dec. 17

Musical teamwork

The Lakes Area Community Band teams up with the U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes for a concert of holiday favorites at Lakes Community High School, 1600 Eagle Way, Antioch. Free admission. Visit lacb.org. Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. A meet-and-greet reception follows the performance.

Candlelight at the Inn

See displays of candlelight and hear traditional music on the hammered dulcimer and the penny whistle at the annual Candlelight at the Inn at the Garfield Farm and Inn Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Experience winter traditions as families did back in the 1800s. Event features food, music, a bake sale and more. Free; donations are welcome. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4

Prairie Spirits

The Prairie Spirits Dance Troupe performs its Winter Dance Concert, a program of contemporary dances including original works choreographed by CLC faculty and guest artists, in the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $3-$10. jlc.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

Swedish Christmas and St. Lucia Festival

The Swedish American Children’s Choir hosts the 18th Annual Swedish Christmas and St. Lucia Festival at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. Following the concert, a Swedish Christmas sweet table will be served and Jul Tomte (Swedish Santa Claus) will visit with guests. Baked goods and Scandinavian gift items will be available for purchase. Tickets are by reservation only; $15 for adults and $8 for kids 6-12. For reservations, call the choir office at (630) 414-9700. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

See a screening of the classic 1946 Frank Capra film “It’s A Wonderful Life” at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. The rated-PG film stars James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. A handmade quilt will be raffled off at the event. Admission is $2. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org. Caroling begins at 6 p.m.; movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4