Chicago’s Christkindlmarket
The Christkindlmarket Chicago outdoor market and holiday village honors German and European traditions with holiday items for purchase, German food and drinks and holiday entertainment. Find it at Daley Plaza, between Dearborn, Washington and Clark streets, through Dec. 24. Free. christkindlmarket.com. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24
Hot Dogs with Santa
What goes better with cookies than hot dogs? Find out when the Schaumburg Boomers baseball team hosts its annual Hot Dogs with Santa event at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, 1999 Springinsguth Road. Visitors can pose for photos with Santa Claus and the Boomers mascot Coop the Boomer, take part in the decorate-the-tree contest, and eat hot dogs and cookies. Free. (847) 461-3695 or boomersbaseball.com. 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16
Drive-Through Christmas Nativity
See actors and animals portray the birth of Jesus Christ at the annual Drive-Through Christmas Nativity at Faith World Outreach Church, 1280 S. Route 59, Bartlett. The
event features a narrated CD (also available via live stream), mini-sets of various scenes, and cider and cookies. Free. (630) 830-0196. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17
Holiday classics
Spend Saturday watching four classic animated holiday programs on a 40-foot screen at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. See the 1965 TV special “A Charlie Bown Christmas” at 10 a.m.; the 1964 Rankin/Bass special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at 10:45 a.m.; 1966’s “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at noon; and the 1969 Rankin/Bass animated film “Frosty the Snowman” at 12:45 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and free for kids 12 and younger. arcadalive.com. 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Sing out loud
Sing along to the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” as well as traditional carols at the Messiah and Carol Sing-Along at First United Methodist Church, 128 N. Martin Luther King Drive, Waukegan. Specific sections of the church will be designated for those singing alto, soprano, baritone/bass and tenor. Adult general admission is $15; free for students 18 and younger. Advance tickets at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or check at the door. For details, call the Waukegan Park District at (847) 360-4740 or see waukeganparks.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Revel in seasonal music Sunday
Enjoy the music of the season, including traditional carols, holiday classics and jazzy updates of Christmas favorites, when the Illinois Brass Band presents it Holiday Classics concert at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. Tickets are available in advance for $5-$10 at illinoisbrassband.org or for $6-$12 at the door. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
Double serving of ‘Home Alone’
The Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, hosts a double feature of the John Hughes-produced “Home Alone” comedies. See the 1990 film “Home Alone” at 6 p.m. and the 1992 sequel “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” at 8 p.m. Both movies star Macaulay Culkin and are rated PG. Admission is $2. Concessions will be available for purchase. paramountaurora.com. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19
Dinosaurs hit the mall
The “Age of the Dinosaurs” exhibit takes guests to the days when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. See lifelike moving and roaring dinosaurs, including hatchlings breaking out of eggs, on the upper level AMC Court at Northbrook Court, 1515 Lake-Cook Road, Northbrook. The exhibit also features hands-on and interactive stations where guests can ride a Triceratops or look into the mouth of a Tyrannosaurus. $6. (847) 498-8161 or eventbrite.com. Visit the northbrookcourt.com for daily hours. Runs through Saturday, Dec. 31
