What's Going On
Out&about
Through Jan. 5
Holiday Show
At The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St., Dixon. For more information visit www.thenextpictureshow.org on the Web.
Through Jan. 9
The White House Garden Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at The Dixon Historic Center. Free admission. For more information visit www.dixonhistoriccenter.org/ on the Web.
Through Jan. 31
Artist exhibit: CCAQ No. 6: HER WORLD
Paintings by Judy Dixon at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St., Dixon. For more information, visit www.distinctivegardensinc.com/ccaq.html or call 815-285-3496.
Dec. 11-12
Paw Paw’s holiday fest
Friday night - Lighting of the town Christmas tree, wagon rides, gingerbread house decorating contest, craft booths and refreshments at community building. Saturday - craft show continues, plus merchant drawings and door prizes.
Dec. 11-12
Northwestern Illinois Farm Show
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Westwood Sports Complex & Epo Center in Sterling. Admission is $2 – kids 12 and younger are free.
Dec. 11-13
The Woodworking Show
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Phone 847-303-4100.
Dec. 12
Ashton Christmas Festival
Held at the Lions Community Center and downtown Ashton. Homemade chili supper, gingerbread house decorating contest for the kids, visits with Santa and more.
Dec. 12
Saturdays with Santa
5-8 p.m. at Distinctive Gardens, Dixon. Hot cocoa, pictures with santa, bonfire, roast marshmallows, shop for a Christmas tree or holiday gifts.
Dec. 12
A Taste of Christmas Progressive Dinner
Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of Galena, Galena. Sixteen select inns will host appetizers, salads, entrees and dessert, with each guest dining at four different Galena bed-and-breakfasts. Tickets are limited to 50. Reservations required. Price: $55. Phone 815-777-0893.
Dec. 12
Wild Birds Unlimited
3 p.m. at the Jarrett Prairie Center in the Byron Forest Preserve. Bring the kids and learn how to attract birds to your backyard this winter. Appropriate for all ages. No charge. For more information visit www.byronforestpreserve.com or call 815-234-8535, Ext 200.
Dec. 13
Holiday Craft, Gift Show
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton. Handcrafted gifts from jewelry to toys, sports items, and even gifts for your pets. Antique Christmas decorations, collectibles and other flea market items will also be for sale. For information call Kathy Costerisan at 815-866-3606 after 3 p.m.
Dec. 19
Night of the Luminaria
6-9 p.m. The streets, steps, and sidewalks of Galena will be lined with nearly 5,000 candle-lit luminaries. Some locations include: Old Train Depot, along the riverbanks, Park Avenue, Grant Park, Bouthillier Street, footbridge, Post Office, Old Market House, and steps between Main and Prospect streets. For more information visit www.galenachamber.com or call 815-777-9050.
Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Party
7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Starlight’s Theatre & Lounge, 314 First Ave. Sterling. Formal event, black tie optional. Rock River Jazz Band and vocalist Jerry Criss. Complimentary champagne toast, hors devours, party favors. Advance tickets, $20, $25 at the door. Call 815-564-9430 or e-mail starlightstheatre@live.com for more information.
Festivals
Through Dec. 24
Kristkindlmarket
Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn, downtown Chicago. Celebrate the holiday season.
Through Dec. 31
Holiday Festivities
Long Grove Historic Village, 307 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Shop till you drop, enjoy an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride and share a delicious holiday meal at one of Long Grove’s signature restaurants.
Through Jan. 3
Winter Wonderfest
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Navy Pier turns itself into a “Winter Wonderfest” featuring a number of different attractions, rides, and ice skating. Phone 312-595-7437.
Stage events
Through Dec. 13
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. Tickets: $15. For more information visit www.clintonshowboat.org on the Web.
Through Dec. 20
A Christmas Carol
8 p.m. Friday/Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim, originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at Madison Square Garden. Phone 630-587-8521.
Through Dec. 30
A Christmas Carol The Musical
Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Set to new, breathtaking music this new score soars with beautiful music and inspirational lyrics. Ebenezer Scrooge is held accountable for his dastardly ways by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Phone 847-634-0200.
Through Feb. 14
My Fair Lady
Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. A timeless classic and only one word describes this endearing and enchanting Lerner and Loewe musical romance. Phone 847-634-0100.
Dec. 10-13
Reader’s theater-style Christmas offerings
At Pinecrest Grove Community Center on South McKendrie. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 13, dessert theater. Tickets $10. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12, dinner theater. Tickets $18 for adults, $12 for children. For more information, go to tickets@performingartsguild.com or call 815-734-2103.
Dec. 10-13
Disney on Ice
At the Rockford MetroCenter, 300 Elm Street, Rockford. Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life. Phone 815-968-5222 or visit www.centreevents.com on the Web.
Dec. 12-13
Handel’s Messiah
8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at Augustana College’s Centennial Hall, 3703 Seventh Ave., Rock Island. Choir features 62 Augustana Choir singers and about 200 others from the Quad-City community. They will be joined onstage by the 37-member Handel Oratorio Society Chamber Orchestra and four professional soloists. Admission is $16. For more information visit www.augustana.edu/tickets or call 309-794-7306.
Dec. 12-13
Ballet Quad Cities: The Nutcracker
2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at The Adler Theatre 136 E. Third St. Davenpot, Iowa. Tickets: Adults $14, $17, $22, $25. Adults (beginning Nov. 26) $14, $20, $24, $27. Students (age 5 - college) $12, $17, $22, $25. Seniors (60+) $12, $17, $22, $25. Military (with ID) $14, $17, $20, $25. For more information visit www.ticketmaster.com on the Web.
Dec. 13
The Winter Rose Christmas Cantata
9:30 a.m. at Second Reformed Church, 703 14th Ave., Fulton. Coffee, punch, and treats will be served following the service. For more information, visit www.secondreformedchurch.net or call 815-589-3425.
Dec. 13
Once Upon a Night Christmas Cantata
2 p.m. at Polo First United Methodist Church. Following the cantata, refreshments will be served in Kreider Hall. The cantata will be the culmination of several events celebrating the church’s 175th anniversary.
Dec. 13
Choir cantata The Gift Goes On
9 a.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Polo. For more information call 815-946-3212.
Dec. 13
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Phone 847-671-5100.
Dec. 17
Barry Manilow
Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Phone 847-671-5100.
Dec. 19
Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Pops Series - Holiday Pops
at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 North Main Street, Rockford. For more information, phone 815-965-0049 or visit www.coronadopac.org on the Web.
Jan. 9
Sterling municipal band: “Evening At The Pops”
6 p.m. at the Coliseum, Sterling. Reservations are $25 a person. Doors open at 5 p.m., Hors d’oeuvres buffet at 5:30 p.m. Free seating available in the balcony if you just want to attend the concert. For more information call Jon or Cathy James at 815-622-1681.
