What’s going on

Out&about

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.

Through April 12

Abraham Lincoln Transformed

Chicago History Museum. Abraham Lincoln Transformed features more than 150 artifacts including original Lincoln manuscripts, slave artifacts, fan and hate mail, and a commemorative copy of the 13th Amendment and Lincoln’s stove-top hat.

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 Historic Dixon Theatre. Free admission. For more information, visit www.dixonhistoriccenter.org/ on the Web.

Dec. 4-5

Dixon’s 21st Annual Christmas Walk

Business specials and giveaways, horse and carriage rides, ice sculptures, caroling and much more are scheduled for Friday night. Breakfast with Santa, craft show, and the Municipal Band Holiday Concert on Saturday. For the full schedule, visit www.dixonil.com/mainstreet/, and the ads on Pages C2-C3.

Dec. 4

Tampico Christmas in the Country

The village kicks off the holiday season with Santa arriving at 4 p.m. and other seasonal activities.

Dec. 4 - Jan. 5

Art exhibit: “Holiday Show”

The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St., Dixon. For more information, visit www.thenextpictureshow.org on the Web.

Dec. 4-6

Dillon Home Museum Christmas Walk

Friday and Saturday tours: 10 a.m., 11, 1 p.m., 2, 3, and evening tours 7-9 p.m. Sunday tours: 1 p.m., 2, 3 and 4. Admission is free for 12 and younger, $2.50 for adults and $1.50 for seniors (60 and older).

Dec. 4-6

Rochelle Christmas Walk

Carriage rides, tree-lighting ceremony at City Hall, kids activities, Santa will be taking requests at the Historical Museum, plus Christmas sales throughout the business district. For more information, visit www.rochellechamber.org on the Web.

Dec. 4

Fulton Christmas Walk

5-7 p.m. in downtown. Shopping and refreshments. 10 a.m. to noon Windmill gift shop open. 4-8 p.m. Illuminated Walk at Heritage Canyon. For more information, visit www.cityoffulton.us or call 815-589-4545.

Dec. 4

2-mile run/walk

Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. at Manny’s Too, Fulton. Run/walk begins at 6 p.m.

Dec. 5

Breakfast with Santa

7-10 a.m. at the Fulton Fire Department’s new station.

Dec. 5

Illuminated Walk

4-8 p.m at Heritage Canyon in Fulton. Hot beverages and cookies at town hall – donations accepted. Photographers at town hall will offer portraits for a fee.

Dec. 5

Mount Carroll Christmas Walk and Holiday Tour of Homes

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Strolling Dickens characters, pictures with Santa, roasted chestnuts, horse-drawn wagon rides, special Christmas sales, and a tour of eclectic homes decorated for the season. Tour of Homes: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., tickets are $8 day of event and available at Carroll County Senior Center, 306 N. Main. For the full schedule, visit www.mtcarrollil.org on the Web.

Dec. 5

Milledgeville Holiday Happenings

1-5 p.m. Craft show at Milledgeville High School, vendors selling baked goods, jewelry, candles and more. A House Walk of homes dressed up for the holidays will be 4:30-7 p.m. Call 815-225-7617 for ticket information.

Dec. 5-6

Holiday Bazaar

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Andrew Parish and School, 701 11th Ave., Rock Falls. Crafts, gifts, silent auction and more.

Dec. 5

28th Annual Mistletoe Ball: A Victorian Holiday Dinner and Dance

8 p.m. to midnight at Turner Hall, 105 S. Bench St., Galena. Enjoy a resplendent holiday feast plus an orchestra that sets gowns swirling. Period dress and holiday attire both appropriate. Price: $59. Phone 815-777-9129.

Dec. 5

Holiday Tour of Homes

Noon to 5 p.m., sponsored by Hospice of the Rock River Valley. Five area homeowners will have their homes on display for public viewing of their holiday decorations. Beans, Books and Beliefs in downtown Sterling will also be open from noon to 5 p.m. serving refreshments, and attendees can register for a prize drawing. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Hospice of the Rock River Valley. Tickets will also be available at the homes the day of the tour. For more information, call 815-288-3673.

Dec. 5, 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. 7

M&M Aviation’s Holiday Open House

5-7 p.m. at the Whiteside County Airport, 10950 Hoover Road, Rock Falls. All are welcome.

Dec. 8

Young Adult Readers Holiday Party

6 p.m. at Sterling Public Library. Bring a “once-read” book for a gift exchange. Lots of fun stuff is planned for this party. For more information, call 815-625-1370.

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 and Expo Center in Sterling. Admission is $2 – kids 12 and younger are admitted free.

Festivals

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 Dec. 24

Kristkindlmarket

Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn, downtown Chicago. Celebrate the holiday season.

Dec. 3-6

Seasonal Sights and Sounds

Dec. 3: 7 p.m. community concert at First Congregational Church, Sterling. Canned good donations.

Dec. 4: 5:30 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony at Grandon Civic Center, downtown Sterling, followed by a parade; 8 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life” live radio play at First Presbyterian Church, Sterling.

Dec. 5: 8 a.m. to noon Twin City Market holiday open house; 6 p.m. Fluid Expressions art show at Woodlawn Arts Academy; 8 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

Dec. 6: 2 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

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. 30

‘A Christmas Carol, The Musical’

Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Set to new, breathtaking music, this score soars with 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 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.

Dec. 4

Eric Noden and Joe Filisko

Doors open at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m., Live in the Redstone Room at River Music Experience, 129 Main St., Davenport, Iowa. Admission is $7.

Dec. 5

Kenny G: The Holiday Show

At the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford. For more information, phone 815-965-0049 or visit www.coronadopac.org on the Web.

Dec. 5-6

‘The Santa Class’

At Lake Carroll Clubhouse, 29-11 Ironwood Boulevard. Saturday: Hors d’oeuvres 7 p.m., show time 8 p.m. Tickets: $30. Sunday: Hors d’oeuvres 1 p.m., show time 2 p.m. Tickets: $25. For more information, call the Timber Lake Playhouse Box Office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 815-244-2035.

Dec. 6

A Cantata of Lessons and Carols

3 p.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 308 East Brayton Road in Mount Morris. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted to support the Loaves and Fish Food Pantry. Music will include well-known songs from Handel’s “Messiah” sung by a 50-member vocal chorus and accompanied by chimes, piano, organ and a 9-member orchestra. This year’s concert will feature the Rae of Light dancers from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oregon. For more information about the event, go to www.trinitymm.net, or call the Disciples United Methodist Church at 815-734-4853, the Mount Morris Church of the Brethren at 815-734-4573, or Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at 815-734-6354.

Dec. 6

Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus

6th annual Christmas show at 2 p.m. at Sterling Centennial Auditorium. Tickets: $5. Featuring area high school barbershoppers.

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 St., 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

Holidays with the Symphony

Clinton Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. in the Vernon Cook Theater at Clinton High School. Holiday concert back after several years featuring “Sleigh Ride,” “The Nutcracker” and a new version of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” For more information, visit www.clintonsymphony.org on the Web.

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. Davenport, 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.