Entertainment

Leave the cooking to someone else on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Enjoy a holiday meal at one of these restaurants.

The Joliet Drama Guild and the Playnfield Players are both presenting performances of "A Christmas Carol" this weekend.

Looking for something to do over winter break? Visit these award-winning bowling alleys, family recreation spots for nonstop fun.

Lee Center UCC Church and Amboy Lions Club will host chili luncheon Jan. 12.

Join in on reindeer games in Crystal Lake and celebrate Festivus in McHenry this weekend.

Featured wine bars in Kane County bring delicious sips and savors.

Theater construction upgrades still underway; grand opening will be March 2 with the National Touring Broadway Show, “Spamilton."

For those of you still looking for Christmas activities prior to the holiday, there are some weekend events and attractions to keep the spirit going in La Salle, Ottawa, Princeton and Streator.

There will be a Holiday Radio Play, Family Workshop Experience and more in Kendall County.

Kane County will feature a Christmas drive-thru light show, Cocoa With Santa, Open Studio event and more.

Children will get to decorate a variety of holiday-themed cookies, from jolly snowmen to cheerful reindeer, using an array of colorful icing, sprinkles and other fun toppings.

Audiences will hear Bonn’s unique, chilling insights from examining Dennis Rader (BTK Strangler), David Berkowitz (Son of Sam), Rex Heuermann (alleged Long Island Serial Killer), Jeffery Dahmer and more.

Light shows, the festively decorated McCormick House and Taylor Swift-themed nights highlight Christmas at Cantigny in Wheaton.

The 1937 MAR Theater in Wilmington will host its annual Christmas show benefiting Kuzma Care Cottage food bank and featuring holiday music favorites.

Enjoy family-friendly holiday events at Starved Rock Lodge in Oglesby.

Holiday celebrations continue in McHenry County this weekend with a Flurry Fest in Lake in the Hills and a parade in Johnsburg.

Lighted parades and Christmas walks in Oglesby and Ladd part of eventful weekend that includes holiday-themed performances.

Kendall County will feature the Oswego Holiday Express, a Holiday Trivia Night and other exciting festivities.

There will be a New Year's Eve hike, Brunch With Santa and more in Kane County.

The new musical comedy cabaret gets creative with nostalgic inspiration from the television specials of those "happy golden days of yore."

This touring production is funny, sweet and deserving of a longer run.

Celebrate the holiday season with festivals in Fox River Grove, Marengo and Spring Grove this weekend.

The musical program titled “We Need A Little Christmas” opens with popular Christmas classics, followed by a narration of the birth of Jesus interwoven with carols.

The 48th Festival of the Gnomes will be held Saturday and Sunday at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre. in Joliet.

Check out one of the these northern Illinois bakeries that specialize in delicious cookies on Dec. 4.

Galena goes all out for the holidays, with several festive events for the whole family.

There are a number of community holiday activities scheduled across the Illinois Valley, including events in La Salle, Peru, Princeton, Marseilles and Mendota this weekend.

Holiday events include a Mariah Carey-themed brunch, Ghostbusters brunch and a special New Year's Eve brunch.

Several holiday-related events are coming up in Kane County, including photo opportunities with Santa, a Winter Wonder Lights Celebration and more.

Several festive events are coming up in Kendall County, including the Oswego Christmas Walk, the Montgomery Merry & Bright event and more.

Stephen Connell reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge in this holiday treasure.

Weekends of Dec. 6-7, 13-14 offer chances to see Santa along with holiday films.

Guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening with Fashion Santa — a holiday icon known for his high-fashion flair and festive charm.

Two community theater troupes will present holiday-themed performances this weekend – one in Polo and the other in Morrison.

Learn about history, enjoy music and light refreshments in the restored 1846 brick inn and a bake sale in the 1840s Atwell Burr House.

The Polo Area Community Theatre is preparing for its annual Christmas show, “FrUiTCaKeS,” which will be performed Dec. 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 at the Polo Town Hall, 117 N. Franklin Ave. in Polo.

The Santa Run For Kids happens Sunday, Dec. 1 in Crystal Lake.

The chamber ensemble will present “The Works of Christmas” between Dec. 1 and 8 in four churches. The singers represent La Salle, Grundy and Livingston counties.

This dazzling display of lights is the largest free outdoor holiday light show in the area.

Live entertainment at the Joliet Public Library and the Joliet Area Historical Museum, North Pole Christmas Market at the Renaissance Center and North Pole Park at Cass and Joliet Streets, ice sculpture demos, food trucks and parade.

Boozy Hot Chocolate Flights will be available through January.

A rebrand is coming to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine, and it’s pure retro.

Plenty of holiday festivities this weekend in McHenry County including parades in Crystal Lake and Woodstock.

Catch up with family and friends over a holiday brunch in December.

Here are five holiday activities to do this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Grand opening planned for early March.

Christmas walk and visits with Santa planned in Dixon.

Song paired with guest dancers in one number will help power the “Making Music in the Heart” winter concert on Dec. 7.

This free event celebrates the magic of the season with festive and fun holiday activities, song and ceremony, culminating in Santa’s arrival and a welcome by Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, followed by the ceremonial tree lighting.

With a change of venues from St. Charles for the past seven years to Elmhurst, a new collection of original plays will have their time to shine at GreenMan Theatre.