Your Fun

‘The Sound of Music’

Now through Jan. 15, check website for times. When nun-in-training Maria is sent by her convent to be the governess of seven children, she finds herself questioning her choices in life. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.

Charles Dickens: A Tale with a Twist

Nov. 30, 1 p.m. Actor Terry Lynch portrays the famous British author, reflecting on his life and discussing some of Dickens’ best-loved holiday works. Norris Cultural Arts Center at Baker Community Center, 101 2nd St., St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.

Lighting of the Square

Nov. 25, 4 p.m. Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate trees and buildings as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on an antique fire engine. Visit Santa’s Hut in the Park following the ceremony. Woodstock Square, 121 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock, (815) 338-4300, woodstockil.gov.

Festival of Lights Parade

Nov. 25, 7 p.m. The traditional start to the holiday season, when Santa Claus comes to town and the evening is filled with lights, music, pageantry and magic. Downtown Crystal Lake, (815) 479-0835, downtowncl.org.

St. Charles Holiday Homecoming

Nov. 25-26, Fri. 5 p.m., Sat. 5:30 p.m. Welcome the holiday season with a Friday Lighting of the Lights in the 1st Street Plaza and Saturday’s annual Electric Christmas Parade down Main Street. Downtown St. Charles, (630) 443-3967, stcholidayhomecoming.com.

Geneva Christmas Walk

Dec. 2, 6-9:30 p.m. Capture the magic of the holiday season with the lighting of the Great Tree plus Santa Claus, carolers, a live nativity, dazzling business window displays, Santa Lucia and shopping. Downtown Geneva. Info: Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 S. 3rd St., Geneva, (630) 232-6060, genevachamber.com.

BDE: ‘The Nutcracker’

Dec. 2-4, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic comes alive as the young dancers of Barrington Dance Ensemble join professionals onstage. Barrington Dance Ensemble, Barrington High School Auditorium, 616 W. Main St., Barrington, (847) 382-6333, barringtondance.org.

Miracle on Main Street

Dec. 3, 3-6:30 p.m. Featuring a 35-foot Christmas tree, with an opportunity to meet Santa and see entertainment by Lake Zurich High School’s Bare Voices and Blue Notes Show Choir, Peace Lutheran Bell Choir and the Academy of Performing Arts. Children’s crafts, reindeer, sleigh rides, food vendors, more. Downtown Lake Zurich, (847) 438-5141, lakezurich.org.

ESO: Holiday Spectacular

Dec. 9-11, Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the Elgin Master Chorale. Fri. performance at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org. Sat.-Sun. at Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.

A Swingin’ Little Christmas

Dec. 10-11, 8 p.m. Comedian Jane Lynch brings friends Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and the Tony Guerrero Quintet for a fun twist on classic Christmas tunes. Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.

Huntley Indoor Farmers Market

Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Family farmers and smallscale vendors bring a variety of fresh produce and locally made goods on the second Saturday of the month. Huntley Legion Hall, 11712 Coral St., Huntley, (847) 515-5262, huntley.il.us. ❚

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