5 things to do in DeKalb County: Merry Market, the Nutcracker, Holiday Pops concerts

1. Merry Market this weekend in downtown DeKalb presented by DeKalb Back Alley Market

The multi-vendor event will feature a free gift-wrapping station for all shoppers and take place 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Items for sale will include many handmade items, including jewelry, textiles, candles, soaps, lotions, bags, totes, pouches, purses, scarves, mittens, hats, mugs, tumblers and decorative gifts including santas, gnomes, elves, owls, and more.

Food items will be available for purchase, including cotton candy, chocolate bombs, spices and jams. Artisans will include woodcrafters, metal crafters, authors and artists.

For information visit the DeKalb Back Alley Market’s Facebook page.

2. Memorial ornament workshop for loved ones who’ve passed at 11 a.m. Saturday at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St.

Hosted by Northern Illinois Hospice and the DeKalb Public Library, the workshop is a chance to honor those who’ve died.

Free to participate, and all supplies will be provided. Participants are invited to bring a small photo, bit of fabric that is meaningful or a small personal item for use in or on their ornament. There will also be additional information available on coping with loss during the holidays.

This is a masked, socially distanced event. Register ahead of time as space is limited. Children should be 6 years of age or older, if 12 or under accompanied by an adult.

For information or help with registration, contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at 815-756-9568, ext. 1701.

3. Holiday Pops Concerts Friday and Sunday at Northern Illinois University’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, 550 Lucinda Ave. in DeKalb.

Holiday Popos Concert: “Winter Wonderland” takes place at 7 p.m. Friday. For information, visit cityofdekalb.com.

Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Campus Strings’ Holiday Pops Concerts from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Also a matinee Sunday. For information, go to calendar.niu.edu.

4. Sycamore Performing Arts Academy presents “Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb.

Christmas Eve is always an exciting time for Clara with the household party filled with entertainment and magic. Clara receives a mysterious Nutcracker Doll from her beloved Godfather Drosselmeyer. As she falls asleep that night she will take you on a journey through the Land of Snow into the Land of the Sweets ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Visions of coffee, tea and chocolates are presented.

For information, call 815-758-1225 or visit egyptiantheatre.org.

5. Winter Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Road in Malta

Shop small this season by supporting local craft vendors and business at the orchard’s annual Sip & Shop Event in the Cider House. There will also be vendors selling handmade gifts and crafts along with wine, gourmet caramel apples, donuts, Hicks BBQ and more.

For information, go to facebook.com/events.

Would you like your event featured in this weekly feature? The first step is submitting your events to the Daily Chronicle’s community calendar at shawlocal.com/daily-chronicle/local-events/ where they are then considered for inclusion in this feature. Submissions to the community calendar are also printed in the Thursday edition of the Daily Chronicle.