The Scene

Ring in the New Year at Raue Center for the Arts as Elton Rohn, a tribute to Elton John, performs at 7 p.m. Dec. 31.

Another bar is coming to downtown Cary that will also operate an outdoor mobile space at the future community plaza.

Tickets to the concert won’t be sold. They will be exchanged for a generous donation of non-perishable food and/or paper products, which will be donated to Daybreak Shelter in Joliet.

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

Enjoy a candlelight dinner Dec. 11, a holiday meal on Christmas Eve and ring in 2025 with a four- or six-course meal.

Festive concerts to feature Elgin Master Chorale, Integrity School of Dance, Santa Claus Dec. 14-15.

The Chick and the Pig offers delivery and takeout of BBQ and fried chicken until 3 a.m. on weekends.

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.

Aurora’s Fox Valley Festival Chorus will present “From Paris to the North Pole: A Holiday Spectacular” Sunday, Dec. 8. The music of Mozart, Handel and Irving Berlin will be featured at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

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

These suburban restaurants are offering holiday cocktails to keep your spirits bright.

FoxFire in downtown Geneva is offering new menu items to celebrate its 21st anniversary.

Whether you can get away for an afternoon or an entire weekend, here are some destinations to help get you started.

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

Visit these festive holiday markets in Ottawa, St. Charles, Oswego, Lisle, McHenry and more to find the perfect gift.

Oak Brook is filled with shopping, dining and outdoor adventures, perfect for a girls' weekend or family getaway.

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

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

Freddie's Off the Chain restaurant is expected to open soon in downtown Oswego.

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.

This one-of-a-kind exhibit is a fan-recreated version of Homer Simpson’s iconic pink car, “The Junkola.”

The Taylor Swift tribute band will perform at the downtown Joliet theatre Thursday, March 13.

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.

The free-to-view online series, produced by the Norris Cultural Arts Center, celebrates the holiday season with performances by some of the area’s top vocal and instrumental performers.

The performance is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

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.

Experience the magic of Elvis with 'The King in Concert,' featuring Jimmy Holmes, on Saturday, Jan. 11.

From comics to chocolate, silly socks and edgy fashion looks there is sure to be something for everyone on your list.

Here's a list of where you can find holiday performances in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

“The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston” starring Belinda Davids will be at the downtown Joliet theatre Wednesday, Jan. 22.

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

Proceeds from the event will benefit PADS of Elgin.

Ring in 2025 as some of the best stand-up comedians take the stage at Raue Center in Crystal Lake for a classic comedy show complete with music, games and the year in review.

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.

Batavia High School bands will host 150 students from Inagakuen Sogo High School in Tokyo, Japan, for a Unity Concert at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre Dec. 18.

A Thomson restaurant sits off the beaten path of a popular river highway, but its menu leads many adventurists and foodies down a scenic road close to the Mighty Mississippi.

Local events in Oswego, Geneva, Aurora, Joliet, Ottawa and more help enhance seasonal fun and keep calendars full.

The Neighborhood Tourist region provides a plethora of shops and boutiques for any taste or interest. These unique shops are located in Geneva, Crystal Lake, McHenry, Oswego, Morris and Grayslake.

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.

The magic of the season begins with three days of festivities from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Mickey Finn’s Brewery is thrilled to announce the arrival of AJ McCloud as the new head chef.

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.