Dining out: Billy Corgan, Taylor, Santa, beer cupcakes and more at local eateries

New Year’s Eve with the Corgans, ice cream topped with beef jerky, beer cupcakes, Taylor and tenders ... there’s a lot going on to keep you busy, so get out there and finish off the year with a flourish.

A smashing good time

If you missed the registration window, which if you’re reading about this for the first time you definitely did, you can still get on the waitlist for a chance to enjoy New Year’s Eve with Billy and Chloe Corgan at “A Very Chicago New Year” at Madame Zuzu’s in Highland Park. The event will be part of NBC Chicago’s NYE coverage, so you could even be on TV (if you’re wearing memorable novelty headgear). Doors open at 9:30 p.m. The $325 ticket includes an open bar, light bites, pastries and live music with Billy Corgan and a as-yet-to-be-announced lineup of musicians.

Cupcake funday

Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove is partnering up with Small Cakes of South Barrington to combine two great tastes. Between 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, they’ll be offering a pair of handmade cupcake options made with BCB beer — Gingerbread Rum Cupcake (made with Rum Barrel Aged Hallows) and Chocolate Espresso Bacon Lemon Blueberry (made with Lemon Blueberry Gose). There will be nonalcoholic options for all ages.

Look what you made them do

Do you have a Blank Space in your tummy that only some chicken tenders can fill? Grab your cardigan and head to Atlas Chicken in Bartlett at noon Sunday Dec. 17, for Swiftie Sunday. There’s a bead bar for all your friendship bracelet needs, the Swiftie Slushie is on special, and you can pose with a life-size cutout of Taylor. Ready for it?

Dream of ice cream

Crazy about ice cream? Here’s a crazy way to push the limits of your sundae making creativity. The Drake Oak Brook is rolling out its Ice Dream Bar at the hotel’s Aroma de Café. Here’s a sampling of the over 50 toppings available: Cheeseburger sliders, french fries, bacon, caramel corn, dill pickle chips, kettle cooked potato chips, beef jerky and an assortment of cereals such as Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs and Cap’n Crunch.

Santa in the suburbs

It’s becoming clear as to why Santa’s figure is so ... robust. He’s visiting half the restaurants in the suburbs before the big day. If you’ve missed him up until now, you can catch him from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Village Squire, 4512 W. Elm St., McHenry. No reservations are necessary.

• Send dining news to rwest@dailyherald.com.