Best bets: Jerry Seinfeld, 'Hot Club Cool Yule', Rosemont dog show
Festivus funnyman
Tis the “Festivus” season to see superstar comedian Jerry Seinfeld live and in person this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $48-$78. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17 and 18
Nutcrackers of the week
Two versions of the ballet “The Nutcracker” can be found in Lake and DuPage Counties.
In Lake County: The Civic Ballet of Chicago still produces Ruth Page's version of “The Nutcracker,” this weekend at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, Grayslake. $20-$27. (847) 543-2300 or civic-ballet.com. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, in Grayslake
In DuPage County: Choreographer Kenneth von Heidecke teams up again with New Philharmonic music director and conductor Kirk Muspratt this weekend to present the Chicago Festival Ballet's production of “The Nutcracker” at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $37; $35 seniors; $27 students. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, in Glen Ellyn
Jazzy Noel
The Hot Club of San Francisco journeys from the Bay Area to share a “Hot Club Cool Yule” concert tonight at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $36-$40; $34-$38 seniors; $26-$30 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17
Stuart giggle
See comedian Claude Stuart riff on his Southern upbringing in Mississippi and other topics this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $24 plus two menu items. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17-18
Oh, doggy day
Which four-legged friend will be top dog? Find out when more than 1,200 dogs compete each day in the Skokie Valley Kennel Club's All-Breed Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $5; $2 kids one-day admission. No strollers. (847) 692-2222 or skokievalleykc.org. 8:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19
Fit kids fun
If your kids can't decide on which sport they like best, then let them sample a few this weekend at the Chicago Sports Fest. Archery, fencing and judo are just a few on offer at McCormick Place in Halls A and B, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 744-3315 or chicagosportsfest.us. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19
Open arena
The Chicago Express ice hockey team hosts a Holiday Open House this Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. There's open community ice-skating (bring your own skates), an Xbox game lounge and a screening of the film “The Polar Express.” Free admission. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com. 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18
Solstice strings
The young string players of 4 Strings team up with a few professional musicians to offer a “Christmas Around the World” concert on Tuesday at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. $20; $18 kids. (815) 338-5300 or woodstockoperahouse.com. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21
Tickling the ivories
Pianist Jim Brickman celebrates the season with his 15th annual Holiday Concert on Thursday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $32-$75. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23