1. 25th Annual Christmas Show
Friday-Wednesday at Music Box; $10 for single feature, $15 for double
This is a Christmas movie-lover's dream. Heck, it's just a Christmas-lover's dream, what with a visit from Santa and a session of caroling kicking off each celebration. Then it's movie time; "White Christmas" and "It's A Wonderful Life" screen back to back (see website for full schedule) most days, except for Monday, which features "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Bad Santa." Tickets are available at the theater and through Ticketmaster.
2. Christmas Dinosaur Panto 7 & 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Hideout; $12, $5 for children (buy tickets ) Club co-owner Tim Tuten leads an all-star cast (including rocker Jon Langford) in "Mutiny on the Beagle: A Darwinian romp on the open seas in search of the Jurassic Origins of Christmas." Need we say more? All ages.
3. Kuma's Doom Fest
6:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Kuma's Corner; $20
The people behind popular (best?) burger joint Kuma's Corner don't just look like metal freaks; they are metal freaks. Join them in their celebration at this loud two-day fest which includes 19 hard-rocking local bands like Jungle Rot and Samothrace. Grab an Iron Maiden or Slayer burger while you're at it.
4. Burlington Holiday Party
9 p.m. Saturday at The Burlington; free
The best of the Burlington DJs get together to spin at the bar's holiday party. Wear your best holiday sweater, enjoy free Sparks until 11, $1 PBR 'til midnight and Burlington eggnog (probably the kind with rum in it) all night long. You're almost guaranteed to have a blast; just do yourself a favor and don't mix eggnog and Sparks.
5. 500 Clown Christmas
Friday-Tuesday at Theatre of Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville; $30 for adults, $25 for students
The merry, dangerous lunatics of 500 Clown, one of Chicago's most beloved fringe institutions, are currently off on a cross-country tour. But the 500 haven't abandoned us completely. Their ebullient Christmas show, which features original musical numbers and glancing references to its Dickens source material, is playing in Naperville at North Central College for a limited run. If you missed this peerlessly reckless take on holiday cheer during its two previous Chicago runs, better get in your car and head for the 'burbs. If you're really eager, tonight's benefit show and party costs $100; contact party@500clown.com for tickets.
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