Help the Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills, open the woodlands by removing destructive buckthorn, and then warm up by a fire from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 9. (Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserves of Cook County)

December 7

Santa’s Workshop
6-7:30 p.m.
REC Center, 12015 Mill St., Huntley
$5

In this Huntley Park District program, parents and their children can work together like elves to create holiday crafts to keep or give away as presents. Staff will be on hand with step-by-step instructions, and Santa will stop by to pose for photos during the last half of the event. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call 847-669-3180 or visit www.huntleyparks.org. 

Ben Hale’s Hi-Fi Holidays
8 p.m.
Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake
$35 (Zone A), $30 (Zone B), $25 (Zone C)

See “Million Dollar Quartet” alum Ben Hale, backed by The Wanderers, perform a mix of holiday classics and original Christmas songs in the Americana style of early rock ‘n’ roll pioneers Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. To buy tickets, and for more information, call 815-356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org.

Charlie Foxtrot
9 p.m.
Sideouts Sports Tavern, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake
Free

See rock/pop/country cover band Charlie Foxtrot perform in concert at this popular area tavern and live music venue. For more information, call 847-526-7174 or visit www.sideouts.com

December 8 and 9

‘The Nutcracker Ballet’
2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 9
Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock
$26 (adults), $19 (students)

Enjoy opening-weekend performances of “The Nutcracker Ballet,” presented by members of Judith Svalander Dance Theatre. The show also runs Dec. 14-16. To buy tickets, and for more information, call the box office at 815-338-5300 or visit www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

December 9

Buckthorn Bonfire
1-3 p.m.
Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills
Free

Help the Crabtree Nature Center open the woodlands by removing destructive buckthorn, and then warm up by a fire. Bring work gloves. For more information, call 847-381-6592 or visit www.fpdcc.com.

An Afternoon with Short-Eared Owls
3:30-5 p.m.
Lost Valley Visitor Center (Glacial Park), Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood
Free (residents), $2 (non-residents)

In this McHenry County Conservation District program, attendees can enjoy a short, indoor presentation on short-eared owls and then head outside for a winter hike at dusk to search for the creatures. Bring binoculars, if possible. Dress for winter weather. To register, and for more information, call 815-338-6223 or visit www.mccdistrict.org. 

December 10

Matinee Mondays
1 p.m.
Johnsburg Public Library, 3000 N. Johnsburg Road, Johnsburg
Free

Enjoy a screening of the 2018 film, “Searching” (rated PG-13), a drama/thriller about a man in search of his missing 16-year-old daughter. Snacks will be provided. To register, and for more information, call 815-344-0077 or visit www.johnsburglibrary.org.

Yoga
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Lakefront Park Building, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake
$10

Instructor Megan Michel will lead attendees through an hour of yoga and meditation in this session of an ongoing program. Mats are optional, but encouraged. No registration is required for this walk-in class. For more information, call 224-225-1406 or visit www.foxlake.org.

December 11

Painting Time for Preschoolers
5:30 p.m.
River East Public Library, 813 W. Route 120, Lakemoor
Free

Preschoolers can learn to paint in this session of a recurring program. Each session will feature different painting tools. Dress for a mess. Registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call 815-385-6303 or visit www.rivereastlibrary.org.

December 12

Messy Art! Holiday Painting
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Fox Lake District Library, 255 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake
Free

Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers can enjoy a short story, followed by a messy art experience. Participants are encouraged to get messy and focus on the process of the activity rather than the results. Dress for a mess. Registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call 847-587-0198 or visit www2.youseemore.com. 

–McHenry County Calendar of Events December 5 – December 12–