All ages are welcome to attend a showing of the 2016 family film, “The Secret Life of Pets,” 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Marengo-Union Library District, 19714 E. Grant Highway, Marengo.

December 16 

Family Friday Night Movie 

6 p.m. 

Marengo-Union Library District, 19714 E. Grant Highway, Marengo 

Free 

All ages are welcome to attend a showing of the 2016 family film, “The Secret Life of Pets” (rated PG). Beverages and snacks will be provided. To register, and for more information, call (815) 568-8236 or visit www.muld.org.

December 17 

Holiday Happening 

2-4 p.m. 

Spring Grove Tavern, 2508 Route 12, Spring Grove 

Free 

Kids can enjoy free hot chocolate — and adults can enjoy drink specials — as Santa Claus hands out toys to all girls and boys. For more information, call (815) 675-0905 or visit www.sgtavern.com.

December 17 

Little S*T*E*A*Mers 

2-3 p.m. 

Algonquin Area Library District Main Library, 2600 Harnish Drive, Algonquin 

Free 

Kids (ages 5-7) can participate in science, technology, engineering, art or math experiments and activities in this session of the monthly program. Registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call (847) 458-6060 or visit www.aapld.org.

December 17 

Christmas Joy with Cassandra & Friends 

8-11 p.m. 

Stage Left Café, 125 W. Van Buren Street, Woodstock 

$25 

Enjoy a performance by Cassandra & Friends in this holiday concert to benefit the Friends of the Opera House. Ticket purchase includes one free drink. To buy tickets, visit the Woodstock Opera House box office, 121 Van Buren Street. For more information, call (815) 338-5300 or visit www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

December 17 

Santa BINGO for Kids 

2 p.m. 

Johnsburg Public Library, 3000 N. Johnsburg Road, Johnsburg 

Free 

Kids (ages 6-10) can play BINGO to win prizes straight out of Santa’s sack. Advance registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call (815) 344-0077 or visit www.johnsburglibrary.org.

December 17, 18  

‘The Nutcracker’ 

3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 17; 3 p.m. Dec. 18 

Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake 

$28-$30

See the Berkshire Ballet Theatre’s reimagined production of the timeless holiday classic, based on 19th Century author E.T.A. Hoffmann’s novella, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” For tickets, and more information, call (815) 356-9212 or visit www.rauecenter.org.

December 19 

Art Attack: Paint & Sip Party 

7-9:30 p.m. 

Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake 

$35 

In this Crystal Lake Park District program, participants (ages 15 and up) can create 11-by-14 paintings under the guidance of professional art instructor Julie Kukreja. No talent is necessary. Bring a favorite beverage and snacks. Registration deadline is Dec. 16. To sign up, and for more information, contact Sam Thompson at (815) 459-0680, Ext. 1220, send an email to sthompson@crystallakeparks.org or visit www.crystallakeparks.org.

December 20 

Movie Day: ‘Sully’ 

10-11:45 a.m.; 6-7:45 p.m. 

Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St., Woodstock 

Free 

Attend one of two showings of the film, “Sully” (rated PG-13), which stars Tom Hanks as airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who famously directed an Airbus A320 to a safe emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009. To register, and for more information, call (815) 338-0542 or visit www.woodstockpubliclibrary.org.

December 20 

Color On: Coloring for Adults 

6:30-8 p.m. 

Huntley Area Public Library, 11000 Ruth Road, Huntley 

Free 

Enjoy some relaxation time by coloring, listening to music and socializing in this adult program (ages 16 and up). The library will supply coloring sheets, and a limited number of pencils and markers. Registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call (847) 669-5386 or visit www.huntleylibrary.org.

December 21 

Cookie & Ornament Festival 

10 a.m. to noon 

McHenry Recreation Center, 363 Municipal Drive, McHenry 

$10 

Children (ages 5-11) can travel through several stations to decorate cookies and make holiday ornaments, and then relax to watch a holiday movie and hang out with Santa Claus. To register, and for more information, call (815) 363-2160 or visit www.ci.mchenry.il.us.

December 23 

Pizza Party & Grab Bag BINGO 

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Kraus Senior Center, 441 W. Main St., Cary 

$10 (residents), $11 (non-residents) 

Seniors can join together to enjoy pizza and play Grab Bag BINGO in this Cary Park District event, sponsored by Eastgate Manor Supportive Living. Registration deadline is Dec. 16. To sign up, call (847) 639-8118 or visit www.carypark.com.