Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham brings a laugh on New Year’s Eve at the Allstate Arena

What characters!

Hear the puppets’ opinions on a variety of topics as star ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham performs his “Seriously!?” tour at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $53; Parking at $25. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 3 p.m. Friday, December 31

Jessica “Jess Hilarious” Moore headlines “Chi Town Comedy Countdown” this weekend at the Arie Crown Theater in McCormick Place.
– Associated Press, 2018

comedy celebration

Join comedians DeRay Davis, Jess Hilarious, Rick Smiley and more at the “Chi Town Comedy Countdown” at McCormick Place’s Arie Crown Theatre, 2301 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $59 to $125. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday, December 30-31 and January 1

CANCELED — Bubble Party

The DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville has canceled Bubble Bash — A Family New Year’s Eve, which was scheduled to take place on Friday, December 31.

Baritone Ted Allen Pickell is the guest soloist at the New Philharmonic’s “New Year’s Eve Concert” on Friday, December 31.
– Courtesy of McAninch Center for the Arts

Symphonic Countdown

The New Philharmonic is relaunching its annual in-person and online “New Year’s Concert” with guest baritone Ted Allen Pickell at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $67; $65 seniors; $77 golden circle ticket at 8:30 p.m.; Streaming option at $67 per household. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, December 31

winter wonder

There are a few days left – Jan. 6-8 – that aren’t sold out (at press time) for you to marvel at the “Illumination: Tree Lights” outdoor show at Morton’s Arboretum, 4100 Rd. 53, Lisle. $19 for adults; $13 for children 2 to 17 years old; free for children under 2 years old. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every evening until January 8

Fab 2021 farewell

Usher in 2021 with Beatles albums ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Let It Be’ performed by American English tribute band at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $37 to $50. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, December 31

Festivities by the lake

Spend the New Year on the pier with fireworks, dancing, champagne and more at the Navy Pier AON Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $105 to $225; VIP lounge table at $1,595 for 6 people; VIP table at $2,950 for more than 12 people. For ages 21 and over. (800) 595-7437 or navypier.org. 8 p.m. Friday, December 31

Isabel Leonard plays the title role of ‘Cinderella’ in a live cinema screening from the Metropolitan Opera in HD.
– Courtesy of Jonathan Tichler, Metropolitan Opera

fairy tale opera

Introduce kids to opera with “Cinderella,” a condensed English-language adaptation of Massenet’s 1899 work, courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series. A live simulcast will take place on Saturday, with an encore taped Wednesday at select participating theaters. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely between $21 and $28. For locations and pricing, visit fathomevents.com. Live: 11:55 a.m. Saturday, January 1; Check-in: 1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 5

Charles Ross stars in “One-Man Star Wars Trilogy” at the Apollo Theater in Chicago.
– Courtesy of Dean Kalyan, In Stride Entertainment

One-man “Strength”

Canadian actor Charles Ross tackles epic sci-fi storytelling himself with the return of the “One-Man Star Wars Trilogy” for four performances starting Wednesday at the Apollo Theater Chicago, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $19.50 – $39.50. (773) 935-6100 or apollochicago.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, January 5 to 8