ONE-TANK TRIPS

ILLINOIS

Dec. 17-18, 26-31 | Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, Ill., (708) 688-8000, www.brookfieldzoo.org/, www.CZS.org/Events

Holiday Magic is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and families will once again delight in the twinkling of lights, assorted entertainment, singing to the animals, a light show synchronized to music, and more. Along with the festive decorations, guests will also have the opportunity to see the animals and visit exhibits such as the Hamill Family Play Zoo, The Living Coast, The Fragile Kingdom, Tropic World and others, which will be open on select evenings. Santa will also be on the grounds through Dec. 18, and on Dec. 31 festivities begin at 6 p.m. with an early countdown to the New Year at 8 p.m. Hours for Holiday Magic are 4 to 9 p.m.  

Through Jan. 9 | Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (773) 684-1414, msichicago.org

Described as a beloved Chicago holiday tradition, this event features more than 50 dazzling trees and displays that are decorated by members of ethnic communities across the city to reflect holiday customs from all over the world. Attendees will experience ethnic dancing and singing, storytellers, school choirs and other festivities. Also, through Jan 8: Smart Home: Green + Wired; Dr. Seuss & The Art of Invention; Through Mar 15: Rocky Mountain Express; Tornado Alley.

Dec. 21 | Hanukkah Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org

This event offers a festive way to celebrate Hanukkah with a kosher-style buffet dinner, music by the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band and a viewing of the holiday exhibition "Wonderland Express."

INDIANA

Through Feb. 26 | Ice skating, 2-9 p.m. Thursday, 2-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday and holiday periods, closed Monday-Wednesday, except during holiday/school break periods and private rentals. Deep River Waterpark, 9001 E. U.S. 30, Crown Point, (219) 947-7850, www.deepriverwaterpark.com

Deep River Waterpark Ice Skating Plaza features a 14,500-square-foot ice plaza, food and beverage locations, heated indoor bathrooms, and a birthday party room. The ice is formed by flooding the plaza area that has cooling coils under the concrete, enabling ice in most weather conditions. It is further maintained daily through the use of a large ice grooming machine similar to those used at professional hockey games. Many people enjoy watching the grooming during a break in skating. The plaza will be decorated with festive seasonal lighting.

Dec. 27 | The Harlem Globetrotters Celebrate the Hammond Civic Center, 7 p.m., Hammond Civic Center, 5825 Sohl Ave, Hammond, www.ticketmaster.com

This event features a night of exciting family entertainment and excellent basketball prowess to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Hammond Civic Center. The Globetrotters' 2012 World Tour will showcase incredible handball wizardry, fresh comedy, and amazing rim-rattling dunks.

MICHIGAN

Dec. 31 New Year's Eve Fireworks, midnight, Lake Kalamazoo, (616) 836-2816, www.southhaven.org

Celebrating the New Year, there will be a fireworks show over Lake Kalamazoo at midnight.

Dec. 18-Feb. 5 | Michigan Outsider's Art, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix St, South Haven, (269) 637-1041, www.southhavenarts.org

This exhibit, which features a broad array of works from a number of best-known Michigan outsider artists, explores the interest in Outsider art a.k.a. visionary/intuitive/self taught/ naive art as it continues to grow from remote areas of the rural deep south to the far reaches of the north. Opening Reception is 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18; Curator is Melissa Warner-Talcott.