ONE-TANK TRIPS

ILLINOIS

Through Jan. 1 | Wonderland Express, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, (847) 835-5440, www.chicagobotanic.org

Here is an opportunity for a magical trip to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, garden-scale trains, miniature Chicago landmarks, beautiful horticulture displays and indoor snowfall. This popular holiday exhibition in the Regenstein Center features detailed landscapes with more than 80 miniature versions of Chicago's favorite landmarks, all made with natural materials.

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, www,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.

Through March 11 | McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, noon to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday (beginning Jan. 7), 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Millennium Park, 55 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, (312) 742-1168, www.millenniumpark.org

The rink, now in its eleventh season, draws more than 100,000 skaters annually and is free and open to the public.

INDIANA

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.

Through Jan. 8 | "A Christmas Story" Comes Home, through Dec. 30 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 2-8 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, (219) 989-7979, www.southshorecva.com

This exhibit centers around six animatronic window displays from Macy's Department Store in New York featuring different scenes from "A Christmas Story." There are also a variety of events and activities as well as a chance to have photos taken on top of Santa's Mountain and slide down the slide, just like in the movie.

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.

Through 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.