The witches of Oz are back for the holiday season. The critically acclaimed musical WICKED tells the story of how two girls who meet in the land of Oz grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

The highest ice rink in the world opens at the John Hancock Center Observatory, 1,000 feet up in the air. Slip on a pair of skates (rentals are available for $1) and show off your best figure eights.

Watch the pros craft stunning snow sculptures, cheer on dog sledding teams and marvel at gravity-defying snowboarding feats during this free festival that takes place at Navy Pier.

Whirl and twirl your way through Millennium Park at the free Chicago Winter Dance festival. The park will come alive with free events and programs on the ice and onstage all month long. From ice dancing and ice skating lessons at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink to dance lessons behind the glass doors on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage, there is something for everyone this winter in Chicago.

The largest auto show in North America, the Chicago Auto Show is held at McCormick Place complex. Exhibits include various domestic and imported passenger cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, experimental and concept cars, etc. More than 1,000 different accessories, competition vehicles, antique & collector cars are displayed by leading companies from both domestic and international arenas.

Eat it up this winter with some of the hottest dining deals during Chicago Restaurant Week. Check out delicious prix-fixe menus created by some of Chicago’s top chefs at restaurants throughout the city.

Looking for a great combination of indoor and outdoor fun in mid January? WinterFest is a longstanding event at Volo Bog, featuring live music and storytelling, photo contest awards, and winter-themed and other crafts indoors while outdoors, winter bog hikes and (snow permitting) snow sculpting contests and cross-country skiing may be enjoyed throughout the afternoon. There will also be cookies, hot cocoa and coffee for sale by the Friends of Volo Bog.

Enjoy the outdoors, visit a wolf, participate in ice bowling, winter volleyball, children's ice sculpting, children's crafts and much more.

“STAR WARS, like LEGO®, has captured imaginations for decades,” said LEGOLAND® Discovery Center’s own Master Model Builder, Daniel Morey. “The stories have proven to be timeless and because of that cross-generational appeal, they bring parents and their kids together. It’s such a natural combination – STAR WARS and LEGO® – we’re really excited to be throwing this weekend-long party celebrating both. "

Civil War High Tech explores how the American Civil War impacted technology and how technology aided the Union in winning the war. Learn about Civil War submarines, reconnaissance balloons, ironclad ships and railroads in this interactive exhibition.

Lunch with the President Reagan and President Lincoln. Music will be provided. You will be able to tour the Center at any time to view the new exhibits that are on display. You can even sit in a school desk in Ronald Reagan's classroom!

Margaret and Mary Reagan, great aunts of Ronald Reagan, operated hat shops in Fulton from 1886 – 1924. All during the month of February in honor of Ronald Reagan's Centennial Birthday on February 6th, the Fulton merchants will decorate their store windows with vintage hats, hat blocks and photos of women in vintage hats as well as current head coverings. "With a tip of the hat," Fulton's retail shops will offer special February sales as well.

A groundbreaking film the documents the life and legacy of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Showtimes at 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Remarks and book signing by former Speaker Newt Gingrich at 5:30 p.m.

Windmill Cultural Center Educators & Volunteer Millers are sponsoring lecturer Ronald Koehn, a retired history instructor with an interest in the presidency, who will focus on the presidency of William Howard Taft, President at the time of Ronald Reagan's birth. Koehn will note the challenges to the country in Taft's single term and any links between Taft and Reagan. Lecture will be followed by desserts from the 2011 Reagan Boyhood Home cookbook.

Sponsored by the Dixon Municipal Band and City of Dixon at the Historic Dixon Theater, this special choir & band concert will feature the premiere of a new musical work, “Reagan of Illinois” by Dr. David Holesinger. This concert will feature the Dixon Municipal Band, Eureka Chamber Choir, Rockford Lutheran Civic Chorale, River Choir and the Dixon High School Choir. For the evening performance, a special cocktail party will precede the performance for those purchasing box seats.

The frosty fun at Chestnut Mountain Resort (one of the top ski resorts in the Midwest) features snow sculptures on the ski slopes, carnival games, a DJ, fireworks and a slalom race.

A Civil War 150th Year Exhibition commemorates the beginning of the Civil War with a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for its one-of-a-kind temporary exhibition. Through a series of audio-visual presentations and compelling artifacts, Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of the best-selling book "Team of Rivals," will bring to life those fateful days when our divided nation teetered on the brink, then toppled into the dark abyss of civil war.

For four weekends in late February and early March, you're invited to walk with us into the Garden's sugar bush as we tap our maples. We'll collect the sap as it flows from the trees and cook it down into pure maple syrup. Kids can help us turn the brace and bit as we drill our tap holes and everyone gets a taste of syrup at the end. You can visit the Nature Center and explore the rest of the Garden as well.

On weekends, stop by the Mississippi River Visitor Center on Arsenal Island for a brief presentation on the American Bald Eagle, then see the regal raptors in flight over the Mississippi River and follow a park ranger to the top of a historic clock tower for a bird’s-eye view.

From mid-December through March, you can snow tube, snowboard and even do some night skiing at Ski Snowstar. Join in the fun of the Snowbound Beach Party on Feb. 12 – 13, with grilling on the lodge patio, music and prizes for guests wearing the best beach outfits. Every Sunday is Family Ski Day, with discounted lift tickets for kids.

The Quad City Botanical Center hosts its sweet annual fest that features free chocolate samples from local candy shops and bakeries, cooking demos, spa treatments, a fashion show and kids’ activities.

Visit booths and celebrate the great outdoors during the 2011 Outdoor Show. From boats and tackle to decoys and gear, it’s the Outdoor Show you have been craving. Enjoy seminars and presentations from big-name fishing professionals along with a Kid’s Kamp with a real trout pond, minnow races and archery. You will also learn about a wide variety of resorts, and the latest in hunting and fishing gear.

The limestone bluffs and woodlands that line the Mississippi River Valley offer the American Bald Eagle an ideal winter roosting site. Come view these magnificent birds in their natural habitat on a day-long adventure of eagle and wildlife spotting with Bluff City Tours.

Kick off eagle season with a soaring view of the confluence and the Mississippi Flyway. Join in the food, fun and games at the first eagle event at the new Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower. Other eagle activities to follow on weekends throughout January through mid-February.

Witness the "Masters of the Sky" birds of prey demonstration. Come see eagles, falcons, owls and other birds of prey at this educational and informational program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. For more information, please call 877-462-6979.

See a Bald Eagle up close at the visitor center and then take a guided tour to visit an active Bald Eagle nest, and other areas around the Refuge where this threatened species can be found.

A weekend-long event sponsored by the Youth Outdoor Education Foundation and the Williamson County Tourism Bureau. The show features boats, trailers, trucks, ATVs, fishing tackle, live entertainment and more. Admission and Parking is free. Great fun for all ages.

Come to a garden oasis in February! With vendors throughout the midwest, nationally known speakers, & exhibitors, and topics from water gardening, herb growing, bulbs, bird items, topiaries and antiques, there's something of interest for everyone!

The Big Muddy Film Festival, based at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, is among the longest-running student-organized film festivals in the United States. The Big Muddy is dedicated to supporting the work of emerging and accomplished filmmakers and video artists. Narrative, documentary, animation & experimental film entries from more than 40 states and abroad. Screenings of international films, presentations by guest artists and panel discussions throughout this wonderful event are open to the public.