It's Christmas weekend which means there's still plenty of things for you to do with your family. From fan favorites like checking out All Aglow or the Festival of Lights, this weekend provides plenty of family fun for everyone.

Here are 17 things to do this weekend in the Rockford area.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

What: This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage. With an original musical score, twists on holiday classics sung live, and with new sets, scenery, and storylines, this ultimate holiday gift for the entire family is sure to put a twinkle in your eye.

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21

Where: The Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $30-$110

For more: 815-968-5222

Market by Moonlight

What: Love to shop local but needs some more flexibility on shop hours during the busy holiday season? Join the merchants of Downtown Rockton as they stay open late for all your last minute holiday shopping needs. Make it fun and grab family and friends. Participating shops will stay open until 8 p.m. or later.

When: 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22

Where: Downtown Rockton

For more: Market by Moonlight on Facebook

Ugly Sweater Party

What: Come in wearing your favorite ugly sweater to be entered in a drawing for fun prizes and giveaways.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21

Where: Aero Ale House, 6164 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park

For more: 815-977-5602

RKFD at the Lounge

What: Come for this Pop-Up at Rockford's newest lounge. Featuring new merchandise, along with a holiday buy one get one sales rack. Support and shop local. Check out The Lounge where you can stop in for a craft cocktail or cozy up for a good book or a game with friends.

When: 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21

Where: The Union, 112 N. Second St., Rockford

For more: 815-978-9597

Women’s Empowerment Holiday Luncheon

What: Get inspired this holiday season. Come for a festive holiday luncheon with Women & Wealth. Celebrate the holiday season with networking, music and food. Limited space; registration required.

When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21

Where: Ambiance, 307 S. Main St., Rockford

Cost: Free admission but cost of lunch ordered is not included

For more: womenandwealth.org

Winter Solstice Tranquility Walk

What: Come out to Klehm for a guided walk through the woods that focuses on breathing, using your senses, meditation, and reflection. All ages are welcome with the understanding that this walk will be a silent, reflective experience. Because this is an after-hours program and the arboretum will be closed to the general public, please plan to arrive a few minutes early as the gates will close promptly at 6 p.m.

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21

Where: Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford

Cost: $4-$10

For more: 815-965-8146

Jingle All the Way Walk-In Painting Event

What: You'll be guided through the process if you paint here or pick up to-go kits and organize your own painting party with friends and family at home. There are more than 40 projects and many colors of wood to choose from, including a mix of Christmas and winter, gnomes, surprise designs and general home. No reservation required; just show up and choose your pre-sanded/stained board and stencil design.

When: 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23

Where: Bristle & Timber, 6140 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park

Cost: $24 per project; includes everything you need

For more: 779-970-6804

Christmas Onesie Party

What: Pull out your cozy Christmas pajamas and have some Buddy the Elf cocktails.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22

Where: Rural on Tap, 1710 Rural St., Rockford

For more: 815-977-5411

Blue Christmas Service

What: Focused on remembering loved ones lost to opioid overdose, this Blue Christmas service is an opportunity for lament and reflection during a season where not everyone is experiencing joy. Local leaders and impacted communities will speak about the issue, with a resource fair after the service. Everyone is welcome. Hosted by Rockford Urban Ministries.

When: 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22

Where: Brooke Road United Methodist Church, 1404 Brooke Road, Rockford

For more: 815-964-7111

Christmas Gathering

What: Experience a night of worship and communion, topped off with a brief message by Brian Phillips titled, "Wise Men Still Seek Him.” All are welcome.

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22

Where: The Grove Fellowship, 4210 Countryside Estates Drive, Poplar Grove

For more: 815-201-1223

Community Christmas Dinner

What: Come for a community Christmas dinner. Turkey, ham and many sides. This is a free event open to the community. Bring your kids for a nice family style dinner and a gift. The event will be in the gym. Feel free to call our office with any questions.

When: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22

Where: Patriots Gateway Community Center, 615 S. Fifth St., Rockford

Cost: Free

For more: 815-967-0413

Winter Wonderland

What: Enjoy winter adventures without the cold. Test your skating skills at our indoor sock skating rink. No ice, no shoes, just slip-sliding fun with friends. After a few spins around the rink, enjoy creating winter-themed crafts.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 through Jan. 4

Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: Included with museum membership: $10; free for members and children ages 1 and younger

For more: 815-963-6769

Melancholy Merriment with Lone Canary

What: This holiday season, join The Lone Canary for a Christmas show like no other. Jesse Fox and Heather Camacho bring their signature blend of emotive music to classic Christmas tunes.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23

Where: Pig Minds Brewing Co., 4080 Steele Drive, Machesney Park

Cost: Free admission

For more: 779-423-2147

Ugly Sweater Ride

What: Join the Rockford Mountain Biking Alliance for a trail ride out at the Atwood trail system wearing your favorite sweater kit. This could be canceled any time because of the weather. Depending on turn out, we can split the group into different skill levels.

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23

Where: Atwood Park Trail System, 2685 New Milford School Road, Rockford

For more: Ugly Sweater Ride on Facebook

Christmas at City First Church

What: You and your family are invited to celebrate the Christmas season at City First Church. Christmas will come to life with creative elements, traditional carols. Fun for the whole family includes pictures with Santa, Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. Kids can enjoy the kids’ environments with games, music and the Christmas story.

When: Service times are 1,3 or 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23; and 9 or 11 a.m. and 1 or 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24

Where: City First Church, 5950 Spring Creek Road, Rockford

For more: 815-877-8000

A Tale of Three Trees/Christmas at Stateline

What: Celebrate Christmas with the Stateline Church.

When: 2, 4 or 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 or 9 or 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 24

Where: Stateline Church, 601 N. Perryville Road, Rockford

For more: 815-310-0075

Christmas Eve Service

What: Join the community for the final evening of Advent ahead of Christmas. Come for a child-friendly and interactive service with The Rev. Muriel in person or via Facebook Live. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come. There will also be a normal Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. the same day, in person or via Facebook Live.

When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24

Where: St. John’s United Church of Christ, 401 N. Main St., Belvidere

For more: 815-544-3773

Coming next week:

Fifth Annual White Elephant Christmas Party

What: Got something old and ugly you are throwing away? Make it your white elephant. The funnier the better. Clean those basements to find a great gift, wrap it up and bring it down. More than 50 people participated last year.

When: 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25

Where: Jack Rose, 124 Buchanan St., Belvidere

For more: 815-975-9022

Rockford IceHogs

What: The IceHogs will take on the Grand Rapids Griffiths. Screw City Youth Jerseys given to the first 1,000 fans age 14 and younger.

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27

Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm Ave., Rockford

Cost: $16.50-$29

For more: 815-968-5222

School’s Out: Have a Hay Day

What: Come for outdoor games (weather permitting), crafts, animal interactions, a movie and hot chocolate to warm up. Hands-on lessons will include interaction with horses, ponies or other farm animals. Bring a sack lunch.

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27 and Thursday, Dec. 28

Where: Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Centre and Sarver Children’s Farm, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford

Cost: $35-$40

For more: 815-987-8800

Vampire Lesbians of Sodom

What: To celebrate The West Side Show Room's 10th Anniversary, the show room is bringing back its very first show. Vampire Lesbians of Sodom is a wild burlesque comedy about two fatally seductive vampiresses whose paths first collide in ancient Sodom. Their bitter rivalry as bloodsuckers, but more importantly as actresses, endures for two thousand years, with stops in 1920s Hollywood and contemporary Las Vegas.

When: 8 and 10 p.m. Wednesdays Dec. 27 through Jan. 13

Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford

Cost: Free; donations encouraged

For more: wssr.org

Kathi Edwards is a freelance correspondent.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Christmas weekend offers 17 things to do in the Rockford, Illinois area