Just because you’ve finished your finals and the holiday season is in full swing is no reason to head home already and desert DeKalb during Winter Break. Don’t rip the sheets off your bed, collect all your dirty laundry and say goodbye to the cornfields just yet.

The town you call home for nine months a year still continues to move, whether you’re here or not. Music acts, holiday theater performances and, of course, NIU sporting events will keep DeKalb busy over the five-week break.

The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.

H Dec. 11 – Kishwaukee Symphony Holiday Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $5 to $12 and are available by calling 758-1215.

H Dec. 18 – “Do It Yourself Messiah” at 7:30 p.m. Members of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will perform and Eric Johnson, NIU choral instructor, will conduct the performance. Admission is free.

H Dec. 20 – A production of Pippi Longstocking at 10 a.m. in association with the American Theatre Arts for Youth. Advance tickets can be reserved by calling 800-523-4540.

H Dec 31 – The theater will ring in the new year with karaoke, fortune-tellers and a classic movie at 10 p.m. The shindig starts at 7 p.m. and goes well into the night. Tickets are $15 in advance and can be reserved by calling 758-1215 or can be purchased at the door the night of the event for $20.

Otto’s Niteclub, 118 E. Lincoln Highway

– Dec. 4 – Acoustic guitar duo Mike and Joe as an “end of the semester blowout.”

– Dec. 10 – Musical group Moonboots in the main music room.

– Dec. 11 – Otto’s, in association with radio station 102.9 WMKB-FM, will showcase music groups Oh My God, Punsapaya and Spacklebury in the main music room.

– Dec. 31 – New Year’s celebration with musical act The Pimps in the main music room at 11 p.m.

Stage Coach Players

– Dec. 9 to 12 – The Stage Coach Players will perform the Charles Dickens holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” at the O’Connell Theatre on the NIU campus. Performances are at 8 p.m. every night, and on Dec. 11 and 12, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee in addition to the evening performance. Tickets range from $9 to $12 and are available by calling 758-1940.

NIU Sports

– Men and women’s basketball will play 19 games combined and the wrestling team will compete in six matches over break. Visit www.niuhuskies.com for more information.

Ellwood House, 509 N. First St.

– Dec. 4 to 5 and 11 to 12 – The historic mansion hosts live music, refreshments and decorations of the season.