“Stillness in Motion” was created using reclaimed willow branches, wire and metal armature. Polish-American artist Olga Ziemska will recreate “Stillness in Motion” using tree branches and other materials reclaimed from the Morton Arboretum’s 1,700 acre-site in 2023. (Olga Ziemska)

In a sea of year-end wrap-ups and reviews, let’s look to the future, shall we?

That’s right — the heck with 2022. It’s in the rearview mirror. Let’s focus on 2023 — we have a lot to look forward to.

From new plays at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora to an exhibit from one of the 20th century’s most renowned artists at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, there is plenty to put on your calendar.

So grab the new Dog Fails calendar you got for Christmas and let’s plan out 2023.

1. “Into the Woods”: Feb. 1-March 19 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets are $28-$79. 630-896-6666; Paramountaurora.com.

This 1987 musical from the minds of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine re-imagines fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, with a baker and his wife setting out on a quest to start a family by trekking through the woods to collect a series of objects with the goal of breaking a witch’s spell.

Along the way, they encounter characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Jack of the beanstalk fame, Cinderella and her stepsisters and even Rapunzel locked away in her tower.

Thee play is directed by Jim Corti and Trent Stork.

2. Naperville Winter Ale Fest: 12-4 p.m. Feb. 25 at Frontier Park, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville. Tickets are $60. Napervillealefest.com.

The 2023 Naperville Ale Fest — Winter Edition is Illinois’ largest outdoor winter beer fest and feature more than 150 unique and seasonal craft beers. There will also be food trucks, fire pits and even some games and activities available.

3. St. Charles St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 2 p.m. March 11 on Main Street from Sixth Street to Fourth Avenue. Admission is free. 630-443-3967; Stcstpatricksparade.com.

The St. Charles Business Alliance will host events around town, including a festive photo op area, roaming bagpipers and a leprechaun hunt.

4. David Sedaris: 3 p.m. April 23 at Belushi Performance Hall in the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $70-$90. 630-942-4000; Atthemac.org.

Humorist and writer David Sedaris, author of “The Santaland Diaries,” is a regular contributor to The New Yorker. His latest book, “Happy-Go-Lucky,” debuted at the top of the New York Times bestseller list. A book signing will follow the event.

Sugar Skull City comes to Aurora in November 2023, presented by Downtown Aurora. (Amy Nelson)

5. “Of the Earth”: Opening May 26 at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Tickets are $11-$16. 630-968-0074; Mortonarb.org.

The Morton Arboretum’s next large-scale sculpture exhibition, “Of the Earth,” will feature five works by Polish American artist Olga Ziemska Of Cleveland, Ohio. It opens May 26 and runs through spring 2025.

The sculptures will be created from reclaimed tree branches and other natural materials gathered from the Arboretum’s grounds.

The Arboretum’s current exhibition, “Human+Nature,” will officially close at the end of February, although a few of the eight sculptures by artist Daniel Popper will still be on view into March. The eight 15-to 26-foot-tall sculptures are placed throughout the grounds.

6. Andy Warhol exhibit: June 3-Sept. 10. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Timed tickets are $25-$30; anytime tickets are $40. 630-942-4000; Theccma.org/warhol.

The Warhol Exhibition includes 94 works from “Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop/Works” from the Bank of America Collection on loan through Bank of America’s Art in Our Communities program. It features more than 11,000 square feet of interactive experiences; including a biographical exhibit, video installation, 150-plus photos taken by Warhol, Children’s Print Factory, Studio 54 experience and a Central Park-inspired outdoor space.

7. Swedish Days: June 21-25 at 11 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva. Admission is free. 630-232-6060; Genevachamber.com/festivals-events/swedish-days.

This fest celebrates Geneva’s Swedish heritage with bands, food (Swedish and otherwise), vendors, kids’ activities, Swedish-themed events, a parade and carnival.

8. World of Faeries Festival: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 5 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 6 at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Tickets are $8-$15. 815-245-5982; theworldoffaeries.com.

The world-renown Harp Twins, Camille and Kennerly Kitt, who play heavy metal on harps, will appear both days of the 2023 festival. The festival also features fairy tea time, crafting with fae, musical performances and a vendor village.

9. Sugar Skull City: Oct. 15-Nov. 5 in Downtown Aurora. Admission is free. Auroradowntown.org.

Sugar Skull City turns downtown Aurora into a celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead. The downtown “comes alive” with decorations and activities that surround the Mexican holiday. In the past, storefronts were painted by local artists and decorated with festive displays for the holiday. There are activities throughout the downtown.

10. Cocoa Crawl: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 1 in downtown Aurora. Mugs and buttons cost $20; $10 for a button and a mug from a previous year. Auroradowntown.org.

December’s entry in Aurora’s First Fridays promotion is the fifth annual Cocoa Crawl. It sells out consistently.

First Fridays run February to December (no July event) and spotlight art, music, shopping, pop-ups and dining throughout downtown. Eat at food trucks seasonally at the Food Truck Food Court across from City Hall.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.