The Mix — Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (and 5 more cool things to do in Chicago this weekend)

1.. MAGNIFICENT HOLIDAYS

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is set for Nov. 21 along North Michigan Avenue, starting at 11 a.m. and culminating with a parade at 5:30 p.m. One million lights will illuminate 200 trees along the avenue. The fun includes family-friendly activities in Lights Festival Lane; Rockin’ concerts by top musical artists including Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Michelle Branch and Max on the BMO Harris Bank Stage; and a fireworks spectacular over the Chicago River after the parade; and the official arrival of Santa Claus. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will serve as official grand marshals. Visit themagnificentmile.com

2. A FOREST OF LIGHT

The Morton Arboretum’s annual “Illumination” holiday walk-in-the-woods runs Nov. 20-Jan. 2 at the Lisle preserve. More lights, more sights, more sounds this year amid 50 acres of walkways. New experiences include the Meadow Lake Magic (lights created the illusion of skipping stones across the lake); a ne Garden of Light (music and lights illuminated the Arboretum’s historic hedges); and a new take on Symphony Woods (lights seem to “dance” to the music of “The Nutcracker Suite” amid the array of trees). Live entertainment and warming stations are also included. For full details and tickets (reservations are recommended), visit mortonarb.org.

3. POSITIVELY GHOSTLY

The Goodman Theatre’s beloved production of “A Christmas Carol” opens Sunday at the theater, 170 N. Dearborn. The critically acclaimed production of the Charles Dickens classic tale runs through Dec. 27. For ticket prices and show times, visit goodmantheatre.org.

4. HOLLY JOLLY?

“Holidaze,” the hilarious collection of holiday-themed one-act works that “celebrates the holiday season and all the chaos, dysfunction and cheer that comes along with it,” (written by Jake Carr, MT Cozzola, Mia McCullough, Steven Simoncic, Steven Peterson and Joshua Rollins) returns to the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, beginning Nov 20. For info and tickets to the show, which runs through Dec. 20, visit stepupproductions.org

5. WHATTA MIGHTY GOOD LINEUP

Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that came out of the ’90s. Some of the positives were the acts of the Super Fresh Hip Hop Fest, including “Let’s Talk About Sex” singers Salt-N-Pepa, bawdy MC Too $hort and beatboxer Doug E. Fresh. They and others will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. Tickets: ticketmaster.com.

6. HYDE PARK HILARITY

A dependably funny improviser will be the first act at the Revival, the new Hyde Park comedy venue planted roughly where the Compass Players formed in 1955. Former iO performer and longtime Conan O’Brien writer Brian McCann will stage an off-the-cuff talk show on the stage at 8 p.m. Nov. 20. The later lineup at the Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., includes the duo Sarah Dell’Amico and Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, the Moth parody “The Cricket” and the venerable Asian-American troupe Stir Friday Night. Tickets: (866) 811-4111 and www.the-revival.com.