The Mix: Chicago’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and more things to do Nov 21-27

The 17th annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair at Navy Pier is also among the week’s highlights.

SHARE The Mix: Chicago’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and more things to do Nov 21-27
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade on Michigan Avenue takes place on Nov. 23.

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade on Michigan Avenue takes place on Nov. 23.

Sun-Times File

Looking to for some cool things to do in the week ahead in Chicago? Here are some things to see and do:

Holiday happenings

  • Start your holiday season at the city’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony plus there’s holiday music and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. At 6 p.m. Nov. 22, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph. Free. Visit millenniumpark.org.
  • The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival features family activities and Santa Claus from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 22 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 23 in Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan. The tree-lighting parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23. On Michigan, from Oak to Wacker. Free. Visit themagnificentmile.com. (Note: The festivities will also be carried live on TV starting at 6 p.m. on ABC-7 Chicago, hosted by Cheryl Burton and Alan Krashesky) 
  • From Nov. 23-Dec. 29, take one-hour train rides on The Polar Express, an immersive experience that recreates Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s story. Catch the train at Union Station at Jackson Blvd. Tickets: $38-$70. Visit chicagothepolarexpressride.com
  • The Holiday Market at Randolph Street Market features 125 vendors with an array of new and vintage items. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 23-24 and Dec. 14-15, Plumbers Hall, 1341 W. Randolph, $8, $10. Visit randolphstreetmarket.com
  • Enjoy a festive walk through the woods at the Morton Arboretum’s “Illumination: Tree Lights.” From Nov. 23-Jan. 5, 4100 Ill. Rt. 53, Lisle. Admission: $12-$23. Visit mortonarb.org.
  • The Chicago Botanic Garden introduces “Lightscape,” its new holiday light show with singing trees and a waterfall of light. From Nov. 22-Jan. 5, 1000 Lake Cook, Glencoe. Admission: $8-$13. Visit chicagobotanic.org.
The Morton Arboretum’s Illumination — Tree Lights celebration.

The Morton Arboretum’s Illumination — Tree Lights celebration.

© 2017 Michael Hudson

Fun & Games

The 17th annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair offers a wonderland of new ideas for kids of all ages. It’s the place to Christmas shop and experience new toys and games. Plus there are immersive events, interactive exhibits and a Young Inventor’s Challenge where children ages 6-18 offer up their creative and imaginative ideas. From 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 23 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 24, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Tickets: $7-$15. Visit chitag.com

Legacy lives on

Bob Margolin and Warren Haynes are among the current lineup for “The Last Waltz” tribute concert.

Bob Margolin and Warren Haynes are among the current lineup for “The Last Waltz” tribute concert.

Rob Rauffer Photo

More than 40 years ago, The Band performed its final concert with a who’s-who of rock ‘n’ roll royalty in front of a sold out crowd. The now iconic concert has become a farewell never forgotten, living on both in memory and on stage. The latest touring salute to The Last Waltz features a stellar lineup: guitar legend Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, John Medeski, Don Was, Terence Higgins, Dave Malone, Cyril Neville, Bob Margolin, Mark Mullins & The Levee Horns featuring the original horn arrangements of Allen Toussaint. At 8 p.m. Nov. 21, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets begin at $39. Visit ticketmaster.com.

David’s world

David Sedaris

David Sedaris

Ingrid Christie Photo

Best-selling author David Sedaris brings his brand of observational humor to the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. The evening features all-new stories, an audience Q&A and book signing. One of the best humor writers around, Sedaris is a master of satire whose power of observation has never been sharper as evidenced in his most recent book, “Calypso,” a deeply personal and darkly hilarious collection of thoughts on middle age and mortality. Tickets: $54-$74. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Fab Four meet Joel

Joel_Paterson

Joel Paterson

Paula Borman and Paul Vriend Photo

Chicago guitarist Joel Paterson’s new album is a collection of vintage instrumental, guitar-centric covers of classics from the Beatles’ songbook. “Let it Be Guitar! Joe Paterson Plays the Beatles,” with liner notes by JD McPherson, features the guitarist’s signature blend of vintage jazz, exotica, blues, rockabilly, western swing and country on fresh new arrangements of these familiar tunes. Paterson and his band the Modern Sounds celebrate the album’s release at 9 p.m. Nov. 22 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway. Tickets: $15. Visit greenmilljazz.com.

Comedy for a cause

The Second City That Never Sleeps presents its 18th annual 24-Hour Improv Benefit from 5 p.m. Nov. 25 to 5 p.m. Nov. 26. The improv lineup features a stellar list including Lauren Ash, Ashley Nicole Black, Jeff Garlin, TJ Jagodowski, Tim Kazurinsky, Susan Messing, Chris Redd, Horatio Sanz, Melissa Villaseñor and George Wendt. The music guests include Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Ty Segall, Sally Timms and Jon Langford, Jeff Tweedy, Spencer Tweedy and Yo La Tengo. The event benefits Poverty Alleviation Charities’ Letters to Santa program. At The Second City, 1616 N. Wells. Admission: Free-$100. Visit 24hourimprov.com.

Take the El

EL: The Chicago Transit Adventure! game pieces.

EL: The Chicago Transit Adventure! game pieces.

Transit Tees

Looking for a unique holiday gift, this just might fit the bill. Transit Tees is launching its new El board game, “El: The Chicago Transit Adventure!” Incorporating strategy, skill and chance, the new game takes players on a train adventure across Chicago to visit all the destination points in their hand. And it’s not only about train lines. Players can make use of bus transfers between trains to reach their destination faster. A free launch party takes place from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 23 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. The game is available at Transit Tees’ locations in Wicker Park and Andersonville. For more information, visit, transittees.com.

Bauhaus in Chicago

“3 Dimensions Brochure (Detail), about 1950 Elsa Kula.

“3 Dimensions Brochure (Detail),” about 1950 Elsa Kula.

Bauhaus Chicago Foundation

When the Nazis shut down the German Bauhaus, a number of the school’s designers and educators found their way to Chicago and the New Bauhaus, later the Institute of Design and the Illinois Institute of Technology, led by Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. A new exhibit, “Bauhaus Chicago: Design in the City,” looks at this period when both teachers and students adapted these design methods to their new home. Included are pieces ranging from jewelry and photography to textiles, furniture and sculpture created by Ludwig Hilberseimer, Elsa Kula, Nathan Lerner, Emmett McBain, Art Sinsabaugh and Angelo Testa. From Nov. 23-April 26, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan. Admission: $15-$25. Visit artic.edu.

Love to laugh

The Satire and Humor Festival (pictured in the New York version earlier this year) takes place at the The Second City Training Center in Chicago this weekend.

The Satire and Humor Festival (pictured in the New York version earlier this year) takes place at the The Second City Training Center in Chicago this weekend.

Rafael Rautha

The Satire and Humor Festival is partnering with The Second City Training Center for is a weeklong event for writers, readers and lovers of the title topics. The festival brings together this diverse community through events featuring writers and editors from print, web, film and television who take part in performances, workshops, panels and networking events. From Nov. 22-24, The Second City Training Center, 1608 N. Wells. For tickets and more information, visit satireandhumor.com.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.

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