Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will light up Michigan Avenue, once again, during the Magnificent Mile Grand Tree-Lighting Parade. The day kicks off with family activities and live entertainment, including performers from Cirque de Solieil’s “‘Twas the Night Before” in Pioneer Court. Be sure to warm up before the big event: the parade will feature illuminated floats, balloons, marching bands and, of course, Santa Claus. As the procession makes its way down Michigan Avenue, holiday lights flicker on, before the day wraps up with fireworks over the Chicago River at the DuSable Bridge. It’s one of Chicago’s most magical holiday traditions.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 22 in Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave., with the Grand Tree-Lighting Parade running from 5:30 p.m.-7:15 p.m. southbound on Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive; details on the free event at themagnificentmile.com

Christmas Tree Lighting

Millennium Park kicks off its holiday season by lighting up the City of Chicago Christmas Tree. The huge spruce will be illuminated on Nov. 21, followed by a fireworks display. This weekend also marks the opening of the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and the Millennium Park Holiday Market (Nov. 21-23). Can’t make it, but love a good tree lighting? Greektown also will light up its blue-and-white tree on Nov. 23 as well as its traditional Holiday Karavákia Display — or decorated Christmas boats.

City of Chicago tree: 6 p.m. (pre-show at 5 p.m.) Nov. 21 in Millennium Park, near Michigan Avenue and Washington Street; details on the free event at chicago.gov. Greektown Tree Lighting: 5 p.m. Nov. 23 at Elysian Field, southeast corner of Halsted and Van Buren streets; details on the free event at greektownchicago.org

Paul McCartney

The Beatles legend wraps up his “Got Back” tour in Chicago this weekend with a two-night stand. He’s played 20 nights in 17 cities — at age 83 — and the reviews have been glowing. Go see him while you can.

8 p.m. Nov. 24-25 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; resale tickets from $1,628.70 at unitedcenter.com

Paul McCartney performs at Lollapalooza on July 31, 2015. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

El Alfa

Get your dance on this weekend with El Alfa, aka Emanuel Herrera Batista, aka the king of dembow. The Dominican rapper who’s collaborated with Bad Bunny and Cardi B brings his “Ultimo Baile” tour to the Rosemont Theatre. But will this truly be the last dance? The 34-year-old announced earlier this year that he’s retiring from music, following the death of his grandmother. “I could’ve spent more time with her,” he wrote in Spanish on Instagram, “but my work wouldn’t allow it.”

9 p.m. Nov. 21 at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets from $57.98 at rosemont.com

Jeff Arcuri

Stand-up comedian Jeff Arcuri may have left Chicago (he started his career here) but he’s back this weekend with his “(Un)scripted” show. Known for crowd work, Arcuri has appeared on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and Comedy Central’s “Roast Battle.”

7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Nov. 22 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $34.85 at msg.com

Juliana Yu rehearses for a Ruth Page School of Dance production of “The Nutcracker,” at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts on the Near North Side, Nov. 16, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Ruth Page’s “The Nutcracker”

Looking for a more traditional version of “The Nutcracker”? You have several opportunities to catch a version featuring choreography dating back to 1962 by the late Ruth Page, dubbed Chicago’s “grand dame of dance.” For little ones, consider a special one-act version this weekend at the Beverly Arts Center.

1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 6 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Governors State University Center for the Performing Arts, 1 University Parkway, University Park; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at Northeastern Illinois University’s Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 20 and 1 p.m. Dec. 22 at College of Lake County’s James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake; tickets from $20 at ruthpage.org

“American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture”

See Flannery O’Connor’s rosary and more, as the American Writers Museum opens an exhibit exploring how religion has guided creative expression. “American Prophets” considers the work of “modern-day prophets — poets, rebels, and truth-tellers — (who) invite us to see our culture, and ourselves, through new eyes.” Featuring five, interactive installations, the show runs for about a year.

Through November 2026 at the American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave.; tickets from $10 at americanwritersmuseum.org

Top 50 holiday concerts and shows in Chicago, from Cirque du Soleil to ‘Holly Dolly Christmas’

Christkindlmarket

Mug-collectors, take note: Christkindlmarket opens this weekend in Daley Plaza — as well as in Wrigleyville and Aurora. Indulge in glüwein (hot, mulled wine), any number of sausages, pierogi, pretzels, döner kebab and more, as you browse the Christmas ornaments and gift stalls. Check the schedule for special events, including the Dec. 14 “Haus of Krampus,” where you can meet Krampus himself. In Wrigleyville, Christkindlmarket is part of Winterland, which features the an ice rink, a holiday train and (from Nov. 28) visits with Santa.

Through Dec. 24 in Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., and RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora; Nov. 23-Dec. 31 at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St.; details on the free event at christkindlmarket.com and gallagherway.com

ZooLights

Grab your hat and mittens and head to the Lincoln Park Zoo for its beloved, annual holiday light display. This year’s event features a reimagined South Lawn light show, “Zooltide,” as well as the usual Ferris wheel, s’mores and hot chocolate. Select nights feature carolers and ice sculptures. New this year: Flexible ticketing. Pay a little more to go when the whim—or the weather—strikes you.

Through Jan. 4 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.; tickets from $7.73 at lpzoo.org

People walk through an illuminated archway on the first night of ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo on Nov. 15, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Holiday Mercadito

Get a jump on shopping at a Rogers Park craft fair featuring art, jewelry, candles, and much more. Between 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., get free gift-wrapping for two gifts, courtesy of St. Jerome Church.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Grow/Progresando, 7056 N. Clark St.; details on the free event at business.rpba.org

Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/what-to-do-chicago-nov-22/