10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 15-18

(The Magnificent Mile / Facebook)(The Magnificent Mile / Facebook)

1. Anticipate

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It’s (almost) the holiday season and that means Santa will be coming to town for the Magnificent Lights Festival and Tree-Lighting Parade. Enjoy live music, holiday-themed activities and visit with Santa in the Lights Festival Lane (aka Pioneer Court). Bundle up Saturday and snag a spot along Michigan Avenue to watch dozens of floats, dancers, marching bands, musical performers, Disney characters and, of course, Santa Claus parade along the Mag Mile. Fireworks over the Chicago River cap off the night's activities.

Parade: 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday along Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive. Free / MAP

Festival: 4-8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Festival Lane in Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave. Free / MAP

Find more weekend events in our fall festival guide


2. Gawk

A 60-foot suburban tree is about to get dressed up for the holidays, Chicago-style. Kick off the season at the 105th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which also features “Hamilton” star Miguel Cervantes as emcee. After star gazing, head over to the Millennium Park Art Market to browse one-of-a-kind gifts made by more than 150 student artists, including those from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Heated tents keep you warm as you browse.

Tree Lighting: 6 p.m. Friday at Millennium Park’s Wrigley Square, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Free / MAP

Market: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Millennium Park’s Chase Promenade North, 201 E. Randolph St. Free / MAP

(Patrick L. Pyszka / City of Chicago)(Patrick L. Pyszka / City of Chicago)

3. Play

It’s all fun and games at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. Get a glimpse of the latest amuseuments before they hit the shelves, meet toy inventors and, of course, play! With games and activities for all ages, there’s something for everyone – even adults: New this year is a beer garden where you can play adult card games. Be sure to check out the WTTW Kids Big Idea Tour on Saturday.

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Navy Pier, Festival Hall A, 600 E. Grand Ave. $14-$15; $7-$8 for kids / MAP

(venturaartist / Pixabay)(venturaartist / Pixabay)

4. Browse

Decorative arts, home décor, jewelry, apparel and gourmet foods are among the many items French artisans will be showcasing at the Lycée French Market. A bistro featuring French foods keeps you satiated while you shop

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Lycée Français de Chicago, 1929 W. Wilson Ave., $5 suggested donation / MAP

2014 Fall French Market (Lycée Français de Chicago / Facebook)2014 Fall French Market (Lycée Français de Chicago / Facebook)

5. Turn it

The annual Chicago Art Book Fair is not your typical book bash. Here, browse works from more than 125 arts publishers, small presses, book artists, comics artists, printmakers and others.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday at the Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Ave. Free / MAP

(Ginny / Wikimedia)(Ginny / Wikimedia)

6. Experience

Get a taste of French Baroque opera at “Actéon” and “Pygmalion,” a double bill by the Toronto-based Opera Atelier. Widely known for its approach to the preservation and interpretation of 17th and 18th century opera, this marks the company’s Chicago debut. Watch goddess Diana transform a hunter into a stag in Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Actéon.” In Jean-Phillippe Rameau’s “Pygmalion,” discover the tale of a statue brought to life. Both pieces will be performed in French with English surtitles.

Details: Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. $35-$135 / MAP

Edward Tracz in Charpentier's “Actéon” (Credit: Bruce Zinger) Edward Tracz in Charpentier's “Actéon” (Credit: Bruce Zinger)

7. Engage

Smell, taste, touch, listen and feel your way through In the Realm of Senses: Elements, a multi-sensory exhibit combining visual arts, music, gastronomy, perfumery, poetry and touch. Push the boundaries and perceptions of your five senses as you explore the installations spread across a trio of studios. Note: tickets are limited to 100 per day.

Details: Sessions available at 7:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1837 S. Halsted St. $35-$45 / MAP

8. Toast

Raise your tasting glass to a smorgasbord of styles at the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer, where you can try some of the “most exotic barrel-aged beer, cider, mead and perry on Earth” by more than 200 breweries, according to organizers. Each ticket comes with a complimentary tasting glass, festival booklet and 20 samples.

Details: Sessions available 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road. $85 / MAP

(Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers / Facebook)(Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers / Facebook)

9. Imagine

Trade the bright lights of the city for celestial bodies and the glow of the campfire at Stars, Stories and S’mores. The family friendly evening includes storytelling, astronomy and night hikes.

Details: 5-8 p.m. Friday at Caldwell Woods, 6350 W. Devon Ave. Free / MAP

(Free-Photos / Pixabay)(Free-Photos / Pixabay)

10. Capture

City residents of all stripes are the focus of photographer Abigail Zoe Martin’s exhibition Chicago Lights.” The 81 photos include shots of the Rev. Michael Pfleger, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Bear Israel Idonije. Each subject chose the setting and style of their photo before nominating the next person to be photographed. Each photo includes a 1-minute snippet of conversations Martin had with her subjects. An opening reception takes place 7-10 p.m. Friday.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Dec. 28 at Zhou B Art Center, 1029 w. 35th St. Free / MAP

Trisha Rooney (Photo Credit: Abigail Zoe Martin)Trisha Rooney (Photo Credit: Abigail Zoe Martin)

Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.


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