Holiday events begin in earnest this weekend, with ice skating in Millennium Park (weather permitting) and Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza joining the events we have included here.
This year’s Thanksgiving Parade, in its 89th year, will have marching bands, a return of the giant balloons, floats, equestrian performers, performances by country music’s Reyna Roberts and Tayler Holder and more.
8-11 a.m. Nov. 23 on State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street; free with $70 tickets for VIP access at www.chicagothanksgivingparade.com
A new musical based on the cartoon character Betty Boop is opening in Chicago on its way to Broadway. It’s directed by Jerry Mitchell (“Kinky Boots”) and stars Jasmine Amy Rogers.
Nov. 19 to Dec. 24 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; tickets and more information at 800-775-2000 and www.broadwayinchicago.com
She’s back in Chicago with a concert devoted to her 1993 album “Exile in Guyville” at the Chicago Theatre, with guest Blondshell.
8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $69.50 at www.msg.com
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If you love all things Disney, a new 90-minute walk-through attraction is opening at the Exhibition Hub Art Center, with galleries devoted to Disney titles from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937) to “Encanto” (2021). Plus some 250 works of art, artifacts, memorabilia, costumes and props from Disney’s past 100 years.
Opens Nov. 18 at Exhibition Hub Art Center Chicago, 2367 W. Logan Blvd.; timed tickets and more information at disney100exhibit.com
The oldest blues and jazz label in the world celebrates its 70th anniversary with a holiday bash. The lineup includes Mud Morganfield, Jimmy Burns, Demetria Taylor, Sheryl Youngblood, Dave Specter, Mike Wheeler and many others.
7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets $30-$390 (ages 17+) at thaliahallchicago.com
The Broadway star Stephanie J. Block will receive the 2023 Sarah Siddons Society Award for achievement in theater in a ceremony at the Arts Club of Chicago, as part of that longtime Chicago society of arts boosters’ annual benefit.
7 p.m. Nov. 20 at The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario St.; more information at sarahsiddonssociety.org
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As in past years, the big lighting event will be accompanied by holiday music, entertainment and fireworks in Millennium Park. This year’s 110th City of Chicago Christmas Tree is a 45-foot Colorado Blue Spruce donated by the De La Cruz family of southwest suburban Darien. And new this year, there will be a mainstage right by the tree with the ceremony emceed by Irika Sargent and Joe Donlon of WBBM-CBS Channel 2.
5-6 p.m. preshow; 6-6:30 p.m. ceremony and fireworks with the tree illuminated at 6:25 p.m. on Nov. 17 on Washington Street at Michigan Avenue in Millennium Park. The tree will remain lit through Jan. 7, 2024; more information at chicago.gov
The annual parade has long launched the holiday shopping season and all the holiday lights on Michigan Avenue. Grand marshals, as always, are Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Plus celebrity performances from Sister Sledge, the Funky Bunch’s “Good Vibrations,” the Sugarhill Gang celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop, and “American Idol” alum Colin Stough.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Oak Street and Michigan Avenue, ending on Wacker Drive and the Chicago River with fireworks at 7 p.m.; free, more information at themagnificentmile.com