Best bets: Gilbert Gottfried plays Zanies in Rosemont
All lit up
The Morton Arboretum debuts its new interactive holiday light display called Illumination starting today. Some displays will respond and shift based upon sound and touch. Experience it all at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $15; $10 kids ages 2 to 17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb. orb. 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly from Friday, Nov. 22, through Friday, Jan. 4 (closed on Nov. 28, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 24, 25)
Holiday launch
To help usher in the end-of-year shopping season (and to show off its newly renovated Village Green), the Oakbrook Center is holding a Holiday Extravaganza complete with live reindeer, art creations and more. Get a jump on holiday shopping at Route 83 and 22nd Street, Oak Brook. No admission charge. (630) 573-0700 or oakbrookcenter.com. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22
Hungarian Folk
The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble is often held up as one of the world's great folkloric dance ensembles. Catch the acclaimed dance troupe tonight at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $25-$68. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22
Oh, Gilbert!
Generations of kids know comedian Gilbert Gottfried from voicing the villainous parrot Iago in Disney's “Aladdin,” but he's edgier for adults-only audiences live onstage. See Gottfried this weekend at Zanies Comedy Club at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23
Beefy and sleek
Classic car enthusiasts and gear heads who crave horsepower should check out the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25. (847) 692-2222 or mcacn.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24
Faith singers
Contemporary Christian singer TobyMac brings his Hits Deep Tour with guests Brandon Heath, Mandisa, Jamie Grace, Colton Dixon, Chris August and Capital Kings this Saturday to the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $31-$41; $20 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23
Sweet home Chicago
Find out why the Windy City became such a magnet for classic confectionary creations when Leslie Goddard presents “Chicago's Sweet Candy History” this Sunday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $10; $5 students and seniors. (847) 673-6300 or prairiecenter.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24
Plan ahead
Titus returns
Comedian Christopher Titus had a very tough childhood, which he uses to great effect for finding material for his standup routines. Catch him in early December at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $27 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Ho, ho, 'Yo!'
Get the seasonal spirit with DJ Lance Rock and his colorful Nickelodeon crew when “A Very Awesome Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Holiday Show” plays four shows in mid-December at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $22-$72. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15