5 ideas to brighten up your weekend

If you're feeling a little stressed about Thanksgiving and the holidays, take a breather this weekend and enjoy some seasonal fun. Here are five ideas. For others, go to dailyherald.com/entertainment.

Winter lights

Interact with nature and innovative light and sound technology at Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Hug a tree along a milelong path to see how it responds and watch lights dancing to excerpts from "The Nutcracker." $12-$22. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 5 p.m. and later daily; times assigned with ticket purchase.

BrightSide's 'Beauty'

Enjoy a family classic as BrightSide Theatre stages "Beauty and the Beast," adapted from the 1991 animated film with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. See it at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $24, $27. (630) 447-8497 or brightsidetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

Double dog dare ya

Watch Ralphie as he lobbies for a Red Ryder BB gun in Citadel Theatre's version of "A Christmas Story: The Musical." It's at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. $35-$38. (847) 735-8554 or citadeltheatre.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

Hot wheels

Cruise over to the returning Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25-$30. (847) 692-2220 or mcacn.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

'Rebel'

Hear pop singer Vikki Carr perform songs from across the decades Sunday when she plays the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.