Magnificent Miles Lights Festival a Chicago tradition

Chicago

Lighting up the holidays

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, taking place Saturday, Nov. 21, has become a Chicago tradition with all-day music, activities and an evening lighted parade down Michigan Avenue. Why not surprise your mate or the whole gang with an overnight stay at either of Chicago's two Four Seasons hotels on the Magnificent Mile? The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and the Ritz-Carlton Chicago offer "Experience More" packages, which provide $100 to $200 credit toward the room rate per night when staying a minimum of two nights. Wouldn't cocktails by the fire at the Four Seasons or the Saturday night Chocolate Flight at the Ritz-Carlton cap off the festival ever-so-nicely?

Package valid through December at the Four Seasons, 120 E. Delaware Place, and the Ritz-Carlton, 160 E. Pearson St. For reservations at the Four Seasons, call (312) 280-8800 or visit fourseasons.com/chicagofs. For the Ritz-Carlton, call (312) 266-1000 or visit fourseasons.com/chicagorc. Rates begin at $295 per night when credit is applied, and a two-night minimum stay is required.

Glide into skating season

Ice skating offers the fleeting feeling of freedom, and practicing figure eights at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park may be sheer bliss. You can skate away on the ice of a new day starting Wednesday, Nov. 18. The rink, now in its ninth season and drawing more than 100,000 skaters annually, is free and open to the public. Bring your own skates or rent a pair for $10.

Noon to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays; noon to 10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays (through Jan. 2); 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays (beginning Jan. 9); 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through March 14, at Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue between Washington Street and Madison Avenue. (312) 742-1168 or millenniumpark.org

Santa, elves and the Bears

There's breakfast with Santa and then there's Breakfast with Santa at historic Soldier Field, where you can help decorate the stadium tree, meet a Chicago Bears player and enjoy a brunch in the United Club (one of the few times during the year when it's open to the public). Make your reservations as soon as possible for the third annual Holiday Breakfast with Santa because there are only 600 places at the table. Santa and his elves will be on hand for the holiday-themed breakfast. Be sure to bring a handmade ornament for the stadium tree. The top three handmade ornaments will receive prizes. Everyone is also encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy, which will be donated to deserving children.

10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. Admission is $50 for adults, $25 for children ages 3-12, and free for children under 3 years of age. Reservations are available by calling (312) 235-7162 or e-mailing sfspecialevents@dncinc.com. Visit soldierfield.net for more information.

Midwest

Just folks

"Celebrate the Weavings of Culture" at this year's Holiday Folk Fair International in Milwaukee. Sample exotic and familiar cuisine at the World Café, shop the wares of skilled artisans from distant lands at the International Bazaar, take in music and dance performances, see a re-enactment of a Revolutionary War encampment and browse ethnic cultural displays, arts and crafts displays, and educational exhibits and demonstrations.

2 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 West Greenfield Ave., West Allis, Wis. Admission is $8 in advance, and $10 at the door; children ages 6-12 and seniors 62 and older $8 at the gate; military personnel (with military ID) and children 5 and younger are admitted free; a "Family Fun 4-Pack" of tickets is $28 and available online at folkfair.org. (414) 225-6225.

Hazy shade of winter

Give into the cold side at the eighth annual Winterer's Gathering and Arctic Film Festival in Grand Marais, Minn. There are tons of activities to keep you warm. Learn about the traditional ways of life in the North: There will be a gear and ski swap, international Arctic films, winter tent camping, dancing, a chili feed, winter skills seminars and more. Twelve different hands-on courses will be offered, from making your own skis to sewing a traditional wool blanket shirt.

9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at North House Folk School, 500 Highway 61 West, Grand Marais, Minn. (888) 387-9762 or northhouse.org/programs/events/winterer'sgathering.htm

Tree-huggers flock west

Every year, over 350,000 people experience the 10-day Quad City Arts Festival of Trees. There will be traditional and uniquely designed trees from 4 to 9 feet tall, designer displays, a gingerbread village created by amateur and professional bakers, handcrafted stockings and ornaments, and lots of miniature designs. Stop in the special gift shop to begin holiday shopping and take in live performances and appearances by Santa. There also will be a larger-than-life children's activity center. The Festival of Trees Holiday Parade on Saturday will feature more than 20 helium-filled, character balloons, marching bands, the Distinguished Clown Corps and at least 50 organizations.

12:30 to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 and Nov. 28; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Nov. 29; 5 to 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at RiverCenter, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport, Iowa. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and travels through the streets of downtown Davenport. General admission is $8 adults; $6 seniors; $3 children 2 to 10 years. (800) 747-7800 or visit visitquadcities.com.

Worth the trip

If you think the economic slump is hurting the U.S., it hit Iceland with a wallop last year. That's bad for Icelanders, but great for us because the U.S. dollar is exceptionally strong against the Icelandic krona. Iceland is an incredible value destination with exchange rates nearly three times what they were last year. Expect to find hotels and meals up to half the price they were a few years ago, so catch a deal as well as a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Icelandair is offering special packages including the Iceland Budget Getaway with prices starting at $469 per person double occupancy and includes airfare. Plus, Icelandair offers passengers the option to stop over in Iceland en route to any Icelandair destination at no additional airfare. Nonstop connections through Icelandair's hub in Reykjavik are available to more than 20 destinations in Scandinavia, Great Britain and continental Europe.

(877) I-FLY-ICE or icelandair.us.