On the road: Reserve a spot on the Holiday Lights bus

Chicago

Trolley follies

Make your reservations now for Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Bus Company's “Holiday Lights Tour.” Festive holiday trolleys, named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, whisk you through glittering lights and seasonal sights of the city. The narrated 2 ½ hour tour showcases The Magnificent Mile, Macy's holiday windows, historic State Street and Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest. The tour stops at Christkindlmarket and Lincoln Park's Zoo Lights where riders have the opportunity to shop a traditional German American holiday market or explore the elaborate Lincoln Park Zoo Lights strung throughout the entire zoo.

6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 28-Jan. 4 (excluding Dec. 24-25). Tours begin and end at the John Hancock Plaza tree, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Tickets cost $29 for adults and $19 for kids 3-11 and must be purchased 24 hours in advance. chicagotrolley.com or (773) 648-5000.

Log in at the Lincoln

Hotel Lincoln, located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, invites you to start holiday shopping early at the property's Vintage Pop-Up Market. Held in the hotel's second floor event space, the market features vintage clothing, home goods and gifts from 15 local Chicago vendors with items such as vintage Parisian maps, statement jewelry and handcrafted holiday cards. Peruse the market's offerings while enjoying vintage record tunes from CHIRP independent radio as well as beverages from Chapin Coffee and Tea Beyond. Crafters can get in on a how-to session on creating travel accessories inspired by Hotel Lincoln's quirky design.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Hotel Lincoln, 1816 N. Clark St., Chicago. Free admission. (312) 254-4700 or hotellincolnchicago.com.

Save cash at the flash sale

On Monday, Nov. 10, the landmark luxury JW Marriott Chicago celebrates four successful years in the Windy City with an exclusive 24-hour flash sale. A nod to its opening day on November 10, 2010, the hotel in Chicago's Financial District will offer a rate of $110.14 for weekend stays from December 15, 2014 through February 15, 2015. The limited-time rate offers a savings of over $200 with the standard rate of $329.

Monday, Nov. 10, you'll have 24 hours to book a stay at the JW Marriott Chicago, 151 W. Adams St., Chicago. Room rate is $110.14 for stays weekends only (Thurs-Sun.) from Dec. 15-Feb. 15, 2015. A Friday or Saturday night stay required, based on availability. Book your room at marriott.com/hotels/travel/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago from midnight on Sunday, Nov. 9 until midnight on Monday, Nov. 10 with the online promotional code 'W21.' (312) 660-8200 or jwmarriottchicago.com.

Midwest

Cold and crafty

You still have time to catch Traverse City Beer Week offering a nice schedule of tastings, dinners, games and other craft beer events illustrating Michigan's vibrant craft brewing movement. The 15 microbreweries, brewpubs and taprooms in the Traverse City Area will be especially evident during pub crawls, beer dinners, first-time keg tappings, retail tastings, food pairings, panel discussions, tailgate parties, and other unique craft beer experiences.

Now through Nov. 14. For the complete schedule of Traverse City Beer Week events, go to traversecity.com.

Just folks

Holiday Folk Fair International in West Allis, Wisconsin, is America's premiere multicultural festival. Sample exotic and familiar cuisine at the World Café; shop the wares of skilled artisans from 65 different cultures 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. 21; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, Wisconsin. Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the gate; children ages 6-12 and seniors 62 and older $10 at the gate; free for military personnel (with military ID) and children 5 and younger; a “Family Fun 4-Pack” of tickets is $36 and available at folkfair.org. For info, call (414) 225-6225.

Tree-huggers flock west

Every year, more than 100,000 people experience the 10-day Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, one of the top 10 events of its kind in North America. In its 27th year, the event features traditional and unusual uniquely designed trees from four to nine feet tall, stunning 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. Kids will go for the train village and the North Pole children's activity center.

Friday through Sunday, Nov. 21-30, at the RiverCenter Great Hall, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport, Iowa. Admission is $10 for adults, $60 for seniors (60 and older), and $3 for ages 2-10. Call the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 747-7800 or go to visitquadcities.com.