Best Bets: Bret Michaels, 'Elf' in concert, For King + Country, Pentatonix, Chris Isaak
Immersive ‘Nutcracker'
Experience projections of animated characters alongside footage of professional dancers set to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous ballet as part of “The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle” at the Lighthouse Art Space, 18 W. Germania Place, Chicago. Tickets start at $24.99. immersive-nutcracker.com. Friday, Nov. 25, through Jan. 7
Light Up the Lake
Navy Pier's annual winter celebration Light Up the Lake 2023 returns to 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, with dazzling light displays, an outdoor skating rink, live music Fridays through Sundays, fireworks on Saturdays, outdoor firepits, a holiday artisan market, craft workshops and more. Free; fees for some activities. navypier.org/light-up-the-lake. Friday, Nov. 24, through Dec. 31
‘Elf' in concert
A live orchestra performs the score to the film “Elf” at the Auditorium Theatre, 55 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, on Saturday and the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, on Sunday. The 2003 film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, an oversized elf who travels from the North Pole to New York City to look for his biological father. Tickets start at $45. cineconcerts.com or ticketmaster.com. 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, in Chicago and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, in Rosemont
For King + Country
Aussie-born Nashville Christian pop group For King + Country heads to NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, with “A Drummer Boy Christmas — The 2023 Tour Experience.” Tickets are $29.99-$205. nowarena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25
Tales and tunes
Comedian Sonya White and folk singer Mark Dvorak team up for an evening of stories and songs at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. The $35 tickets include a cranberry muffin. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25
The State at the Riv
The sketch-comedy ensemble The State — featuring writer/actor/comedian Thomas Lennon and writer/actor/comedian Kerri Kenney-Silver, who co-created “Reno 911” along with Robert Ben Garant — headlines the Riveria Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $49.50. jamusa.com/venues/riviera-theatre. 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25-26
Music & more
Pianist and St. Charles native Jeffrey LaDeur and mezzo soprano Kindra Scharich perform piano classics and art songs as part of the “Music & More in the Gallery” series at The Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. $25. norrisculturalarts.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26
Bret's Parti-Gras
Poison frontman Bret Michaels returns to the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, for a dose of rock and some holiday faves with his annual Parti-Gras Holiday Party this weekend. $79-$149. arcadalive.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26
The Orion Ensemble welcomes guest violist Stephen Boe and guest violinist Mathias Tacke for concerts featuring works by 20th-century composers Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Dmitri Shostaovich. The Chicago performance will be livestreamed. $30, $25 for seniors, $15 for students. orionensemble.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Fa la la cappella
Grammy-winning pop a cappella group Pentatonix celebrates the release of “The Greatest Christmas Hits” by heading to the suburbs with “The Most Wonderful Tour of the Year” at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $40-$159.50. rosemont.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29
Chris Isaak's Christmas
Rockabilly rocker Chris Isaak turns his velvety bass loose on Christmas favorites when he brings his “It's Almost Christmas Tour” to the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $45-$95. geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30