ONE-TANK TRIPS

ILLINOIS

Nov. 17-Jan. 9 | Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (773) 684-1414, www.msichicago.org

Described as a beloved Chicago holiday tradition, this event features more than 50 dazzling trees and displays that are decorated by members of ethnic communities across the city to reflect holiday customs from all over the world. Attendees will experience ethnic dancing and singing, storytellers, school choirs and other festivities.

Nov. 18-March 11 | McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, noon-8 p.m. Mon-Thu, noon-10 p.m. Fri, 10 a.m.-10p.m. Sat (through Dec.17), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat (beginning Jan 7), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun, Millennium Park, 55 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, (312)742-1168, www.millenniumpark.org

The rink, now in its eleventh season, draws more than 100,000 skaters annually and is free and open to the public.

Nov. 24 | McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade, 8-11 a.m., State Street from Randolph to Congress, Chicago, www.chicagofestivals.org

More than 4000,000 visitors are expected to line the route for this annual televised event, which features marching bands, equestrian units, floats, performance groups, celebrities and everyone's favorite Thanksgiving parade staple, enormous helium balloons.

INDIANA

Nov. 5 | The Fisk Jubilee Singers, The First AME Church, 2005-45 Massachusetts St, Gary, (219) 886-7561

This event features The Fisk Jubilee Singers and their music director Paul Kwami of Fisk University in concert. The Fisk Jubilee Singers are vocal artists and students at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., who sing and travel worldwide. The original Jubilee Singers introduced ‘slave songs' to the world in 1871and were instrument in preserving this unique American musical tradition known today as Negro Spirituals. The Jubilee Singers continue this tradition of singing around the world allowing the ensemble to share this rich culture globally while preserving the unique music.

Nov. 11-13 | 11th Annual ART for the MIND, The Stanley Clark School, Fannin Hall, 3123 Miami St, South Bend, (574)291-4200, ext 2107, www.stanleyclark.org

With the theme "Wake Up and Dream," the school presents this exhibition, celebration and sale. Dozens of regional and local artists from a broad spectrum of expression will be showcased. The exhibit is free.

Nov. 19-20 | Holidaze Sell-A-Bration Arts & Crafts Show, Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd., Valparaiso, (219) 464-9918, holidazecraftshow.vpweb.com

Nov. 12-13 | Michigan Film, Art & Literature Symposium, Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW Grand Rapids, (616) 831-1000, www.gramonline.org

This symposium brings together scholars, artists and community leaders from around Michigan for a two-day conference focused on a theme: identifying and understanding the Michigan perspective in creative expression.

Nov. 18-Dec. 11 | Mistletoe Market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Fri, 1 to 4 p.m. Sat-Sun, South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix St, South Haven, (269) 637-1041, www.southhaven.org

This annual Christmas Boutique will have more than 40 participating local artists on exhibit. All arts and crafts will be for sale, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Art Center.