MAIN EVENT

Towering tree, all lit up

In the eyes of many people — and many retailers— the holidays seem to start earlier every year. For Chicagoans, the holidays haven't arrived until the downtown gets decked out with seasonal spirit. The city's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the transformation with the erection of Chicago's largest holiday decoration, this year a 69-foot Norway spruce from the Scholla family, of Wauconda, Ill. Everyone can see it light up for the first time this season. For extra fun, Santa Claus and the percussion troupe STOMP will also make appearances. 6 p.m. Friday; Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; free; www.cityofchicago.org

CHICAGO FAMILY FESTIVAL

More (Magnificent) lights

The downtown decorations don't stop at the tree. The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival will stretch across two days for the first time this year. The first evening will feature its own tree-lighting ceremony at the Wrigley Building, live music and visits from Santa Claus. Day two offers a daytime slate of family-friendly festivities, then attendees can watch the Mickey Mouse float lead a lighting parade down the Magnificent stretch of Michigan Avenue. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Oak Street; free; go to website for complete event locations, schedule; www.themagnificentmile.com

CHICAGO MUSIC

‘Foolish' to miss this

Seeing seasoned acts in concert, if they've been away from the stage, can be a dicey proposition. Maybe they no longer have “it”; maybe they don't care to have “it” anymore; maybe the only “it” they need is more money. With Ashanti, though, carry on from those concerns. Between a stellar array of hits and her soprano voice, she can still put on a tremendous show. 7 p.m. Saturday, Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.; $35-$55; www.ticketfly.com

ROSEMONT EXHIBITION

Cars come in from cold

Although the cold weather is calling for collectible cars to take shelter, gearheads can goggle at a massive collection of heavy-duty vehicles at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. It's an event for enthusiasts, with Cobras, GT40s and a plethora of Shelby Mustangs among the more than 550 cars on hand, but it's also for the family. Kids can participate in a photography contest, a scavenger hunt and a “make and take” car-model building workshop.

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont; $25 early sale, $30 at door; www.mcacn.com

adlukach@chicagotribune.com