CHICAGO - It's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas on Chicago's Michigan Avenue. One of the nation's premiere shopping and entertainment destinations will host the 16th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Nov. 22. | This week's festival listing

The Magnificent Mile has earned the designation as one of America's top destinations from several travel information sources.

Be there when the switch is flipped to turn on a million lights and transform the street into a winter wonderland - and a cash magnet. The street's 460 retail outlets do nearly $2 billion in annual sales. Water Tower Place, at 729,000 square feet of commercial space, is the largest. Holiday shopping begins in earnest with extended hours during the festival.

The Lights Festival is hosted by Harris Bank and the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association, a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and enhance Michigan Avenue.

Though the Light Festival dates back to the 1990s, trees along North Michigan Avenue have been illuminated every holiday for more than 40 years. Make sure to visit award-winning window displays at Tiffany & Co., American Girl Place, Lester Lampert Inc., Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Paul Stuart and Neiman Marcus.

Entertainment from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harris Stage at Pioneer Court at 401 N. Michigan Ave. includes Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Ralph's World, Jason Mraz and the Cheetah Girls. Live band entertainment will play all along the avenue. Help WLS 890 radio break the record for the world's largest holiday carol at Pioneer Court, 401 North Michigan Avenue.

At 5 p.m., pre-parade entertainment begins. The parade will be on North Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive. Mickey Mouse, the master of ceremonies, leads the illumination of the lights.

Wheelchair viewing for the lighting procession will be at 111 E. Wacker Drive. The viewing area for the concert stage is Pioneer Court.

Download a guide for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival at www.themagnificentmile.com/SeasonalEvents/Fall/MagMileLightsFestGuide07.pdf. It includes promotions and deals at several hotels and restaurants.

If you're looking for other things to do to get you in the mood for winter, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park tentatively will open Nov. 19 for its seventh season, which runs through March 15. It's open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day when it's open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rink is located between Washington and Madison. Skate rental is available. The rink draws more than 100,000 skaters annually. It's free. Information about Millennium Park is available at www.millenniumpark.org, or by calling call (312) 742-1168.