Here are some of the more interesting events, deals, websites and other travel tidbits that have come across our desk recently:
The holidays get a festive start Nov. 18 with the Lighting on the John Deere Commons along the Mississippi River in downtown Moline, Ill. You can take a ride on a tractor-drawn wagon, listen to live music, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and of course, enjoy the lighting ceremony and fireworks. www.lightingonthecommons.com
A Yoga and Hiking Day will be held Nov. 12 at Starved Rock Lodge in Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, Ill., near Utica. A 75-minute yoga class will be held, followed by a 3-mile round-trip hike to St. Louis Canyon. Reservations are required, and there is limited availability. 815-220-7386, http://tinyurl.com/y8rxdp9t
The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra will present “Angel’s Song,” featuring principal harpist Rachel Miller performing William Alwyn’s concerto. The event takes place at 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Howard Performing Arts Center in Berrien Springs. Get there early for a pre-concert conversation at 3 p.m. with Miller and Music Director Robin Fountain. 269-982-4030, http://tinyurl.com/y7w9rjju
The 11 wineries of the Great River Road Wine Trail will hold their Holiday Harvest Wine and Food Festival on Nov. 11-12. Wine samples and food will be available at the facilities along the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Tickets are available online or at the wineries. 715-448-3502, http://tinyurl.com/y9l7fm5w
The Michigan Festival of Sacred Music presents ticketed and free events through Nov. 26 featuring music from a variety of diverse cultures at various locations in Kalamazoo. Performances range from an appearance by Grammy-nominated Jewish entertainment superstar Neshama Carlebach to a singalong “Messiah.” www.mfsm.us
The Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Ind., has mounted two new exhibits that will be on display until Jan. 6. Fragile Codes uses video, sculptures and prints to repurpose images from popular media. In the Abstract is the work of four artists working in encaustic, using hot wax and pigment. http://tinyurl.com/pr9yubv
Women in Bloom, a nonprofit aimed at empowering girls and women, will hold its third annual Holiday Shopping Expo on Nov. 16 in Valparaiso, Ind. Some 60 vendors will be on hand, and there will be educational presentations too. Money raised from the event will help fund scholarships. http://tinyurl.com/y9apnx93
Hundreds of wines, beers, ciders and spirits will be available for sampling at the 10th annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival on Nov. 16-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Seminars and workshops and food from a variety of restaurants round out the schedule. http://tinyurl.com/y9zma929
Petit St. Vincent Resort, a luxury all-inclusive on the tiny Caribbean island of the same name, offers a seven-night stay, for the price of five for stays through Dec. 19. Nightly rates for a one-bedroom cottage for two start at $1,100. 800-654-9326, http://tinyurl.com/dxkomxr
The Whistler Film Festival will be Nov. 29 to Dec. 3 in the popular British Columbia ski town. http://tinyurl.com/yyrffb9
FamilyVacationCritic.com lists Thanksgiving vacation packages for families at http://tinyurl.com/y9wn2jbf.
African Travel has its brochure of 2018 trips available at http://tinyurl.com/yb8avl3r.
Deals and websites listed here have been checked for availability as of press time. Listings are not endorsements. Send tips at least a month in advance to ChicagoTribTravel@gmail.com.
Phil Marty is a freelancer.
