COMEDY

SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO

11/28 at 5 and 8 Maniscalco’s acerbic tell-it-like-it-is brand of humor has graced shows such as Comedy Central Presents, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Conan—don’t miss it live. $55–$63. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. sebastianlive.com

FILM

CHICAGO COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL

11/6–7 The Chicago Comedy Film Festival celebrates its fifth year, with highlights ranging from a dark college horror-comedy (Killing Poe) to a 2 Broke Girls–style feature about sisters forced to go to great lengths after accruing a hefty turtle-racing debt (Winning Formula). $12. New 400 Theater, 6746 N. Sheridan. chicagocomedyfilmfestival.com

READINGS AND LIT

AN ADVENTURE WAS HOME: GERTRUDE STEIN IN CHICAGO

11/11 at 7 The Poetry Foundation reflects on the famous author’s time in the city, offering selected readings from three of her 1934 lectures. Discussion and reception to follow. Free. Poetry Foundation, 61 W. Superior. poetryfoundation.org

CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL

Through 11/8 The second week’s lineup includes lectures from singer Elvis Costello and author Roxane Gay, plus a panel on artists as activists. $12–$20. Various locations. chicagohumanities.org

JOHN IRVING

11/11 at 6 The prolific author (The Cider House Rules, The World According to Garp) surprised fans with the release of his 14th novel, Avenue of Mysteries. He reads from that work here. Free. Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State. chipublib.org/location/harold-washington-library-center-events

DAVID MITCHELL AND LANA WACHOWSKI

11/8 at 7:30 Cloud Atlas scribe Mitchell chats with The Matrix director about his latest book, Slade House. $30. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. musicboxtheatre.com

POETS LOOK AT PAINTINGS

11/18 at 6 The Poetry Center revives a past live event, originally at the Museum of Contemporary Art (circa 1974): poetic performances rooted in visual art. Free. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. poetrycenter.org

SEASONAL

CHRISTKINDLMARKET

11/20–12/24 The annual German market sets up shop in the Loop. Free. 50 W. Washington christkindlmarket.com

MAGNIFICENT MILE LIGHTS FESTIVAL

11/21 at 11 a.m. The annual daylong event is full of family fun: live music, extended shopping hours, a tree-lighting parade, and fireworks. Free. Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan. themagnificentmile.com/events/lights-festival

WONDERLAND EXPRESS

11/27–1/3 Catch Hanukkah and Christmas concerts, sing carols, and try ice sculpting. $8–$12 (free for children under two). Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook, Glencoe. chicagobotanic.org