When the weather outside turns frightful, look no further than our guide for seasonal concerts and shows of all kinds.
TRADITIONAL STAGE
“A Christmas Carol”: An all-Chicago cast for the Goodman’s 47th annual “Christmas Carol” is led by Christopher Donahue, debuting as Ebenezer Scrooge while veteran Larry Yando is otherwise engaged across town as Severus Snape. Other newbies include Kate Fry as the narrator, Anthony Irons as Bob Cratchit and Ava Rose Doty as Tiny Tim — an 8-year-old with an already impressive resume. Goodman Theatre, Nov. 16-Dec. 30. And Manual Cinema moves downtown for their whimsical, COVID-themed version of the holiday classic, presented in the company’s signature style incorporating puppetry and film. Studebaker Theater, Dec. 13-29. More “Christmas Carols”: Drury Lane Theatre, Oakbrook Terrace, Nov. 29-Dec. 28; Milwaukee Rep, Associated Bank Theater Center, Milwaukee, Nov. 26-Dec. 24.
Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”: With its charming musical-within-a-musical grand finale, the classic 1954 film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen was refreshed for the stage in 2004. And it serves as a staple for the suburban theater — opened before Halloween! New York transplant Tyler Johnson-Campion makes his Marriott debut as Phil Davis. Marriott Lincolnshire, through Dec. 29.
“Frozen”: Join Elsa and Anna in wintery Arendelle for the Midwest premiere of “Frozen.” Trent Stork directs the Tony-nominated musical after the hit Disney film, originally inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Paramount Theatre, Aurora, through Jan. 19, 2025.
“The Long Christmas Dinner”: TUTA Theatre presents Thornton Wilder’s 1931 play depicting 90 Christmas dinners on fast-forward — a premise that inspired “Citizen Kane’s” storied breakfast scene and offers a glimpse at the evolution of a family (and indeed, American life), over generations. Bramble Arts Loft, Nov. 26-Dec. 29.
“It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!”: American Blues Theater’s beloved annual radio-play adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film has been a holiday mainstay for decades. But it’s only the second time this vintage-tinged production will take place in their new home venue on Lincoln Avenue. American Blues Theater, Nov. 29-Dec. 22. The Athenaeum’s version is staged in the round and employs five actors and a Foley artist, preceded by a themed cocktail hour and live jazz band. Athenaeum Center, Dec. 13-29.
“Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol”: Veteran actor Phil Timberlake tackles 19 characters in a one-man show penned by Tom Mula, who gave more than 400 performances as Goodman Theatre’s Ebenezer Scrooge. After all those “Christmas Carols,” Mula dares to ask, “What ever happened to Scrooge’s assistant, Marley?” Lifeline Theatre, Nov. 29-Dec. 22.
“Little Women”: Playwright Lauren Gunderson’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless sibling story isn’t a holiday show, per se, though the coming-of-age tale’s lessons of love, generosity, family and fidelity are seasonally apt. Northlight Theatre, Skokie, Nov. 29-Jan. 5, 2025.
“The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley”: Connie Canaday Howard directs Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s 2021 companion play to their yuletide “Pride and Prejudice” fanfic extrapolating on the Darcys, now settled at Pemberley. “The Wickhams” ventures downstairs to the servants’ quarters, where chaos ensues when vile Mr. Wickham and his wife Lydia show up. McAninch Arts Center, Nov. 14-Dec. 15.
NONTRADITIONAL STAGE
Chicago Magic Lounge: Special editions of “The Signature Show” featuring tableside magic followed by an hour-long stage show take place the day before Thanksgiving and after Christmas, including a late-night show on New Year’s Eve. Another show by resident artist Mister Danny blends magic with chemistry. And “America’s Got Talent” hypnotist Chris Jones performs one night only on Dec. 2. Chicago Magic Lounge, through Dec. 31.
“Yippee Ki Yay”: For those in the camp that believes “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, this unauthorized parody about off-duty cop John McClane’s quest to save a group of hostages is a must-see this season. Broadway Playhouse, Nov. 19-Dec. 15.
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party: This year, Chicago Children’s Theatre’s annual tea party and trunk show for the littlest of theater-goers depicts Potter tales “The Tale of Tom Kitten,” “The Tailor of Gloucester,” “The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher” and “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” followed by holiday treats and a selfie line with the cast. Chicago Children’s Theatre, Nov. 23-Dec. 29.
“Who’s Holiday!”: Jeff-winning comedic actor Veronica Garza revives the “Malört of holiday shows,” a revisionist sequel to Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Here, a fresh-mouthed, boozy Cindy Lou Who, now age 40, picks up where Seuss left off. Theater Wit, Nov. 29-Dec. 29.
The Second City: UP Comedy Club has a rotation of two holiday-themed shows: “Jack Frost Roasting on An Open Fire” and “Rudolph Runs Wild.” The former leans on awkward family gatherings and office parties — plus a speed through of Mariah Carrey’s entire catalog; the latter is an all-ages sketch show pulling from Second City’s holiday archives. The Second City, Nov. 29-Dec. 31.
“My Christmas Spectacular 2024!”: Unapologetically tawdry and chock-full of cheesy songs, props and lots and lots of sequins, Jefferey Cooke’s one-man, one-night-only cabaret returns for the third year in a row. Bonus: Cooke can actually sing and is accompanied live by music director Chuck Larkin. Mercury Theater, Nov. 30.
“Miracle at Century High School”: A brand-new musical within a musical finds fictional high school drama teacher Jacob Lunsford trying to save his school by staging a smash hit Christmas show for the community. Distractions include a nosy principal, a cast of unfocused students and visitations from Charles Dickens’ ghost. Annoyance Theatre, Dec. 4-18.
“Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again”: A decade after shelving his company, former Building Stage Artistic Director Blake Montgomery revives his Jeff Award-winning one-man show as Charles Dickens, confined to a purgatory of performing “A Christmas Carol” for the 171st year in a row. The Den Theatre, Dec. 5-22.
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show: Drag queens Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, both “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums, reunite for an all-new, fancy and fabulous Christmas cabaret. Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 8.
Practical Theatre Company’s “Weird!”: The sketch comedy troupe that launched Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Paul Barrosse, Brad Hall and Gary Kroeger’s careers in the ‘80s presents a new revue mixing “weird” current events with holiday standards in a format that’s part vintage radio play, part Charlie Brown Christmas, part contemporary uncouth comedy. Studio 5, Evanston, Dec. 20-22.
New Year’s Eve with Cameron Esposito: Now firmly planted in Los Angeles, the comic who cut her teeth doing stand-up at The Lincoln Lodge and Cole’s has never forgotten Chicago. Esposito returns to deliver a pair of shows ringing in 2025. The Den Theatre, Dec. 31.
DANCE
“The Nutcracker”: Joffrey Ballet’s Chicago-themed version of the classic holiday ballet takes audiences on a voyage from working-class Marie’s shanty on the edge of the 1893 World’s Fair grounds to the White City in lieu of a traditional Kingdom of the Sweets. Lyric Opera House, Dec. 6-28. And Milwaukee Ballet unveiled a stunning update to its “Nutcracker” last year — well worth the journey North. Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, Dec. 7-24. More “Nutcrackers”: Grand Kyiv Ballet, A&A Ballet and Ballet Chicago, Athenaeum Center, Nov. 16-17, Dec. 7 and Dec. 13-15; Hyde Park School of Dance, Mandel Hall, Dec. 13-15; Ruth Page Civic Ballet, Governors State University, Nov. 23-24, Northeastern Illinois University, Dec. 7-8 and College of Lake County, Dec. 21-22.
“Duke It Out”: Braeburn Brass joins the woodwinds from Quintet Attacca for the Music Institute’s annual holiday show pitting Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” against Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s jazz adaptation. Local dancers perform for this easy, accessible hour-long performance, preceded by a kid-friendly musical petting zoo. Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston, Dec. 7.
“Holiday Rhythms”: Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s holiday set at the storied Jazz Showcase once again features vocalist Dee Alexander and the Eric Hochberg Trio alongside the capable feet of hoofers Jumaane Taylor and Keyana Latimer. CHRP co-founder Lane Alexander may make a cameo, too. Jazz Showcase, Dec. 9 and 16.
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker”: Choreographer Jennifer Weber (of “& Juliet,” which runs Dec. 3-15 at the Cadillac Palace) created her remix of Tchaikovsky’s popular holiday ballet a decade ago, but it still feels fresh. The action is moved from 19th century Germany to New York City, where a 12-dancer crew, DJ, violinist and MC Kurtis Blow are flanked by digital graffiti evoking the dawn of hip hop culture. CIBC Theatre, Dec. 10-15.
“Winter Wonderland”: Chicago Tap Theatre and M.A.D.D. Rhythms revive their new holiday revue, which premiered last year and boasts some of the city’s best and brightest tap dancers along up-and-coming students at Harold Washington Cultural Center. A week later, the Bronzeville venue hosts “Winter Wonderfest,” with dance performances by M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre and Move Me Soul, plus a family photo booth, hot chocolate station and more, Harold Washington Cultural Center, Dec. 14 and 21.
TRADITIONAL MUSIC
“Wassail! An Irish American Christmas”: Baroque orchestra Apollo’s Fire presents a cross-Atlantic immigrant story through yuletide music from old-world Dublin and post-colonial Virginia. Ravinia’s Martin Theatre, Highland Park, Dec. 6.
Holidays a cappella: Three-time Jeff-winning actor Greg Vinkler joins Chicago A Cappella to trace a musical journey through Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” Well-known carols like “Deck the Halls,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Good King Wenceslas” and “Silent Night” are interspersed among deeper cuts, like the traditional German hymn, “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” Various locations, Dec. 6-14.
“Love Actually in Concert”: The Chicago Philharmonic plays Craig Armstrong’s score live alongside Richard Curtis’ 2003 rom-com detailing nine heart-warming, intertwined tales that, for many, is now a holiday tradition. Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 7.
“A Mariachi Christmas”: Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, a twice Latin Grammy-nominated ensemble of next-gen mariachis, plays a special holiday edition of their touring show, “La Nueva Generación.” Thalia Hall, Dec. 15.
Merry, Merry Chicago!: Guest maestro Alastair Willis returns to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s podium for their annual concert of carols and hymns, capped, per tradition, with “Christmas in Chicago.” Symphony Center, Dec. 18-23. More CSO: “Elf” in Concert, Dec. 13-15; Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass, Dec. 17.
POP, ROCK AND JAZZ
Mariah Carey’s “Christmas Time”: The queen of Christmas embarks on a 20-city tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of her album “Merry Christmas,” and a history-making single that changed everything for the singular melismatic diva: “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Nov. 27.
Brett Eldredge’s “Glow”: The country superstar originally from Paris, Illinois, stops in Chicago for three days, leaning on his 2016 Christmas album with special guest Stacey Ryan. Chicago Theatre, Dec. 6-8. More holiday music at Chicago Theatre: Jennifer Hudson, Dec. 13; Gregory Porter, Dec. 14; Samara Joy, Dec. 20; Straight No Chaser, Dec. 22.
“Gezelligheid”: Stave off the winter blues with Andrew Bird’s annual pilgrimage home. He plays a series of cozy wintertime tunes for solo violin and Victrola — the perfect end to a day on the Magnificent Mile. Buy ahead, because after 15 years, “Gezeligheid” has become very popular and is likely to sell out. Fourth Presbyterian Church, Dec. 5-6 and 9-13. Bird’s new trio will also perform their debut album “Sunday Morning Put-On” live in Highland Park, paying homage to weekends spent listening to WBEZ’s “Blues Before Sunrise” and golden era jazz with Dick Buckley a quarter century ago. Ravinia’s Martin Theatre, Highland Park, Dec. 7.
“A Very Brassy Christmas”: Philadelphia Big Brass and bandleader Rodney Marsalis, part of the Marsalis jazz dynasty, make their Ravinia debut with New Orleans-style arrangements of wintery selections by Tchaikovsky, Bach and Handel, plus traditional carols and holiday film hits. Ravinia’s Martin Theatre, Highland Park, Dec. 8.
“Christmas with the King”: “Million Dollar Quartet” star Brandon Bennett revives his Elvis Presley persona to croon carols and signature songs like “Blue Christmas,” “Burning Love” and “Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me.” Marriott Lincolnshire, Dec. 9-10.
Jane Lynch’s “A Swingin’ Little Christmas”: Sue Sylvester dusts off her singing voice for a Christmas cabaret with Kate Flannery (formerly Meredith the drunk from “The Office”), “Glee” producer Tim Davis and a swing jazz quintet backed by SoCal multi-instrumentalist Tony Guerrero. Steppenwolf Theatre, Dec. 12-15.
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour: Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz hosts his long-running holiday jazz tour in Chicago each year. The “friends” this time are South African guitarist Jonathan Butler, multi-instrumentalist Vincent Ingala, smooth jazz guitarist Adam Hawley and vocalist Rebecca Jade, who first linked up with Koz nearly a decade ago on his annual cruise. Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 12.
Pentatonix’s “Hallelujah! It’s a Christmas Tour”: For the third year straight, the world’s most successful a cappella ensemble hits the road with a new holiday show, drawing from their seven studio holiday collections for a family-friendly wintery spectacular. Allstate Arena, Dec. 12.
Joss Stone’s “Merry Christmas, Love”: After a two-decade career, Grammy-winning, multi-platinum soul singer-songwriter Joss Stone released her first Christmas album two years ago. She’ll perform it live with arrangements for a symphony orchestra — in this case, the Chicago Philharmonic. Auditorium Theatre, Dec. 18.
A John Denver Christmas: This retrospective of John Denver’s catalog, subtitled “Rocky Mountain High Experience” includes seasonal favorites like “Silver Bells” and “Aspenglow” in addition to Americana anthems such as “Sunshine on my Shoulders,” “Take Me Home Country Roads” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Broadway Playhouse, Dec. 19-22.
Winter Solstice Concert Series: Since 1990, Chicago percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang have convened for a set of candlelit improvised shows at 6 a.m., following the longest nights of the year. A multiplicity of cultural influences reference rhythmic traditions from Mesopotamia, Africa, Asia and the Americas as the sun begins to peek in through Links Hall’s glass block windows, dappling the walls and floors. Links Hall, Dec. 21-23.
Lauren Warnecke is a freelance writer.
