Upcoming Chicago Events

Name: Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker – Chicago, IL
Start: 2026-12-26T14:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-12-26T21:00:00-06:00
Location: Lyric Opera House

Check out what's happening all around Chicago.

December 23, 2026: Dec23
Festivals, Fairs & Special Events, Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
Drunk Christmas Carol
Drunk Christmas Carol, presented by the Drunk Shakespeare Society, brings a boozy twist on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic to Chicago for a limited run at…
Event details
Wednesday, December 23rd
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
See all events in series
182 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago
182 N. Wabash Ave.
Dec23
Theatre & Performing Arts
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
25th anniversary of Chicago’s holiday smash hit! Filled with heartwarming storytelling, music, and some very special surprises. George Bailey – the Everyman from small town…
Event details
Wednesday, December 23rd
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
See all events in series
American Blues Theater
5627 N Lincoln Blvd
Dec23
Theatre & Performing Arts
Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker – Chicago, IL
The Joffrey Ballet is bringing its critically acclaimed annual holiday production of The Nutcracker back to the Lyric Opera House from December 4 through December…
Loop
Event details
Wednesday, December 23rd
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Dr. , Chicago, IL, 60606
Dec23
Theatre & Performing Arts
ATPT Announces Final Season of “Port of Entry”
After four years of sold-out performances, Port of Entry returns for its final season beginning Oct. 29. Created by Albany Park Theater Project and Third…
Event details
Wednesday, December 23rd
7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Albany Park
3030 West Lawrence
Dec23
Theatre & Performing Arts
Oil Lamp Theater Presents “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production in its 2026 season, It’s…
Event details
Wednesday, December 23rd
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
See all events in series
Oil Lamp Theater
1723 Glenview Rd, Glenview, IL, 60025
December 24, 2026: Dec24
Theatre & Performing Arts
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas – The Musical – Chicago, IL
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is returning to Chicago for a festive, multi-week holiday run from Thursday, December 10 through Sunday,…
Loop
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
See all events in series
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
Dec24
Theatre & Performing Arts
The Sound of Music
For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers &…
Loop
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W. Randolph St. , Chicago, IL, 60601
Dec24
Theatre & Performing Arts
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
25th anniversary of Chicago’s holiday smash hit! Filled with heartwarming storytelling, music, and some very special surprises. George Bailey – the Everyman from small town…
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
See all events in series
American Blues Theater
5627 N Lincoln Blvd
Dec24
Theatre & Performing Arts
Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker – Chicago, IL
The Joffrey Ballet is bringing its critically acclaimed annual holiday production of The Nutcracker back to the Lyric Opera House from December 4 through December…
Loop
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Dr. , Chicago, IL, 60606
Dec24
Theatre & Performing Arts
Bubble Wonderland
Step into Bubble Wonderland, a magical holiday adventure filled with breathtaking bubbles, dazzling lights, lasers, festive music and unforgettable surprises! Starring internationally acclaimed bubble artist…
Jefferson Park
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Copernicus Center
main stage is located at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
Dec24
Festivals, Fairs & Special Events, Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
Drunk Christmas Carol
Drunk Christmas Carol, presented by the Drunk Shakespeare Society, brings a boozy twist on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic to Chicago for a limited run at…
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
See all events in series
182 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago
182 N. Wabash Ave.
Dec24
Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
Vape! The Grease Parody
Vape! lovingly pokes fun at all of the wonderful moments, sexual innuendos, outrageous characters, rivalries and secret romances from the original musical. The hair products may…
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
7:30 p.m. – 8:55 p.m.
See all events in series
Apollo Theater
2550 N. Lincoln Ave.
Dec24
Theatre & Performing Arts
ATPT Announces Final Season of “Port of Entry”
After four years of sold-out performances, Port of Entry returns for its final season beginning Oct. 29. Created by Albany Park Theater Project and Third…
Event details
Thursday, December 24th
7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Albany Park
3030 West Lawrence
December 25, 2026: Dec25
Theatre & Performing Arts
Bubble Wonderland
Step into Bubble Wonderland, a magical holiday adventure filled with breathtaking bubbles, dazzling lights, lasers, festive music and unforgettable surprises! Starring internationally acclaimed bubble artist…
Jefferson Park
Event details
Friday, December 25th
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Copernicus Center
main stage is located at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
Dec25
Festivals, Fairs & Special Events, Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
Drunk Christmas Carol
Drunk Christmas Carol, presented by the Drunk Shakespeare Society, brings a boozy twist on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic to Chicago for a limited run at…
Event details
Friday, December 25th
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
See all events in series
182 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago
182 N. Wabash Ave.
Dec25
Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
Pandemonium, Please Hold
The Second City’s 114th Mainstage Revue Pandemonium, Please Hold is a loud, fast, and gloriously unhinged night of comedic mayhem. The Second City’s six-person cast…
Old Town
Event details
Friday, December 25th
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
See all events in series
The Second City
1616 N. Wells St.
Dec25
Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
Vape! The Grease Parody
Vape! lovingly pokes fun at all of the wonderful moments, sexual innuendos, outrageous characters, rivalries and secret romances from the original musical. The hair products may…
Event details
Friday, December 25th
7:30 p.m. – 8:55 p.m.
See all events in series
Apollo Theater
2550 N. Lincoln Ave.
Dec25
Theatre & Performing Arts
Premonitions Inc. at Kermess
We saw you coming. Fourteen floors above Randolph Street, aerialists fly through a century-old Belgian Spiegeltent while acrobatics, burlesque, cabaret, and comedy unfold around your…
Event details
Friday, December 25th
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Kermess
32 W Randolph St, Floor 14
Dec25
Theatre & Performing Arts
ATPT Announces Final Season of “Port of Entry”
After four years of sold-out performances, Port of Entry returns for its final season beginning Oct. 29. Created by Albany Park Theater Project and Third…
Event details
Friday, December 25th
7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Albany Park
3030 West Lawrence
Dec25
Music & Comedy, Theatre & Performing Arts
Pandemonium, Please Hold
The Second City’s 114th Mainstage Revue Pandemonium, Please Hold is a loud, fast, and gloriously unhinged night of comedic mayhem. The Second City’s six-person cast…
Old Town
Event details
Friday, December 25th
9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
See all events in series
The Second City
1616 N. Wells St.
December 26, 2026: Dec26
Theatre & Performing Arts
Bubble Wonderland
Step into Bubble Wonderland, a magical holiday adventure filled with breathtaking bubbles, dazzling lights, lasers, festive music and unforgettable surprises! Starring internationally acclaimed bubble artist…
Jefferson Park
Event details
Saturday, December 26th
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Copernicus Center
main stage is located at 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
Dec26
Theatre & Performing Arts
Strawdog’s 9th Annual Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Strawdog Theatre Company returns once again with its 9th Annual production of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Hershel and their troupe are exhausted. They’ve been…
Edgewater
Event details
Saturday, December 26th
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Raven Theatre Company
6157 N. Clark St.
Dec26
Theatre & Performing Arts
The Missing Star at Kermess
When the star vanishes from the Christmas tree, toys and acrobats spring to life in a holiday circus adventure filled with clowning and acrobatics. The…
Event details
Saturday, December 26th
2:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
See all events in series
Kermess
32 W Randolph St, Floor 14
Dec26
Theatre & Performing Arts
Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker – Chicago, IL
The Joffrey Ballet is bringing its critically acclaimed annual holiday production of The Nutcracker back to the Lyric Opera House from December 4 through December…
Loop
Event details
Saturday, December 26th
2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
See all events in series
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N. Wacker Dr. , Chicago, IL, 60606