Near North Side Christmas Shows 2026

Experience the beloved Candlelight Carols tradition at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. This event features inspiring concert performances by various Moody musical ensembles, an original drama, and a festive holiday extravaganza with food trucks and a Christmas market. It's a...

South Chicago Dance Theatre presents 'Joy to the World,' a holiday performance featuring the musical ensemble The Bourne Family.

Christopher Wheeldon's production of The Nutcracker follows Marie's journey on Christmas Eve at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, with battles, characters, and Tchaikovsky's score.

DKG Production Company presents Holiday Whoobie Whatty?!, an adult variety show combining concert, party, and game night elements. Hosted by Darian Goulding & Marta Bady, the event is designed for adults seeking entertainment.

Three award-winning songwriters—Crys Matthews, Heather Mae, and Flamy Grant—present a winter show featuring holiday classics. This performance celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with uplifting music.

Chicago comedian Jamie Shriner performs a one-night holiday show at The Lincoln Lodge, joined by Jake Dewar and Robbie Ellis. The evening blends original material with holiday classics and explores themes of hearing loss, mental illness, and personal struggles.

The Uptones, a Chicago a cappella group, perform contemporary pop arrangements during 'A Holiday Cabaret with The Uptones.' Full dinner service is available, with seating beginning 30 minutes before the show.

Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night is an interactive comedy show combining bingo with humorous questions about Christmas traditions and biblical stories. Written by a creator of "Late Nite Catechism," the performance explores the origins of St. Nick and candy...

Ancient Romanian carols and international Christmas songs are featured at Stan Mansion for World's Carols 2026. The intimate, in-the-round performance brings traditions from across the ages, sung in a circle of songs and candlelight.

'A Christmas Carol' at The Paramount is a stage adaptation with live music, following Ebenezer Scrooge's journey.

Experience the magic of 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil at The Chicago Theatre. This enchanting holiday show brings the classic poem to life with dazzling acrobatics, whimsical characters, and a heartwarming story of family and reunion. Follow...

Experience the magic of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at Goodman Theatre. This beloved adaptation, praised for its "first-rate cast and marvelous staging," follows Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey on Christmas Eve. Directed by Malkia Stampley, the production features Christopher Donahue...

Step into a magical Christmas Eve at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with The Joffrey Ballet's spectacular production of The Nutcracker. This Tony Award-winning reimagining by Christopher Wheeldon transports audiences on a fantastical journey with Marie and her prince, set...

Experience the magic of the holiday season with 'Merry, Merry Chicago!' presented by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. This festive concert features popular carols and holiday favorites, performed with lavish and stirring arrangements that are sure to fill you...

Experience the heartwarming holiday film 'The Holiday' like never before with a live orchestral performance. The Chicago Philharmonic brings Hans Zimmer's iconic score to life as the beloved Nancy Meyers rom-com plays on the big screen. This unforgettable event combines...

Based on the beloved movie, Elf the Musical brings Buddy the Elf's heartwarming journey to the stage. Follow Buddy from the North Pole to New York City as he spreads Christmas cheer and helps his family rediscover the holiday spirit....

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of 'The Nutcracker' ballet, performed by the prestigious Grand Kyiv Ballet. This timeless tale of dreams, magic, and the triumph of good over evil features world-renowned Ukrainian dancers. Follow a young girl's magical Christmas...

Experience the magic of the holiday season at Old St. Patrick's 'Deck the Hall' in Chicago. This beloved tradition features a candlelit concert with breathtaking orchestral and choral performances, filling the historic church with festive cheer. Guests can also opt...

Experience the magic of The Art Deco Nutcracker, a dazzling ballet performance in Chicago. This unique production reimagines the classic Tchaikovsky masterpiece with a vibrant Art Deco flair, featuring "gorgeous, glitzy costumes" and an "impressive cast." Choreographed by Alexei Kremnev,...