Wine & beer tasting
December 7, 2016 (6 to 8 p.m.)
24 miles north
Holiday Cheers! is a seasonal tasting of local spirits, wines, and winter brews surrounded by Wonderland Express train exhibits at Chicago Botanic Garden.
Romantic comedy
December 7 – 18, 2016
7.5 miles north
The woman who moves to Apartment 3A has a second chance at love with her new neighbor in this play that asks tough questions about fate, romance, and faith at Windy City Playhouse. Discount tickets $15.
“Best play” Tony Award
December 7 – 24, 2016
0.5 miles SW
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is an emotional play about an extraordinary teenager out to solve the mysterious death of his neighbor’s dog at Oriental Theatre. Discount tickets $75.
Christmas market
December 7 – 24, 2016
1 mile SW
Christkindlmarket is an open-air European holiday market on Daley Plaza featuring traditional art, handmade gifts, German foods, choirs, and carolers. Free.
Family Nutcracker
December 7 – 30, 2016
34 miles north
The Nutcracker is a one-hour musical fantasy featuring Marie, a nutcracker that comes to life, a mouse king, a sugar plum fairy, and music by Tchaikovsky at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.
Attractions
December 7 – 31, 2016
multiple locations
Discount prices include all taxes and ticket fees.
- Aquarium + SkyDeck + Museums CityPass $99
- Chicago History Museum discount tickets $8
- Funhouse Maze at Navy Pier two tickets for $10
- Segway Tour of Chicago discount tickets $32
Christmas play
December 7 – 31, 2016
multiple locations
A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens’ holiday classic about Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and three Christmas ghosts.
- Dec. 7 – 31: Goodman Theatre in Chicago
- Dec. 7 – 22: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights
Christmas ship musical
December 7 – 31, 2016
4.8 miles north
The Christmas Schooner tells the moving story of a 19th-century captain who risks everything to bring the Christmas spirit to Chicago, at Mercury Theater. Discount tickets $23 to $38.
Holidays around the world
December 7, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
8 miles south
See trees decorated to represent many cultures plus weekend ethnic song-and-dance performances during Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science & Industry. Closed Nov. 24 & Dec. 25.
Creative percussion show
December 7, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
1.1 miles north
Stomp has high-energy dance, acrobatics, comedy, and nonstop rhythm from unusual instruments at Broadway Playhouse. Discount tickets $49 to $59.
Holiday trains – Botanic garden
December 7, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017
24 miles north
Wonderland Express features trains running through an indoor garden past miniature buildings at Chicago Botanic Garden. See events schedule. Closed Dec. 25.
Christmas lights – arboretum
December 7, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017
27 miles west
See colorful tree lights and interactive laser lights on a one-mile walk at Illumination, and then warm up at the fire pit at the Morton Arboretum. Closed dates for 2016: Nov. 21, 24, 28 and Dec. 5, 12, 24, 25.
Winter WonderFest
December 7, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
1 mile east
Festival Hall at Navy Pier becomes an indoor Winter WonderFest for the holidays, with music, carnival rides, and entertainment. Closed Dec. 25.
Holiday trains – Lincoln Park
December 7, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
3 miles north
Model trains wind their way through a miniature village among poinsettias during the Winter Flower & Train Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory. Free.
Classic musical by Gershwin
December 7, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
18 miles west
Set in the 1930s, Crazy For You tells the story of a wealthy bachelor determined to become a professional dancer, with comedy, romance, and plot twists, at Drury Lane Theatre. Discount tickets $43.
Holiday music
December 8, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
8 miles north
Student musicians & singers perform a mix of sacred and secular works at Joyola! at Loyola University.
Olympic rock opera
December 8 – 30, 2016
4.8 miles north
Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera is a dark comedy about figure skater Tonya Harding, whose boyfriend ordered a surreal attack on rival skater Nancy Kerrigan, at Theater Wit. Discount tickets $11 to $15.
Holiday humor
December 8 – Jan. 1, 2017
3.4 miles north
Barney the Elf is a musical parody of the film Elf with a drag twist that makes it PG-13 at Greenhouse Theater. Discount tickets $13.
Blue Man show
December 8, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
4.5 miles north
Blue Man Group puts on an exciting show that combines comedy, theater, music, and special effects at Briar Street Theatre. Discount tickets $46.
Shakespeare movies
December 8, 2016 – Jan. 5, 2017
0.5 miles SW
Watch 10 films based on the plays of William Shakespeare duringShakespeare on Film at Gene Siskel Film Center.
Holiday humor
December 8, 2016 – Jan. 14, 2017
multiple locations
- Dec. 8 – 23 The Comedy Roast of Mr. Scrooge is at Chicago Theater Works. Discount tickets $11.
- Dec. 8 – 30 Second City’s Holidazed & Confused is improv at Up Comedy Club. Discount tickets $16.
- Dec. 9 – 18 Santa Deux is a musical about cloning Santa at Edge Theater. Discount tickets $11.
- Dec. 9 – 30 Ha-Ha-Holiday Show is improv comedy & carols at Laugh Out Loud. Discount tickets $10.
- Dec. 9 – Jan. 14 EL Stories: Holiday Train comedy is at Greenhouse Theater. Discount tickets $10.
Royal drama
December 8, 2016 – Jan. 15, 2017
1 mile east
In critically acclaimed King Charles III, the queen is dead. Now what happens to Prince Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate? See it live at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. Discount tickets $49.
Game of Thrones parody
December 8, 2016 – Jan. 15, 2017
3.8 miles north
Described as “darkly humorous and beautifully vulgar,” Thrones! The Musical features hilarious songs about six seasons of the HBO show at Apollo Theater for age 16+. Discount tickets $18.
Magic lounge
December 8, 2016 – Jan. 26, 2017
7 miles north
Chicago Magic Lounge is an old-school magic show with close-up magic, bar magic, table-hopping magicians, and main stage acts at Uptown Underground for age 21+. Discount tickets $8 to $14.
Hip Nutcracker
December 9, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
16 miles NW
The Hip Hop Nutcracker gives Tchaikovsky’s score a modern twist with an electric violinist and 12 hip-hop dancers (including DJ Boo and Kurtis Blow) on an urban set at Rosemont Theatre. Discount tickets $42.
Christmas caroling
December 9 – 16, 2016 (6 p.m. Fridays)
0.7 miles SE
Bundle up and prepare to belt out holiday classics when asked to sing along with the choirs at Caroling at Cloud Gateoutside in Millennium Park. Starts Nov. 25.
Steampunk Christmas Carol
December 9 – 18, 2016
10.4 miles north
Charles Dickens meets Jules Verne in Steampunk Christmas Carol, a fanciful tale set in Victorian England and full of strange machines powered by gas, gears, and electricity in Rogers Park.
Christmas lights – Lincoln Park Zoo
December 9, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
2.5 miles north
ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo features millions of holiday lights, ice carvings, music, carousel and train rides, food, and gift shopping (plus photos with Santa through Dec. 23). Free entry. Open Nov. 25-27; Dec. 2-4, 9-23, 26-31; Jan. 1.
Adult variety show
December 9, 2016 – Feb. 18, 2017 (10 p.m.)
7 miles north
Kiss Kiss Cabaret is a fun mix of burlesque, off-color comedy, music, magic, and variety acts at Uptown Underground. Reviews.
Comedy
December 9, 2016 – May. 29, 2017
2.1 miles north
Second City’s Improv All-Stars delivers an hour of hilarious improvised comedy with plenty of audience interaction at Up Comedy Club. Discount tickets $11.
Dinner cruise
December 10, 2016 (7 to 9:30 p.m.)
1 mile east
Enjoy a three-course meal aboard the luxurious Odyssey as you cruise past the Chicago skyline, departing from Navy Pier. Discount tickets $86.
Ugly Sweater Run/Walk
December 10, 2016
2 miles south
Wear your ugliest sweater for the Ugly Sweater Run 5K and after-party at Soldier Field.
Northerly Island adventure
December 10, 2016
3 miles south
See birds of prey and wolves, hear folk music and a storyteller, walk on snowshoes (if there’s snow), make a craft, and have cocoa (while it lasts) at Polar Adventure Days. Free except parking.
Old Town food & drink crawl
December 10, 2016 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
3.5 miles NW
Adults with tickets can buy drink specials and $3 to $7 tastes at restaurants on Chicago Christmas Crawl.
Comedy dinner
December 10, 2016 (8:30 p.m.)
5.8 miles north
We Gotta Bingo delivers corny, bawdy, slapstick humor plus lasagna, bread, and salad, as you participate in a bingo game between rival parishes at Chicago Theater Works. Cash bar. Discount tickets $29.
Eco-friendly art fair
December 10, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
8.7 miles north
Holiday Remix is an arts & crafts market for things remixed, reused, and recycled at Broadway Armory Park in Edgewater. Repeats in June.
Holiday cirque show
December 10, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
16 miles NW
The talented cast of Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular performs feats of strength, skill, and grace to holiday music played by a live symphony at Rosemont Theatre. Discount tickets $47 (front balcony).
Craft beer tasting
December 10, 2016 (12 to 5 p.m.)
32 miles south
A ticket to Winter Solstice Craft Beer Fest gets you 10 beer samples and 2 food samples, with 100 beers for sale and live music at Blarney Stone Pub, Oak Forest.
Roots of rock & roll
December 10, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
34 miles north
Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis, Rock Baby Rock takes you on a musical tour of rock & roll, with live music of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley & the Comets, and Johnny Cash in Lincolnshire. Discount tickets $10.
Handel’s Messiah
December 10 – 11, 2016
0.5 miles south
It’s a holiday tradition to hear the joyful Handel’s Messiah sung by the Apollo Chorus of Chicago at Harris Theater. Discount tickets $20.
Holiday market
December 10 – 11, 2016
2 miles west
Randolph Street’s Holiday Market offers affordable antique, vintage, and modern goods indoors at W Randolph & Washington on Nov. 19, 20, 26, 27; Dec. 10, 11. Discount tickets $4.
Christmas liturgy
December 10 – 11, 2016
8 miles north
Lessons and Carols tells a story in nine short Bible readings and adds Christmas carols, hymns, and choral music in the chapel at Loyola University.
The Nutcracker – River Forest
December 10 – 11, 2016
11 miles west
Clara dreams that her toy nutcracker comes to life in The Nutcrackerat Dominican University.
Model train show
December 10 – 11, 2016
27 miles west
LEGO Train Show features a huge diorama of trains that run past skyscrapers, brick mania, and kids’ crafts, plus a ticketed party the first evening in Wheaton. Free except parking.
Holiday bar crawls
December 10 & 17, 2016
Chicago area
A ticket gets you special food and drink prices at bars.
- Dec. 10 – 12 Bars of Xmas is in Wrigleyville.
- Dec. 10 – Christmas Crawl is in Old Town.
- Dec. 17 – Santa Crawl is in River North. Discount tickets $10.
The Nutcracker ballet
December 10 – 11 and 16 – 18, 2016
5 miles north
Youthful members of Ballet Chicago perform the holiday classic The Nutcracker to Tchaikovsky’s score at Athenaeum Theatre.
Christmas lights – Brookfield Zoo
December 10 – 31, 2016 (dates below)
14 miles SW
Holiday Magic has a million twinkling lights, a magic show, model train, animal visits, and carolers at the Brookfield Zoo. Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, and 26-31.
Family treasure hunt
December 11, 2016
1 mile south
Kids make four activity stops and then have a tea party with entertainment and party favors at Holiday Treasure Hunt and Tea Party at the Art Institute.
Baroque holiday music
December 11, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
13 miles north
Hear classics by Bach and Handel at Holiday Baroque in a chapel with giant stained-glass windows at Northwestern University. Discount tickets $19.
Nutcracker ballet
December 13 – 30, 2016
1 mile south
Joffrey Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker features brilliant costumes, fanciful scenery, entrancing storytelling, and Tchaikovsky’s famous score played by the Chicago Philharmonic at Auditorium Theatre. New version in 2016. Discount midweek tickets $72.
Opera by Mozart
December 14, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
1 mile SW
Popular opera The Magic Flute is an adventure-filled tale of good versus evil in which love conqueres all, at the Civic Opera House.Discount tickets $43.
Holiday train ride
December 14, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
1.4 miles SW
Take a one-hour train ride through downtown Chicago as you drink cocoa on the Polar Express, which travels round trip from Union Station at Jackson Boulevard.
Christmas concert
December 15 – 18, 2016
multiple locations
Hear beautiful and inspiring music at Holiday Brass & Choral Concert[sound] by Music of the Baroque.
- Dec. 15 – River Forest discount tickets $19
- Dec. 16 – Chicago (Old Town) discount tickets $19
- Dec. 17 & 18 – Northbrook
Ugly sweater salsa dance
December 16, 2016 (9 p.m.)
6.4 miles NW
Wear your tackiest to the Ugly Sweater Party, which includes a beginner’s class, open dancing, mingling, and a performance at Duet Dance Studio for age 21+. BYOB.
Rocking Christmas
December 16, 2016 (8 p.m.)
14 miles west
Hear the band Classical Blast and guest performers at Dark Side of the Yule as they rock up traditional carols, popular classical pieces, holiday favorites mashed with famed classic rock songs at Lund Auditorium in River Forest. Discount tickets $11.
Anime convention
December 16 – 18, 2016
16 miles NW
Con Alt Delete celebrates Japanese animation and “nerd culture” with games, panels, vendors, and dances at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont.
Ballet-free Nutcracker
December 16 – 30, 2016
7.4 miles north
Clara struggles to save Christmas in the The Nutcracker, an imaginative, family-friendly version live at Chopin Theatre. Discount tickets $28 to $36.
Mannheim Steamroller
December 17, 2016 (8 p.m.)
16 miles NW
Grammy Award-winning composer Chip Davis presents Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, performed live with acoustic-electronic seasonal hits and multimedia effects at Rosemont Theatre. Discount tickets $59.
Japanese dance & drum
December 17 – 18, 2016
0.7 mile north
Taiko Legacy features Japanese drumming, dance, and street theater at Museum of Contemporary Art.
Christmas carols
December 17 – 18, 2016
Lisle & Oak Park
Hear the chamber choir Bella Voce perform fresh arrangements of Christmas carols plus their signature treatment of Renaissance classics at Holiday Delights.
- Dec. 17 (7:30 p.m.) – Lisle discount tickets $18
- Dec. 18 (3:30 p.m.) – Oak Park
The Nutcracker
December 17 – 18, 2016
27 miles west
Chicago Festival Ballet and the New Philharmonic Orchestra perform a beautiful and lively Nutcracker at McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.
Holiday tap dance
December 18, 2016 (3 p.m.)
16.3 miles NW
Tidings of Tap! features whimsical interpretations of holiday songs by Chicago Tap Theatre and nonstop rhythm in Skokie.
Classic play
December 21, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
3.4 miles north
A speech expert attempts to transform a cockney flower girl into a proper society lady in Pygmalion, the witty satire by George Bernard Shaw that inspired the musical “My Fair Lady” at Greenhouse Theater. Discount tickets $27.
Jane Austen themed play
December 24, 2016 (2:30 p.m.)
16 miles north
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley reunites the characters from “Pride and Prejudice” and introduces a new love interest for the bookish sister, at Skokie’s Northlight Theatre. Discount tickets $51.
It’s a Wonderful Life: radio play
December 26 – 31, 2016
3.3 miles north
It’s a Wonderful Life recreates a live radio play based on the popular movie about a man seeking purpose in life at Greenhouse Theater Center. Afterwards, join the cast for milk and cookies. Discount tickets $44.
Comic operetta
December 26, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
13.6 miles north
Lighthearted Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss features scheming characters at a glittery Viennese masked ball, in Evanston. Discount tickets $25
New Year’s cruise – a day early
December 30, 2016 (board 9:45 p.m.)
0.7 miles east
Celebrate a day early on Eve of the Eve Cocktail Cruise with music, dancing, views, and a complimentary glass of champagne on the Anita Dee II, departing from 200 North Breakwater Access. Discount tickets $20.
New Year’s party – a day early
December 30, 2016 (8 p.m.)
0.8 miles west
Enjoy an open bar, appetizers, live music, dancing, and a silent auction at the black-tie-optional charity benefit EVE of the EVE at The Merchandsie Mart.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 30, 2016 – Jan. 8, 2017
0.8 miles north
Kids ages 3 to 13 will enjoy watching Peanuts cartoon characters on stage during A Charlie Brown Christmas at Broadway Playhouse.
New Year’s Eve – restaurants
December 31, 2016
Chicago locations
Find a list of restaurants that offer special menus and celebrations for New Year’s Eve at OpenTable.
New Year’s Eve – Hard Rock
December 31, 2016 (9 p.m.)
0.2 miles south
New Year’s Eve Soiree has multiple ballrooms, live & DJ music, buffets, and 30 bartenders at the Hard Rock Hotel.
New Year’s Eve – Westin
December 31, 2016 (9 p.m.)
0.5 miles west
New Year’s Eve Soiree offers multiple rooms with DJ music and views at The Westin Chicago River North. Discount VIP tickets $135.
New Year’s Eve – Palmer House
December 31, 2016 (9 p.m.)
0.7 miles south
A ticket to Big Night Chicago New Year’s Eve Gala includes unlimited food, drinks, four dance floors, seven party bands, and DJs.
Austrian music & dance
December 31, 2016 (2:30 p.m.)
1 mile south
Costumed dancers and singers bring the waltzes of Strauss to life, as a full orchestra plays at Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert at the Symphony Center.
New Year’s Eve – Drake Hotel
December 31, 2016 (9 p.m., VIP 8)
1 mile north
Chicago Scene’s New Years Eve Party has multiple ballrooms with DJs, hors d’oeuvres, 40 bartenders, and a balloon drop at the Drake Hotel.
New Year’s Eve – fireworks
December 31, 2016 (midnight)
1 mile east
Welcome the new year with New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier at midnight. Free.
New Year’s Eve – Navy Pier #1
December 31, 2016 (9 p.m., VIP 8:30)
1 mile east
Crystal Gardens New Year’s Eve has dancing to mainstream music, party favors, 20 bars, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast at midnight, and a terrace to watch the fireworks, at Navy Pier.
New Year’s Eve – Navy Pier #2
December 31, 2016 (8:15 p.m.)
1 mile east
Join 3,000 people at Resolution Gala, which features four DJs, 30 bars, buffet stations, a champagne toast at midnight, and views of fireworks over the lake in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier for age 21+.
New Year’s Eve – Marriott
December 31, 2016 (9 p.m.)
1.1 miles SW
Formal New Year’s Eve Soiree includes before & after parties, a buffet, drinks, dessert, and celebrity DJs at JW Marriott for age 21+.Discount VIP tickets $149.
New Year’s Eve – Hilton
December 31, 2016 (9 p.m., VIP 8)
1.2 miles south
A ticket to the giant New Year’s Eve Soiree at the Hilton Chicago includes drinks, a buffet, DJ music, and before and after parties at other locations.
Casual New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2016 (8 p.m.)
3 miles west
Brew Year’s Eve features 20 craft beers from 10 breweries, cocktails, wine, passed hors d’oeuvres, a pizza buffet, and live music on three floors of Salvage One for age 21+. Jeans are OK. Free coat check.
New Year’s Eve – comedy
December 31, 2016 (8 p.m.)
5 miles north
The New Year’s Eve Party includes a buffet dinner, a drink ticket, two improv comedy shows, and midnight champagne at Under The Gun Theater for age 21+.
German New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2016 (8 p.m.)
7 miles north
A ticket to New Year’s Eve at Dank Haus includes an open bar with German beer, wine, and cocktails, plus a heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, a champagne toast, and dancing to an eight-piece orchestra at Dank Haus.
New Year’s Eve – classical
December 31, 2016 (2, 5:30 & 9 p.m.)
27 miles west
The New Philharmonic plays classical music with a guest vocalist at McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Discount tickets $30.
