Porchlight Sings the Season celebrates the holidays with music from Broadway and Hollywood with Porchlight luminaries performing songs from Mame, Meet Me in St. Louis, Holiday Inn and others. This premiere offers a musical respite from the holiday stress with an unforgettable evening of festive entertainment, sing-alongs, a salute to Chicago holidays past, warm cookies, an ugly holiday sweater contest and more to warm up the season with festive and nostalgic entertainment for the whole family.

A festive celebration for the whole family! Join us for an enchanting night featuring the delightful voices of the Metropolis Children’s Choir, captivating performances by Chicago stars, and the incredible talent of the finest Chicago Musicians. Plus, be enchanted by two rising young performers singing all your favorite holiday tunes.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history, playing to over 160 million people in 47 territories and 195 cities in 21 languages. Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic, haunting, and soaring score includes "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "Masquerade," and the iconic title song. It tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius known only as 'The Phantom' who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House. Mesmerized by the talents and beauty of a young soprano, Christine, The Phantom lures her as his protege and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine's love for Raoul, The Phantom's obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness, and passions collide.

'Twas the Night Before... is an exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas classic as only Cirque du Soleil could imagine. This festive show about the wonders of sharing and friendship promises to spark lasting memories in the hearts of families this holiday season. Join Isabella, a curious girl who's become jaded by the hoopla surrounding Christmas, as she is whisked away to an upside-down, inside-out world where she meets characters inspired by the original timeless poem.

An avowed holiday skeptic, Aunt Trudy has been recruited to channel her late husband Joe's famous Christmas cheer over a Zoom call with family. But as Trudy becomes more absorbed in her own version of the Ebeneezer Scrooge story, the puppets take on a life of their own, and the family's call transforms into a stunning cinematic adaptation of Dickens's classic ghost story. After the stunning success of its online Christmas Carol, Manual Cinema uses its groundbreaking creativity and powerful storytelling to elevate one of the most famous holiday stories ever told to new heights in this unique theatrical experience. Featuring the combined talents of actors, puppeteers and musicians, come experience a new holiday tradition unlike anything else you've seen before.

Step into the spirit of the season with ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE A JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS - an intimate, nostalgic journey back to the 1970s, when John Denver's music filled the airwaves and hearts across the country. Led by acclaimed performer Rick Schuler, this enchanting holiday concert features beloved Denver classics like "Rocky Mountain High," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Annie's Song," and "Sunshine On My Shoulders." The evening also includes a heartfelt tribute to Denver's iconic holiday specials, with seasonal favorites such as "Aspenglow," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering Denver's music for the first time, this show will leave you feeling inspired and full of holiday cheer. A true celebration for all ages-don't miss the unforgettable event that brings the magic of John Denver to life.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson travel to the country to spend the holidays with an old army comrade of Watson's. What they don't know is that one of the other guests at this English manor is a notorious international thief. When a priceless present is stolen during a Christmas pantomime, can Sherlock discover the culprit before the curtain falls? Carols, courtship and comedy bring cheer to the cold winter in this holiday treat.

Steppenwolf Theatre and Mark Cortale invite you to ring in the holidays with A Merry Little Christmas with Megan Hilty. Join the two-time Tony Award nominee and her longtime friend and music director Matt Cusson as they weave together classic and contemporary holiday tunes along with Broadway favorites - all sure to get you in the spirit of the season!

Mika Scrooge is a bold reimagining of A Christmas Carol, told through the lens of a female Music Producer through grief, ghosts, and forgiveness. Now in its third year, this original production blends music, memory, and ensemble storytelling rooted in Chicago's Fictional OakParkVille West suburb.

Somebody is going to die. Death is at their door, and they have just 90 minutes to sift through their lifetime to find a companion, a memory, a fragment of meaning—anything to take with them into the unknown. This is the journey the protagonist, Everybody, is forced to embark on. But there’s a catch: at the start of each performance, the actors are randomly assigned their roles by lottery. No one knows who will play whom until the plot is in action. And one of them has been chosen to die. Just like in life, it all comes down to chance. Hilarious and haunting, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Everybody grapples with the fragility of existence. In the end, only one thing is certain: Everybody dies.

Tyler and Patrick deck each other's halls as they explore the themes of Todd Haynes' CAROL-themes like "wigs" and "Sarah Paulson." Celebrate the holiday season by watching two 21st-century fruitcakes retell the story of two mid-century lesbians through scenes, songs, special guests, and scissoring (which is not a real thing unless maybe it is).

The holiday season continues with WGSU's annual tradition, It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Rediscover the magic of Frank Capra's timeless masterpiece, It's a Wonderful Life, in a fun and immersive way. With the help of an ensemble led by the Center's staff, this live radio play adaptation takes you back in time to the 1940s, perfect for the whole family, as you become part of a live studio audience attending a radio broadcast of this beloved holiday tale.

an original play for young audiences. The Cozy Cabin Tales is a series of wintry fables and folktales, as told by a group of friends waiting out a snowstorm in their cabin. With only a small fire to keep them warm, to pass the time, they bring their fantastical tales to life. While listening to the stories, they’re also learning some real-life lessons along the way. A heartwarming way to spend an hour with the family this holiday season.

The Magic Gateway takes the whole family on a galactic adventure! Cosmo, a magician from Wondera, needs young helpers to reignite his collapsing Portal. Kids become heroes, jumping on stage and diving headfirst into the magic. Watch in awe as coins vanish, objects fly, and impossible tricks unfold before your eyes. It’s a spectacular show for kids and kids at heart, with sharp humour and nonstop surprises to keep the whole family entertained. Get your tickets now for The Magic Gateway: A Neon Portal Magic Show for Kids in Chicago!

This Christmas, bring the whole family back to a simpler time with NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet! The acclaimed holiday tradition is live in theaters for the 30th anniversary tour. Gather friends and family to relive your fondest childhood memories. NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet is overflowing with larger than life puppets, breathtaking acrobatics and dazzling costumes. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast featuring dancers from all over the world performing at the highest level of classical technique. Share in the message of peace and harmony and get your tickets now!

Your classic holiday family gatherings, office parties, movies, and Mariah Carey on infinite repeat will be severely lampooned in this fast-paced, interactive comedy revue stuffed with seasonal songs, sketches, and, of course, a heaping slice of our world-famous improv comedy. Warm your heart with the most “wonderful” show of the year.

In the early years of his young adult life C.S. Lewis believed the story of Christ's birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J.R.R. Tolkien. Although both men loved mythology in general, Tolkien was convinced that the Jesus myth was the one true myth. That was the start of Lewis' journey from Atheism to Christianity. From that point on, Christmas, for Lewis, took on an entirely different meaning. Here we find him at his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve hosting a group of Americans who are spending the holiday in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections which stimulates a whole range of emotions - curiosity, laughter, gladness and even some tears. Above all, they will discover how that encounter with Tolkien forever changed his Christmas celebrations.