Holiday shows in Chicago 2021

The holiday season is approaching faster than we realize, and there is no better time to soak up the festive spirit. The holiday season is not complete without a trip to the theater to watch your favorite holiday plays. The stage is set, the lights are ready, and the costumes are sparkling as ever - here is a rundown of the holiday plays happening in Chicago, ranging from holiday classics to humorous renditions and over-the-top musicals. To see a complete list of all the holiday shows visit our Holiday Plays In Chicago page.

Holiday Favorites
A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theater is one of Chicago's most popular holiday plays. The echoes of "bah humbugs," the timeless story about love, life, and the Christmas spirit - if there is one theater play you have to watch this season, it's this one. Starting from November 20th to December 31st, this is the perfect family treat to kick-start the festivities.

Cirque du Soleil - 'Twas The Night Before... at Chicago Theater will leave you mesmerized and in awe at the end of the day. The spin-off on the timeless poem features a curious girl who gets swept away by the craziness of Christmas. As Cirque du Soleil's very first Christmas special, the play is nothing short of spectacular. We guarantee this will become a family favorite for years to come.

It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! Showcasing at American Blues Theater is the story of an ordinary man from a small town who wishes to live a life of adventure and excitement but cannot pursue it due to family obligations. This is filled with desperation, despair, opportunities, and hope - a critically acclaimed masterpiece that has been blessing Chicago for over 20 years.

Holiday Shows You Don't Want to Miss Out On
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, based on the classic film, this joyous, family-friendly musical features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of Irving Berlin's hit songs, including the Academy Award-winning "White Christmas."

The Elf On The Shelf: A Christmas Musical hits Rosemont Theatre on December 19th, 2021. Celebrate the spirit of Christmas as the Scout Elf helps his human family regain the joy of this festive season. The extravagant stage, the jaw-dropping costumes, the splendor of Christmas, and the original score will keep you captivated with your eyes locked on the performers.

The 12 Dames of Christmas, Starring Angela Ingersoll at Marriot Theater, will hit the stage on 6th and 7th of December. The Emmy nominated actress takes the persona of 12 world-famous divas and performs our all-time favorite Christmas ballads. The musical show will have you swaying and singing along throughout the night.

A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular is a concert cabaret series of classic holiday numbers that will take you on a musical journey through the sounds of jazz, soul, gospel, blues, and rock. If you're planning a night that will touch your soul, Black Ensemble Theater is the place to be this holiday season.

Hershel And The Hanukkah Goblins, a traveling troupe of actors comes to town to find no one celebrating Hanukkah. They must put on a show to save the holiday! Will they bring back the spirit of Hanukkah to the town? Will Hershel of Ostropol outsmart the goblins who haunt the old synagogue?

Christmas Bingo: It's a Ho-Ho-Holy Night playing at the Greenhouse Theater Center is a one-of-its-kind, interactive show where the audience members play for the top prize. Debunk the most bizarre Christmas myths, and laugh the night away with this hilarious show.

The Christmas Schooner is a show that has a loyal Chicago-area following. The story is rooted in the famed history of the Christmas tree ships that would traverse the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan to bring Christmas trees to the immigrant families in Chicago.

Christmas Musicals
Dean Z: The Ultimate Elvis Christmas Show pays tribute to the King of Rock n' Roll with a show-stopping concert experience. Dean Z will be performing alongside a live band, complete with a horn section and video projections. Performing Elvis Presley's hit singles and renowned Christmas ballads, this musical journey will take you through 2 decades of rock n' roll sounds.

Leslie Odom, Jr. The Christmas Tour will showcase the musical talents of the award-winning singer and songwriter Leslie Odom Jr. The Grammy award-winning artist will be performing his original tracks, alongside paying tribute to season classics. Mark your calendars for December 4th, 2021. Odom is coming to town, and trust us, you don't want to miss this.

Sarah Brightman - A Christmas Symphony - hitting the stage on December 10th, 2021. Complete with an orchestra and a choir, catch Sarah Brightman bringing the house down with renditions of Christmas classics, as well as her greatest hits. Don't forget to bring your Christmas cheer and spend the evening soaking in the holiday spirit.

Q Brother Christmas Carol is a hip-hop rendition of Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol." Catch the Q Brothers take center stage and keep the audience on their feet with hip-hop and contemporary genres. The musical ranges from reggae to dubstep and rock tunes. Complete with a DJ booth, this modern take on a timeless classic will take you on a journey of redemption using rhythm and rhyme.

Comedy Sketches
The Second City's Holiday Revue: It's a Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Life hits Paramount Theatre from November 26th, 2021, to December 23rd, 2021. The improv group has put together a comedy sketch that will make you laugh till your stomach hurts. This holiday special will dissect the comedic realities of what it means to spend wintertime with your loved ones.

Who's Holiday! An adults-only comedy show that will have you rolling over your seats. The story revolves around a woman who goes by the name of Cindy Lou Who, and she recalls the first time she met the Grinch on Christmas Eve. Cindy goes through a series of twisted events and tries to make sense of it all. Celebrate the Christmas holidays with lots of laughter and unforeseen circumstances.

The Second City's Best of The Holidays, will guarantee yule laugh a whole latke as The Second City unwraps the most wonderful time of the year in our nut-cracking-est, jingle-bell-ing-est revue ever! Celebrate over sixty years of sketches, songs, and comedic conviviality as the next generation of comedy superstars perform our greatest holiday hits.

Nutcracker
The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet at Lyric Opera follows young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on a Christmas Eve journey through the 1893 World's Fair, a dazzling spectacle of sights, sounds, and enchantment. This annual holiday tradition celebrates the magic of the season and the rich cultural heritage of Chicago.

The Art Deco Nutcracker is set in 1920's America featuring Tchaikovsky's beloved score, is a fresh, yet traditional take on the beloved holiday favorite with a sumptuous costume and set design inspired by the unique sophistication of the Art Deco era.

The Nutcracker by Ballet Chicago at Athenaeum Theatre takes us on an unforgettable journey with young Marie as she travels from her home on Christmas Eve to the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of the Sweets, featuring George Balanchine's Sugar Plum Fairy Pas De Deux.

The holidays are meant for spending time with family and friends. What better way to celebrate than to dedicate a night to music, drama, life lessons, and a whole lot of love!

For a complete list of the holiday shows in Chicago go to our Holiday Plays In Chicago page.