Experience the magic of the holiday season with your favorite holiday theatre classics, concerts, and more! Check out ChicagoPlays.com to find a full list of performances happening this month and beyond, plus experience these shows and more for a discount on Hot Tix.

Looking for a Black Friday deal? Don’t miss Hot Tix’s brand new promotion, Half-Price Holidays running Nov. 24 – Dec. 3 featuring half-price tickets to over 20 Holiday Shows!

Want to find everything playing this holiday season? View the League of Chicago Theatre’s 2023 Holiday Theatre Guide.

The Nutcracker

Dance
Joffrey Ballet at Lyric Opera House

Dec. 2 – 27

Witness the magical 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with young Marie and her Nutcracker Prince in two-time Tony Award® winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s holiday masterpiece. It’s a celebratory Christmas Eve, and thanks to a surprise visit from the enchanting Great Impresario, Marie embarks on a spellbinding adventure into a realm of spectacle and wonder. Experience our holiday magic in this must-see tradition boldly reimagined for a new generation. Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix

Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas

Musical
Studebaker Theater

Now playing – Dec. 31

It’s three days before Christmas and Mayor Fox has just announced a Christmas talent contest with a grand prize of fifty dollars! Meanwhile, times are tough for Ma and Emmet Otter since Pa passed away, and winning that prize money would allow them to secretly buy each other a Christmas gift. As Christmas Eve and the talent contest quickly approach, will Ma and Emmet sacrifice what little they have, or will their Christmas wishes come true? Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

The Lion in Winter

Drama
Court Theatre

Now playing – Dec. 3

It is Christmas in the 12th century, and Henry II’s family is in tatters. His once-loving wife and now sworn enemy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been released from prison and is seeking vengeance at any cost; his three sons – Richard, Geoffrey, and John – are profoundly incompetent, consumed by petty sibling squabbles and gridlocked in duplicitous scheming; and his mistress (who just happens to be betrothed to his son) is running out of patience, demanding either a wedding or the return of her much-needed dowry. And you thought your holidays were complicated! Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story

Comedy
The Factory Theater

Playing now – Dec. 16

The year is 0. A brand new star appears in the sky. Three religious scholars thrust together by fate must embark on a race against time to catch the birth of God (or, wait, is it the Son of God. Both? Neither?). To get there, they’ll have to endure perilous deserts, cutthroat bandits, the mad puppet king of Judea, and most of all… each other. It’s Bethlehem or Bust in this road trip comedy 2,023 years in the making. Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party

Children’s/Family
Chicago Children’s Theatre
Nov. 19 – Dec. 24

Four adorable Beatrix Potter favorites come to life in this mesmerizing, interactive trunk and puppet show, complete with original music. Storytellers weave Potter’s classic narration with gentle interactive moments, recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. Our stories this year are The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, The Tailor of Gloucester, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

A Christmas Carol

Comedy/Drama
Goodman Theatre

Now playing – Dec. 31

“It is a gift from the Goodman to us. Experience it for yourself. You will not be disappointed!” – Broadway World.

Treat your loved ones to the “perfect Chicago holiday tradition” (Chicago Parent) that has enchanted generations over four decades. Jessica Thebus returns to direct and Larry Yando reprises his role as the miserly Scrooge “with profound depth” (Chicago Tribune) in this must-see, “moving and meaningful” (Chicago Sun-Times) annual production. Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas

The Grinch musical
Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Musical
Broadway In Chicago at Cadillac Palace Theatre

Dec. 19 – 31

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musicalis the record-setting Broadway holiday sensation which features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated special. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and helps remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season. Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix! 

Christmas with Elvis

Musical
Bungalow Soldiers at Chopin Theatre

Nov. 24 – Jan. 7, 2024

Christmas With Elvis is a laugh out loud comedy that begins when a newly divorced woman discovers, on Christmas Eve, that her ex-husband is getting remarried to someone she met in treatment. Before she can drown her misery and self-righteous delusions in chardonnay, the very dead and not too debauched ghost of Elvis Presley appears in her apartment. And the lonely and baffled King of Rock and Roll doesn’t like this visitation any better than she does. It is a wonderful death, indeed. Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque

Burlesque
(sub)version productions at Greenhouse Theater Center

Nov. 30 – Dec. 30

Come follow Clara, Drosselmeyer, The Buttcracker, and more as they dance, boogie, tease, and strip their way from a boring-AF corporate holiday party to the sultry, sexy Land of the Sweets. Witness this “completely inappropriate tale of unimaginable naughtiness” (Urban Matter) that has become a Chicago staple during the holiday season. Featuring a rotating cast of over 30 of Chicago’s best in burlesque, circus, variety, magic, and drag, this “risqué seasonal entertainment” (Time Out Chicago) is sure to jingle your bells in an experience you’ll never forget! Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

Christmas With C.S. Lewis

Christmas with CS Lewis
Christmas with CS Lewis

Drama
Broadway In Chicago at Broadway Playhouse

Dec. 5 – 10

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. Check for discounted tickets at Hot Tix!

Note that the schedules included above are subject to change; visit the Hot Tix website for exact dates and discounted ticket availability. Visit ChicagoPlays.com to find other exciting productions on stage, and find insider guides to all things performing arts and the Chicago theatre scene to create your Chicago itinerary.