Holiday events in the Loop
44 upcoming. Holidays in downtown Chicago: Christkindlmarket, tree lightings, markets and concerts in the Loop.
TuesdayDecember 8
All day, through Dec 13
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower PlaceA musical parody of made-for-TV holiday romance movies, following a big-city executive who returns to her quirky hometown at Christmas and reconnects with an old flame.
WednesdayDecember 9
5:30 to 7:30pm$21
American Writers MuseumThe American Writers Museum hosts Get Lit: Santa's Book Fair on December 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The 21 and over grown-up book fair brings local independent Chicago bookstores together with beer, wine, and the night's specialty cocktail, plus Santa photo ops. General admission $21.
7 to 8:25pm, through Dec 13$40
James M. Nederlander TheatreDr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical returns to the James M. Nederlander Theatre December 9 through 27. The 85-minute stage adaptation follows the Grinch's plot to steal Christmas from the Whos, with songs including You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Tickets $40 to $120. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
ThursdayDecember 10
5:30pm, 6pm, and 2 more, through Dec 11$40
Driehaus MuseumGhostlight Ensemble and the Driehaus Museum revive the Victorian tradition of Yuletide ghost stories with an immersive, site-specific performance that moves through the Nickerson Mansion with timed entries each evening.
8pm, through Dec 11
The Chicago TheatreCountry singer Brett Eldredge brings his Glow holiday tour to the Chicago Theatre for two nights, marking ten years of his Christmas album with seasonal standards and originals.
FridayDecember 11
7:30pm$18
Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts BuildingThe Third Coast Symphony and the Roosevelt University CCPA Chorus perform Handel's Messiah at the Studebaker Theater, paired with the Fine Arts Building Second Fridays open studios starting at 5 PM.
7:30pm, through Dec 13
Chicago Symphony CenterCSO at the Movies presents Elf in Concert December 11 through 13 at Symphony Center. The 2003 holiday comedy plays on a giant screen while members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Justin Freer, perform John Debney's score live.
SaturdayDecember 12
9am to 12pm, through Dec 13$28
Driehaus MuseumSanta makes his annual visit to the Driehaus Museum for photos and family activities, with Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker dancers joining the Saturday program and a Nutcracker story time.
10am to 7pm, through Dec 13
Randolph Street MarketThe December edition of Randolph Street Market's indoor holiday market brings about 125 dealers with vintage, artisanal and handcrafted goods for decorating and gift giving, plus food, a DJ and a Little Elves Workshop.
1 to 3pm
The AuditoriumCharlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang take the stage at The Auditorium with the Chicago Philharmonic for a live symphonic staging of the classic animated Christmas special.
3 to 5pm
Harris TheaterThe Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performs Bach's Brandenburg Concertos in a Saturday afternoon holiday program at the Harris Theater.
7:30pm
Cadillac Palace TheatreLove Actually in Concert comes to the Cadillac Palace Theatre on December 12 at 7:30 PM. The 2003 holiday film screens in full on a big screen while a live orchestra performs the score.
SundayDecember 13
11am to 5pm$8
Morgan MFGThe Chicago Artisan Market closes its 2026 city season with a holiday market at Morgan MFG in Fulton Market, showcasing Midwest makers in food, fashion, home goods and art. Kids under 12 are free.
1:30 to 2:30pmFree
Driehaus MuseumPut on a holiday sweater and join the St. James Cathedral Choristers at the Driehaus Museum for an informal Christmas carol sing with cocoa.
TuesdayDecember 15
7:30 to 9:30pm
Symphony Center, Orchestra HallThe Chicago Symphony Orchestra brass section plays its annual December holiday concert at Orchestra Hall, with Michael Mulcahy conducting.
WednesdayDecember 16
6 to 7pmFree
Driehaus MuseumQuintet Attacca plays an interactive concert at the Driehaus Museum that tours the sounds of December from the Gilded Age to today, including Nutcracker music and jazzy Christmas favorites.
ThursdayDecember 17
7:30pm, through Dec 19
Symphony Center, Orchestra HallMasaaki Suzuki leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus in Handel's Messiah, the holiday oratorio famous for the Hallelujah chorus, at Orchestra Hall.
FridayDecember 18
7pm, through Dec 20
Harris TheaterBallet Chicago presents its traditional Nutcracker at the Harris Theater December 18 through 20. The production follows young Marie from Christmas Eve to the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of the Sweets, featuring Balanchine's Sugar Plum Fairy Pas de Deux. Five performances include a sensory-friendly show Sunday at 5 PM.
7:30pm, through Dec 23
Orchestra HallSymphony Center's annual holiday revue returns with seven performances December 18 through 23. Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conductor Thomas Wilkins, and Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez perform beloved carols, popular seasonal songs, and holiday surprises in the lavishly decorated Orchestra Hall.
All day, through Dec 27$35
Studebaker TheaterManual Cinema returns to the historic Studebaker Theater December 18 through 27 with its Christmas Carol. The Emmy-winning Chicago collective tells Dickens' story through hundreds of handmade puppets, shadow puppetry, live music, and cinematic projection, following holiday skeptic Aunt Trudy as she reconstructs her late husband's puppet show. 90 minutes, no intermission. Tickets $35 to $75, students $25.
Get this list every Thursday
One email with the week ahead. Unsubscribe any time.
Get a weekly email
More lists near here
Fall events in AndersonvilleFall in Andersonville, Chicago: ghost tours, festivals, Halloween events and neighborhood happenings.
See all lists in Chicago- SatStart With Art Chicago
- SatBarbara Kingsolver with Chicago Humanities Festival Chicago
- SunDia de los Muertos Shadowbox Workshop Chicago
- 10pmHorse Jumper of Love / Flooding / Sects Chicago
- SatBoo-Palooza & BarkPalooza Chicago
- All dayTINTA ARDIENTE! Igniting Community Through Collective Action Chicago
- ThuIndependent Film Club: Horror Edition Chicago
Last checked .Addresses located with © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Suggest an event for this list