Chicago’s holiday season is full of classic Christmas tales, family musicals, ballet and other festive stage productions at theaters around the city and suburbs. This guide reviews notable holiday programs announced for 2026, ranging from long-running Chicago traditions to limited-engagement touring productions.
Dates and productions can change, so check the presenting theater before purchasing tickets.
Chicago Holiday Shows at a Glance
- A Christmas Carol — Goodman Theatre — November 13–December 31, 2026
- The Nutcracker — Joffrey Ballet at Lyric Opera House — December 4–27, 2026
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical — James M. Nederlander Theatre — December 9–27, 2026
- Blue Man Group “A New Holiday Surprise” — CIBC Theatre — November 24–December 13, 2026
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream — Chicago Shakespeare Theater — November 11, 2026–January 3, 2027
- Annie — Drury Lane Theatre — November 4, 2026–January 10, 2027
- It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! — American Blues Theater — November 19–December 27, 2026
- A Christmas Carol — Paramount Theatre (Aurora) — November 11, 2026–January 3, 2027
- A Motown Christmas with Chester Gregory — Marriott Theatre — December 14–15, 2026
- It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play — Athenaeum Center (Paradiso) — December 11–31, 2026
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker — Cadillac Palace Theatre — November 24–29, 2026
- The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical — Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place — December 8–13, 2026
- Love Actually in Concert — Cadillac Palace Theatre — December 12, 2026
A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre
Dates: November 13–December 31, 2026
Location: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol remains one of Chicago’s signature holiday traditions (see our review of an earlier Goodman Theatre edition). Tom Creamer’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story follows Ebenezer Scrooge through the familiar Christmas Eve encounters that transform his view of generosity, family and community. The 2026 production is directed by Malkia Stampley, with Tim Hopper making his debut as Scrooge.
The Goodman notes that children under age 5 are not permitted. The season also includes designated accessible performances, including ASL interpretation, audio description, open captions, Spanish subtitles and a sensory-friendly performance.
From our archive: ChicagoCritic reviewed Goodman’s production six straight seasons, 2009 through 2014, and rated each one Highly Recommended.
The Nutcracker by The Joffrey Ballet
Dates: December 4–27, 2026
Location: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago
The Joffrey Ballet returns with Christopher Wheeldon’s distinctly Chicago version of The Nutcracker. Rather than placing the story in a traditional European setting, the production imagines Marie’s Christmas Eve adventure against the spectacle of Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Tchaikovsky’s familiar score accompanies the journey through the fairgrounds, making this both a holiday ballet and a production with a strong connection to Chicago history. For additional details, see our guide to where to see The Nutcracker in Chicago.
Our review: Read our review of the Joffrey Ballet’s Christopher Wheeldon Nutcracker.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Dates: December 9–27, 2026
Location: James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago
Broadway In Chicago brings Whoville downtown for the holidays with Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. Max the Dog narrates the story as the Grinch attempts to steal Christmas from the Whos, with songs including “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas.”
The production runs approximately 85 minutes without intermission and is recommended for ages 5 and older, making it one of the season’s more accessible choices for families looking for a full-scale holiday musical. See our review of the touring musical’s earlier stop at the Chicago Theatre.
Blue Man Group “A New Holiday Surprise” at CIBC Theatre
Dates: November 24–December 13, 2026
Location: CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago
Broadway In Chicago brings an all-new holiday production from Blue Man Group to the Loop. A New Holiday Surprise mixes the group’s signature percussion, comedy and art with classic holiday music played on its custom instruments, as the Blue Men discover the traditions and joyful absurdities of the season.
Broadway In Chicago recommends the show for ages 3 and older.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Dates: November 11, 2026–January 3, 2027
Location: Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
It is not a Christmas story, but Chicago Shakespeare Theater is presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a festive holiday-season production. Directed by Edward Hall, the staging begins in a snowy Athens before moving into the colorful dream world of Shakespeare’s enchanted forest.
The family-friendly comedy offers an alternative for theatergoers who want a seasonal outing without a traditional Christmas plot.
Our review: Read our review of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s earlier full-length A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a different staging directed by Gary Griffin.
Annie at Drury Lane Theatre
Dates: November 4, 2026–January 10, 2027
Location: Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
Annie returns to Drury Lane for the holiday season. Although the musical is not exclusively a Christmas show, its optimistic story and family-friendly format make it a natural fit for November and December theatergoing. The production includes the familiar songs “Tomorrow,” “Maybe” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”
Choosing a Chicago Holiday Show
For a traditional Christmas story, the two most directly tied to the holiday are A Christmas Carol and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Joffrey’s Nutcracker blends ballet with Chicago history, while A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Annie offer family-friendly options in the same season.
Holiday shows tend to sell out fast, especially on weekends and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Check age recommendations, running times and accessibility information directly with each theater before booking. Staying in instead? Try our Chicago Christmas movies.
More 2026 Chicago Holiday Shows
Beyond the big Loop and Oakbrook Terrace headliners, several neighborhood and suburban houses have set holiday dates worth knowing about.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at American Blues Theater
Dates: November 19–December 27, 2026
Location: American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
American Blues marks the 25th anniversary of its holiday staple It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, directed by executive artistic director Gwendolyn Whiteside with music direction by Michael Mahler and original music by Austin Cook. The Capra story is told as a radio play with holiday carols—a long-running Chicago holiday staple for audiences who want Bedford Falls without a Broadway-sized house. See our review of an earlier edition of American Blues Theater’s It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!.
A Christmas Carol at Paramount Theatre
Dates: November 11, 2026–January 3, 2027
Location: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Paramount Aurora presents its own stage adaptation of Dickens, adapted and directed by Trent Stork, with live music and accessible performances on the calendar. For west-suburban audiences—or anyone who wants a second Christmas Carol option alongside the Goodman—this is the season’s major Aurora booking.
A Motown Christmas with Chester Gregory at Marriott Theatre
Dates: December 14–15, 2026
Location: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire
Broadway and Motown star Chester Gregory brings a two-night holiday concert to Lincolnshire, presented by Artists Lounge Live. Expect Motown Christmas favorites and Gregory’s signature high-energy showmanship in a short, high-demand engagement.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Athenaeum Center
Dates: December 11–31, 2026
Location: Paradiso at Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
Paradiso Productions stages Joe Landry’s 1940s-style radio-play adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life in the round at the Athenaeum’s Paradiso space, with vintage microphones, live foley, and an all-ages running time of about two hours. A second radio-play take on the Capra classic for Lakeview audiences.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker at Cadillac Palace Theatre
Dates: November 24–29, 2026
Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago
Broadway In Chicago brings back this holiday mash-up of hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s score. Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, it features a dozen dancers, a DJ, a violinist and MC Da Brat, and moves Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince’s dream adventure to contemporary New York City. The show runs about two hours with an intermission and is recommended for all ages.
The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical at Broadway Playhouse
Dates: December 8–13, 2026
Location: Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
This musical comedy sends up made-for-TV holiday movies. Holly, an overworked big-city executive, returns to her quirky small hometown to save Christmas while juggling an old flame, a looming corporate merger, a cookie-contest conspiracy and a moose on the loose. Creator Tim Drucker wrote the book and lyrics with Tony winner Bonnie Milligan. It runs 107 minutes with an intermission, and Broadway In Chicago lists it as suitable for ages 10 and up.
Love Actually in Concert at Cadillac Palace Theatre
Date: December 12, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago
The holiday film plays in its entirety on a full-size screen while a live orchestra performs the soundtrack, including Craig Armstrong’s score and favorites such as “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “Love Is All Around.” It’s a one-night-only engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the major Christmas shows in Chicago in 2026?
Among the major announced productions are Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Broadway In Chicago’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.
Where can I see A Christmas Carol in Chicago?
Goodman Theatre presents its annual production of A Christmas Carol in the Albert Theatre from November 13 through December 31, 2026. Paramount Theatre in Aurora also stages the Dickens classic from November 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
Where can I see The Nutcracker in Chicago?
The Joffrey Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Lyric Opera House from December 4 through December 27, 2026.
Are there holiday shows for children in Chicago?
Yes. Several 2026 productions are geared toward or suitable for families. Age policies vary by theater, so check the individual production before purchasing tickets.