Warm up for the holidays with hot Chicago theatre. From annual classics like The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol to musicals, comedy, and improv, Chicago theatres have you covered. Get into the spirit at a theatre near you.  

Download the 2010 Holiday Theatre Guide (pdf).

It's a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!
American Blues Theater at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater
2433 N. Lincoln 
A 1940s radio broadcast of Frank Capra's holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life," with live Foley sound effects, an original score, and a stellar cast of seven that bring the entire town of Bedford Falls to life.
Through December 31, 2010



It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play!
American Theater Company
1909 W. Byron
Bedford Falls. 1948. ATC transforms its intimate space into an actual 1940's radio studio to tell Capra's classic story of one man's affect on his community. Free milk and cookies served after every performance.
Through December 31, 2010


Scream If You Love Christmas
GayCo Productions at Annoyance Theatre
4830 N. Broadway: Chicago’s premier LGBT-comedy’s second original holiday revue unwraps like an explosion of tinsel-laden satire on the one time of year that has everyone shrieking... in ecstasy or pain.
Through December 30, 2010

Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Broadway In Chicago at Bank of America Theatre
18 W. Monroe
The classic holiday tradition White Christmas comes to the stage at last, as a brand new Irving Berlin musical direct from Broadway.
Through January 2, 2011

The Nativity
Congo Square Theatre Company at Goodman Theatre
170 N. Dearborn
McKinley Johnson's adaptation of Langston Hughes' African American classic personifies the messages of family, unity, and love through dance and gospel music.
Through December 31, 2010

Just The Tip Visits You Between the Holidays
Corn Productions at Cornservatory
4210 N. Lincoln
Searching for that perfect blend of sweet and spice this holiday season? A little BYOB is the perfect recipe for spreading... holiday cheer!
Through December 30, 2010

A Christmas Carol
Goodman Theatre
170 N. Dearborn
Charles Dickens' tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, oblivious to holiday cheer, whose attitude toward Christmas is the dour, "Bah, Humbug!" This year's production will feature a brand-new Ebenezer Scrooge: Chicago's own John Judd.
Through December 31, 2010

Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2010
Hell in a Handbag Productions at Mary's Attic
5400 N. Clark
The twisted Chicago classic now in it's 13th year. A parody of the beloved children's classic television special, this Rudolph goes places the original never dared travel without losing its misfit message. 
Through January 1, 2011

The Second City's Holidays in the Heights
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights
Awkward office parties, manic shopping extravaganzas, matching sweaters for the family, burnt cookies and way too much fruitcake. With all that excitement, who doesn't love the holidays? Join The Second City in their hilarious, sharp, irreverent send-up of the season.
Through December 30, 2010


Miracle on 34th Street
Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773
1225 W. Belmont
Based on the classic film and incorporating traditional holiday music, Miracle on 34th Street is a celebration of the magic of imagination.
Through January 2, 2011

Blue Nativity - 2010 Tour
Quest Theatre Ensemble at Various Locations
The 9th annual Christmas spectacular, featuring elegant, large-scale puppetry, soaring music and "the greatest story ever told." 
Through January 1, 2011

Winter Pageant 2010
Redmoon Theater at Redmoon Central
1463 W. Hubbard
A holiday tradition that's been part of Redmoon's mission for over 15 years, calls upon the company's entire artistic community, including dozens of artists, designers, performers and technicians, to create a celebration of the changing seasons.
Through January 2, 2011

The Stevens Family Peanuts Christmas
The ComedySportz Theatre
929 W. Belmont
If you liked the old classic televised Peanuts Christmas Special, you’ll love this homage produced by “The Stevens Family,” Chicago’s favorite family of meth-cooking hillbillies!
Through December 30, 2010

Snow Days and Plane Delays: An Evening of Holiday Mime
The Mime Company at Studio BE
3110 N. Sheffield
In a series of vignettes, The Mime Company reflects on the struggles and triumphs of the holiday experience in this new winter favorite.
Through January 2, 2011

The Santaland Diaries
Theater Wit
1229 W. Belmont
A celebration of the desperation of unemployment, the insanity of Christmas shopping and the ineffable "cheer" of the holiday spirit. David Sedaris' beloved account of his time in the trenches as an Elf at Macy's during the holiday season has been called the "24 funniest pages ever written in the English language."
Through December 31, 2010