With the winter holidays fast approaching, Chicago’s annual assortment of festive concerts, powerful performances, and joyful events offers plenty of ways to celebrate the season. From all corners of the city and beyond, take part in holiday cheer with music to suit every palate. And for times when you prefer to stay home, be sure to browse our full lineup of holiday programming on WFMT!
Orchestras, Ensembles, Brass | Messiahs | Choral | Caroling | Around the World | Jazz |Nutcrackers | Christmas Carols | Theater | Holiday Spectacles
Orchestras, Ensembles, and Brass
Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet
Canadian Brass
12/6: Martin Theatre, from $25
The all-brass ensemble returns for a program of cleverly arranged, humorous holiday music, including favorites like “You’re a Mena One Mr. Grinch” and “Carol of the Bells.”
LECQ Holiday Concert
12/10: Sulzer Regional Public Library, free
Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet returns for their 10th annual, free, holiday program.
Apollo’s Fire
12/14 & 12/15: Praetorius Christmas Vespers, from $15
The Apollo’s Fire acclaimed Christmas program highlights the works of 17th-century composer Michael Praetorius, alongside holiday favorites such as “Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming.”
Ostrega Uhl Project: Holiday Classical Music Concert
A mix of classical winter music with sing-along opportunities, featuring Brian Ostrega on violin, Stephen Uhl on piano, and Brian Gaona on cello.
Music of the Baroque’s Holiday Brass and Choral Concert
12/18-12/21: Various places, from $46
Favorite holiday music from the medieval era through the Baroque period, arranged for brass and choral ensembles.
Merry, Merry Chicago!
12/19-23: Symphony Center, from $49
The annual holiday concert at Orchestra Hall features the Chicago Symphony and the Chicago Symphony Chorus performing holiday favorites – and a few festive surprises.
Gaudete Brass Christmas
Joyful and expressive arrangement of winter music mixed with holiday favorites from across music eras.
Messiahs
The Music of the Baroque Chorus
Music of the Baroque: Messiah
12/1/2025: Symphony Center, from $60
Orchestra Hall welcomes guests from Music of the Baroque and the Ryan Opera Center for this special, one-night only presentation, conducted by Dame Jane Glover.
Messiah at U Chicago
12/7: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, from $30
The annual traditional at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel features guest soloists
Camerata Chicago: Messiah
12/12: St. Alphonsus Church, from $50 (with discounts available)
Camerata Chicago Orchestra and Choir two, family-friendly performances of Handel’s Messiah, whose guest soloists include Emily Richter and Laureano Quant.
50th Anniversary of Handel’s Messiah at Saint Clement
12/13: Saint Clement Parish, from $20
In celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first performance of Messiah in 1975, Saint Clement Parish offers two Messiah concert experiences: a morning concert geared towards children, and an evening concert featuring guest soloists Nicole Besa, Ryan Kirk, and more.
Apollo Chorus: Messiah
12/13 & 12/14: Various locations, from $55
Vocal soloists Emily Birsan, Stephanie Sanchez, James Reese, and Peter Morgan star in this presentation of the Messiah, with performances in Chicago’s River North and in Evanston.
DIY Messiah
12/28: Paul Robeson Theater, South Shore Cultural Center, free
The Chicago Music Association invites audiences of all ages to join in for a free, community concert of Messiah – where singing along is highly encouraged!
Choral
Uniting Voices Chicago (Photo: Kyle Flubacker)
Advent Lessons and Carols
11/30: St. James Cathedral, free
Stirring carols and beloved Advent hymns sung by the Cathedral Choir in a free and open to the public event.
Holly Dolly Christmas
12/5: Harris Theater, from $36.80
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus presents a Christmas concert full of joyful harmonies, rhinestones, and twang, mixing holiday favorites with a country sparkle.
Candlelight Carols
12/5-12/7: Various Locations, from $50
Guitarist Goran Ivanovic and the St. Charles Singers present an exploration of carols from around the world.
Advent Vespers
12/6: Monastery of the Holy Cross, free
An annual free service of the Advent Vespers featuring singers from the Chicago chorale and the order’s Benedictine monks.
Vox Venti: Guard My Tongue
12/6: Wicker Park Lutheran Church, from $28.52
Vox Venti celebrates their fourth holiday concert by welcoming guest conductor Tim Lambert for a program of winter soundscapes and sacred music, plus two Chicago world premieres.
Uniting Voices Chicago: Winter Glow
12/6: Symphony Center, from $30 (pay-what-you-can options)
Uniting Voices welcomes young members from choirs across various Chicago neighborhoods to take part in this holiday spectacular, featuring a 10:30 am show as well as a 2:00 pm. show.
A Chanticleer Christmas
12/9: Symphony Center, from $39
The men’s vocal ensemble returns to Orchestra Hall stage for their annual concert of Yuletide music from all eras and regions.
Holidays a cappella
12/5-12/14: Various locations, from $45 (pay-what-you-can minimum $20)
Chicago a cappella shares cherished Christmas classics and rarities. Each concert will also feature a Winter Wellness drive where audiences can participate in donating food, clothing, and supplies to those in need.
Chicago Master Singers: 2025 Christmas Concert
12/13 & 12/14: Glenview Community Church, from $19
Choral works for the season, where favorite carols meet recent works by CMS NextGen composers Elaine Hagenberg and Michael John Trotta.
Caroling
St. James Cathedral (Photo: Craig Sinclair)
Holiday Family Singalong
12/6: Fitzgerald’s, from $25 per family
Chicago-based children’s musician Tunes with Tim invites families of all shapes and sizes to participate in this holiday sing-along at Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn.
Carols & Cocoa
12/14: St. James Cathedral, free
The St. James Cathedral invites audiences of all ages to grab a cup of cheer – in the form of free hot chocolate, and a rousing Christmas carol sing-along.
Carol Sing-along
12/14: Hyde Park Union Church, free
Lend your voice to a caroling session with the Chicago Chorale. Optional donations will benefit music programs at Ray and Shoesmith Elementary School.
Around the World
Mariachi Herencia de Mexico (Photo: Provided by artist)
Christmas in Vienna
11/29: Symphony Center, from $39
The prestigious Vienna Boys’ Choir shares carols, Austrian folk songs, and holiday favorites at Symphony Center.
A Flamenco Christmas
12/5-12/7: Various locations, from $25
The Newberry Consort teams up with Arte Puro, flamenco dancer Ana María Barceló, and other guests for a varied program of Latin American holiday music and dance.
Pagan Carols from the East
12/12: Epiphany Center for the Arts, from $48
Folk meets jazz, roots music, and Slavic winter legends in this new show by Romanian singer Ana Everling and Polish vocalist Grażyna Auguścik.
From Irish Christmas in America
12/6: Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, from $45
Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, Irish Christmas in America celebrates its 20th anniversary with a litany of song, dance, and stories of Irish seasonal traditions.
Mairachi Herencia de Mexico – A Mariachi Christmas
12/7-12/20: Various locations, from $40
Two-time Grammy-nominated mariachi ensemble comes to Chicago with their new Christmas edition show honoring the next generation of mariachi musicians.
A Creole Christmas
12/12: Cahn Auditorium, from $50
Bringing holiday joy from Creole traditional music, arranged for jazz band.
A Celtic Christmas featuring On The Lash
Ring in the Christmas season with classic Christmas songs from the Emerald Isle.
Celebrate Kwanzaa: A Festival of Light with Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong
12/21: Harold Washington Library, free
Mama Edie presents music, history, and meanings of the Kiswahili terms that shape Kwanzaa.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
12/28: Symphony Center, from $52.90
A nod to the annual, traditional New Year’s Day concert in Vienna, featuring romantic, festive Viennese music.
Jazz
Thaddeus Tukes (Photo: Dan Merlo)
A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Chris White Trio
The Toronto native brings his trio for a beloved annual holiday program.
Cole in your Stocking
12/5: Sandra K Crown Theater, from $40
Pianist Kevin Cole takes listeners through a winter wonderland of classic songs from the “Great American Songbook”, classical music, jazz, and more.
Jazzman Ray’s Holiday Family Concert
12/6: Mayfair Public Library, free
A holiday concert for the whole family, featuring seasonal songs and stories.
Thaddeus Tukes Quartet – Christmastime in Here!
12/6: Winter’s Jazz Club, from $33.75
Vibe player Thaddeus Turkes brings together a group of stellar musicians to ring in the holiday season. Two shows options at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
12/7: Martin Theatre, from $30
The Jazz trio Mr. Chair plays selections from the Vince Guaraldi album and jazz versions of other holiday favorites.
Three Ricky Harris Christmas Cabaret
12/13: Epiphany Center for the Arts, from $35
Merging comedy with jazz, classical, and special guests, Ricky Harris leads audiences through a Christmas themed cabaret.
Brothers Sinatra Holiday Special
A grand assortment of music from the swing era, including holiday favorite by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.
Nutcrackers
The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Photo: Cheryl Mann)
Duke it Out! Nutcracker
12/6: Nichols Concert Hall, from $20
Highlights from the original Nutcracker, spliced with the jazzed-up version by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.
Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker
12/5-12/28: Lyric Opera House, from $64
Joffrey Ballet celebrates 10 years of its iconic, Tony Award-winning production of The Nutcracker.
Schaumburg Dance Ensemble: The Nutcracker
12/4-12/14: Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, from $35
The Schaumburg Dance Ensemble celebrates its 30th year producing the Nutcracker with multiple dates at the Larson Prairie Center for the Arts.
VOLTA Performing Arts Presents: Clara’s Enchanted Holiday Tea Party
12/14: Epiphany Center for the Arts, from $35
Enjoy an immersive twist on the holiday classic by partaking in a tea party with selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
Ballet Chicago: The Nutcracker
12/19-12/21: Harris Theater, from $25.30
The Loop-based ballet academy celebrates another season of Nutcracker performances, including its first sensory-friendly performance on Sunday December 21st.
A Christmas Carol
Bri Sudia and Christopher Donahue in Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol (Photo: Liz Lauren)
A Christmas Carol Cabaret with The Peppermint Patties
Chicago’s vocal harmony group presents lessons from Charles Dickens’ classic tale with holiday musical flare.
Drury Lane A Christmas Carol
11/27-12/27: Drury Lane, from $42
Complete with falling snow and 3D spectacles, Drury Lane once again continues its annual Dickens tradition.
Goodman’s Christmas Carol
Through 12/31: Goodman Theatre, from $49
One of Chicago’s most revered productions, Goodman Theatre’s production returns for another six-week slate.
Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol
12/12 to 12/29: Studebaker Theater, from $55
An original retelling of A Christmas Carol featuring puppetry and set during the 2020s.
More Theater
Porchlight Sings the Season
12/8-12/9: The Rhapsody Theater, from $65
A musical revue of some of the best holiday music from Broadway and Hollywood.
‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil
12/11-12/28: The Chicago Theatre, from $45
A brand new spectacle from Cirque du Soleil based on the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” combines dance, acrobatics, song and more.
Rock Mountain High – A John Denver Christmas
12/19-12/22: Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, from $43
Combining the music of John Denver with holiday cheer, including songs from Denver’s TV specials.
Holiday Spectacles
The Enchanted Forest at Morton Arboretum’s Illumination (Photo: Morton Arboretum)
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Join community in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood to light the menorah on the first day of Hanukkah.
Illumination
Through 1/3 : Morton Arboretum, from $29
The flora of the Morton Arboretum is lit in brilliant fashion at Morton’s ADA compliant, 1-mile loop.
Lightscape
Through 1/4: Chicago Botanic Garden, from $29
The Chicago Botanic Garden comes alive with an enchanting light display that spans a 1.3 mile trail, with wonderful displays along the way.
ZooLights
Through 1/4: Lincoln Park Zoo, from $7 (free on Mondays)
Chicago’s free zoo opens its doors after hours for annual holiday lighting. Through early January, the Lincoln Park Zoo lights up its campus with more than 3 million lights and hundreds of LED displays.
Winter Wonderfest
Through 1/4: Navy Pier, from $25
From music to holiday lights and family-friendly attractions, Navy Pier’s Winter Wonderfest hosts a wide variety of activities throughout the month of December.
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Through 1/5: Museum of Science & Industry, from $16.95
The annual holiday tradition at the Museum of Science and Industry features more than 50 trees and displays showcasing Christmas traditions the world over, as well as lighting displays for Hanukkah, Kwanza, Diwali, and more.
