Music
Grammy-, Emmy- and Tony-winning artist Cyndi Lauper brings her Girls Just Want to Have Fun Farewell Tour to town. Lauper has collaborated with artists of various genres, from Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and installation artist Daniel Wurtzel to video artist Reza Dolatabadi and fashion designer Christian Siriano, to transform each show into a one-of-a-kind experience. Singer-songwriter Gayle opens at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $24+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Mavis Staples, an artist who has had an enormous impact on music and culture, celebrates her 85th birthday with a hometown performance. Features special guest sets by Jackson Browne and Margo Price followed by a performance by Staples and her band. At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $55-$100. Visit jamusa.com.
Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid (a Dutch term meaning “cozy”) is seven concerts featuring a mix of instrumental violin pieces, holiday classics and fan favorites. At 8 p.m. Dec. 5-6, 9-13 at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut. Tickets: $60, $65. Visit jamusa.com.
A Chanticleer Christmas features the men’s vocal ensemble performing hymns, carols and other festive classics including Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” and Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria.” At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $29-$199. Visit cso.org.
Q101’s Twisted Xmas features four evenings of music: Cage the Elephant, Franz Ferdinand, Almost Monday (Dec.10, sold out); The All-American Rejects, The Maine, Andrew McMahon, Dexter & the Moonrocks (Dec. 11; $44+); The Smashing Pumpkins, Awolnation, Badflower (Dec. 12; sold out) and Bush, Bishop Briggs, Palaye Royale (Dec. 13; $46+). Concerts begin at 7 p.m. at Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence. Visit livenation.com.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli recently released “Duets,” which features an impressive list of artists he’s sung with ranging from Karol G and Shania Twain to Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Dua Lipa, Stevie Wonder and Alison Krauss. Bocelli performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont. Tickets: $135+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus presents Totally ‘80s HoliGay, a festive celebration of the decade’s iconic tunes. At 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph ($36-$61); 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie (sold out); 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th ($35). Visit cgmc.org.
Black Voices in Cabaret showcases R&B, jazz and soul artists. Performers include Evelyn Danner, Sean Harris, Randolph Johnson, Lynne Jordan, Ava Logan, Holly McGuire, Madeline Morgan, Margaret Murphy-Webb, David Stephens, Gabriel Valentino, Darcelle Williams and Gene Williams. At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland. Tickets: $35+. Visit epiphanychi.com.
Theater
The 2024 New Stages Festival features readings of these new works: Eduardo Machado and Jacinta Clusellas’ musical “Broken Eggs,” Lee Kirk’s “Ashland Avenue,” Dolores Díaz’s “George Washington’s Mexican Birthday,” Marco Antonio Rodriguez’s adaptation of Junot Diaz’s novel “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” and Dael Orlandersmith’s “Rave.” From Dec. 11-15 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Free with reservation. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
Blake Montgomery performs his Jeff Award-winning solo show “Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again” which imagines a still-living Dickens forced to perform his classic for the 171st year in a row. From Dec. 5-22 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $16+. Visit dickensagain.com.
Brian d’Arcy James
VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
Twisted Playfest features staged readings of six new plays (Dec. 17-22, pay-what-you-can) plus a mainstage production of Eric Gernand’s “The Totality of All Things” (Dec. 5-Jan. 19, $35), a drama about a high school teacher who oversees a student newspaper and suddenly finds her beliefs about inspiring the next generation of reporters and the definition of truth itself called into question. At Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr. For a list of staged readings, visit redtwisttheatre.org.
Five-time Tony Award nominee Brian d’Arcy James, with music director Dan Lipton, performs tunes from the Broadway canon as well as numbers from the classic American songbook and pop favorites. At 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Tickets: $75-$115. Visit steppenwolf.org.
Dance
The Joffrey Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” featuring Amanda Assucena (from left), Maxwelle Dawe and Princess Reid.
The Joffrey Ballet’s annual presentation of Christopher Wheeldon’s reimagining of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” sets the tale on Christmas Eve 1892 in Chicago. From Dec. 6-28 at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $36+. Visit joffrey.org.
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” is a reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s 130-year-old ballet as a contemporary holiday dance spectacle with hip-hop pioneer Kurtis Blow as the show’s MC. Using innovative visuals, the traditional landscape of the ballet is transformed into contemporary New York City. From Dec. 10-15 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe. Tickets: $38-$121. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
The “Hip Hop Nutcracker.”
“Duke It Out! Nutcracker” pairs Tchaikovsky’s classical score with the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn version performed by Quintet Attacca, Braeburn Brass and Dance Chicago. At 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $20 Visit musicinst.org.
Ruth Page’s staging of “The Nutcracker” features international guest stars and Ruth Page Civic Ballet dancers. Nov. 23-24 at Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy; Dec. 7-8 at Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis; Dec. 14-15 at College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington, Grayslake. Tickets: $20+. Visit ruthpage.org.
Movies
The Music Box Theatre presents its 41st annual holiday double feature of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” with Santa leading a sing-along, accompanied by organist Dennis Scott, before each screening. Lyrics are projected onto the theater’s screen. From Dec. 7-24 at 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $10-$16. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
George Bailey (James Stewart) is reunited with his wife, Mary (Donna Reed, center, left), and their children during the final scene of Frank Capra’s 1946 classic “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
The Auditorium Theatre screens the popular romantic comedy “Love Actually,” accompanied by the Chicago Philharmonic performing Scottish composer Craig Armstrong’s film score. At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $59+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
Enjoy a nostalgic night with another holiday film favorite, “Home Alone,” followed by an interview and Q&A with the film’s star Macaulay Culkin, who offers behind-the-scenes stories and other insights . At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont. Tickets: $37+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Family Fun
Families can get in the holiday spirit with Laurie Berkner, “the queen of kids’ music.” The singer-songwriter will feature tunes from her two holiday albums as well as seasonal favorites, and her greatest hits sure to get youngsters dancing. At 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at Northwestern University’s Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson, Evanston. Tickets: $25.50-$59.50. Visit planitpurple.northwestern.edu/calendar/4648.
Holidays a cappella: Family Edition brings the magic of Christmas to musical life as the singers of Chicago a cappella and actor Greg Vinkler present Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” (3 p.m. Dec. 7, $15; recommended for ages 4 and up). The Let It Snow Show is a holiday sing-along for kids of all ages with Anne-Marie Akin and Bill Brickey (11 a.m. Dec. 8, $15). At Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln. Visit oldtownschool.org.
Holiday Fun
The holiday One of a Kind Show opens Dec. 5 at the Merchandise Mart.
Courtesy of One of a Kind Show
An annual holiday shopping extravaganza, the One of a Kind Show, returns with a remarkable selection of handmade work from more than 600 artists and makers ranging from fine art to furniture, apparel, jewelry, ceramics, plus an emerging artist market, live music, food and drink and craft activities with local non-profit Marwen. From Dec. 5-8 at The Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza. Admission: $15. Visit oneofakindshowchicago.com.
Winterland at Gallagher Way begins with a tree lighting ceremony (6 p.m. Dec. 6) and continues with a variety of events including Santa’s Workshop, a winter market, wreath-making workshops, holiday movie nights (“Elf” Dec. 12, “Home Alone” Dec. 19), bumper cars, a winter carnival and live music plus special events at Hotel Zachary and area eateries. Weekends from Dec. 6-22 at Clark and Addison. Free, but some events and carnival rides are ticketed. For more information on events, visit gallagherway.com.