THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Enjoying Chicago Holiday Traditions!
It’s the last weekend before Christmas! Hopefully, you’ve completed your holiday shopping so you can enjoy and immerse yourself into any of these Chicago Holiday Traditions!
It may not be Broadway, but Chicago’s live theater productions rank right up there with the best of them. Here are two traditional holiday productions sure to please you:
The Goodman Theatre’s annual holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, returns to the stage with Larry Yando as Ebenezer Scrooge now through December 31st. Experience the heartwarming story of Scrooge’s discovery of kindness, compassion, and redemption after being visited by three spirits. Enjoyed by nearly two million theatergoers, this production not only features top notch performances with spirited song-and-dance numbers, but it also has amazing sets, gorgeous costumes and yes, even eye-popping effects! It’s definitely one of the best Christmas stories ever told!
Another Chicago favorite family holiday production is the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker being performed at the Civic Opera House now through December 26th. This reimagined classic by Christopher Wheeldon follows young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on a Christmas Eve journey that is set in Chicago against the backdrop of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. This production features a dazzling spectacle of sights, sounds, and enchantment with Tchaikovsky’s enduring music performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra along with stunning choreography! It’s an annual holiday tradition that celebrates the magic of the season and the rich cultural heritage of Chicago!
Chicago’s favorite musical holiday celebration returns to Symphony Center with the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra teaming up with Broadway star Jessica Vosk for its popular Christmas concert Merry, Merry Chicago! now through December 23rd. In addition to festive arrangements of classical compositions, holiday standards, and carols like “Jingle Bells” and “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful,” this year’s program will feature selections from the Sound of Music and Babes in Toyland! It’s a program filled with seasonal favorites perfect for the entire family!
The Chicago Children’s Choir brings its Voice of Chicago ensemble and the Hyde Park Neighborhood Choir to the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood for a festive holiday season performance of Songs of the Season this Saturday. The program includes familiar songs like “O Holy Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and many others as the choir also celebrates its 65th anniversary!
If you happen to find yourself near the Driehaus Museum (40 E. Erie St.) this Saturday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., you’ll be able to enjoy Caroling at the Driehaus Museum as well as roasted chestnuts, and holiday cheer!
Finally, Let It Shine returns with its newest Christmas drive-thru light shows in three Chicagoland locations (Northbrook, Schaumburg, and Aurora) now through January 9th (4:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.). You will be immersed into a wonderland of lights as you drive through dazzling tunnels and displays which are synchronized to fun holiday classics! Each location is unique with jaw dropping holiday displays with over one million LED lights!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
