Music

Best Bets: ‘Nutcracker’ ballets, ‘Home for the Holidays’ and Winter WonderFest

Posted December 03, 2025 9:44 am

Barbara Vitello

The Joffrey Ballet's annual production of “The Nutcracker,” set in Chicago during the 1893 World's Fair, returns to the Lyric Opera House. Courtesy of Cheryn Mann

‘Nutcracker’ variations

• This year marks the 10th anniversary of the premiere of choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s “The Nutcracker” for The Joffrey Ballet. Set during the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, Wheeldon’s “re-imagined classic takes audiences on a fantastical adventure where history and dreams intertwine.” Performances take place at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago. $64-$244. (312) 386-8905 or Joffrey.org. Select dates Friday, Dec. 5, through Dec. 28

• The Salt Creek Ballet brings its production of “The Nutcracker” to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, this weekend. Tickets start at $29.35. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 (limited tickets), and 1 p.m. (limited tickets) and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

• The Music Institute of Chicago celebrates the holidays with “Duke It Out! Nutcracker,” its annual family-friendly music and dance showcase taking place at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Ensemble-in-residence Quintet Attacca and members of Braeburn Brass join Dance Chicago for this 60-minute version of the ballet incorporating Tchaikovsky’s original score and the jazz version by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. $20. (847) 448-8326 or nicholsconcerthall.org. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

Members of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s brass and percussion sections perform holiday music this weekend in St. Charles, Barrington and Schaumburg. Courtesy of Carolyn Buhrow

ESO holiday shows

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s seasonal celebration featuring brass and percussion performances of such classics as “Sleigh Ride,” “Silent Night,” selections from “The Nutcracker” and other favorites happens this weekend under music director Chad Goodman. ElginSymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles; $25 adults, $5 students. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at St. Anne Catholic Community, 120 Ela St., Barrington; free, RSVP at ElginSymphony.org. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Worship Center, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg; $25 adults, $5 students

Elgin Symphony Orchestra percussionists and members of the brass section perform holiday music this weekend in St. Charles, Barrington and Schaumburg. Courtesy of Carolyn Buhrow

Navy Pier’s Winter WonderFest

The holiday spirit takes over Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, when Winter WonderFest opens in Festival Hall featuring Santa, holiday displays, the Cliff Hanger and Zero Gravity rides, ice skating, refreshments and fireworks on Saturdays. Tickets, which start at $25 and free for kids 3 and younger, include a ride on the climate-controlled Centennial Wheel. navypier.org/winterwonderfest. Friday, Dec. 5, through Jan. 4

Winter WonderFest returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier Friday, Dec. 5, through Jan. 4. Courtesy of Navy Pier

Music of the season

• The Newberry Consort, in partnership with Arte Puro, showcases the music of Spain and Latin America as well as flamenco dancing as part of “A Flamenco Christmas.” The concert features mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte and flamenco dancer Ana María Barceló. Tickets: $70 for preferred seating; $45 general admission; $25 for affordable access; $10 for students with a valid ID; free for kids 16 and younger. Newberryconsort.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4220 N. Sheridan Ave., Chicago; 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Galvin Hall, Northwestern University, 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago

• Chicago a cappella’s “Holidays a cappella” concert includes classics such as “Let It Snow” and “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” as well as music from Australia and Puerto Rico, at Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $10-$55. (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7

Holidays at Genesee

• “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard, R&B singer Peabo Bryson, pop diva Sheena Easton and trumpeter Ilya Serov headline the “Home for the Holidays” concert at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $56-$97.30. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5

• Grammy Award-winning composer/producer David Foster and his wife, singer/actress and “American Idol” alum Katharine McPhee, share songs and stories at the theater. $60.90-$85.10. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6

• Saxophonist Dave Koz is joined by South African singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, Wheeling singer/songwriter and former “American Idol” contestant Haley Reinhart, multi-instrumentalist Casey Abrams and pianist Kayla Waters for the “Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour.” $72.19-$156.80. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10

WGN reporter Ana Belaval headlines “Jingle Belles Comedy” Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Raue Center for the Arts. Courtesy of the Raue Center for the Arts

In good spirits

WGN Morning News reporter Ana Belaval, former WGN reporter Andrea Darlas and emerging comedian Joanna Clark headline “Jingle Belles Comedy,” a stand-up comedy showcase with a seasonal twist, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $34, $21 for RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11