Going to see a live holiday theater production or Nutcracker Chicago or suburbs performance is such a special and festive outing for winter holiday family fun! There are lots of wonderful, kid-friendly shows coming up that would make for the perfect family night out.
Performances include classics like A Christmas Carol and Chicagoland traditions like The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party and It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play.
And, of course, the Nutcracker ballet continues to entrance all ages and makes for a very special tradition. The whimsical dancing, colorful costumes, and timeless music just can’t be beat!
Start a new tradition or continue a longstanding family ritual — either way, you’ll be creating unforgettable memories together at the theatre. Check out one of the many fantastic shows on our list!
This article is sponsored by Fox Valley Ballet and Salt Creek Ballet, and West Suburban Ballet Conservatory.
The Fox Valley Nutcracker
The Fox Valley Nutcracker
November 28-30, 2025
Batavia Fine Arts Centre
1250 W Wilson St
Batavia, IL 60510
Fox Valley Ballet is proud to present The Fox Valley Nutcracker this holiday season! Having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, this spectacular performance is sure to captivate its audience once again with enchanting scenes, vibrant costumes, mesmerizing sets and more!
Fox Valley Ballet is a non-profit that brings together a community of dancers from all over the Chicagoland area to perform alongside guest artists, including performers from the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Come see one of the biggest Nutcracker productions in Illinois this holiday season and enjoy the magic!
Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker
November 29-30, 2025
Hinsdale Central Auditorium
December 5-6, 2025
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie
December 19-21, 2025
McAninch Arts Center, Glen Ellyn
Salt Creek Ballet’s critically acclaimed, The Nutcracker, will be returning for its annual production at the Hinsdale Central Auditorium in its 40th Anniversary year!
This timeless production promises to delight audiences of all ages with over 80 local dancers, stunning choreography, lavish costumes (some all new!), and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Featuring professional guest artists courtesy of The Joffrey Ballet alongside Salt Creek Ballet’s talented company of local dancers.
Santa Claus will be available for a unique opportunity to take pictures for both performances at Hinsdale Central on Saturday, November 29th.
At Sunday’s matinee (November 30th), Salt Creek Ballet will host the beloved Sugar Plum Party, a cherished annual event for families following the performance. As part of the Sugar Plum Party, the Hinsdale Central Fieldhouse will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, with hot cocoa, coffee, sweet treats, activities, and the chance to get photos and autographs from the dancers. Audience members can also take photos with dancers and set props on stage.
Holiday Theater Performances
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
December 6 – 28, 2025
Chicago Children’s Theatre
100 S. Racine
Chicago, IL 60607
A Christmas Carol
November 15 – December 31, 2025
Goodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60601
Georgiana and Kitty
November 20 – December 21, 2025 (No show on November 27th)
McAninch Arts Center at COD
425 Fawell Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Ruth Page’s, The Nutcracker Suite
November 22, 2025
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
Frozen, Jr.
December 11 – 14, 2025
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
A Christmas Carol
November 25 – December 24, 2025
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 W Campbell Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
A Christmas Carol
November 28 – December 27, 2025
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Elf The Musical
December 2-14, 2025
Auditorium Theatre
50 E Ida B Wells Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker
December 6-7, 2025
Governors State University
1 University Pkwy
University Park, IL 60484
It’s A Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play
December 13, 2025
Sherman Hall
Governors State University
1 University Pkwy
University Park, IL 60484
Holidays A Cappella
December 5-14, 2025
Check website for specific dates and venues.
The Nut Tapper
December 21, 2025
Old Town School of Folk Music
4545 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
It’s A Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play (The Final Performance)
December 18, 2025
Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 604320
A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 8, 2025
Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 604320
Home for the Holidays 2025
December 5, 2025
Genesee Theatre
203 N Genesee St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
RAIN: A Beatles Christmas Tribute
December 7, 2025
Genesee Theatre
203 N Genesee St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
Nutcracker: Chicago and the Suburbs 2025
Grand Kyiv Ballet’s Nutcracker
November 20, 2025 | 7:00pm
Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
2936 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
The Fox Valley Nutcracker
The Fox Valley Nutcracker
November 28-30, 2025
Batavia Fine Arts Centre
1250 W Wilson St
Batavia, IL 60510
Fox Valley Ballet is proud to present The Fox Valley Nutcracker this holiday season! Having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, this spectacular performance is sure to captivate its audience once again with enchanting scenes, vibrant costumes, mesmerizing sets and more!
Fox Valley Ballet is a non-profit that brings together a community of dancers from all over the Chicagoland area to perform alongside guest artists, including performers from the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Come see one of the biggest Nutcracker productions in Illinois this holiday season and enjoy the magic!
Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker
November 29-30, 2025
Hinsdale Central Auditorium
December 5-6, 2025
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie
December 19-21, 2025
McAninch Arts Center, Glen Ellyn
Salt Creek Ballet’s critically acclaimed, The Nutcracker, will be returning for its annual production at the Hinsdale Central Auditorium in its 40th Anniversary year!
This timeless production promises to delight audiences of all ages with over 80 local dancers, stunning choreography, lavish costumes (some all new!), and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Featuring professional guest artists courtesy of The Joffrey Ballet alongside Salt Creek Ballet’s talented company of local dancers.
Santa Claus will be available for a unique opportunity to take pictures for both performances at Hinsdale Central on Saturday, November 29th.
At Sunday’s matinee (November 30th), Salt Creek Ballet will host the beloved Sugar Plum Party, a cherished annual event for families following the performance. As part of the Sugar Plum Party, the Hinsdale Central Fieldhouse will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, with hot cocoa, coffee, sweet treats, activities, and the chance to get photos and autographs from the dancers. Audience members can also take photos with dancers and set props on stage.
Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s The Nutcracker
December 4 -7, December 11 – 14 2025
Larson Prairie Center for the Arts
201 Schaumburg Court
Schaumburg, IL 60193
The Nutcracker – Joffrey Ballet Chicago
December 5–28, 2025
Lyric Opera House
20 N Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606
A&A Ballet’s Art Deco Nutcracker
December 6, 2025 | 1:00pm
Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
2936 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
Ballet Legere’s Nutcracker
December 6-7, 2025
Dominican University Performing Arts Center
7900 West Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305
Ballet 5:8’s Beyond the Nutcracker
December 6-13, 2025
Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center
19900 South Harlem Avenue
Frankfort, IL, 60423
West Suburban Ballet Conservatory’s The Nutcracker: Short & Sweet
The Nutcracker: Short & Sweet
December 12-13, 2025 | 7:00pm
The Community House
415 W 8th Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Join West Suburban Ballet Conservatory at The Community House for a magical evening filled with music, dance, and holiday cheer. Watch as our talented dancers bring this classic tale to life on stage. From the Land of Snow to the Land of Sweets, The Nutcracker: Short & Sweet is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Don’t miss out on this festive and family-friendly event that is perfect for the whole family!
Ballet Chicago: The Nutcracker
December 12-14, 2025
Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
2936 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
December 14, 2025
Rosemont Theatre
5400 N. River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Monarch Academy of Dance’s The Nutcracker “City Lights”
December 21, 2025 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Batavia Fine Arts Centre
1250 W Wilson St
Batavia, IL 60510
Nutcracker by Fox Valley Dance Company
2025 Dates To Be Announced
Prisco Community Center
150 W. Illinois Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
Tips for Taking Your Kids to See the Nutcracker Ballet
Taking your kids to the ballet for the first time can be a really lovely opportunity to expose them to the arts! If you’re thinking about taking your little ones but have a few questions, we’re here to help.
What age is best to take kids to the Nutcracker?
Seeing the Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for many, but you may want to wait until the kids are a little older to do one such as the Joffrey, which is longer than some of the other performances. However, other productions are recommended for ages 4 and up.
You know your kids best and how long they’ll sit either being mesmerized or completely antsy! Our advice is to start on a smaller scale the first time. Then, you can graduate to the more grand performances as they fall in love with the experience over time.
How can I help my kids enjoy the Nutcracker Chicago?
You can help your kids enjoy the experience by preparing them for what to expect. Explain that at a ballet, the story is told through dancing, music, costumes, and scenery. There is no speaking or singing!
Knowing the story ahead of time can help kids relax and enjoy the magic as it’s all brought to life. Check out a picture book from the library and enjoy it together. Listen to the music, name the songs, and dance along. A little bit of preparation helps kids embrace the experience.
Can I expect kids to sit through the entire ballet?
Again, you know your children best! Check the run times of your specific performance, as well as information about intermission. We have a few tips to help, too.
Part of preparing them for the very special experience of going to the ballet is explaining how to be a good audience member: being quiet so that everyone can hear the music the musicians worked so hard on, keeping hands and feet to ourselves so that everyone can enjoy the show, and showing appreciation for the performance at the end.
Young children may also enjoy bringing a (soft, non-noisy) stuffed friend to enjoy the performance with them, which can help keep their hands occupied throughout the show. And, of course, making sure everyone is well-fed, well-rested, wearing comfortable clothes, and has gone to the bathroom right before the show always helps.
We hope you enjoy every magical sugar plum fairy minute together!
The Kidlist calendar is always the place to look for fun, family-friendly holiday events! And, if you’re in need of some inspiration on more fun with the family, we’ve got the perfect winter activities list for you.
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