Chicago Children’s Theatre is kicking off its 21st season with the return of Carmela Full of Wishes, a warm, bilingual musical based on the picture book by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson. This theater performance runs from October 29 to November 15, 2026, with performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30am and 11:30am.
My daughter was engaged for the entire show, and I enjoyed it a lot too. The lighting and sound were really well done, and I loved how Spanish was woven throughout. There was also a lot of humor. Three of the four cast members play multiple characters, and the whole audience laughed every time one of them came out as someone new. Between the easy-to-navigate building and a show the whole family could enjoy, it made for a really nice family outing.
We were invited to Carmela Full of Wishes, and all opinions are our own.
The show is interactive. Every guest gets a handmade dandelion (a popsicle stick topped with a pom pom) to use during one part of the story. After the show, kids can pick up a free orange dandelion pin as a souvenir.
Parent Tip: If your child tends to fidget with or throw things, you might want to hold on to the dandelion prop until it’s time to use it in the show.
About the Show
Carmela Full of Wishes follows a young girl who finally gets to tag along with her big brother on his errands through their neighborhood. When she finds a dandelion, she has to decide what to wish for. Part of the story deals with Carmela’s father being deported. The show handles this gently, without getting political or overly emotional. The story celebrates family, community, and hope, and English and Spanish are mixed throughout the performance.
Age Recommendations
The show is a great fit for ages 4–9. Children under 4 may have a harder time following the story or sitting still for the full show.
Performance Length
The show runs approximately 75 minutes.
Ticket Pricing
Tickets are $58. Lap seat tickets for children 18 months and under are $13 plus fees. Visit their website to purchase tickets.
Discounts
- Military: 25% off tickets.
- 20 for $20 Lottery: For weekend performances, 20 tickets are available at $20 each, with a limit of 4 per purchase. Sign up through the 20 for $20 lottery page.
Tips for Visiting Chicago Children’s Theatre
Parking
The theater has a free lot with room for about 20 cars. It was full when we went, so plan to arrive early. There is also free street parking on the blocks before and after the theater, and several spots were open. Street parking can’t be reserved.
Restrooms
There are two large all-gender restrooms on the first floor, just around the corner from the entrance. Each has a main locking door, individual stalls, and changing tables. There are more restrooms upstairs.
Food, Concessions and Merch
No food is allowed inside the theater, but you can bring in a drink with a lid. Just outside the theater is a large cafeteria-style seating area where you can eat, wait for the show, or do crafts. There is no café. Light concessions such as juice, water, and coffee are for sale, along with merch like stickers, logo cloth bags, handmade bracelets, and books.
Pre-show Entertainment
Chicago Children’s Theatre always has engaging and age appropriate show related activities and games for your kids to enjoy, no matter what show you attend. They encourage families to arrive when the doors open to take advantage of pre-show experiences in the lobby.
Seating
The theater is colorful, and there are three rows of kid-friendly seating along each wall. Seating is general admission, so head in early when the house opens to get the spot you want.
Accessibility and Strollers
The theater is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Stroller parking is right inside the main entrance and is marked by a big label on the wall. If you’re not sure how far you’ll be walking from your parking spot, it may be worth bringing a stroller for kids 3 and under. For specific accessibility questions, contact Guest Services at boxoffice@chicagochildrenstheatre.org or (312) 374-8835.
Restaurants Near The Chicago Children’s Theatre
There are some great spots to grab a bite to eat while in the West Loop. Here are some nearby places listed on the Chicago Children’s Theatre website, and also some of our nearby favorites:
- Waffle
- Freshii
- Wishbone
- Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
- Haymarket Pub & Brewery-one of our family favorites
- VietFive Coffee
- Do-Rite Donuts – they have awesome gluten free donuts
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams-very accommodating of allergies
Please note, outside food is not allowed in the theater. You may bring in a drink with a lid.
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
Founded in 2005, Chicago Children’s Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children’s theatre in Chicago, with top writing, performing, and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago Children’s Theatre also produces The Red Kite Project, a multi-sensory interactive theatre program tailored specifically to the needs of children on the autism spectrum. In 2017, Chicago Children’s Theatre became the first theater for young audiences in the nation to win a National Theatre Award from the American Theatre Wing, creators of the Tony Awards.
Chicago Children’s Theatre
100 S. Racine Avenue
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 374-8835
Highlights from Past Performances
Our team has been attending performances at Chicago Children’s Theatre for years and we have had wonderful experiences there. Here’s a taste of what we’ve seen in the past.
Walking into the theatre space felt magical as this timeless story truly came to life… My almost 3 year old didn’t want to leave, so that tells me it was certainly a win!
Hayley Cestafe about Goodnight Moon on April 21, 2026
‘Go Dog Go! Ve Perro ¡Ve!’ is a first of it’s kind in the bilingual musical department. Imagine reading the two books, Go Dog Go and Ve Perro ¡Ve! in unison with amazingly engaging songs, props and dancing throughout. The show has many familiar elements from the books, with plenty of cute surprises and fun songs to keep both children and adults actively engaged.
Megan Roake about Go Dog Go! Ve Perro ¡Ve! on March 19, 2025
I was very impressed by their thoughtful use of props and costuming that helped enhance and illustrate the story so well.
Jondra Davis about A Year with Frog and Toad on April 17, 2024
One of our favorite parts was when the narrator and guitarist paused a song to poll the audience and get the kids involved. This short but significant moment was a great way to make them feel like they were a part of the action. We also had the opportunity to meet the actors and puppets after the show, which was pretty special.
Kaitlyn Agnew about Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster on September 13, 2022
Every kid got a small pouch with a few props to aid the play. This was a really nice tactile element that made it much more approachable for kids.
Rachel Matuch about Wake Up, Brother Bear! on January 27, 2020
If you are bringing your child to the theater for the first time, this would be a wonderful introduction. Watching my daughters’ faces entranced with this show was truly magical!
Kristen Sheehan about The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party in 2018
Our guide to live theater has all of the upcoming shows at The Chicago Children’s Theatre.
