2018 Holiday Theater for Kids and Nutcracker Performances

Make magical memories this holiday season with a kid-friendly holiday theater performance! There are so many options to take advantage of during Christmastime in the Chicagoland area. Why not start a special new tradition with your family? Check out all these great options, including The Nutcracker shows happening locally!

Holiday Theater for Kids 2018

Twas the Night Before Christmas
November 3 – December 20, 2018
The Broadway Playhouse
175 E. Chestnut St.
Chicago, IL 60611

It’s a Wonderful Life – Live in Chicago!
November 15, 2018 – January 5, 2019
Stage 773
1225 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
November 16 – 25, 2018
Chicago Theatre
175 N. State Street
Chicago, IL

A Christmas Carol
November 23 – November 25, 2018
McAninch Arts Center
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

A Christmas Carol
November 23 – December 22, 2018
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Little Red’s Holiday Adventure
November 27 – December 21, 2018
AlphaBet Soup Productions
Various locations including Chicago, Cicero, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Joliet, Naperville, Northlake and Palos Hills.
Recommended for grades PreK-4th.

A Christmas Carol
November 30 – December 9, 2018
Children’s Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
*This show is comprised of a cast of child performers.

Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
December 1, 2018
North Central College
Pfeiffer Hall
310 E. Benton Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
December 1, 2018 – January 5, 2019
Strawdog Theatre
1802 W. Berenice
Chicago, IL

A Christmas Carol
December 5 – December 21, 2018
Metropolis Performing Arts Center
111 W. Campbell Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Mrs. Claus, A Holiday Musical
December 1–23, 2018
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th
Chicago, IL 60655
Ages 2–10.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
December 7-8, 2018
Rosemont Theatre
5400 N River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018

Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
December 8–24, 2018
Chicago Children’s Theater
The Station
100 S. Racine Ave.
Chicago, IL 60607
Ages 2–6. See Jill’s review of the Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party!

A Dickens Carol
December 15 – 30, 2018
Madison Street Theatre
1010 Madison Street
Oak Park, IL 60302

Nutcracker Performances

The perfect first ballet for kids, The Nutcracker has colorful, whimsical scenes coupled with a magical Christmas storyline.

Salt Creek Ballet (Hinsdale)
November 24-25, 2018
Hinsdale Central Auditorium
5500 South Grant Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521

Fox Valley Nutcracker (Batavia)
November 24-25, 2018
Batavia Fine Arts Center
1399 W Wilson Street
Batavia, IL 60510

Chicago Festival Ballet (Joliet)
November 26, 2018
Rialto Square Theatre
15 E. Van Buren Street
Joliet, IL 60432

Joffrey Ballet (Chicago)
December 1–30, 2018
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
50 East Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60605

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker (Rosemont)
December 2, 2018
Rosemont Theatre
5400 N River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018

DanceWest Ballet (Naperville)
December 7-9, 2018
Pfeiffer Hall, North Center College
310 E. Benton Street
Naperville, IL 60540

Ballet Chicago (Chicago)
December 7-16, 2018 
Athenaeum Main Stage
2936 N. Southport Ave.-lobby level
Chicago, IL 60657

Salt Creek Ballet (University Park)
December 8, 2018
Governors State University
Performing Arts Center
1 University Dr
University Park, IL 60484

Ballet Légere (River Forest)
December 6–10, 2018; additional field trip performances available
Dominican University Performing Arts Center
7900 West Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305

North Shore School of Dance (Lake Forest)
December 8-9, 2018
Lake Forest Academy
1500 W Kennedy Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet (Glen Ellyn)
December 15–16, 2018
McAninch Arts Center
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Boulevard
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Meet-and-greet with Santa in the lobby before the show.

Check the Kidlist calendar for even more fun holiday events to do with kids, or find all our indoor activity articles.

Discounted Tickets for Holiday Shows

Did you know that you can buy discounted tickets to some of these performances at this link? Click here: Kidlist Half-Price Ticket Page