Going to see a live theater or Nutcracker performance during the holiday season is such a special and festive outing for the family! There are lots of wonderful, kid-friendly shows coming up that would make for the perfect family night out. 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.
The Fox Valley Nutcracker
The Fox Valley Nutcracker
November 26, 2022, 2:00pm and 7:00pm | November 27, 2022, 2:00pm
Batavia Fine Arts Centre
Fox Valley Ballet is very proud to present The Fox Valley Nutcracker, a Fox Valley holiday tradition that showcases students and families from local dance studios alongside professional dancers, in the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker. Featuring beautiful dance, lavish sets, festive costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s magical score. Kick-off your holiday season with The Fox Valley Nutcracker, named “One of the top 10 must-see Nutcracker’s in Illinois” by Pointe Magazine. For tickets, visit www.bataviafineartscentre.org
About Fox Valley Ballet
Fox Valley Ballet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization with the mission to bring the joy and artistry of dance to the Fox Valley region through pre-professional ballet training and performances. This is done by supporting the training and artistic excellence of pre-professional dancers through education, performance, and community outreach in an encouraging and inspirational environment.
Chicagoland Holiday Theater for Kids in 2022
Elf the Musical
November 9, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
The Steadfast Tin Soldier
November 13, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Lookingglass Theatre
821 Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
A Christmas Carol
November 19 – December 31, 2022
Goodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60601
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
November 20 – December 24, 2022
Chicago Children’s Theatre
100 S. Racine
Chicago, IL 60607
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Live
November 30, 2022
Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 60432
A Christmas Carol
December 1–24, 2022
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 W Campbell Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
A Very Electric Christmas
December 2, 2022
Genesee Theatre
203 N Genesee St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
A Magical Cirque Christmas
December 6–11, 2022
CIBC Theatre
18 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – the Musical
December 8, 2022
Genesee Theatre
203 N Genesee St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
December 15, 2022 – January 1, 2023
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077
Nutcracker Performances for Kids 2022
State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s The Nutcracker
November 19, 2022
Center for Performing Arts
Governors State University
1 University Pkwy
University Park, IL 60484
The Immersive Nutcracker – A Winter Miracle
November 19, 2022 – December 2, 2023
* Features immersive projections, sweeping music and magical photo ops (not live actors)
Lighthouse ArtSpace
108 W Germania Pl
Chicago, IL 60610
The Fox Valley Nutcracker
November 26–27, 2022
Batavia Fine Arts Center
1201 Main Street
Batavia, IL 60510
Von Heidecke’s Chicago Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker
November 27, 2022
Rialto Square Theatre
102 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 60432
Ballet Legere’s Nutcracker
December 1–5, 2022
Dominican University Performing Arts Center
7900 West Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305
The Nutcracker
Weekends only, December 2–11, 2022
Larson Prairie Center for the Arts
201 Schaumburg Ct.
Schaumburg IL 60193
The Art Deco Nutcracker
December 3, 2022
The Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker
December 3–4, 2022
Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium
Steinberg Fine Arts Center
3701 West Bryn Mawr
Chicago, IL 60646
The Nutcracker – Joffrey Ballet Chicago
December 3–27, 2022
The Joffrey Ballet
10 East Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
December 4, 2022
Rosemont Theatre
5400 N. River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
West Suburban Ballet Conservatory’s Nutcracker
December 9, 2022
The Community House
415 W 8th St.
Hinsdale, IL 60521
West Suburban Ballet Conservatory’s Nutcracker
December 16, 2022
Nazareth Academy
1209 Ogden Avenue
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Salt Creek Ballet’s Nutcracker
December 18, 2022 (more dates to be announced)
McAninch Arts Center
Belushi Performance Hall
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
The Magic of the Nutcracker
December 21, 2022
Genesee Theatre
203 N Genesee St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
Monarch Academy of Dance’s Nutcracker
December 22, 2022 | 7:00pm
Batavia Fine Arts Center
1201 Main Street
Batavia, IL 60510
The Kidlist calendar is always the place to look for fun, family-friendly holiday events! And, don’t miss our 2022 Kidlist winter holiday guide as it’s chock full of inspiration to keep the fun going all season long!
