There’s nothing quite like live theater for kids, especially when it can be enjoyed with the whole family. It’s a beautiful way to experience music and stories together in and around Chicago!
We’re lucky to be surrounded by countless local performances both in the city and the suburbs that are tailored just for kids. From professional children’s theater with adult performers to productions for kids with young actors, we have a fantastic line-up of shows for you to check out with your family in the year ahead. This is one of our favorite things to do with our kids!
As the season goes on, be sure to refer back to this list for updates as theaters continue to announce their plans. We keep this article updated throughout the year with the latest shows and performances.
Below you will find live theater in Chicago and the suburbs, dance performances, classical music, and shows for kids at children’s theater schools and high schools.
Live Theater for Kids in Chicago
Briar Street Theatre in Chicago
3133 N Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60657
Blue Man Group
Ongoing dates – check the calendar online.
Read our helpful review here!
Broadway in Chicago
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
James M. Nederlander Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60603
MJ the Musical
James M. Nederlander Theatre
August 1 – September 2, 2023
Recommended for older kids.
The Wiz
Cadillac Palace Theatre
November 28 – December 10, 2023
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Cadillac Palace Theatre
December 19 – December 31, 2023
Peter Pan
James M. Nederlander Theatre
March 26 – April 7, 2024
Click here to read about our experience at Broadway in Chicago with kids.
Chicago Children’s Theatre
100 S. Racine Avenue
Chicago, IL 60607
Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery
September 23 – October 15, 2023
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
November 4 – December 24, 2023
A Year with Frog & Toad
April 13 – May 26, 2024
Click here to read about our past experience at Chicago Children’s Theatre.
Chicago Kids Company
Apollo Theater
2550 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
Little Red Riding Hood
Apollo Theater
October 19 – November 22, 2023 & January 24 – May 8, 2024
Pinocchio
Beverly Arts Center
October 25 – November 22, 2023
Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical
Beverly Arts Center
November 29 – December 23, 2023
Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical
Apollo Theater
December 5 – 30, 2023
Beauty & the Beast
Beverly Arts Center
January 17 – April 27, 2024
Chicken Little
Apollo Theater
March 20 – May 24, 2024
Jack and the Beanstalk
Beverly Arts Center
May 1 – 24, 2024 & June 28 – July 26, 2024
Sleeping Beauty
Apollo Theater
June 20 – August 2, 2024
Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences
The Merle Reskin Theatre
60 E. Balbo Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
The Mole Hill Stories
October 7 – November 4, 2023
Chicago Theatre
175 N State Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Twas the Night Before…by Cirque du Soleil
December 7 – 28, 2023
Click here to read about a past performace at Chicago Theatre for kids.
Mercury Theater Chicago
3745 N . Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60613
Young Frankenstein
October 13 – December 31, 2023
Recommended for ages 13+
Click here to read about our past experience at Mercury Theater.
Studebaker Theater
Fine Arts Building
410 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
November 15 – December 31, 2023
Dog Man: The Musical
January 31 – February 25, 2024
Recommended for ages 5+
Young People’s Theatre
The Greenhouse Theater Center (Chicago)
2257 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Junie B. Jones, the Musical
October 7 – November 5, 2023
The Diary of Anne Frank
February 16 – March 4, 2024
* Recommended for ages 9+.
Last Stop on Market Street
May 11 – June 2, 2024
Live Theater in the Suburbs of Chicago
Allstate Arena
6920 Mannheim Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Disney on Ice Presents Magic in the Stars
January 18-21, 2024
Monster Jam
March 1-3, 2024
Alphabet Soup Productions in Chicago’s Suburbs
Shows at various times and locations throughout Chicagoland including: Cicero, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Naperville, Palos Hills, Romeoville and Schaumburg. Check their website for the current schedule.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
October – November, 2023 & January, 2024
The Christmas that Almost Wasn’t
November – December, 2023
James & the Giant Peach
January – March 2024
Alice in Wonderland
April – July 2024
Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Cinderella
November 8, 2023 – January 7, 2024
A Christmas Carol
January 24 – March 17, 2024
Guardian Angel Players in La Grange Park
St. Louise Parish Center
1125 Harrison Avenue
La Grange Park, IL 60526
The Sound of Music
November 9 – 12, 2023
Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire
10 Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
The Snow Queen
November 17 – December 31, 2023
Click here to read about our experience at Marriott Theatre.
Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights
111 W Campbell Street
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
The Addams Family: The Musical
September 14 – October 8, 2023
Recommended for ages 8+.
A Christmas Carol
November 25 – December 24, 2023
Recommended for ages 5+.
The Music Man
February 2 – 14, 2024
Recommended for ages 6+.
Morton Arboretum in Lisle
4100 IL-53
Lisle, IL 60532
Walking Plays: “The Mama and the Papa Goose: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fairytale”
July 8 – August 27, 2023
Walking Plays: “Anne of Green Gables”
September 23 – October 22, 2023
North Central College Fine & Performing Arts in Naperville
Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College
171 E Chicago Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
The Panto Company USA’s “Cinderella”
October 28, 2023
TheaterWorksUSA’s “Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical”
April 6, 2024
The Let’s Go Science Show
April 20, 2024
NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates
5333 Prairie Stone Parkway
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
Monster High Live
September 29 – October 1, 2023
Winter Circus Spectacular
December 1 – 3, 2023
Overshadowed Theatrical Productions in Medinah
900 Foster Avenue
Medinah, IL 60157
White Christmas
November 24 – December 16, 2023
Willy Wonka
January 19 – February 3, 2024
Paramount Theatre in Aurora
23 East Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
November 8, 2023 – January 14, 2024
Billy Elliott
February 7 – March 24, 2024
Click here to read about our experience at Paramount Theatre.
Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet
102 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour
October 15, 2023
Dinosaur World Live
February 6, 2024
Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont
5400 N. River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
The Wild Kratts Live 2.0
November 17, 2023
WeGo Community Theatre in West Chicago
Wheaton Academy Fine Arts Center
900 Prince Crossing Road
West Chicago, IL 60185
Legally Blonde The Musical, Jr.
November 16-18, 2023
Little Mountain Community Theatre
800 Porter Street
Lemont, IL 60439
No upcoming performances at this time.
Firefly Family Theatre in Glen Ellyn
Firefly Family Theatre performs in-person and pre-recorded shows. Right now they are offering various shows at libraries across the suburbs. Check their website for the current schedule.
Dance Performances
Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
2936 N. Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
Beyond the Nutcracker
November 25-26, 2023
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium
5500 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
Holiday Concert
December 15, 2023 | 7:30pm
The School of Ballet 5:8
Lincoln-Way West High School
21701 Gougar Road
New Lenox, IL 60451
Beyond the Nutcracker
December 16-17, 2023
Toy Maker
May 25 – 26, 2024
Classical Music and Music Concerts
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church
149 W Brush Hill Rd
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Various Concert Dates:
September 20, November 12, 2023, January 21, March 10, May 4, 2024
Northbrook Symphony Orchestra
Sheely Center for the Performing Arts
2300 Shermer Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Family Concert: Antonio Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery
September 10, 2023
TAKE NOTE
A performance based, adult chorus for men and women. The repertoire is upbeat, popular
Lisle Senior High School Auditorium
1800 Short Street
Lisle, IL 60532
Holiday Concert
December 3, 2023 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Shows for Kids at Children’s Theater Schools and High Schools
Academy of Music & Art
Mario Parente Theatre
1S325 Ardmore Avenue
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Willy Wonka, Jr.
November 17 – 19, 2023
BAM Theatre
Madden Theatre at North Central College
171 E Chicago Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
Seussical & Sweeney Todd (Double Feature)
March 15 – 16, 2024
Children’s Theatre of Western Springs
Children’s Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
Mary Poppins, Jr.
December 7 – 10, 13, 15, 16 – 17
CYT, Chicago
Batavia Fine Arts Centre
1250 W Wilson St.
Batavia, IL 60510
Junie B. Jones, the Musical
October 12 – 15, 2023
Elf, the Musical
December 1 – 3, 2023
Footlight Players
Park Junior High School
325 N. Park Rd.
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Seussical
November 17 – 19, 2023
Ghostlight ETC
923 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
The Prom
February 2 – 4, 2024
Lyons Township High School
LTHS North Campus – Reber Center
100 S. Brainard
La Grange, IL 60525
The House at Pooh Corner
October 20 – 22, 2024
Marquee Youth Stage
619 W Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
The Jungle Book Kids
October 27-29, 2023
Music Makers Theatre
Lyons Township Performing Arts Center
4900 S. Willow Springs Rd.
Western Springs, IL 60558
Annie Kids
January 26-28, 2024
Legally Blonde, Jr.
January 26-28, 2024
Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts
Madison Street Theatre
1010 Madison St.
Oak Park, IL 60302
Pirates Past Noon, Kids
September 29 – 30, October 1, 2023
13, Jr.
October 27 – 29, November 3 – 4, 2023
Annie, Jr.
December 15 – 17, 2023
Riverside Brookfield High School
160 Ridgewood Rd.
Riverside, IL 60546
A Christmas Carol
November – 2023 (exact dates TBA)
Stage Door Fine Arts Theatre
The Community House
415 W. Eighth Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
SpongeBob, the Musical
January – February, 2024
Seussical, the Musical
May – June, 2024
Many times after taking in the beauty of a live performance, kids are inspired to learn the craft themselves! If that’s the case in your family, we have the perfect listing of kids theater and drama classes for you. And, don’t miss our Events Calendar filled with great options for making the best, fun-filled family memories!
1 Comment. Leave new
Thanks so much. I have signed up for a few plays to take my Grand Daughter! Mary Ellen Gavin