Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas production, ’Twas the Night Before…, is now in Chicago for a limited run at the historic venue, The Chicago Theatre (December 11–28, 2025). Designed with families in mind, this holiday show brings the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” to life through Cirque’s signature acrobatics, music, and visual storytelling.
If you’re looking for a special holiday experience that feels festive, memorable, and truly different from the usual Christmas shows, this one stands out. It was definitely an unforgettable core memory for our family!
Our Family’s Experience
I used to love going to the theatre with my Grandma, and taking my older stepchildren to Christmas shows when they were little. The excitement of the theatre is truly something that is hard to put into words. Our younger children had only been to smaller, community theatrical performances up to this point. So, we thought Cirque du Soleil was a wonderful introduction for them to The Chicago Theatre.
We made this a family affair and my husband, our oldest, and our younger children (9, almost 8 and 5) were all in attendance. From the sheer size of the theatre in Chicago, to getting dressed up for the performance and the magic of the holiday lights twinkling in the city, a family’s first Chicago show is absolutely magical.
This article is sponsored by The Chicago Theatre; all opinions are our own.
About the Show
’Twas the Night Before… is inspired by the beloved poem by Clement Clarke Moore and follows a story that’s easy for kids to follow. Isabella and her father share a tradition of reading the poem together, but as Isabella grows older, she begins to feel she’s outgrown it. When a magical snowstorm brings the poem to life, father and daughter are swept into a winter wonderland filled with whimsical characters, reindeer, and jaw-dropping acrobatics.
Each act is inspired by a specific line from the poem, featuring performances like aerial straps, hoop diving, high-energy dance, and even gravity-defying hair suspension. The cast includes 26 artists from around the world, and the variety of acts keeps the show moving quickly and visually engaging from start to finish.
The show length approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.
What Ages Is This Best For?
We attended a daytime weekend performance and saw a lot of families with kids. The shorter run time is ideal (~80 minutes), and the constantly changing acts are absolutely breathtaking, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats throughout the entire performance.
There wasn’t pressure for kids to sit perfectly still or be completely silent, which made the experience much more enjoyable for parents. The story is familiar, performers interact with the audience, and even our youngest kids (ages 5 and almost 8) were completely engaged the entire time. You know your child best, but I would recommend this performance for those ages 5 and up.
Getting to The Chicago Theatre
We drove in from the suburbs and used SpotHero to reserve parking at 20 E. Randolph, just around the corner from the theatre and across from Macy’s. This was especially helpful in cold winter weather.
The Christkindlmarket is also nearby and would make a great combo trip! I would absolutely recommend heading to Chriskindlmart before the show.
The Chicago Theatre
175 N State Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Before the Show: What to Know
We arrived about an hour early, which gave us time to go through security, explore the theatre, grab booster seats, and settle in comfortably.
Booster Seats
Free booster seats are available at Guest Services, located immediately to the left when entering under the marquee on State Street. Be sure to grab them upon entering, as they can run out quickly. These boosters were great, and gave the kids a clear view of the stage from our seats. I would recommend them for any kid still in a booster seat in the car.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are available on multiple levels. Family/gender-neutral bathrooms are located near Aisle 5 on the main floor, with additional restrooms on the basement level. This is a good stop before heading to your seats.
Food & Drinks
The Chicago Theatre is a completely cashless venue, so make sure you have a cashless option for purchases. They serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and kid-friendly snacks. We opted for the Kid’s Bundle for each of our kids ($15 per child), which includes a cake pop, kids sized popcorn and a juice box.
There are also plenty of nearby restaurants if you’d rather eat before or after the show. If you plan on heading into the city during the holidays, check out a holiday favorite, the Walnut Room right down the street at Macy’s or one of the festively decorated restaurants on our list. Whether you want to sit down or grab a quick bite to eat, there are lots of options nearby.
Ticket Info + Kidlist Discount
- Dates: December 11–28, 2025
- Tickets: Start at $45 (select seats and shows, subject to availability)
- Run time: ~80 minutes
Save up to 25%* on select seats and performances when you use the code KIDLIST! *See ticket page for terms and conditions.
Why It’s Worth It
This isn’t just a show, it’s a shared holiday experience. From wide-eyed kids to adults who appreciate incredible talent and artistry, ’Twas the Night Before delivers wonder, joy, and that special holiday feeling that’s hard to replicate.
