From the 67-foot-tall Norway spruce<\/u><\/a> lit to perfection in Millennium Park to a dizzying number of \u201cChristmas Carol\u201d variations, Chicago\u2019s most festive season has arrived.<\/p>\n With so much happening, we have rounded up the best Chicago has to offer this holiday season in 10 categories, from world-premiere theater shows (listen up \u201cReal Housewives\u201d fans) to seemingly endless \u201cNutcracker\u201d adaptations, plus outdoor markets, dazzling light displays and Hanukkah celebrations.<\/p>\n Green Room Newsletter<\/p>\n You\u2019re subscribed!<\/b><\/p>\n Please check your inbox for your confirmation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Stay ahead of what\u2019s hitting Chicago stages, galleries, museums and more with Green Room, WBEZ\u2019s weekly arts & culture newsletter!<\/p>\n Sorry, there was an error registering your email.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n <\/bsp-form>\n<\/div><\/div>\n We\u2019re bursting with festive fun here, but we may have missed your favorite thing to do this time of year. If so, drop us a line at arts@wbez.org<\/u><\/a> and tell us about it. Your responses could be featured on social media or a future story.<\/p>\n Kicking off the holiday season, that <\/b>Norway spruce<\/u><\/b> in Millennium Park <\/a>will be lit around 6 p.m. Friday in a ceremony featuring Chicago Made showcase winner Mara Love<\/u><\/a> and recent \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finalist Leo High School Choir.<\/u><\/a> The tree, which features 39,250 feet of lights, will stay lit through Jan. 11. Washington Street and Michigan Avenue.<\/i><\/p>\n This year\u2019s Millennium Park spruce will be lit in a ceremony featuring Chicago Made showcase winner Mara Love and recent \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finalists Leo High School Choir.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Chicago Sun-Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n But that downtown display is just one place to see fabulous holiday spectacles. Starting Friday, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo<\/u><\/b><\/a> features both new and familiar exhibitions. Through Jan. 4; 2001 N. Clark St.; tickets from $7, free on select Mondays with advanced registration. <\/i>Meanwhile, Brookfield Zoo\u2019s Holiday Magic<\/u><\/b><\/a> event sparkles with more than 3.5 million LED lights. Through Jan. 4; 8400 31st St., Brookfield; tickets from $20.95. <\/i><\/p>\n The Morton Arboretum also offers a dazzling display, Illumination: Tree Lights<\/u><\/b><\/a>, along a 1-mile tree-lined path. Through Jan. 3; 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; tickets from<\/i> $18.50. <\/i>Or check out the beauty of the Chicago Botanic Garden lit up for Lightscape<\/u><\/b><\/a>. Through Jan. 4; 1000 Lake Cook Road., Glencoe; tickets from $16.<\/i><\/p>\n Outside Rate Field, you can take in lights from the warmth of your vehicle. The drive-thru light show<\/u><\/b><\/a> also features a festive radio station synchronized with the more than 1 million lights. Through Jan. 4; 3326 S. Wentworth Ave.; from $29.99 per vehicle.<\/i><\/p>\n The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce hosts Menorah Lighting <\/u><\/b><\/a>on the first night of Hanukkah. The family-friendly event will also include a Drag Queen Storytime, featuring \u201cDrag Bubbie\u201d Merriam Levkowitz. Dec. 14; Corner of Clark Street and Farragut Avenue; Free.<\/i><\/p>\n The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry brings a global perspective in \u201cChristmas Around the World and Holidays of Light<\/u><\/b><\/a>,\u201d featuring an indoor forest of light displays, including a 4-story tree displayed in the rotunda. Through Jan. 5; 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; tickets from $9.95.<\/i><\/p>\n Manual Cinema brings \u201cChristmas Carol\u201d to life with hundreds of handmade puppets.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n Each year, Charles Dickens\u2019 <\/i>tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the gang gets infinitely reimagined for Chicago audiences. The reigning classic in Chicago is certainly at Goodman Theatre,<\/u><\/b><\/a> starring Christopher Donahue<\/u><\/a> in his second year as Scrooge. Through Dec. 31; 170 N. Dearborn St.; tickets from $44. <\/i><\/p>\n But there are also plenty of variations. For starters, you can introduce young theatergoers to the holiday classic with a 60-minute family-friendly Carol at <\/b>Drury Lane Theatre<\/u><\/b>.<\/u><\/a> Nov. 28-Dec. 27; 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace; tickets from $42. <\/i>Or check out the Jeff Award-winning solo show from Blake Montgomery,<\/u><\/b><\/a> in which Charles Dickens himself is forced to begrudgingly perform his story \u2014 yet again. Dec. 4-28; Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.; tickets from $30.<\/i><\/p>\n Get Jacob Marley\u2019s perspective on what happened with a one-man show<\/u><\/b><\/a> at Lifeline Theatre, in which longtime Chicago stage actor Phil Timberlake brings to life 19 characters and tells the story from Scrooge\u2019s partner\u2019s point of view. Nov. 28-Dec. 21; 6912 N. Glenwood Ave.; tickets from $30.<\/i><\/p>\n For a more abstract take, Manual Cinema<\/u><\/b><\/a> brings the fable to life with hundreds of handmade puppets. Dec. 12-28; Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets from $45.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cElf the Musical\u201d tells the story of Buddy the Elf, first brought to life by Will Ferrell in the movie version more than 20 years ago.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Courtesy of Matt Crockett<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n Chicago stages are teeming with variety this time of year, from the serious to the hilarious.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with some holiday movies coming to life on stage this season. \u201cElf the Musical<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d tells the story of Buddy the Elf, first brought to life by Will Ferrell in the movie version more than 20 years ago. Dec. 2-14; The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $41. <\/i>Or, dig further back into the Christmas movie catalog with the stage adaptation of \u201cWhite Christmas<\/u><\/b><\/a>,\u201d which unfolds in the wake of World War II at a quaint Vermont ski resort. Through Jan. 11; Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Boulevard, Aurora; tickets from $31.<\/i><\/p>\n For some high-flying fun, \u201cA Magical Cirque Christmas<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d <\/b>brings gravity-defying acrobats, along with holiday music and comedy in a family-friendly show. Nov. 25-30; CIBC Theatre,18 W. Monroe St.; tickets from $41. <\/i>Plus, Cirque du Soleil will bring \u201c\u2018Twas the Night Before\u2026<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d to town. Dec. 11-28; The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $49.<\/i><\/p>\n For families with younger children, check out \u201cThe Beatrix Potter Holiday Party<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d at the Chicago Children\u2019s Theatre, featuring four Beatrix Potter stories come to life in a performance aimed at kids 8 and younger, followed by puppet play, photos, crafts and holiday treats in the lobby. Dec. 6-28; Chicago Children\u2019s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave.; tickets from $44.25. <\/i><\/p>\n The book <\/b>\u201cHanukkah Shmanukkah!,<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d by local children\u2019s book author Esm\u00e9 Raji Codell, premieres this year as a stage play at Greenhouse Theatre Center. The hourlong show \u2014 presented in matinee and early evening options ideal for families \u2014 follows a teacher and group of students who travel back in time to celebrate Jewish traditions and customs. <\/i>It\u2019s co-presented by Paintbrush Art Studio and Joe & Melanie Thing Theatre. Dec. 18-21; $23.<\/i><\/p>\n And Eric Kimmel\u2019s classic book \u201cHershel and the Hanukkah Goblins<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d has been adapted for the stage in a show meant for the whole family to enjoy. Presented by Strawdog Theatre Company, the show celebrates the \u201cspirit of Hanukkah with bravery, joy, and a lot of latkes.\u201d Nov. 29-Dec. 28; Raven Theatre; 6157 N. Clark St.; tickets from $23.<\/i><\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty of holiday merriment to be had with the 21+ set. Lean into the funny with the world premiere of \u201c<\/b>The Real Housewives of the North Pole<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d<\/b> from Hell in a Handbag Productions, featuring Ruth Claus, Santa\u2019s newly sober wife, and her crew of holiday divas such as Samantha Frosty and Suzy Snowflake. Through Jan. 4;<\/i> The Clutch; 4335 N. Western Ave.; tickets from $36.25.<\/i><\/p>\n Or check in with a grown-up Cindy Lou Who in \u201cWho\u2019s Holiday!<\/u><\/b><\/a>,\u201d as Cindy spins a tale of gossipy holiday wisdom laced with vodka, weed and profanity. Nov. 28-Dec.28; Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.; tickets from $39.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201c8 Crazy Nights\u201d is Chicago\u2019s first and only Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n If you want to skip the show and just savor some Jingle Juice, the <\/b>city\u2019s holiday pop-up bar tradition<\/u><\/b><\/a> is going strong this season. Ground zero is Wrigleyville, naturally, but the Loop and River North have options, including heated chalets atop the Pendry. (Find our list of 12 recommended spots here.<\/u><\/a>) This year also sees the return of \u201c<\/b>8 Crazy Nights<\/u><\/a>,\u201d <\/b>Chicago\u2019s first and only Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar, inside the Graystone Tavern.<\/p>\n \ufeffIt\u2019s peak concert season, no matter your style. The famed a capella group Pentatonix<\/u><\/b><\/a> brings its latest festive showcase to town. Dec. 2; Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $52. <\/i>Plus, enjoy a mariachi Christmas, courtesy of the renowned Mariachi Herencia de M\u00e9xico ensemble<\/u><\/b><\/a> <\/b>in a one-of-a-kind holiday show. Dec. 7; Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets from $52.98.<\/i><\/p>\n Mariachi Herencia de M\u00e9xico offers a one-of-a-kind holiday show.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n Pianist Thomas Lauderdale and his \u201clittle orchestra,\u201d Pink Martini<\/u><\/b><\/a>, make a festive stop in Chicago this December. The new holiday-themed show will feature performances from several of the group\u2019s longtime collaborators, including former NPR host Ari Shapiro, soulful singer Edna Vazquez and \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finalist Jimmie Herrod. Dec. 17, The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $49.<\/i><\/p>\n Lake Forest native Andrew Bird<\/u><\/b><\/a> <\/b>brings back his annual series at Fourth Presbyterian Church called the Gezelligheid concerts<\/u><\/b><\/a>. While tickets are sold out, interested fans can join the waitlist on Bird\u2019s website. Dec. 8-12;<\/i> 126 E. Chestnut St.<\/i><\/p>\n Get into the spirit of the Jewish festival of lights with the Happy Joyous Hanukkah concert from The Klezmatics<\/u><\/b><\/a>. The Grammy Award-winning group celebrates its 40th anniversary by revisiting their revivals of Woody Guthrie lyrics from the 1940s. Dec. 4; Ravinia\u2019s Martin Theatre, 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park; $45.<\/i><\/p>\n The <\/b>Bach + Beethoven Experience<\/u><\/b><\/a> <\/b>stages the holiday parody concert \u201c\u2018Twas the Week Before Christmas in Chicago.\u201d It\u2019s all about life in our fair city, including references about trying to catch Santa on the L, and carols evoking places such as Lincoln Park Zoo and the Magnificent Mile. Dec. 4; The Den Theatre, 1331 Milwaukee Ave., $20. Dec. 5, the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.; $25.<\/i><\/p>\n Or, warm up your pipes for a Taylor Swift tribute<\/u><\/b><\/a> and live singalong in honor of the pop star\u2019s birthday, featuring hits from all of Swift\u2019s eras. Dec. 13; Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive; tickets from $29.<\/i><\/p>\n The CSO will present festive pieces like \u201cAngels We Have Heard on High\u201d and \u201cChristmas in Chicago\u201d in the program \u201cMerry, Merry, Chicago!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg Photography<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n \u2019Tis the season to revel in some classical music. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will present \u201cMerry, Merry, Chicago!<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d with John Morris Russell conducting. The orchestra will present festive pieces such as \u201cAngels We Have Heard on High\u201d and \u201cChristmas in Chicago.\u201d Dec. 19-23; Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets from $49. <\/i>The CSO will also present \u201cA Chanticleer Christmas<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d on Dec. 9, tickets from $39; <\/i>and \u201cHome Alone in Concert<\/u><\/b><\/a>,\u201d Dec. 12-14; tickets from $109.<\/i><\/p>\n Music of the Baroque<\/u><\/b><\/a> will perform Handel\u2019s hopeful \u201cMessiah\u201d at a number of venues, including Downtown\u2019s Symphony Center. Dec. 1; 220 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets from $35.<\/i><\/p>\n Homegrown band Sleeping At Last<\/u><\/b><\/a> <\/b>once again teams up with the Chicago Philharmonic for a brand-new holiday concert, \u201cHome for the Holidays.\u201d The show will bring singer-songwriter Ryan O\u2019Neal\u2019s beloved music to life with a full orchestral backing. Nov. 29; The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $53.<\/i> Or, see the Chicago Phil perform the score of the beloved Nancy Meyers romcom \u201cThe Holiday<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d as the film plays. Dec. 20; The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $48.<\/i><\/p>\n Chicago band Sleeping At Last once again teams up with the Chicago Philharmonic for a brand-new holiday concert \u201cHome for the Holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n Just outside the city, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra<\/u><\/b><\/a> will host its annual holiday concert, featuring music and dance. But first, the group will convene a barrier-free 45-minute show<\/u><\/b><\/a> where everyone is encouraged to move, make noise or experience the music how they want. This edition is aimed at youngsters or individuals with special needs. Dec. 14; Evanston Township High School Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston; $5 for adults, free for children 18 and under.<\/i><\/p>\n Finally, The Chicago History Museum will host A Holiday Special<\/u><\/b><\/a>, featuring music from Vivaldi and Bach, with performances by Grammy Award-nominated violinist Philippe Quint and the Magellan Chamber Orchestra. Dec. 16; 1601 N. Clark St.; $55.<\/i><\/p>\n Nothing says the holiday season like taking in a performance of \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d For a staging with a local history twist, the Joffrey Ballet<\/u><\/b><\/a> presents Christopher Wheeldon\u2019s \u201cNutcracker,\u201d set months before the opening of the 1893 World\u2019s Fair. Dec. 5-28; Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; tickets from $36.<\/i><\/p>\n The show has also been infinitely reimagined. From A&A Ballet Chicago, \u201cThe Art Deco Nutcracker<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d draws inspiration from 1920s America. Dec. 6; Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport Ave.; tickets from $22. <\/i>\u201cThe Nut Tapper<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u201d <\/b>at the Old Town School of Folk Music features Spanish flamenco and Mexican zapateado.1. Marvel at galaxies of twinkling holiday lights<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Thousands](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cdd248e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F8a%2F2b%2Fa16f2c7a4613baa7795aa35f0494%2Ftreelighting-112324-16.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n![\"Manual](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6653b60\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fec%2Fbd%2F051e6c8044aa818e41f0576827af%2F4-manual-cinema-s-christmas-carol-at-the-studebaker-theater-image-credit-jenn-udoni-franco-images.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n2. Get a ghostly lesson at the many \u201cChristmas Carol\u201d variations<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"London](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c94039c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5599x3725+0+0\/resize\/840x559!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F69%2F10%2F0e63d1724e8089a276f150ed3194%2Fphoto-1-london-company-of-elf-the-musical-photo-by-matt-crockett-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n3. Take the family to the theater for a wonderful array of live shows<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Leave the kids at home for a night out with adults<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\""8](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1ecc93b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3795x2848+0+0\/resize\/840x630!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F51%2F3a%2Fc8ead19c4335b4e481beaa2afd48%2Fimg-3032.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n5. Savor a concert, from mariachi to a Taylor Swift tribute<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Mariachi](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/efde262\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5120x2880+0+0\/resize\/840x473!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F3f%2F7c%2F42b125f84a71ac47d9f772a9c33a%2F30.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n![\"CSO\u2019s](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/418c932\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2500x1668+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F20%2Fd1%2F65ddad5641e29469638e76f198e5%2Fmerry-merry-chicago-stage-at-cso.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n6. Revel in classical music: From Bach and Vivaldi to Nancy Meyers<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/cst.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c0648d3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2500x1667+0+0\/resize\/840x560!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F9e%2F75%2F3c7442b346299136fee1ad535850%2Fsleepingatlast-1118250039.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n7. Catch a dance performance, including plenty of takes on \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n