Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Jerrod Carmichael
The comedian and star of HBO’s “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” plays nearly a week’s worth of shows at the Den Theatre. His latest stand at Lincoln Center Theater promised “comedy in motion” — a working show blending stand-up and storytelling. If you’ve seen Carmichael, you know that even before he came out as gay in 2022, his work has always found its edge in making audiences uncomfortable.
7 p.m. Dec. 6-11 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets from $28 (two-item minimum) at thedentheatre.com
“The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show”
Need a dose of true joy? For the eighth year, BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon present their Christmas show, featuring over-the-top drag comedy centered around Dickensian ghosts and a rescue mission in Nutcracker’s “Land of Sweets.” The Los Angeles Times called it “a safe space for all traumatized by Christmas.” And what a space it is.
7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $52.95 at jinkxanddela.com
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
The Brookfield Zoo Chicago lights up for the holidays, with a display that features a maze, tunnels and animal-themed lights. Also check out the animals: A new Holiday Dolphin Discovery Show will feature live demonstrations, and you may also see reindeer, llamas, gorillas and more. On select dates through Dec. 21, Santa will visit, too.
Through Jan. 4 at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 31st Street and Golfview Avenue, Brookfield; tickets from $20.95, parking from $15.18 at brookfieldzoo.org
Music Box Christmas Sing-A-Long
For the 42nd year, the Music Box Theatre hosts a sing-a-long double feature of “White Christmas” (1954) and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). Santa Claus leads a pre-show session of caroling, while organist Dennis Scott accompanies the audience in singing along with Irving Berlin classics during “White Christmas.” Lyrics are helpfully projected onto the screen. May your days be merry and bright.
Through Dec. 24 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; tickets from $10 at musicboxtheatre.com
Big Jam and Jingle Ball
Two radio stations — 107.5 WGCI-FM and 103.5 KISS-FM — will host their holiday concerts. First up, WGCI’s Big Jam lineup features GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Tink, BossMan Dlow, Big Boogie, BunnaB and Flippa T. Meanwhile, KISS-FM’s Jingle Ball rolls into town with Teddy Swims, Zara Larsson, Nelly, Jessie Murph, Reneé Rapp, a “K-Pop Demon Hunters” sing-along and more.
Big Jam is 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $83.75 at unitedcenter.com; Jingle Ball is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $34.55 at rosemont.com
Brett Eldredge
The Illinois native returns to the Chicago Theatre with his latest “Glow” tour. While you may know him best for his “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” duet with Meghan Trainor, earlier this fall, Brett Eldredge released “Beautiful Lonely.” The EP features five songs that track with Eldredge’s nostalgic sound.
8 p.m. Dec. 5-6 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $67.65 at msg.com
“Falstaff”
Honoring the 200th anniversary of the death of Antonio Salieri (yes, that Salieri, the one you might remember from the 1984 Mozart biopic “Amadeus”), the Chicago Opera Theater will perform “Falstaff, ossia Le tre Burle.” Translated as “Falstaff, or The Three Tricks,” the opera is a comedy inspired by Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” The show will feature two artists making their debuts: Robin Guarino as director and Christine Brandes as conductor.
3 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets from $58 at fineartsbuilding.com
“Winter Wonderland”
Find your rhythm this weekend with the Chicago Tap Allstars. The dance group, marking its fifth anniversary, will perform to festive holiday jazz. Bring the whole family for an afternoon celebration of dance.
Noon Dec. 6 at Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; tickets from $25 at chicagotaptheatre.com
“Duke It Out! Nutcracker”
Quintet Attacca, members of the Braeburn Brass team and Dance Chicago collaborate to offer a fun take on “The Nutcracker.” The score alternates between Tchaikovsky’s original classical version and a jazz take by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Clocking in at only an hour, it’s another good option for families seeking a little holiday entertainment on a cold day.
10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; tickets $21.40 at musicinst.org
Holiday markets
Shopping for something special for the holidays? Here are three of this weekend’s best options. The Mart hosts The One of a Kind Holiday Show, featuring 600 artists and makers. Explore handmade wares in 20 categories, including art, furniture and kids’ gifts. Lillstreet Art Center 50th Anniversary Holiday Party and Sale kicks off Dec. 5 in Ravenswood. The Art Center opens its doors to show off the wares of the more than 40 artists who work there as well as additional artists from across the country. This year, the Lillstreet Gallery will present “The Holiday Table,” an exhibition documenting table settings from various religious traditions. Julmarknad, in Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum, features traditional Scandinavian and modern crafts. Also sample treats, entertainment and visits from Tomten, a benevolent gnome-like character from Swedish folklore.
Lillstreet Art Center: Opening party 5-8 p.m. Dec. 5, with the sale continuing through Dec. 31 at Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave.; details at lillstreet.com. The One of a Kind Holiday Show: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7 in The Mart, 7th floor, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza; tickets $15 at oneofakindshowchicago.com. Julmarknad: 4-8 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 6 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St.; details at swedishamericanmuseum.org
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
