Holiday Theatre Performances in Lake County 2025
By: Sam Ornig 11/14/2025
Get ready to don your merriest apparel for delightful and festive holiday stage performances in Lake County, Illinois. From classic holiday stories to brand new productions, Lake County's talented artists are here to entertain you this season.
After experiencing a show, visit one of the many fine establishments of the Lake County Libation Trail and check our Dining Guide for delicious food recommendations.
Find more holiday events happening in Lake County.
Prepare to travel back in time over the holidays with "Million Dollar Quartet Christmas," featuring music from your favorite rock 'n' roll legends, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. From the creators of "Million Dollar Quartet," this production brings the stars back together to celebrate the holidays at Sun Records Studio as the gang journeys through stories of Christmas past, present and future. "Million Dollar Quartet" is based on the 1956 Memphis studio sessions with Cash, Lewis, Presley and Perkins. Expect laughs, stellar musical performances and a whole lot of Christmas cheer at this musical.
In this heartfelt and hilarious holiday play, the audience meets the Nowak family—Clara, Beverly, Ruth and Jimmy—of Buffalo, New York, who have always believed in their family's miraculous Christmas Eve story. According to family lore, the Blessed Mother appeared to Grandpa on Christmas Eve in 1942; each year since, the Nowaks perform their unique Christmas ritual and tend to the twenty-food shrine to the Virgin Mary. But this year, Ruth decided to tkae the story public in the form of a one-woman Christmas show about the event. Watch as this family faces their faith and family truths in this wonderful production at Citadel Theatre.
Don't miss your chance to see four acclaimed artists for an evening of Christmas classics and career hits right here in Lake County, Illinois. The Home for the Holidays concert at Genesee Theatre features two-time Grammy and Oscar-winner Paebo Bryson, two-time Grammy-winner and actress Sheena Easton, American Idol winner and Grammy nominee Ruben Studdard and award-winning jazz trumpet player and singer Ilya Serov. Experience a festive concert perfect for families or couples celebrating the Christmas season.
Feel the holiday spirit at a Holiday Choral Concert performed by College of Lake County choral ensembles at the James Lumber Center. Enjoy a collection of traditional carols and festive choral works that will fill you with the joy of the holidays and magic of the season.
Celebrate the holiday season with legendary composer-producer David Foster and talented singer-actress Katharine McPhee as they entertain with an evening of stories, songs and hilarious banter. This power couple will perform four decades of hit music created by Foster, as well as some of your favorite holiday songs for a night to help you kick off the festive season.
Rain in the holiday season College of Lake County Wind Ensemble Holiday Concert at the James Lumber Center. Enjoy some of your favorite festive songs by the talented instrumentalists and be amazed by the wonderful symphonic arrangements that will fill you with holiday excitement.
Experience the magic of RAIN: A Beatles Christmas Tribute, a spirited holiday concert that blends the warmth of the season with the timeless energy of The Beatles. Celebrated as one of the premier tribute groups on the road, RAIN’s talented performers bring the band’s signature style and charisma to life with impressive authenticity. The show features vibrant costumes, dazzling visuals and stunningly accurate renditions of beloved classics, all wrapped in a fresh Christmas theme. It’s a joyful, nostalgia-filled event designed to delight audiences of all ages. Bring family and friends and enjoy an evening of Beatles favorites reimagined for the holiday season.
If you're looking for a performance with audience participation, look no further than the "Do-It-Yourself Messiah and Carol Sing-Along" with the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus. This holiday concert lets professional musicians unite with the audience to perform and sing together in merriment and holiday joy.
All aboard! The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make its stop in Gurnee on December 9. Bundle up and grab the whole family to ring in the holiday season with this annual, free holiday favorite. The nearly 1,000-foot-long train has 14 rail cars decked out in thousands of lights and holiday displays. Listen to your favorite Christmas songs from DJ Frank Wright and feel the festive spirit with a holiday concert. Make new memories this season with this highly anticipated event.
Be warmed with holiday cheer at The Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2025 at Genesee Theatre. Featuring platinum-selling contemporary saxophonist Dav Koz, this show also stars two-time Grammy nominee Jonathan Butler on guitar and vocals, Postmodern Jukebox and American Idol artists Haley Reinhart on vocals and Casey Abrams on bass and vocals and acclaimed keyboardist Kayla Waters. Relish in the Christmas spirit with a mix of seasonal favorites and the artists' own hits for an evening of smooth jazz and all the best holiday vibes.
Celebrate the season in style at the College of Lake County Concert Band’s Holiday Concert. This festive event brings together a joyful mix of classic holiday melodies and cherished winter favorites that capture the magic of the season. Settle in for a cozy evening of music and let the CLC Concert Band surround you with the sounds that make this time of year so memorable.
Get ready for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Wild and Swingin' Holiday Party, featuring grooving Christmas classics and lively originals with big band bass and vintage vibes. Grab the whole family for a holly jolly good time at this concert and witness an incredible show by this renowned swing and jazz band. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's Holiday Party promises to fill you with holiday cheer and high-energy to last you the whole season.
Immerse yourself in an evening of Irish music as “Christmas O’Carolan” brings the spirit of Turlough O’Carolan to life through lively dance rhythms, soulful melodies and festive seasonal tunes that capture the heart and warmth of an Irish winter. The performance blends the harper-composer’s timeless works with holiday favorites, creating a rich musical tapestry that moves effortlessly between joyful energy and quiet reflection. Complementing the music, artist Mary Foster showcases vivid paintings and woodcuts inspired by the natural world, adding visual depth and atmosphere to the night. Together, the stirring Irish melodies, holiday charm and luminous artwork create a performance experience that will leave you glowing long after the final note.
Step right into Bedford Falls at Improv Playhouse's vintage radio broadcast rendition of "It's A Wonderful Life." With onstage microphones, period commercials and real-time sound effects, Frank Capra's film comes to life and you'll be transported into the 1940s with the actors' incredible performances. Come early to explore the Bedford Falls Winter Wonderland, featuring film-era memorabilia, warm holiday décor and festive music, and take a picture with Santa at select shows.
Head to Lincolnshire's Marriott Theatre for a holiday performance you won't want to miss. Chicago rockers The Lovettes celebrate the women of the golden era of holiday pop, including The Andrews Sisters, The Ronettes, The Supremes, Darlene Love and more. Dance along to the artists' holiday hits like "Sleigh Ride" and "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree," with a bit of a twist from The Lovettes. This delightful show is sure to get you in the merriest spirit for the season.
Witness the very first Christmas at Quentin Road Baptist Church's annual Christmas Pageat. "The Real Story of Christmas" is performed live on stage, surrounding the audience with the sights, sounds and smells that a shepherd saw firsthand during that night in Bethlehem. Follow the entire story of Jesus, from his birth in the manager to his resurrection. Buy tickets early—this performance sells out quickly.
Dancenter North's "The Magic of the Nutcracker" is a must-see ballet in Lake County. The Gurnee-based dance company performance features the classic elements that makes “The Nutcracker” unforgettable. The Genesee Theatre production features over 100 performers, elaborate sets, graceful dancers and Tchaikovsky's beautiful score. Share the beauty of this holiday treat with your family this holiday season.
Enjoy an evening of festive, holiday jazz with The Chris White Trio's annual tribute to Vince Guaraldi's "Peanuts" Christmas soundtrack. This beloved yearly performance promises the audience the nostalgia of a childhood favorite and fascinating interpretations of Guaraldi's famous work. The Chris White Trio is a thriving success within the Chicago jazz scene and share their musical brilliance to enliven the magic of the season.
Master violinist Lindsey Stirling will dazzle you this holiday season with The Snow Waltz Tour, a show combining dance and music to create a celebration full of high energy and festive spirit. Stirling fascinates her audience with stunning choreography and her unique sound, blending classical, pop, hip-hop and electronic music styles. The Snow Waltz Tour is designed for all ages and captures the magic of the season.
The beloved family classic returns for the annual holiday tradition at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts. Audiences find themselves transported to a beautiful kingdom in a snowy wonderland. “The Nutcracker,” tells the magical story of a little girl heroine, her mysterious grandfather, playful toy soldiers, daring mice and dancing snowflakes. This iconic, full-length production was initially choreographed by Ruth Page and featured an elite troupe and international guest artists.
Find more arts and entertainment and see upcoming events fit for the whole family this holiday season in Lake County, Illinois.
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