Entertainment This Week
Now Playing in Indiana:
December 20th, 5:00 pm, Portage Parks & Recreation's Christmas Movie in the Park - Home Alone. Oakwood Hall, Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage. Free. FYI https://www.facebook.com/events/2973448476163931
December 20th, 8:00 pm, Tom Holland and the Shuffle Kings, Council Oaks Bar Stage, Hard Rock Casino, 5400 West 29th Ave. (I 80-94@Burr), Gary. 21 and older. Free. FYI 219-228-2383 or https://www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/
December 20th, 9:00 pm, Heavy, Hard Rock Cafe Stage, Hard Rock Casino, 5400 West 29th Ave. (I 80-94@Burr), Gary. 21 and older. Free. FYI 219-228-2383 or https://www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/
December 21st, 2:00 pm, Biggs Radio Free Kids Christmas Dance Party, F & J Event Center, 4601 Melton Road, Gary. FYI www.biggsradio.com
December 21st, 7:00 pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm), Tom Lounges Entertainment LLC presents Classical Blast: Dark Side of Yule 2024. Hobart Art Theatre, 230 Main Street, Hobart. $20-$165. FYI https://www.eventbrite.com/e/classical-blast-dark-side-of-the-yule-2024-tickets-1042395160987?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
December 21st, 7:30 pm, Sharon Owens returns as Babs Streisand: Christmas Show, Center for Visual & Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. $40. FYI (219) 836-3255 or https://www.theatreatthecenter.com. 5:30 pm, Pre-show Dinner, 10Forty Banquets & Catering. $32. Reservations - 219-836-1930, Ext. 2.
December 21st, 8:00 pm, DJ Slash, Council Oaks Bar Stage, Hard Rock Casino, 5400 West 29th Ave. (I 80-94@Burr), Gary. 21 and older. Free. FYI 219-228-2383 or https://www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/
December 21st, 9:00 pm, Small Town, Hard Rock Cafe Stage, Hard Rock Casino, 5400 West 29th Ave. (I 80-94@Burr), Gary. 21 and older. Free. FYI 219-228-2383 or https://www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/
December 22nd, 6:00 pm, Lessons & Carols, scripture readings and carols celebrating the birth of Christ. St. Thomas More Catholic Church & School, 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster. FYI https://www.facebook.com/events/1251177279438792
Ongoing Exhibits/Events
Through December 20th, Munster Education Foundation presents the Fifth-Annual Merry & Bright Holiday Lights Contest. Enter your house or block * Purchase a Holiday Lights Experience Kit * Buy a ticket for a seat on a fun, festive bus or trolley experience to tour some of the Merry & Bright homes * Vote for your festive favorite home. FYI www.munstereducationfoundation.org.
Through December 23rd, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm daily. Schedule a visit with Santa at the 18th Annual “A Christmas Story” Comes Home Exhibit, Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive (exit Kennedy South off I 80/94), Hammond. Five minute session includes a printed photo. Walk-ins welcome but strongly suggest appointment. $10, $6 per additional photo. FYI AChristmasStoryComesHome.com
Through December 24th, 7th Annual Holiday Gift Gallery, Art Barn, 695 N 400 E, Valparaiso. Featuring fine crafts including ceramics, woodworking, fiber arts and jewelry as well as small works including drawing, prints, paintings, mixed media, and photography. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday from 10am-4pm & Saturdays from 10am-2pm. FYI www.artbarnschool.org
Through December 30th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm daily. The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority presents the 18th Annual “A Christmas Story” Comes Home Exhibit, Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive (exit Kennedy South off I 80/94), Hammond. FYI AChristmasStoryComesHome.com
Through January 4th, Glitter & Glow, Chesterton Business Holiday Window Competition. 24 participating businesses throughout Chesterton. FYI www.visitchesterton.org
Through January 6th, Art Barn School of Art presents the work of Julia Holmaas titled "Viewpoints" Das Gallery, Country Inn & Suites, 2020 Laporte Ave, Valparaiso. FYI www.artbarnschool.org
Through January 11th, Annual Members’ Exhibit, Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. 4th Street, Chesterton. Free. FYI (219) 926-4711 or www.chestertonart.org
Through January 17th, Illuminated, Miller Beach Arts and Creative District’s annual community art show. Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, 540 S. Lake St., Gary. Free. FYI (219) 885-9114 or www.millerbeacharts.org
Through February 15th, Healers and Dreamers, an exhibition about healing, hope and the power of the human spirit. Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. 2nd Street, Michigan City. Free. FYI (219) 874-4900 or LubeznikCenter.org
Through February 22nd, South Shore Arts presents After Sargent, Main Gallery, Center for the Visual & Performing Arts, 1030 Ridge Road, Munster. Free. FYI https://www.southshoreartsonline.org/current-exhibits
Now Playing in Illinois
December 20th, 3:00 pm, Trans-Siberian Orchestra-The Lost Christmas Eve, Vibrant Arena at the Mark, 1201 River Dr, Moline, IL. FYI www.ticketmaster.com
December 20th, 7:15 pm, Michael Kosta, Heath Mainstage, The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. , Chicago. $22-$40. FYI (773) 697-3830 or www.thedentheatre.com.
December 20th, 7:30 pm, An Evening with John Cusack and Screening of Say Anything, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $39. FYI www.ticketmaster.com
December 21st, 7:15 & 9:30 pm, Trae Crowder, The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $27-$55. FYI (773) 697-3830 or www.thedentheatre.com
December 21st, 7:30 pm, An Evening with Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas Caravan, Park West, 322 W. Armitage, Chicago. FYI www.axs.com
December 21st, 7:30 pm, Live Nations Presents Matt Rogers: The Prince of Christmas Tour, Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield, Chicago. 18 & over. www.axs.com
December 22nd, 3:00 pm, Straight No Chaser: Top Shelf Tour, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State Street, Chicago. Tickets start at $49. FYI www.ticketmaster.com.
December 22nd, 7:15, Thorgy Thor’s “Thorgy Does Christmas”, The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $40-$75. FYI (773) 697-3830 or www.thedentheatre.com
Ongoing Exhibits/Events
Daily every 20-30 minutes, Big Bus Tours’ Hop-On Hop-Off experience, Service begins at Chicago Riverwalk, 98 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago @ 10:00 am; last bus departs @ 5:00 pm. Adults $40.50, Children 3 - 12 $35. FYI www.bigbustours.com
Through December 19th, Insula, Chicago Artists Coalition, 2130 W. Fulton Street, Chicago. Free admission; donations welcome. FYI chicagoartistscoalition.org
Through December 20th, Con(tra) El Archivo, Filter Photo, 1821 W. Hubbard Street, Chicago. Free admission; donations welcome. FYI filterphoto.org
Through December 21st, Breeches for Headgear: Lauren Carter & Vesna Jovanovic, Roots & Culture Contemporary Art Center, 1034 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago. Free admission; donations welcome. FYI rootsandculturecac.org
Through December 22nd, Winter weather clothing drive & Giving Tree, Concierge Services, Level One, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont. Bring donations of coats, hats, gloves, scarves or other winter essentials or select a tag off of the center’s Giving Tree and fulfill a child’s wishlist & receive a $10 gift card from select participating retailers. FYI www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com.
Through December 22nd, Agency: Craft in Chicago from the 1970s-80s and Beyond, Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W Chicago Avenue, Chicago. Tickets: Donation based. FYI uima-chicago.org
Through December 24th, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Thursdays, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Fridays & Saturdays, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Sundays, Christkindlmarket, RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. FYI Christkindlmarket website
Through December 24th, Santa Visits at Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont. Free; keepsake photo packages available for purchase. FYI for appointments, www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com.
Through December 27th, 21st Century Wanderer, Chicago Art Department, 1926 South Halsted Street, Chicago. Free admission; donations welcome. FYI chicagoartdepartment.org
Through December 28th, Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker, Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. FYI (312) 386-8905 or www.joffrey.org.
Through December 31st, Greektown Shopper’s Reward Program, Shoppers can receive a $50 Visa gift card after mailing in original receipts from at least three different eligible Greektown businesses, with a grand total of $250 or more. A list of participating Greektown businesses and additional details on the rebate are available at greektownchicago.org.
Through December 31st, 7:30 pm, Dennis Watkins in partnership with the Goodman Theatre & Petterino's announces The Magic Parlor with Dennis Watkins, 50 W. Randolph, Chicago. $85 ($115 for performance + encore experience). FYI (312) 443-3800 or TheMagicParlourChicago.com.
Through December 31st, Live Love Shop Rogers Park, “shop local” campaign/rebates. To qualify for the rebates, shoppers will need to collect $150 or more in receipts from at least 4 different independently owned businesses (of the 165) in Rogers Park during the holiday season. For more information and detailed rebate rules, visit rpba.org/live-love-shop.
Through January 4th, 9:00 pm Saturdays, Holiday Fireworks, Light Up the Lake 2024, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Free. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 4th, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Ride the High-Flying Wave Swinger, Light Up the Lake 2024, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Ticketed ride. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 4th, Daily, Climate Controlled Comfort in the Centennial Ferris Wheel, Light Up the Lake 2024, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Ticketed ride. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 4th, 12:00 - 8:00 pm, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Experience the thrill of outdoor Axe Throwing against the backdrop of Lake Michigan, Light Up the Lake 2024, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Ticketed attraction. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 4th, 12:00 - 4:00 pm Saturdays, Roaring Bonfires at the Navy Pier Beer Garden, Light Up the Lake 2024, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Free-of-charge, with food and beverage available for purchase. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 4th, 12:00 - 6:00 pm Saturdays & Sundays, Holiday Artisan Markets, Holiday Fireworks, Light Up the Lake 2024, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Free. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 4th, 12:00 - 4:00 pm Sundays, Hands-on Craft Workshops, Holiday Fireworks, Light Up the Lake 2024, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Free. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 5th, Visits with Santa, Light Up the Lake 2024, Family Pavilion, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Blvd, Chicago. Free-of-charge. Professional photo packages available for purchase. FYI NavyPier.org.
Through January 5th, Exhibition: Photographing Frank Lloyd Wright, Driehaus Museum, 50 E. Erie Street, Chicago. Adults $20, Seniors $15, Students & children 12 & younger $10. FYI www.driehausmuseum.org
Through January 5th, Rafael Blanco: Reflecting on a Decade of Public Art, Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 South Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst. Adults $18, Seniors $15, Students $10, Children $5. FYI (630) 834-0202 or elmhurstartmuseum.org.
Through January 6th, Greektown Arts Committee brings traditional Greek holiday karavákia display of vibrant, illuminated boats to Greektown. 35+ local artists to decorate boat models for Greektown businesses to publicly display throughout the holiday season. Larger karaváki, painted by distinguished artist James Mesple, displayed at Elysian Field (southeast corner of Halsted & Van Buren Streets), Chicago. FYI greektownchicago.org
Through January 12th, Instituto Cervantes celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, STL Architects Exhibit; "Five Projects in South Korea" Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, 31 W. Ohio St., Chicago. Free and open o the public. FYI https://cultura.cervantes.es/chicago/en/Exposici%C3%B3n-de-STL-Architects.-Cinco-proyectos-en-Corea-del-Sur/173101?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid.com
Through January 18th, The Upsetters, Center for Native Futures, 56 W. Adams Street, Chicago. Free admission; donations welcome. FYI centerfornativefutures.org
Through January 31st, 12:00 - 6:00 pm Daily, Far South CDC Marketplace, 837 W. 115th Street, Chicago. FYI (773) 831-7107 or farsouthcdc.org/marketplace
Through February 16th, Cecilia Beaven, Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell Avenue, Chicago. Free. FYI hydeparkart.org.
Through February 23rd, Positions: New Landscapes, Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell Avenue, Chicago. Free. FYI hydeparkart.org.
Through February 23rd, Myth of the Organic City, 6018North, 6018 N. Kenmore Avenue, Chicago. Free admission; donations welcome. FYI 6018north.org
Through March 9th, Ground Floor, Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell Avenue, Chicago. Free. FYI hydeparkart.org.
Through March 31st, Sundays in December, every other Sunday from January through March. Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, 2024-2025 Wicker Park Farmers Market, Robey Hall, 2018 W. North Avenue, Chicago. FYI WickerParkBucktown.com/FarmersMarket
Through July 27th, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, Chicago Fashion Week®, Dressed in History: A Costume Collection Retrospective, Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago. The exhibition celebrates 100 years of an incredible collection and those who have shaped it. FYI Purchased tickets required. For tickets and event information, please visit chicagohistory.org.
**** Open Year Round, Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 am - 8:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm (Timed Entrances Every 15 Minutes), Flyover Chicago, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $24.95 Adults; $19.95 Military; $14.95 Children 13 & under. Children must be at least 40" (102 cm) tall. Children (13 and under) must be accompanied by an adult or guardian (14 years or older). FYI www.ExperienceFlyover.com/Chicago.
At Chicago Magic Lounge
Open Run, Mondays at 7:00 pm, Music and Magic, Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark Street, Chicago. $30. FYI (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.
Open Run, Tuesdays at 7:00 pm, The Showcase, Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark Street, Chicago. $40. FYI (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.
Open Run, Wednesdays, 7:00 pm, Artist in Residence Series, Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark Street, Chicago. $40. FYI (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.
Open Run, Thursdays through Sundays at 7:00 pm, Fridays & Sundays at 10:00 pm, The Signature Show, Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark Street, Chicago. $52.50-$85. FYI (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.
Open Run, Select Sundays at 3:00 pm, Family Show, Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark Street, Chicago. $35-$40 (standard), $45-$50 (front row). FYI (312) 366-4500 or chicagomagiclounge.com.
Now Playing in Michigan:
Now Playing in Wisconsin:
December 22nd, 3:00 & 7:30 pm, Trans-Siberian Orchestra-The Lost Christmas Eve, Fiserv Forum, 1111 N Vel R. Phillips Ave, Milwaukee, WI. FYI www.ticketmaster.com
Now Playing Elsewhere:
December 20th, 7:00 CST, National Park Foundation & the National Park Service present the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse in President's Park, Washington D.C. Broadcast on CBS Television Network and available for streaming on Paramount+. It will also be available to watch the next day on www.cbs.com.
Through December 23rd, Verismo Classical Music. Mezzo Jamie Barton makes her dual house/role debut as Baba the Turk in The Rake’s Progress at Opéra national de Paris, Palais Garnier, Paris, France. FYI https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/season-24-25/opera/the-rakes-progress