Don’t be a Scrooge! Fill your holiday season with joyful noise at these Chicago-area concerts.
Some shows are for the jingle lovers out there, while others are simply a welcome distraction from the slushy Chicago winter. From pop to folk, orchestral and jazz — you’re sure to find something “ring tingle tingling” in the Chicago music scene before the new year.
*Denotes holiday music or a special holiday show.
NOVEMBER
The 1985: Totally 80’s Music Tribute Nov. 22. Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Tickets $29-$49; desplainestheatre.com.
CAKE Nov. 23. The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets $178-$303; saltshedchicago.com.
BIJOU with Clur and Avi Sic. Nov. 23. Sound-Bar, 226 W. Ontario St. Ages 21+. Tickets $10-$20; sound-bar.com.
Gryffin Nov. 23. Navy Pier, Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave. Tickets $49.50-$129.50; navypier.org.
Frankie Avalon Nov. 24. Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Tickets $49-$109; desplainestheatre.com.
Music Institute Chorale Concert Season Opener: “Clap Your Hands” Nov. 24. Nichols Concert Hall at Music Institute of Chicago,1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Free; musicinst.org.
*Oak Park Concert Chorale: “A Feast of Carols: A Festive Concert in Honor of Paul Lindblad” Nov. 24. St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park. Tickets $10-$20; oakparkconcertchorale.org.
*Mariah Carey Nov. 27. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. Tickets $99.95-$800; allstatearena.com.
*An Evening with Deacon Blues: The All-Star Grammy Tribute to Steely Dan – Holiday Show Nov. 29. Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Tickets $39-$59; desplainestheatre.com.
Rock the Mic Featuring: Rakim, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick Nov. 29. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, 5400 W. 29th Ave., Gary, Indiana. Tickets $59-$99; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Bret Michaels Nov. 30. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, 5400 W. 29th Ave., Gary, Indiana. Tickets $49.50-$100; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Juice WRLD Nov. 30. United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets $45.50-$494.50; unitedcenter.com.
*Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna Nov. 30. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets $29-$150; cso.org.
DECEMBER
*Jonathan McReynolds Dec. 1. The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Tickets $30-$35; jamusa.com.
Robert Glasper Dec. 2-6. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets $55-$78; citywinery.com/chicago.
The Bygones with Emma Harner. Dec. 4. Old Town School of Folk Music, Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets $23-$25; oldtownschool.org.
Cyndi Lauper Dec. 5. United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets $44.50-$1,150; unitedcenter.com.
Fuerza Regida Dec. 5. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. Tickets $129-$299; allstatearena.com.
*Andrew Bird with Mary Lattimore. Dec. 5-6 & 9-11. Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. Tickets $60-$65; jamusa.com.
Duke Tomatoe and The Power Trio Dec. 6. Council Oak Bar, 5400 W. 29th Ave., Gary, Indiana. Free; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Mavis Staples with Jackson Browne and Margo Price. Dec. 6. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr. Tickets $51+; auditoriumtheatre.org.
R&B Forever Tour with Bell Biv DeVoe, Ginuwine, Tank and SILK. Dec. 6. Wintrust Arena, 200 E. Cermak Rd. Tickets $69.50-$524.50; wintrustarena.com.
*WASSAIL! An Irish-American Christmas featuring Apollo’s Fire. Dec. 6. The Martin Theatre at Ravinia, 418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park. Tickets $60; ravinia.org.
*Brett Eldredge with Stacey Ryan. Dec. 6-8. The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets $43.50-$654; thechicagotheatre.com.
*Chicago a cappella presents: “Holidays A Cappella” Dec. 6 at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; Special Family Edition Dec. 7 at Szold Hall at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave.; Dec. 8 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park; Dec. 13 at Buchanan Chapel at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Delaware Pl.; Dec. 14 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; week of Dec. 15, Full Concert Replay online. Tickets $10-$48; chicagoacappella.org.
*Christmas Wizards…A Night of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and more starring INFINITY Dec. 8. Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Tickets $39-$79; desplainestheatre.com.
*Civitas Ensemble presents: Celebrate the Holidays with Civitas and Friends! Dec. 8. Nichols Concert Hall at Music Institute of Chicago,1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets $8-$30; musicinst.org.
*Holiday Festival with the Lakeview Orchestra. Dec. 8. Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Tickets $14-$50; athenaeumcenter.org.
The English Beat Dec. 8-9. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets $58-$75; citywinery.com/chicago.
*103.5 Kiss FM’s Jingle Ball with Jack Harlow, Teddy Swims, Jason Derulo, Benson Boone, Madison Beer, Saweetie, NCT DREAM and Wonho. Dec. 9. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. Tickets $60-$608; allstatearena.com.
*A Chanticleer Christmas Dec. 10. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets $39-$199; cso.org.
Andrea Bocelli Dec. 11. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. Tickets $130-$1,500; allstatearena.com.
B96 Bash with Kane Brown, Paul Russell and Nightly. Dec. 12. The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets $58.50-$128.50; saltshedchicago.com.
*Dave Koz with Jonathan Butler, Vincent Ingala, Adam Hawley and Rebecca Jade. Dec. 12. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr. Tickets $39.50-$159.50; auditoriumtheatre.org.
*Pentatonix Dec. 12. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. Tickets $40-$550; allstatearena.com.
*Songs of Good Cheer with Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn. Dec. 12-15. Old Town School of Folk Music, Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets $56-$58; oldtownschool.org.
Danny Avila Dec. 13. Sound-Bar, 226 W. Ontario St. Ages 21+. Tickets $15-$25; sound-bar.com.
*Jennifer Hudson Dec. 13. The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets $50.50-$498; thechicagotheatre.com.
Josh Ritter Dec. 13. Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. Tickets $37.50-$77.50; evanstonspacemusic.com.
*A Latin American Christmas with Jonatan Alvarado, Lucía Mier y Terán Romero, Camila Parias and more. Dec. 13 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4220 N. Sheridan Ave.; Dec. 14 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston; Dec. 15 at National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. Tickets free for children 16 and under, $10-$65; newberryconsort.org.
*Gregory Porter Dec. 14. The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets $63.50-$304; thechicagotheatre.com.
*Countess Luann Dec. 14-15. Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. Tickets $65-$150; jamusa.com.
A Neo-Soul Love: A Tribute to Erykah Badu & Jill Scott Feat. Angelica Baylor Dec. 15. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets $35-$48; citywinery.com/chicago.
*A Charlie Brown Christmas with Chris White Trio and Choir Dec. 15-16. SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets $15-$25; evanstonspacemusic.com.
*Joss Stone with Chicago Philharmonic. Dec. 18. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr. Tickets $55+; auditoriumtheatre.org.
Suki Waterhouse with Bully. Dec. 18. The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets $37.50-$210; saltshedchicago.com.
*Merry, Merry Chicago! with the Chicago Symphony Chorus and members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Dec. 18-23. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets $45-$299; cso.org.
*Chicago Sinfonietta’s HOLIDAYS OF JOY with Chelsea Tipton II and Alfreda Burke. Dec. 19. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr. Tickets $5-$82; chicagosinfonietta.org.
*Christmas Music and Cocktails with Müsila. Dec. 19. Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Tickets TBA; athenaeumcenter.org.
*PureSoul Presents: Jazz and Soul Christmas Dec. 19. SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets $20-$35; evanstonspacemusic.com.
*Josh Spinner Holiday Show Dec. 20. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. Tickets $20; lh-st.com.
*Samara Joy Dec. 20. The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets $45.50-$290; thechicagotheatre.com.
*Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas Dec. 20-21. Old Town School of Folk Music, Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets $38-$40; oldtownschool.org.
*Hollyy 4th Annual ‘Hollyy Days’ Celebration Dec. 21. Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets $18; lh-st.com.
*Home for the Holidays with Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, Ruben Studdard and Haley Reinhart. Dec. 21. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Tickets $45-$89; geneseetheatre.com.
*It’s A Motown Christmas featuring Salutes to Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The 4 Tops, and The Supremes. Dec. 21. Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Tickets $39-$79; desplainestheatre.com.
*Michael McDermott – Mischief & Mistletoe Dec. 21-23. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets $32-$45; citywinery.com/chicago.
Straight No Chaser Dec. 22. The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. Tickets $59-$354; thechicagotheatre.com.
*Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 23. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. Tickets $59.99-$296; allstatearena.com.
A Not-So-Silent Night featuring The Subliminal Verses, Slipknot Tribute Lateralus, Tool Tribute Freak On A Leash, Korn Tribute Reign In Blood, Slayer Tribute Sandblasted Skin and Pantera Tribute. Dec. 28. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, 5400 W. 29th Ave., Gary, Indiana. Tickets $10; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Raheem DeVaughn Dec. 26-29. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets $58-$78; citywinery.com/chicago.
*Lake Street Dive Dec. 30-31. The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets $59.50-$320; saltshedchicago.com.
Pretty Lights Dec. 30-31. Wintrust Arena, 200 E. Cermak Rd. Tickets $69.50-$511; wintrustarena.com.
The Chosen Few & Hot Mix 5 Dec. 31. Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. Tickets $45; jamusa.com.