’Tis the season for caroling, The Nutcracker, jingle bells and oodles of holiday music.
Last updated November 19, 2025: Baby, it's cold outside! When you're not shopping at Christkindlmarket or taking a spin on local ice skating rinks, warm up this holiday season with the help of some festive live music. Whether you're hoping to test your caroling skills with a sing-along at Millennium Park, catch a guitar-centric tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas or watch the Joffrey Ballet's classic production of The Nutcracker, you'll find plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas in Chicago thanks to these holiday concerts spanning a wide variety of musical genres.
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Chicago’s favorite German-style outdoor holiday market is more than just a delightful place to snack on stinky cheese (technical term: raclette), shop for European-made trinkets and warm up with glühwein. Each year, Christkindlmarket also features heartfelt performances by various children’s choirs and Phenix Trio, a group famed for getting audiences to sing with them. So sing along, smile and enjoy the cheer amongst the sparkling holiday decor.
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