December 2026 concerts in Illinois

Evanston Symphony Orchestra

Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert

Time TBA · Evanston Township High School Auditorium

Evanston, IL

Quincy Symphony Orchestra

Christmas Magic

2:30 PM · QJHS Morrison Theater

Quincy, IL

• Handel: Messiah, HWV56
• Harry Potter Holidays
• The Night Before Christmas
• +1 more

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Once Upon a Symphony: Stone Soup

Time TBA · Chicago Symphony Center

Chicago, IL

Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra

Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra

7:30 PM · Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

Evanston, IL

• Corigliano: Promenade Overture
• Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
• Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

The Nutcracker 2026

Time TBA

Rockford, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

Overture Strings, Preparatory Strings, and Debut Orchestra Fall Concert

1:30 PM · Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

Evanston, IL

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic Orchestra Fall Concert

7:00 PM · Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

Evanston, IL

Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Magic

7:30 PM · Foellinger Great Hall, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

Champaign, IL

• WENDELL: A Chanukah Overture
• Naughtin: A Christmas Feast
• Redford: Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
• +7 more

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Elf in Concert

7:30 PM · Symphony Center

Chicago, IL

• Debney: Elf score

Illinois Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Pops in the Heartland

7:30 PM · UIS Performing Arts Center / ISU Center for the Performing Arts

Springfield, IL

Chicago Philharmonic

A Charlie Brown Christmas

1:00 PM · The Auditorium

Chicago, IL

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

Handel's Messiah

3:00 PM · Lincoln-Way North High School

Frankfort, IL

• Handel: Messiah, HWV56

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

Steel Orchestras Fall Concert

3:00 PM · Roosevelt University, Ganz Hall

Chicago, IL

Elgin Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Spectacular

7:30 PM · Hemmens Cultural Center

Elgin, IL

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Elf in Concert

7:30 PM · Symphony Center

Chicago, IL

• Debney: Elf score

Illinois Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Pops in the Heartland

7:30 PM · UIS Performing Arts Center / ISU Center for the Performing Arts

Springfield, IL

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Elf in Concert

2:00 PM · Symphony Center

Chicago, IL

• Debney: Elf score

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

Chamberpalooza

3:00 PM · Roosevelt University, Ganz Hall

Chicago, IL

Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest

Winter Dreams!

4:00 PM · Concordia University

River Forest, IL

• Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves, for harp, flute and strings
• Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, for 2 string orchestras
• Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13
• +1 more

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

Chamberpalooza

6:00 PM · Roosevelt University, Ganz Hall

Chicago, IL

Elgin Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Spectacular

Time TBA · Hemmens Cultural Center

Elgin, IL

Civic Orchestra of Chicago

Bach Marathon Finale

7:00 PM

Chicago, IL

• Bach Marathon Finale

Music of the Baroque

Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts

7:30 PM · Grace Lutheran Church; St. Michael in Old Town; Faith, Hope, & Charity Church; Alice Millar Chapel

River Forest, IL

• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others
• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker

7:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker with New Philharmonic

7:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

Music of the Baroque

Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts

7:30 PM · Grace Lutheran Church; St. Michael in Old Town; Faith, Hope, & Charity Church; Alice Millar Chapel

River Forest, IL

• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others
• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker

1:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

Music of the Baroque

Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts

2:00 PM · Grace Lutheran Church; St. Michael in Old Town; Faith, Hope, & Charity Church; Alice Millar Chapel

River Forest, IL

• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others
• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker

5:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker with New Philharmonic

5:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Festival

7:00 PM

Elmhurst, IL

Chicago Philharmonic

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - Live in Concert

7:00 PM · The Auditorium

Chicago, IL

• Williams: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Pops 2026

Time TBA

Rockford, IL

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker

1:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

Music of the Baroque

Holiday Brass & Choral Concerts

2:00 PM · Grace Lutheran Church; St. Michael in Old Town; Faith, Hope, & Charity Church; Alice Millar Chapel

River Forest, IL

• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others
• music by Gabrieli, Praetorius, and others

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker

5:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

New Philharmonic

Salt Creek Ballet: The Nutcracker with New Philharmonic

5:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker, Op. 71

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Pops 2026

Time TBA

Rockford, IL

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

Holiday Pops 2026 Matinee

Time TBA

Rockford, IL

New Philharmonic

New Year's Eve Concert

1:30 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

New Philharmonic

New Year's Eve Concert

5:00 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL

New Philharmonic

New Year's Eve Concert

8:30 PM · Belushi Performance Hall

Glen Ellyn, IL