22 things to do in Chicago Nov. 12-18

Theater

Brett Beiner

• A classic of Chicago holiday theater that never fails to entertain is the Goodman Theatre’s staging of “A Christmas Carol,” now in its 49th season. Tom Creamer adapts Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Scrooge (Tim Hopper, new to the role) who is visited by three ghosts and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Malkia Stampley directs. From Nov. 13-Dec. 31 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $34-$188. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
• Love, money and family collide in “Don Pasquale,” Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera in which a wealthy aging bachelor, determined to control his nephew’s future, finds himself in a tangled web of trickery. Stars baritone Misha Kiria in the title role, sopranos Ying Fang and Andrea Carroll, tenor Alberto Robert and baritone Ian Rucker. From Nov. 12-27 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Dr. Tickets: $42+. Visit lyricopera.org.
• Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents Lauren Gunderson’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” the story of the four March sisters as they navigate growing up during the Civil War. Daniel Millhouse directs. From Nov. 12-Dec. 13 at McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets: $46. Visit atthemac.org.
• “Oh, Buddy” is Hal Cosentino’s dark, absurdist comedy about how the bizarre demands of binary gender affect the way we take on roles in the workplace and beyond. Jeremy Ohringer directs. From Nov. 12-Dec. 19 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland St. Tickets: $25. Visit trapdoortheatre.com.
• JK Entertainment stages Sarah Treem’s “When We Were Young and Unafraid,” an intimate drama about survival, sisterhood, feminism and the courage it takes to imagine a different future. Lisa Pivaronas directs. From Nov. 12-29 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $41. Visit greenhousetheater.org.
• PrideArts presents Nick Payne’s “Constellations,” which explores the relationship between a physicist and a beekeeper through a series of fragmented, nonlinear scenes, staged with two different casts — one all male and one all female. Amber Mandley and Jay Españo co-direct. From Nov. 13-Dec. 13 at PrideArts at Hoover-Leppen Theatre, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $35. Visit pridearts.org.

Aaron Reese Boseman

• “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf” is Ntozake Shange’s classic choreopoem that uses poetry, song and movement to tell the stories of seven Black women. Donn Carl Harper directs. To Nov. 29 at ETA Creative Arts Foundation, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave. Tickets: $40. Visit etacreativearts.org.

Dance

Mélanie Lhôte

• Compagnie Hervé Koubi makes its Chicago debut with “Sol Invictus,” a gravity-defying fusion of contemporary movement, capoeira and urban dance set to a score featuring a composition by Mikael Karlsson, with excerpts from Steve Reich and Maxime Bodson. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets: $63-$143. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Music

Heather Gildroy

• Andrew Bird is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his seminal album, “The Mysterious Production of Eggs” with performances with orchestras including two evenings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The album will be performed in its entirety with orchestral arrangements. Plus Bird will dig into his 30-year songbook for additional fan favorites. At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-14 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $109+. Visit cso.org.

Emilio Herce

• Ten years ago when Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam released “I Had a Dream That You Were Mine,” they were best known as the lead singer of The Walkmen (Leithauser) and the co-songwriter and producer behind Vampire Weekend (Rostam). Their inspired collaboration was a stylistic blend of doo-wop, country-rock, baroque pop, folk and torch songs. Now they are touring together for the first time. Johanna Samuels opens. At 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tickets: $59.68. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
• “Something Beautiful: The Words, Songs & Poems of Tony Fitzpatrick” is an evening that showcases the writings of the late Chicago visual artist and author. Shining a light on Fitzpatrick’s work are Jon Langford, Rick Kogan, Kelly Hogan, Sally Timms and more. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tony Fitzpatrick Family Fund. At 8 p.m. Nov. 18-19 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $25. Visit constellation-chicago.com.

Matthew Brown

• Chicago-based band Sleepwalk shares songs from its new album, “From the Outside,” a blend of atmosphere and adrenaline steeped in pop sensibilities. Cuss and Left of Heaven open. At 9 p.m. Nov. 12 at Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $20. Visit sleeping-village.com.
  

Bree Fish

• Country singer Carter Faith’s album, “Cherry Valley” was lauded as one of the best of 2025, and she is now nominated for new artist of the year at the CMA Awards. Faith also is making her acting debut alongside Jessica Chastain in the new Netflix mystery thriller “Heartland.” At 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at Joe’s on Weed St., 940 W. Weed St. Tickets: $40. Visit joesbar.com.
• Copasetic Vibrations: A Music Festival, presented by the multidisciplinary arts organization Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, is a showcase highlighting emerging music artists in Chicago including Kacie Brown and the Vision, Pisano, Bonatto, Shamik, Poor Thing, Lakewaves Trio and more. At 7 p.m. Nov. 13-14 at 1650 W. Foster Ave. Tickets: $30, $50 festival pass. Visit danztheatre.org.

Museums

Juan Molina Hernández/The Art Institute of Chicago

• “Beatriz González: In Series and Full Color” is the first prints and drawings retrospective of the Colombian artist whose practice spanned more than six decades until her passing this year. González worked across a variety of media but turned to drawing as the most immediate way to reflect on her experiences and to respond to events unfolding around her. From Nov. 15-March 1 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.

Courtesy of the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research

• “Blacklist: The Hollywood Red Scare” is an exploration of the history and impact of the House Un-American Activities Committee with a spotlight on the proceedings, investigations, motives and choices of those caught in the crosshairs — including many Jewish creatives and executives. From Nov. 15-April 24 at Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, 9603 Woods Dr., Skokie. Admission: $6-$18. Visit ilholocaustmuseum.org.

Movies

• Restorations from the 3-D Film Archive, with archivist Bob Furmanek introducing each film, are screened Nov. 14-16 at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. The films are Jack Arnold’s “It Came From Outer Space,” Wei Lo’s “Magnificent Bodyguards” and George Marshall’s “Money From Home.” All are presented on the theater’s XpanD 3D active shutter system. Tickets: $19. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Family fun

Amanda Stronza

• “Wild Kratt’s Live 2.0” is an interactive, family-friendly theatrical stage show starring zoologists and brothers Martin and Chris Kratt. With help from their animated team, they go on a new adventure sharing tidbits about the world’s most amazing creatures along the way. At 1, 5 p.m. Nov. 14 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Tickets: $52+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Holiday happenings

Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

• The Chicago Botanic Garden’s enchanting Lightscape fills the garden trail with twinkling lights, curated displays and lively music. Along with holiday favorites, this year’s edition features new works including Squidsoup’s “Infinite Choir” and French artist Pitaya’s “Lumycena” and “XXL Trees.” From Nov. 13-Jan. 3 at 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. Admission prices vary. Visit chicagobotanic.org.

The Morton Arboretum

• Illumination: Tree Lights features 22 dazzling light and music displays highlighting the beauty of winter along a one-mile walking trail. Four new large-scale installations include Northern Lights, an immersive experience inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Plus special events such as IllumiBrew, dog admission nights and more. From Nov. 14-Jan. 2 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. Rt. 52, Lisle. Admission prices vary. Visit mortonarb.org.

Holiday markets

Courtesy of Randolph Street Holiday Market

• Begin your holiday shopping at the Randolph Street Holiday Market, two weekends of vintage treasure hunting (more than 125 vendors), holiday décor, food, cocktails and live entertainment. From 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 14, Dec. 12 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 15, Dec. 13 at Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $19 online, $20 at the door, children 12 and under free. (From 9-10 a.m. Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 admission is $35, $40 with a portion of proceeds going to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boys and Girls Club.) Visit randolphstreetmarket.com.
• Chicago Artisan Market features unique gift ideas from area artists and vendors including gourmet food products, jewelry, home décor, artwork, ceramics and more. From 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 15 and Dec. 13 at Morgan MFG, 401 N. Morgan St.; Nov. 28-29 at Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. Tickets: $8 online, $10 at the door, children 12 and under free. Visit chicagoartisanmarket.com.