Children's Theater & Live Shows for Kids in Chicago [2024-25]

The Chicago Magic Lounge is typically an adult-only bar and entertainment venue that features a calendar of events full of invigorating magic show performances. On select Sundays, they present family-friendly showcases geared for kids and adults alike. Performances vary and can range from magicians full of funny jokes for kids to mysterious illusionists full of jaw-dropping tricks.

Full of warmth and humor, this production will melt the hearts of children and grownups alike this holiday season.

ChicagoChildrensTheatre:  Four adorable Beatrix Potter favorites come to life in this mesmerizing, interactive trunk and puppet show, complete with original music. Storytellers weave Potter’s classic narration with gentle interactive moments, recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. After the show, head to the lobby to play with the puppets, take pictures with the cast, and join fellow Chicago families for a communal holiday party featuring a festive spread of holiday treats! Our stories this year are The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tailor of Gloucester, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher and The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

This production of the classic Christmas tale is only one hour long, and perfect for children of all ages to enjoy! On select dates, you and your family are invited to have breakfast or dinner with Santa, too.

Produced and presented in partnership with Chicago Children’s Theatre, the classic story of the solitary, hard-working hen explores the importance of working together as a community.

Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser and members of the CSO present Tchaikovsky’s courageous journey and show how music helps all of us express our emotions.

Produced and presented in partnership with Chicago Children’s Theatre, this redemptive tale of a boy and his father who rid their town of a monster features enchanting music performed by members of the CSO.

Joined by the winner of the 2024 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition, Thomas Wilkins conducts a program celebrating the joy, power and beauty of community.

RebeccaH:  A dynamic combination of art, music, comedy and technology, Blue Man Group encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child in order to see the world through a new perspective. Blue Man Group originally debuted at the Briar Street Theatre in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in 1997. Three bald and blue men explore today’s cultural norms with wonder, poking fun at the audience’s collective quirks and reminding them how much they all have in common. The show is continually refreshed with new music, stories, custom instruments and state-of-the-art technology.