“Merry, Merry Chicago!” The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus perform traditional holiday music including “Carol of the Bells,” “White Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride.” Community ensembles share more seasonal classics before the show and during intermission. Through Dec. 23 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets $49-$399 at cso.org
Pilsen Gourmet: Sample dishes from more than 30 restaurants including Fat Rosie’s and Amaru at the celebration of Latino food and culture, which also includes mezcal, tequila, craft beer, micheladas and Mexican sodas. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at Apollo’s 2000, 2875 W. Cermak Road; tickets $55 at pilsenfestchicago.com
“Mary, A Holiday Dansical”: Black Girls Dance presents a modern spin on “Black Nativity” that combines ballet, hip hop, tap and contemporary dance to tell the story of a teenage girl visited by an angel who turns to her mother and a close circle of friends for support during her pregnancy. The show’s second act features holiday songs such as “Joy to the World” and “Mary, Did You Know?” 7 p.m. Sunday at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.; tickets $40 at ticketfalcon.com/e/mary2022
“A Judy Christmas”: Sketch comedy group Famous in the Future presents a sendup of holiday specials featuring Judy Garland trying to produce a 1963 Christmas show with the help of Jack Jones, Mel Tormé and some musical ghosts. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets $21 at thedentheatre.com
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“The Buttcracker: A Nutcracker Burlesque”: An adult retelling of the holiday classic follows Clara as she escapes a boring holiday party to the Land of Sweets, fighting rats while celebrating body- and sex-positivity. The show, which kicks off with a cocktail hour, incorporates belly dancing, magic, sword swallowing and classic burlesque. Through Dec. 31 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; tickets $32-$152 at greenhousetheater.org
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The rock band performs “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” a narrative holiday concert that originally aired on television in 1999. Expect dramatic light and pyrotechnic displays as they play their biggest hits such as “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24? and “Christmas Canon.” 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets $50-$100 at trans-siberian.com/tour
“Little Women”: First Folio Theatre presents the world premiere of artistic associate Heather Chrisler’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel about four sisters seeking new freedoms. The production features a cast of four women doubling as the sisters and their love interests. Through Jan. 15, 2023, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook; tickets $49-$59 at firstfolio.org
“Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol“: A version of Charles Dickens’ classic developed during the theater’s closure during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 is set during a family holiday Zoom call and features puppets and music. Through Dec. 24 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; tickets at $35-$90 at 847-242-6000 and writerstheatre.org/manual-cinema-christmas-carol
New Stages Festival: The 18th annual showcase of innovative theater features four staged readings and two fully staged developmental productions including “This Happened Once at the Romance Depot off the I-87 in Westchester,” a comedy set at a sex store; and “Rust,” a show about a young Mexican girl in Chicago struggling with her family’s expectations. Through Sunday at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; tickets are free at 312-443-3800 and goodmantheatre.org/NewStages
Pride Arts Center: A British holiday panto from Tom Whalley presents an adults-only spin on classic fairy tales such as “Jack and the Beanstalk” with songs from Kelly Clarkson and Whitney Houston performed by the cast and a four-piece band plus audience call and response. Plenty of local references and inside jokes have been added to the show. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway; tickets $35 at 773-857-0222 and pridearts.org
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