5 things to do around Chicago: Embrace the holidays with ‘Elf,’ the Vienna Boys Choir and an Immersive Nutcracker

Chicago Tribune staff, Chicago Tribune
·1 min read

There is plenty to do this weekend as holiday events get into full swing, but some nonfestive options include the Field Museum’s “Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches” exhibit and comedian Léo Lins’ set in Portuguese.

Immersive Nutcracker

This 30-minute holiday immersive experience offers a reimagining of “The Nutcracker,” with images of animated characters and footage of professional ballet dancers projected across the space as music including “The March of the Toys” and “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” plays. Watch Marie and her toy nutcracker face the Mouse King and adventure into the Land of Sweets.

Through Jan. 7, 2024, at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, 108 W. Germania PI.; tickets from $24.99 at immersive-nutcracker.com

‘Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches’

If you’re curious, the Field Museum has answers. Its newest ticketed, can’t-look-away exhibition, “Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches,” is now open, with “attractions,” to call them that, ranging from way-up-close looks as mosquitoes to a recreation of a barber’s bloodletting station from history.

Through Sept. 2, 2024, at the Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; 312-922-9410 and fieldmuseum.org

‘Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna’

Kick off the Christmas season with a concert full of Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces and holiday favorites. The choir has a history going back about 500 years and is know for its vibrant singing and purity of tone.

2 p.m. Nov. 25 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets are $39-$299 at 312-294-3000 and cso.org

‘Elf’ in Concert

If “Elf,” which just marked its 20th anniversary, is your favorite Christmas movie, shake-up your annual re-watch by seeing the film in concert. Watch Buddy the elf’s adventures in New York City on a large screen as John Debney’s score is played live.

4 p.m. Nov. 25 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.; tickets start at $45 at (312) 341-2300 and auditoriumtheatre.org

Léo Lins

Known as one of the biggest comedians in Brazil, with a specialty for dark humor, Léo Lins will perform the first-ever all-Portuguese-language show at The Den Theatre Heath Mainstage.

7:15 p.m. Nov. 25 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets are $26-$42 at 773-697-3830 and thedentheatre.com