Events in the holiday spirit continue this weekend, though with “Krampus,” you have to give that spirit a wide latitude.
This show has been around for a while, with its roots in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the early 1980s. But its principal draw — the thrill of percussion created by everyday objects like paint cans, Zippo lighters and supermarket carts — hasn’t aged much. The current tour is playing a limited holiday engagement just off Michigan Avenue in Water Tower Place.
Dec. 13-31 at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St.; tickets $40-$85 at 800-775-2000 and www.broadwayinchicago.com
For the third time since its 2019 premiere, a new version of Cirque du Soleil’s downtown holiday show returns to the Loop for the peak December weeks. It’s based on the classic poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore and themed around a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays with the help of some circus artists.
Through Dec. 28 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $36-$111 at www.cirquedusoleil.com
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Now at the Morton Arboretum, what’s become the annual, popular “Illumination” outdoor light display, designed again this year by John Featherstone of Lightswitch. Make your way down a one-mile paved path as lighting effects show off the beauty of trees in the winter. This season will have 18 displays, including the new “Winter Radiance” display, which will include LED grasses that pay homage to Midwest plant species.
Through Jan. 6, 2024, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; more information at mortonarb.org
OK, think of a quintessential holiday event in Chicago … Caroling at Cloudgate, let’s say. Now think of the opposite. “Krampus: The Fright Before Christmas” is this weekend only at 13th Floor Haunted House, named after that Christmas anti-elf and all his demonic little helpers.
Dec. 8-18 at 13th Floor Chicago, 5050 River Road, Schiller Park; tickets from $29.99 at www.13thfloorchicago.com
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The chart-topping jazz saxophonist with Dave Koz & Friends is in town this weekend with his “Christmas Ballads” concert. He’s bringing vocalist Rebecca Jade, guitarist and singer Jonathan Butler, Marcus Anderson on reeds and 16-year-old jazz prodigy Justin Lee Schultz this year.
8 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $39.50 at 312-341-2300 or www.auditoriumtheatre.org
The 40th annual Music Box Christmas Sing-A-Long and Double Feature series opens this weekend with titles “White Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Because it wouldn’t be the holidays without a little Bing Crosby and Jimmy Stewart.
Through Dec. 24 a Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; tickets from $14 at 773-871-6604 and www.musicboxtheatre.com
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The touring show blends hip hop with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet score, emceed by none other than hip hop legend Kurtis Blow.
Dec. 12-17 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.; tickets from $38 at 800-775-2000 and www.broadwayinchicago.com
The seasonal shopping event at The Mart is back this weekend with handmade work of all kinds from some 500 artists.
Through Dec. 10 at The Mart, 7th Floor, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza; more information at oneofakindshowchicago.com