The holidays are here! Along with good cheer and festive happenings the Chicago calendar is full of opportunities to enjoy music and comedy this month. From a Neo-Soul legend celebrating the anniversary of an iconic album to a British band that released one of the best albums of the year, here’s a look at some of the can’t-miss events happening in and around the city throughout the month of December.
Wet Leg – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom – Dec. 9
One of the best concert events of the season, each and every year, is Q101’s Twisted series. This year’s four-day music extravaganza features a must-see performance by Wet Leg at the Aragon Ballroom on Dec. 9. AJR and Out in Front are also on the bill for the Dec. 9 concert and Cake, Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard, and many more are performing during the other three dates.
Erykah Badu – Chicago Theatre – Dec. 2 & 3
Neo-soul icon Erykah Badu is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of her 2000 album Mama’s Gun with a pair of shows in Chicago this month. Don’t miss these The Return of Automatic Slim Tour stops, which will be taking place at the Chicago Theatre on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.
DEHD – Thalia Hall – Dec. 30 & 31
Looking for New Year’s Eve plans? DEHD will be ringing in 2026 with a show at Thalia Hall on Dec. 31. If you prefer skipping the hustle and bustle of NYE, they also will be performing on Dec. 30 – two great options to hear great music!
Ana Gasteyer’s Sugar & Booze Holiday Spectacular – Space – Dec. 11
Who doesn’t love to laugh at a holiday show? Ana Gasteyer will be giving the gift of comedy with the Sugar and Booze Holiday Spectacular at Evanston’s Space on Dec. 11. There is an early show and a late show available. In the following days, Space is also hosting the Chris White Trio and Choir for several Charlie Brown Christmas shows so there are plenty of ways to enjoy festive fun in Evanston this season.
PVRIS – Concord Music Hall – Dec. 10
Another artist celebrating a seminal album anniversary in Chicago this month is PVRIS. Lynn Gunn will be honoring the 10 year anniversary of White Noise at Concord Music Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6. This show is presented by Riot Fest and features Dua Saleh as support so it will surely be an amazing experience.
Elsewhere in December, Dessa is performing at Thalia Hall on Dec. 11 and Taylor Acorn will be at Lincoln Hall on Dec. 2. Across the border in Indiana, Heart will be taking the stage at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana on Dec. 6 while Alison Wonderland is set to host an epic dance party at Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom on Dec. 27. And last, but not least, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Tink and more are performing at the United Center during 107.5 WGCI’s Big Jam on Dec. 6.
It’s certainly is the most wonderful time of the year to be a music and comedy fan!
