Things to do in Chicago on Friday, December 18, 2026

33 events listed in and around Chicago, each with its time and venue.

Morning

Operation Young Santa: Care Package Building at WTCC
Volunteering · Care Packages · 11:30 AM · Ukrainian Village

Afternoon

Weed Passport Tours: North Michigan Ave Experience
Tour · 12 PM · Fulton River District
Japanese Papermaking (Washi) Workshop
Craft Workshop · Papermaking · 3:30 PM · Lakeview

Evening

Hard Country Honky Tonk with The Hoyle Brothers
Live Music · Country · 5:30 PM · Ukrainian Village
Into It. Over It.
Live Music · 5:30 PM · Near North Side
Bluey's Big Play (Chicago)
Theater · 6 PM · The Loop
Guided Tasting: Festive Formaggi
Tasting · Cheese · 6 PM · River North
All That Jingle: A Broadway Christmas Musical Drag Dinner
Drag & Burlesque · Christmas · 6 PM · Lakeview
Blizzard on Broadway- An Adult Aerial Student Showcase
Dance Show · Aerial Performance · 6:30 PM · Chicago Aerial Arts
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical (Chicago)
Musical · 7 PM · The Loop
THE REDMONDS Holiday Show w/ special guests The Vaughn Building & Sam Day (electric cellist!)
Concert · Rock · 7 PM · FITZGERALDS NIGHTCLUB
Herstory
Arts · 7 PM · South Loop
Bells & Whispers - Night 3
Theater · 7 PM · Gold Coast
Potted Potter (Chicago)
Arts · 7 PM · Magnificent Mile
This Just In Comedy
Stand-up · 7 PM · Bucktown
Chicago Steel vs. Sioux City Musketeers
Game · Hockey · 7 PM · USG Arena at Blackhawks Ice Center
Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials/Sheryl Youngblood Blues Band
Concert · Blues · 7 PM – 4 AM · Kingston Mines - Chicago Blues Center
Center Stage: Gifts We’ll Never Forget
Cover Band · R&B / Soul · 7 PM – 10 PM · APC Theater
Vape! The Grease Parody
Musical · 7:30 PM · Wrightwood Neighbors
Songs of the Season 2026, Night Two
Concert · Classical · 7:30 PM · Logan Center for the Arts
Dogs In A Pile presented by Thalia Hall and Deep Cut
Live Music · Jazz · 7:30 PM · Pilsen
Make the Yuletide Gay at LVPC!
Concert · 7:30 PM · Lakeview
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago
Museum & Gallery · 7:45 PM · Belmont Gardens
Svdden Death
DJ Set · Electronic · 8 PM · Goose Island
Judah Friedlander Live In Chicago
Stand-up · 8 PM · Logan Square
Meek Mill: Dream Chasers Nights
Concert · Hip-Hop / Rap · 8 PM · Uptown
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, David Zollo & the Body Electric
Live Music · 8 PM · South Loop
Hoeliday Pole Night
Dance Show · 9 PM · Bucktown
Friday Night in the SIDEBAR w/ The Meadowlark Lemons!
Live Music · 9 PM · FITZGERALDS SIDEBAR
Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press - A Very Tuffcurls Christmas
Cover Band · 9 PM · Goose Island
Let It Happen: Tame Impala Dance Party [Chicago]
Dance Party · Tame Impala · 9 PM – 1 AM · Roscoe Village
FRIDAY DECEMBER 18: CHRISTIAN JOHNSON
Stand-up · 9:15 PM · Streeterville

Late

Afro Fusion South Loop Edition - FREE/RSVP
Dance Party · Afrobeats & Amapiano · 10 PM – 2 AM · South Loop
All things to do in Chicago