Rialto Square Theatre and VenuWorks announced today the annual holiday series at the Rialto Square Theatre, Home for the Holidays. This lineup of family-friendly shows includes classics titles, holiday favorites, well-known artists, and soon-to-be new holiday favorites. All shows will go on sale over the next few weeks, please check our website for more information: www.RialtoSquare.com/holidays.
A Very Rialto Christmas: Merry & Bright
Monday, November 20
Marquee Lighting: 6 pm | Concert: 7 pm
Ticket prices: $20 adult | $10 children (12 and under) (additional fees may apply)
Kick off your holiday season with the Rialto Square Theatre and a special concert. Enjoy an evening focused on making your holiday season merry and bright. Join us starting at 6 PM for the Christmas Tree Lighting officially kicking off the holiday season.
Teddy Bear Tea
Friday, November 24 | 9:30 am & 12:30 pm
Ticket prices: $25 adults | $18 children (12 and under) (additional fees may apply)
The Rialto Square Theatre holiday tradition continues. Young and old alike will enjoy this family tradition featuring a delicious brunch buffet and family fun complete with a special appearance by St. Nick himself and a keepsake teddy bear. A ticket is required for all in attendance and space will fill up quickly!
Von Heidecke’s Chicago Festival Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker
Sunday, November 26 | 2 pm
Ticket prices: $43.50, $34.50 | $23.50 children 12 & under (additional fees may apply)
This holiday favorite fairytale ballet is perfect for the entire family. The magical production features lavish costumes, exquisite sets, including a Christmas tree that grows before your eyes, and sensational choreography. Journey through the land of whirling snowflakes and visit the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. This is one holiday tradition you won’t want to miss.
The Gatlin Brothers: Country & Christmas
Thursday, November 30 | 7:30 PM
Ticket prices: $51 | $41 | $34
For more than 67 years, the Gatlin Brothers have entertained audiences in venues and stages all over the world from the Grand Ol’ Opry to Carnegie Hall. They have performed for the Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards. They appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Oprah, Hee-Haw, Love Boat, the Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack, the Merv Griffin Show, Solid Gold, the Barbara Mandrell Show and their own variety special on ABC.
Away In The Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas
Sunday, December 3 | 2 pm
Ticket prices: $45 | $35 | $25 | $17
Away in the Basement takes us back to 1959 and the day of the Sunday School Christmas Program. In the midst of holiday preparations and sprinklings of love in the air, the ladies in their witty, down-to-earth style are creating their own memories from Christmases past and present. Content to do things the way they have always been done yet pondering new ideas, the reality of everyday life hits home as they plan the Sunday School Christmas Program. As the children rehearse up in the sanctuary, several of the ladies of the kitchen are finishing up the treat bags filled with apples, peanuts and ribbon candy while the others put the final touches on the nativity pieces. As they mend old bathrobe costumes, discuss the politics of who’s going to play the various roles, little do the ladies know what surprises are in store for them. Known for their hilarious antics and subtle charm, they are once again called upon to step in and save the day!
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Friday, December 8 | 7 pm
Ticket prices: $25 | $20 | $15
An annual holiday tradition returns to Rialto Square Theatre– join WJOL for an evening you won’t forget, as local radio talents perform the Christmas classic, It’s A Wonderful Life live from the Rialto Stage, as it broadcasts on WJOL simultaneously. This is always a highlight of the holiday season! All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Rialto Square Theatre’s mission to bring the biggest and brightest talents to the Rialto Square stage.
Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas
Saturday, December 9 | 7:30 PM
Ticket prices: $56 | $46 | $36
Steven Curtis Chapman has spent the last 35 years writing and performing genre-defining songs that shaped a generation. With a staggering 50 No. 1 singles in his catalog, he is the most awarded artist in Christian music history, winning 59 GMA Dove Awards, five GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Award, and selling more than sixteen million albums with ten RIAA-Certified Gold or Platinum albums. In short, Steven Curtis Chapman is synonymous with contemporary Christian music. After so much success, some might think recording a new album would be second nature.
American Legion Band Concert
Sunday, December 10 | 2 pm
Free (with generous donation of non-perishable food items)
The Joliet American Legion Band will bring the sounds of the season to life on the Rialto Square Theatre stage. Enriched in tradition, military sharpness and musical integrity, these musicians are delighted to bring you an unforgettable performance with their tremendously rousing musical spirit. A ticket is free in exchange for a generous food/non-perishable donation, donation exchange dates and times to be announced.
Merry Little Soiree featuring Nova Soul Quartet
Monday, December 11 | 6:15 pm
Tuesday, December 12 | 6:15 pm
Wednesday, December 13 | 6:15 pm
Cocktail Hour: 6 pm | Performance: 7 pm
Ticket prices: $65 (additional fees may apply)
Enjoy a swanky Christmas party with local favorite, Nova Soul. Start the evening with cocktail hour (Cash Bar) and then be escorted to your table of two in the Esplanade where you will be served a charcuterie board by Bella Cucina and a bottle of wine from the local winery Bishops Hill while Nova Soul performs holiday music. You will also receive a keepsake Rialto Square Theatre wine stopper.
Please enter at 15 E. Van Buren St. Reservations are required. Holiday or Business Casual dress code. Cash bar available. Tickets are available at the Box Office only. Reserve red or white wine for your table.
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Thursday, December 21 | 7:30 PM
Ticket prices: $79 | $64 | $51
Embrace the holiday spirit with A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS, a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. Get ready to be dazzled, enchanted, and filled with holiday cheer as you witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music. Celebrate the magic of the season with the entire family at A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS.
2023 Holiday Movies
All tickets $5. Movie tickets must be purchased at the box office. They are not available online.
Bring the entire family to these classic holiday movies and enjoy the beauty of the Rialto Square Theatre at Christmas, while spending time with your family watching these holiday favorites.
The Polar Express | Rated G
Saturday, November 25 | 6 pm
Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump”; “Cast Away”) reunite for “Polar Express,” an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Elf | Rated PG
Sunday, December 17 | 2 pm
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
Home Alone | PG
Friday, December 22 | 6 pm
When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O’Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallister’s mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.