Illinois events in December 2026

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• A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre)

  Nov 13, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Holiday · Paid / ticketed

  Holiday play.

  Source: Aggregator

• Christkindlmarket Aurora

  Nov 20, 2026 – Dec 24, 2026 · Aurora, IL · Market · Admission: unknown

  Thursdays through Sundays; 60+ vendors.

  Source: News

• Christkindlmarket Chicago (Daley Plaza)

  Nov 20, 2026 – Dec 24, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Market · Free admission

  30th anniversary season; free admission; Sun-Thu 11-8, Fri-Sat 11-9; Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve 11-4.

  Source: Organizer

• Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville

  Nov 20, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Market · Free admission

  Free outdoor market at Winterland at Gallagher Way.

  Source: Tourism board

• ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

  Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · Chicago, IL · Holiday · Admission: unknown

  Over three million lights.

  Source: Tourism board

• East Peoria Festival of Lights

  Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · East Peoria, IL · Holiday · Admission: unknown

  Light festival runs Nov. 21 through Jan. 3.

  Source: City government

• Blue Man Group

  Nov 24, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Theater & Comedy · Paid / ticketed

  Source: Aggregator

• Bradley vs. Loras College (men's basketball)

  Dec 1, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Bradley vs. Loras College, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Bradley vs. Kent State University (women's basketball)

  Dec 2, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Bradley vs. Kent State University, 11 a.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois State (men's basketball)

  Dec 2, 2026 · Charleston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois State, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Loyola Chicago vs. Richmond (women's basketball)

  Dec 2, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. Richmond, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• UIC vs. Valparaiso (men's basketball)

  Dec 2, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, UIC vs. Valparaiso, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois State (women's basketball)

  Dec 3, 2026 · Charleston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Illinois State, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Northern Illinois vs. Oakland (women's basketball)

  Dec 3, 2026 · DeKalb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Northern Illinois vs. Oakland, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Loyola Chicago vs. Augustana College (Ill.) (men's basketball)

  Dec 4, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. Augustana College (Ill.), 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Bradley vs. Western Illinois University (women's basketball)

  Dec 5, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Bradley vs. Western Illinois University, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Lithuanian World Center Holiday Craft Fair

  Dec 5, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026 · Lemont, IL · Craft Fair · Admission: unknown

  Holiday craft fair.

  Source: Organizer

• Northern Illinois vs. Milwaukee (men's basketball)

  Dec 5, 2026 · DeKalb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Northern Illinois vs. Milwaukee, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Northwestern vs. Indiana (women's basketball)

  Dec 5, 2026 · Evanston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Northwestern vs. Indiana, 1 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Springfield Jaycees Holiday Lights Parade

  Dec 5, 2026 · Springfield, IL · Parade · Admission: unknown

  Lighted parade at 5:30 p.m.

  Source: Organizer

• Illinois State vs. South Dakota State (women's basketball)

  Dec 6, 2026 · Normal, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. South Dakota State, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• UIC vs. Calumet College of St. Joseph (men's basketball)

  Dec 6, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, UIC vs. Calumet College of St. Joseph, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Bradley vs. Green Bay (men's basketball)

  Dec 8, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Bradley vs. Green Bay, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Western Illinois vs. St. Ambrose (men's basketball)

  Dec 8, 2026 · Macomb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Western Illinois vs. St. Ambrose, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Eastern Illinois vs. Indiana State (women's basketball)

  Dec 9, 2026 · Charleston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Indiana State, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Illinois State vs. Long Beach State (men's basketball)

  Dec 10, 2026 · Normal, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. Long Beach State, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Western Illinois vs. Tennessee State (men's basketball)

  Dec 11, 2026 · Macomb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Western Illinois vs. Tennessee State, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Evanston Indoor Winter Farmers Market

  Dec 12, 2026 – Apr 24, 2027 · Evanston, IL · Market · Admission: unknown

  Dates: Dec 12/26, Jan 9/23, Feb 6/20, Mar 6/20/27, Apr 3/10/17/24.

  Source: City government

• Loyola Chicago vs. IU Indy (men's basketball)

  Dec 12, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. IU Indy, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Western Illinois vs. Northern Illinois (women's basketball)

  Dec 12, 2026 · Macomb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Western Illinois vs. Northern Illinois, 1 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Bradley vs. University of Memphis (women's basketball)

  Dec 13, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Bradley vs. University of Memphis, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Illinois State vs. North Dakota State (men's basketball)

  Dec 13, 2026 · Normal, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. North Dakota State, 4 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Loyola Chicago vs. UIC (women's basketball)

  Dec 13, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. UIC, 1 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Northern Illinois vs. UIC (women's basketball)

  Dec 15, 2026 · DeKalb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Northern Illinois vs. UIC, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• UIC vs. Indiana State (men's basketball)

  Dec 15, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, UIC vs. Indiana State, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Loyola Chicago vs. Northwestern (women's basketball)

  Dec 16, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. Northwestern, 11 a.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Northwestern vs. Mercyhurst (men's basketball)

  Dec 16, 2026 · Evanston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Northwestern vs. Mercyhurst, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Live Music: Willard Wilcox

  Dec 17, 2026 · Mundelein, IL · Music · Admission: unknown

  Source: Venue

• Bradley vs. Belmont (men's basketball)

  Dec 18, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Bradley vs. Belmont.

  Source: University athletics

• Northern Illinois vs. Omaha (women's basketball)

  Dec 18, 2026 · DeKalb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Northern Illinois vs. Omaha, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Northwestern vs. George Washington (women's basketball)

  Dec 18, 2026 · Evanston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Northwestern vs. George Washington, 11 a.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• UIC vs. Charlotte (men's basketball)

  Dec 18, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, UIC vs. Charlotte.

  Source: University athletics

• Northern Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois (men's basketball)

  Dec 19, 2026 · DeKalb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Northern Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Illinois State vs. Valparaiso (women's basketball)

  Dec 20, 2026 · Normal, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. Valparaiso, 12 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• UIC vs. Indiana State (women's basketball)

  Dec 20, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, UIC vs. Indiana State, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Illinois State vs. Belmont (men's basketball)

  Dec 21, 2026 · Normal, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. Belmont.

  Source: University athletics

• Northwestern vs. Eastern Illinois (women's basketball)

  Dec 21, 2026 · Evanston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Northwestern vs. Eastern Illinois, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Western Illinois vs. East-West (men's basketball)

  Dec 21, 2026 · Macomb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Western Illinois vs. East-West, 4 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Eastern Illinois vs. East-West University (men's basketball)

  Dec 22, 2026 · Charleston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. East-West University, 2 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• UIC vs. Valparaiso (women's basketball)

  Dec 22, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, UIC vs. Valparaiso, 12 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Loyola Chicago vs. Colorado State (women's basketball)

  Dec 23, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. Colorado State, 12 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Packers at Bears (Christmas Day)

  Dec 25, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Paid / ticketed

  1 p.m. ET, Netflix.

  Source: League news (NFL.com)

• Bradley vs. Valparaiso (men's basketball)

  Dec 29, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Bradley vs. Valparaiso.

  Source: University athletics

• Illinois State vs. Belmont (women's basketball)

  Dec 29, 2026 · Normal, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Illinois State vs. Belmont, 6:30 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Northwestern vs. Chicago State (men's basketball)

  Dec 29, 2026 · Evanston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Northwestern vs. Chicago State, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• UIC vs. Evansville (women's basketball)

  Dec 29, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, UIC vs. Evansville, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Bradley vs. Drake University (women's basketball)

  Dec 30, 2026 · Peoria, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Bradley vs. Drake University, 6 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Loyola Chicago vs. George Washington (men's basketball)

  Dec 30, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Loyola Chicago vs. George Washington, 7 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Western Illinois vs. Culver-Stockton (men's basketball)

  Dec 30, 2026 · Macomb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Western Illinois vs. Culver-Stockton, 1 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Western Illinois vs. Culver-Stockton College (women's basketball)

  Dec 30, 2026 · Macomb, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Western Illinois vs. Culver-Stockton College, 3 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Eastern Illinois vs. Southeast Missouri (men's basketball)

  Dec 31, 2026 · Charleston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I men's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Southeast Missouri, 3:30 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics

• Eastern Illinois vs. Southeast Missouri (women's basketball)

  Dec 31, 2026 · Charleston, IL · Sports · Admission: unknown

  NCAA Division I women's basketball home game, Eastern Illinois vs. Southeast Missouri, 1 p.m. (local time per source).

  Source: University athletics