Things to Do in Chicago Dec. 18-24: The Mix

Theater

• Music Theater Works presents “Annie,” the beloved Tony Award-winning musical about a spunky, red-headed orphan whose optimism transforms everyone she meets. Elin Joy Seiler stars with Teddy as her dog, Sandy; Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc directs. From Dec. 18-Jan. 4 at North Shore Center, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $19.50-$106. Visit musictheaterworks.com.
• Vicky Quade’s “Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night” brings together Christmas and bingo in this holiday comedy, featuring the character of Mrs. Mary Margaret O’Brien, a former nun and current bingo caller. At 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. Tickets: $40. Visit irish-american.org.

Dance

• Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak presents the world premiere of “Ex/Body: de/fame, de/position, de/liberate,” which confronts trauma in a litigious era and the erosion of trust in systems meant to protect. It’s the final installment in the dance company’s “Ex/Body” project. From Dec. 19-21 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. Tickets: $20-$45. Visit mollyshanahanspiralbody.com.
• Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin presents his annual staging of “The Nut Tapper,” the holiday classic recreated with rhythms of tap, Spanish flamenco and Mexican zapateado. At 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Sold out but there is a wait list. Visit oldtownschool.org.

Music

• Mariachi Herencia de Mexico delivers a holiday concert that honors the magic of Christmas and the cultural vibrancy of Mexico with a blend of holiday classics and mariachi traditions. At 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 2, 5, 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $50. Visit oldtownschool.org.
• Get a dose of Christmas cheer at Merry, Merry Chicago, a run of seven concerts featuring familiar carols, holiday songs and festive surprises, including the local favorite, “Christmas in Chicago,” performed by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus. From Dec. 19-23 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $49+. Visit cso.org.

• Chicago singer-songwriter Michael McDermott performs his three-night holiday show, “Mischief & Mistletoe,” filled with seasonal tunes and selections from his songbook. At 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22-23 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $32-$45. Visit citywinery.com.

• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas with Chip Davis has been a holiday tradition for 40 years. Holiday favorites are performed in the ensemble’s distinctive Mannheim sound with 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments against a background of multimedia effects. At 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20 Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $40-$109. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.

• Chicago rock quartet Billy Joel Jr. takes the stage at a record release party for the band’s debut album, “Ur A Star,” which translates the group’s frenetic live energy into the studio without sacrificing the raw edge fans expect. At 9 p.m. Dec. 18 at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $16.17. Visit emptybottle.com.
• Fans of holiday music will want to check out Xmas Jams at Gman. DJ Christmatologists (and former colleagues at Jam Productions) Andy Cirzan and John Soss spin selections from their vast collections of vinyl holiday albums and singles. From 2-6 p.m. Dec. 20 at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St. Admission is free. Visit gmantavern.com.
• Singer-songwriter JD McPherson found high praise for his 2018 Christmas album, “Socks,” which has for the fifth year provided the musician a reason for a fun holiday rock ’n’ roll show. At 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Tickets: $39.96-$66.63. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.

Museums

• “Bruce Goff: Material Worlds” is the first major exhibition showcasing the architect’s work in 30 years. Drawn mostly from the Art Institute’s vast Goff collection and archive, it features more than 200 works celebrating his unbounded creative process. Included are architectural drawings and models, items from his personal collections and his lesser-known abstract paintings. From Dec. 21-March 29 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.

Movies

• Nancy Meyers’ 2006 rom-com, “The Holiday,” starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, gets the live-to-film treatment at a screening as the Chicago Philharmonic plays Hans Zimmer’s score. At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $48+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Family fun

• The Teen Creative Agency at the Museum of Contemporary Art presents Zinefest 2025: The Power of Prints, a showcase of the original artwork, activism and social practice of Chicago-area youth as presented in zine form. From 1-5 p.m. Dec. 20 at the MCA, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Free-$20. Visit mcachicago.org.
• Chicago Kids Company stages “Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical,” the story of Mrs. Claus and the Elf Class of 2025 as they search for Santa’s missing gift list. To Dec. 23 at Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. and Stahl Family Theatre, 5900 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $18-$22. Visit chicagokidscompany.com.

Holiday markets

• The annual Renegade Craft Fair features more than 170 curated artists featuring jewelry, ceramics, clothing and more. From 5-8 p.m. Dec. 19 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 20-21 at Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan St. Admission: $5 suggested donation. Visit renegadecraft.com.
• Africa International House presents Pre-Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration & Marketplace, a celebration of unity, family and shared heritage. Includes one-of-a-kind crafts, food, music, storytelling and more. From 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 20 at Washington Park Refectory, 5531 S. Russell Drive. Admission is free. Visit aihusa.org/events.