If concert tickets are on your holiday wish list, don’t wait around for Santa. Gift yourself some live music with one (or more) of the must-see rock, hip-hop, indie and pop shows coming to town this December.
From Andrew Bird’s treasured Gezelligheid series at Fourth Presbyterian Church to the ultimate nightmare before Christmas with the Gods of Chaos blitzkrieg at the Aragon Ballroom, there’s a little something for every music lover. But don’t wait too long to treat yourself; tickets for many of these shows are bound to sell out.
Dec. 1: Burna Boy
There’s a reason he’s known as the “African Giant.” Since breaking out with the dancehall crasher “Like to Party” in 2012, this Nigerian talent has led the way in the Afro-fusion movement. With a mixed bag of sounds, Burna Boy pairs traditional West African rhythms with R&B, hip-hop, electro, reggae and pop. The melting pot reaches peak temp on his latest album, “No Sign of Weakness,” featuring everyone from Shaboozey to Travis Scott to Mick Jagger. While there’s been no reports yet of special guests on the tour, it is the giving season, so anything goes. Also go for the tour’s 360-degree stage, which makes everyone feel like part of the party. United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. $60.75+. unitedcenter.com
Dec. 2-3: Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu is ready to fire off “Mama’s Gun” again. It’s been 25 years since her revolutionary sophomore album was released with the evocative singles “Bag Lady,” “Didn’t Cha Know” and “Cleva” that preached self-love and self-awareness on the same timeline as D’Angelo’s “Voodoo.” Along with “Baduizm” before it, “Mama’s Gun” helped spur the neo-soul fervor of the late ’90s/early 2000s and led to a storied career that was recognized in March when the Billboard Women in Music Awards bestowed Badu with an Icon Award. As “Mama’s Gun” gets the spotlight in these intimate theater shows, no one can refute that fact. Chicago Theater, 175 N. State St. $105.15+. chicagotheater.com
Dec. 6: Chris & Heather’s Country Calendar Show
It’s an annual tradition that’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ’n’ roll. Every year since 1997, cartoonist/filmmaker Heather McAdams has created a DIY calendar for the new year with 12 portraits of country music artists. It then debuted (and for sale) at a concert hosted by Heather and husband Chris Ligon where local music guests cover the featured stars. This year offers Kelly Hogan covering Wanda Jackson, The Saturn Kings taking on Bob Luman, Rick Sherry covering Reverend Gary Davis and more. In the age of AI, it’s the kind of throwback gift that keeps on giving. The show is technically sold out, but some tickets may be available at the door. Call Fitzgerald’s at 708-788-2118 to see if any are available the day of the show. Fitzgeralds, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. $45.50. fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
Dec. 7: Mariachi Herencia De México – A Mariachi Christmas
Experience a bit of Christmas around the world right here at home. The Latin Grammy-nominated act Mariachi Herencia De México stages their annual holiday residency (with additional dates at Old Town School of Folk Music Dec. 19-20) that puts a spotlight on a time-honored Mexican tradition. “A Mariachi Christmas” blends holiday standards like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” with the rich sounds of Mexican folk music accompanied by a mix of violins, horns, guitars and guitarrón. Accompanied by authentic mariachi attire, it’s a festive display of history and culture for modern audiences. Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. $52.98+. thaliahallchicago.com
Dec. 8-12: Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid
Mistletoe, stockings, sugar cookies, wrapped gifts, Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid. The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without these festive staples. Now in its 15th year, the Gezelligheid series (loosely, “cozy” in Dutch) warms up the city with comfort and joy as Bird returns home to perform holiday classics, songbook favorites and jazz standards with a series of guests, all set to a background of spinning Victrola horns. This year promises to be extra special, as Bird has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of his landmark album “The Mysterious Production of Eggs” with orchestral arrangements. While seats are sold out for five nights, you can join a waitlist or stream the show from home. Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. $60+. andrewbird.net
Dec. 9: AJR & Wet Leg
If you have to pick just one of Q101’s Twisted shows this year, let it be this one. AJR headlines, bringing the zany indie pop of the Met brothers back to the stage with songs like “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Weak” that meet in a Venn diagram of whimsical musicals and passionate street busking. Just don’t be late for Wet Leg — the savagely sarcastic English rock band is one of the best live acts of the moment and will rightfully be on everyone’s 2025 “best of” lists for their album “Moisturizer.” (If you have room for more Twisted, Cake on Dec. 10 is another good pick.) Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. $82.50. ticketmaster.com
Dec. 13: Case Oats
One day, Casey Gomez Walker was taking journalism and creative writing classes at Columbia College Chicago, and the next, she recorded one of the best indie folk albums of the year for Merge Records. OK, so there were many steps and years in between to make “Last Missouri Exit.” But the 10-track stunner — a coming-of-age narrative about love lost and life lessons gained, set in the Midwest with a soundtrack of acoustic guitar, fiddle and percussion from personal/professional partner Spencer Tweedy — does feel that effortless and meant-to-be. Go early for the beautiful atmospherics of Oyeme. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. $27. lh-st.com
Dec. 20: Gods of Chaos Christmas
For those looking for a nightmare before Christmas, the Gods of Chaos spectacular stands ready to deliver with a combination of metal, hip-hop and horror all in one lineup. Headlined by rapper Gucci Mane and the ever-entertaining Insane Clown Posse, the show will be anything but a silent night when the Juggalos come out to play. Adding to the bill are hardcore acts (and Chicago’s own) Harm’s Way, Trash Talk and Haywire 617, as well as a special appearance by rapper Kingpin Skinny Pimp. The only question left is: Do they make peppermint-flavored Faygo? Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. $75.25+. bylinebankaragonballroom.com
Dec. 29-31: Old 97’s with Rhett Miller
The Old 97’s may be from Dallas, but their heart (and presence) is often in Chicago. It’s a relationship forged long ago with the homegrown Bloodshot Records as both were entering their infancy in the mid-’90s. Now 30 years later, after rambling on with some of the most ebullient alt-country, it wouldn’t be right without some kind of mini-residency from the band and lovably verbose frontman Rhett Miller before 2025 is over. They bring snapshots of their latest album, “American Primitive,” inspired by, of all things, a Stephen King novel. Two of the shows of the three-night New Year’s stand are sold out but Dec. 31 is still available. SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $80.35. evanstonspace.com
Dec. 30-31: Dehd’s Bye Bye ’25 NYE Run
Chicago’s DIY scene lives and breathes with bands like Dehd, the indie wunderkinds who found glory with their hit “Bad Love” in 2022 and have been maintaining the momentum ever since. The band’s latest album, “Poetry” — full of minimalist splendor, reverb effects and surf rock interplay on songs like “Mood Ring” — was the result of a creative road trip, but there’s no place like home for the trio who ride out 2025 at Thalia Hall. As they bid adieu to another banner year, full of opening gigs for The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse, a European run and a performance at Riot Fest, we can only imagine what’s in store for the band in 2026. Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. $39.96+. thaliahallchicago.com
Dec. 31: Local H
While “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” is set to broadcast in Chicago for the first time this year, if you want a real rock show, head to Local H’s annual soiree. The “Bound for the Floor” and “California Songs” duo packs in a ton of fury for a two-man project and remains a living, breathing icon of Chicago’s halcyon ’90s rock scene while still rewriting the script. This year, in honor of the 30th anniversary of their debut “Ham Fisted,” front man Scott Lucas reworked the originals for a special “ReFISTED” edition that shows the band still at its prime. Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St. $39.60+. ticketweb.com