Named for a successful Chicago immigrant businessman, this theater has been in existence since 1960 and is part of McCormick Place. The Arie hosts a wide variety of acts, from traditional Broadway musicals to cutting-edge pop performances. The establishment boasts 5000 seats and has state-of-the-art sound and terrific acoustics.

LAKE VIEW. In what was once Marshall Field's horse stables, the intimate Briar Street Theatre hosts some of the Windy City's top live dramatic performances ­ everything from "Driving Miss Daisy" to "Laughter on the 21st Floor." These days, Briar Street is most popular for hosting the ingenious Blue Man Group (yes, those guys from the commercials), whose wild shows and amusing props have wowed Windy City audiences since first "blowing in" in October of 1997.

DOWNTOWN. Since 1974, Chicago Opera Theater has been entertaining residents with top-quality performances of operas from the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries. Professional singers have graced the stage and taken on works like "L'incoronazione di Poppea" by Claudio Monteverdi and "Death in Venice" by Benjamin Britten.

STREETERVILLE. The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is located on prime real estate on the Navy Pier and boasts a $24 million structure with a stunning design ­ a seven-story, glass curtain-walled structure. The building has a 500-seat courtyard theater and a 200-seat black box theater. The theater presents the works of Shakespeare as well as the works of notable American and international playwrights. So, if you want to see a traditional rendering of "Twelfth Night" or a one-act play about Charles Dickens, visit and enjoy.

THE LOOP. One of the country's most celebrated classical concert groups, the Chicago Symphony offers an astounding repertoire of music year-round. During the holiday season, favorites like Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" and Duke Ellington's jazz version of "The Nutcracker" leave audiences positively riveted. Other performances, such as Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade," also attract large audiences. Contact the ticket office for performance times and details.