American Blues Theater presents a live radio-style performance of Frank Capra’s holiday masterpiece on stage at Greenhouse Theater Center and Goldstar has discount tickets to performances throughout November and the end of  December.  This has been a holiday tradition in Chicago since 2002, and this year’s performance once again features the original director and ensemble that have warmed hearts for many holiday seasons. Complete with live sound effects, an original score and a cast of eight wonderful actors who bring the typical small town of Bedford Falls to life , It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! recreates a ’40s-era radio broadcast of the heartwarming tale of troubled George Bailey’s Christmas Eve journey through his life history. The production includes holiday carols, live commercials from actual local sponsors, telegrams from the audience read onstage and a “Soldier Spotlight,” which honors one serviceman or servicewoman during each performance. After the show, the entire audience is invited to join the cast and crew for milk and cookies.

Are you convinced that there’s no better era in the history of entertainment than the ’80s and ’90s? Then you’ll definitely want to attend the Rewind Convention in November. Whether your favorite TV show was 90210 or Growing Pains, your favorite band N*Sync or Backstreet Boys, or your favorite soap General Hospital or The Young and the Restless, you’ll have a chance to re-live all the memories — and meet lots of the stars in person — from those years. This epic trip back in time is no more difficult than getting to Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale. on November 11-13!  Other cities have dates in 2017 and 2018.

Let the good times really roll this Halloween with a bewitching Saints & Sinners party at Chicago’s world-famous combination bowling alley-restaurant-lounge, Lucky Strike. This adults-only monster mash is a costume ball of the highest order — a party primed to offer plenty of thrills with open bowling, a cash bar and all-night dancing to the finest in DJ-spun music. But you don’t just get one decked-out decadent bash … you get three. There’s an official pre-party the night before, as well as an Oct. 30 post-party that rages on until practically the crack of dawn. So, you hardcore Halloween lovers have the chance to flaunt three different costumes all on one epic weekend. All tickets include one top-shelf cocktail, plus bowling.

Chicago’s iconic Hard Rock Hotel is the place to be for the hottest Halloween costume party in town. The Haunted Hotel Bash is an unforgettable night of scares and thrills at the heart of the Magnificent Mile, featuring celebrity DJs AgentJ, Kvon B and DJ Chris Mix spinning your favorite Top 40, EDM, House and hip-hop tracks. Compete in an epic costume contest with $1,000 in cash and prizes, stop by multiple cash bars and take in the spooky, state-of-the-art décor at this Halloween extravaganza. Tickets include admission to a pre-party the night before and an after-party too, so your entire Halloweekend is set.

Calling all Knights of the Round Table! Get thee to the Chicago Theatre to celebrate the beloved comedy and cult classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, including a special appearance from John Cleese. Bask in British-comedy geek glory, reliving favorite scenes from the 1975 film that’s been cracking up crowds for generations. From taunting Frenchmen and ravenous bunnies to “It’s just a flesh wound!” and encounters with the notorious Knights of Ni, this true comedy classic has more memorable moments than King Arthur has coconuts. To make this event even more special, Monty Python co-founder and Sir Lancelot himself, John Cleese will tell stories from his life and answer your questions after the screening.  Get discount tickets on Goldstar for this January 22, 2017 experience.

The genteel ladies and gents who usually grace Chicago’s Civic Opera House are making way for the ghosts and ghouls of Lyric Young Professionals. The grand foyer of this breathtaking opera house will be the setting for this sophisticated Halloween masquerade party. Costumes are strongly encouraged, so grab your best fangs, capes, wigs and masks, then dance the night away with young Chicago professionals. You’ll hear high-energy dance music selected by DJ Madrid and marvel at the fire-dancing spectacle of Pyrotechniq. In addition, there will be a spectacular food spread and an open bar featuring spooky signature cocktails.  Grab your tickets to this October 28th ghoulish event on Goldstar and save.

November and December performance dates for The Nutcracker are available on Goldstar for only $9 at the Marriott in Lincolnshire. Filled with enchanted toys, mischievous mice and sugar plum fairies, the tale of The Nutcracker has enraptured generations of children and adults. Now this annual holiday favorite comes to Lincolnshire in an all-new musical adaptation. The story tells the tale of a young girl named Marie, who receives a magical nutcracker doll one Christmas Eve and sets out on a wondrous journey to reach the Sugar Plum fairy before the wicked Mouse King. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, this dazzling one-hour production at the Marriott Theatre is perfect for kids of all ages.

The world’s best-loved musical returns to the stage in time-honored form. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of Annie will be a brand-new incarnation of the iconic original. Featuring a book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin,Annie includes such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” plus the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” Don’t miss this beloved classic when it returns to Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.  Get discount tickets on Goldstar for November performance dates for Annie.

Combining some of the world’s greatest circus performers with a live symphony orchestra, Cirque Musica transforms its one-of-a-kind show into a winter wonderland spectacular. Set to a program of favorite holiday songs, these veteran performers of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Cirque du Soleil perform amazing feats of athleticism and grace. Soaring aerialists and acrobats defy gravity while strongmen and jugglers pull off the impossible. If you’re looking for something a little different than your typical Christmas show, the Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular is sure to get you in the Yultetide spirit while giving you a unique and entertaining experience. Catch all the high-flying fun at the Rosemont Theatre on December 10 and save almost 50% with Goldstar!

The NBA season is heating up, and you can get a sneak peek at your Chicago Bulls as they hit the court at the United Center in preseason play. The Bulls made some big changes in the offseason, acquiring three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade and All-Star assist specialist Rajon Rondo. They’ll join returning lead scorer Jimmy Butler to pack a punch on offense. Together with head coach Fred Hoiberg, the Bulls will be setting their sights on a tough Eastern Conference. Come cheer them on to a strong start!

Trapped in a Room With a Zombie is back with brand new clues and puzzles … and the zombie is still hungry! You and up to 11 other adventurers are trapped in a room, and a hungry zombie is there, too, chained to the wall in this unique interactive experience. Every five minutes, a buzzer sounds and the zombie’s chain is released a few more inches. You have one hour to escape the room or risk getting eaten! Hidden in the room is a key that will unlock the door to your freedom. You and your fellow zombie bait must work together to locate the clues and solve riddles. Trapped in a Room With a Zombie: Still Hungry at Chicago’s Fine Arts Building is perfect for a thrilling night out with friends, a really cool date night, or just to have a blast by yourself while meeting new people. Cheating death-by-zombie tends to create fast friendships.