The eighth Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival will take place from Jan. 21 to Feb. 1, 2026, bringing together puppet artists from across the globe, according to festival organizers. The event will span 12 days across dozens of Chicago venues, featuring more than 100 puppetry activities for audiences of all ages.
Tickets went on sale Nov. 12, with organizers warning that shows typically sell out quickly despite Chicago's cold winters.
Festival materials indicate that puppeteers from England, France, Norway, Denmark, India, South Korea, and Spain will perform alongside American and Chicago-based artists, showcasing various styles from traditional bunraku to contemporary shadow puppetry.
Opening night and featured performances
Norway's Wakka Wakka company will open the festival with ”Dead as a Dodo,” a musical story about two skeleton friends in the underworld, as detailed in the festival program.
The production features innovative visual effects and explores themes of survival and friendship.
England's Blind Summit returns with “The Sex Lives of Puppets,” an adults-only show examining modern relationships through puppet theater.
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Chicago's own Manual Cinema presents “The 4th Witch,” inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth, using shadow puppetry and live music without dialogue.
Family shows and special events
Family-friendly productions include Roald Dahl's “The Enormous Crocodile,” featuring jungle creatures and puppets in a toe-tapping musical adventure.
Denmark's Sofie Krog Theatre presents “The House,” a comedy thriller set in a funeral home, with revolving sets and special effects.
The festival also includes The Puppet Hub on the Fine Arts Building's fourth floor, offering a café, puppet shop, and free exhibits throughout the event.
Late-night puppet cabarets and free neighborhood performances will occur city-wide, with professional development workshops available for practicing artists. Last year's festival attracted over 22,000 attendees to 29 Chicago venues.
Originally published Dec. 17, 2025
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