Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping in Lake County

By: Jonathan Jones 11/26/2014

You hear that sound? It's the hustle and bustle of people all over Lake County in stores and the sound of cash registers...cha-ching! Cha-ching! This is the busiest shopping week of the year. Not only will area malls, Gurnee Mills and Westfield Hawthorn be busy on Thanksgiving night, Black Friday through the weekend, but this Saturday is also small business Saturday. Many of our communities downtown's will be busy with consumers as well. And that’s when it really starts to feel like the holidays have arrived. Here is a glance at the area Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping in Lake County.

Gurnee Mills Mall Gurnee Mills is the largest outlet shopping destination in Illinois, providing the ultimate indoor shopping experience. Shop high end items in Macy’s Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, and enjoy the unique shopping experience at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Kids will love the tropical dining adventure waiting for them at Rainforest Café and don’t forget to stop the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy quality time with your family at Rink Side Sports! Gurnee Mills is open for extend mall hours during the holiday season, kicking off on Thanksgiving Day from 6pm – 1am to start your holiday shopping. The mall will then be open on Black Friday from 6am - 9pm.

Westfield Hawthorn Westfield Hawthorn is more than just a shopper’s paradise where you can find that perfect something for everyone on your list this year. Shop from premium retailers including Banana Republic, Coach and Swarovski or browse the trends at any one of their popular stores. Find the most stylish items for all ages and then stop at the newly opened Dave and Busters for a unique experience or Maggiano’s for fine Italian dining. Westfield Hawthorn will have extended shopping hours during the holidays and be open from 6pm – midnight on Thanksgiving Day for your early Black Friday shopping.

Long Grove Historic Village Make Long Grove your Thanksgiving weekend shopping destination and support Long Grove’s independently-owned businesses on Small Business Saturday, November 29. Shop Local. Shop Long Grove. Shop for unique gifts, jewelry, apparel, art, collectibles and more at Long Grove’s specialty shops, plus enjoy dining, entertainment and festive fun for the whole family. Collect & present receipts between Nov. 28 – Dec. 24, totaling $150 (excluding tax and gratuity), and receive a free gift from The Visitors’ Center, while supplies last! Charming, historic downtown Long Grove is the destination for the holiday season.

Mainstreet Libertyville The local businesses of Libertyville are celebrating the day with Small Business Saturday Passports! Pick passports up at participating businesses and show your support when you Shop Small on the big day. Visit participating SBS Passport Event stores and get your passport stamped (no purchase necessary) and qualify to enter that store’s giveaway prize! See stores for details. Participating Libertyville Holiday Shopping Festival businesses are: Bentley's Corner Barkery, Lovin' Oven, Amazing Cosmetics, Avenue 21 Dancewear, Salon Kallisto, Eclectic Design Source, Milwalky Trace, Pizzeria Deville, Lindsey's Gifts, Artists at Heart, Rolland's Jewelers, Petranek's Pharmacy, CRSpa Salon, Savory Spice Shop of Libertyville, The Runner's Edge, ENAZ on the Park, Recovered Treasures, and Serendipity Unique and Trendy Women's Clothes.”

Village of Antioch Olde England comes to life in Downtown Antioch this holiday season with life like figures recreating scenes from the Dickens Era. On Saturdays through– Dec. 20, find Dickens fun throughout the streets including carolers, music, live performances and a scavenger hunt. The cozy atmosphere of Downtown Antioch creates the perfect setting for the festive season. Don't forget about taking the kids to Santa's Enchanted Village.

Deer Park Town Center Deer Park Town Center features over 70 of the most exclusive stores and restaurants in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. Located at the intersection of Rand (Route 12) & Long Grove Roads in Deer Park, IL, Deer Park Town Center is an easy drive from surrounding suburbs, downtown Chicago, O’Hare airport, or Wisconsin. Park in front of your favorite store and spend an hour or a day. At Deer Park Town Center, from A – Z, it all spells great shopping. Mall hours for Black Friday are 8am-9pm. The following stores are opening at 6am: Bath & Body Works (opens at 5am), Brooks Brothers (7am), White House|Black Market, Claire's, Clarks, Francesca's, Gap (Opens at 4pm on Thanksgiving Day), lululemon athletica, Pandora (7am), Sephora, Soma (7am), Starbucks (3am-11pm), Vera Bradley, Victoria's Secret, Yankee Candle

Other Shop local events include:

Christmas Market at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest Friday, Dec. 5 – Sunday, Dec. 7, Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. & Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

Grayslake’s Winter Farmers Markets Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. thru Dec. 20

Make Your Own Glass Ornament at Peter Patterson Glassworks November 28 – 30, December 5 – 7, December 12 – 14, December 19 – 21 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day

Volo Antique Mall’s Annual Holiday Open House Friday, Nov. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Annual Holiday Week-Long Sale at the Gurnee Antique Center Monday, December 8 – Sunday, December 14

First Fridays on MainStreet in Downtown Libertyville Friday, December 5 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Dickens of a Holiday at Cook Park in Downtown Libertyville Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Dandelion Gallery Celebrates Small Business Saturday Saturday, November 29; 10am - 5pm

Village of Lincolnshire Shop local Saturday, November 29

Village of Lake Zurich Small Business Saturday event

Step by Step Holiday Arts and Craft Show, Lake County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, November 29 – November 30, Start the holiday shopping with a bang at this annual holiday show. With over 300 booths of handmade arts and crafts, unique gifts, fine art, floral items, country themed merchandise and more, there is something for everyone on the list. Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake

2014 Christkindl Holiday Festival December 4 -7 Visit this open-air festival featuring authentic German food, live entertainment, drinks, fun activities for families, kids crafts, live reindeer, carousel & train rides, a Gingerbread House competition and then visit with Santa in his traveling house! Shop from a variety of vendors including hand crafted ornaments and wooden creations.

Saturday, November 29