Endless Ways to Welcome 2016 in Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 12/07/2015
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right,” is a quote from Oprah Winfrey. We still haven’t quite finished the holiday season, but it’s always an ongoing battle of what you and your friends decide on for New Year’s Eve.
We all know where we’ll be on New Year’s Day – in bed watching NCAA Football bowl games. My new years resolution is to change this lovely diet of mine.
But the prior day, Lake County has everything wrapped in a neat little package when it comes to celebrating New Year’s Eve.
From shows to deals to just plain dancing yourself away to the radio’s top hits (and of course Auld Lang Syne), Lake County’s the place to be during the year end celebration. Here’s what you got in store for New Year’s Eve in Lake County.
New Year's Eve @ Port of Blarney Celebrate the New Year at The Port of Blarney. Ticket price includes premium open bar from 9pm-12am, complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight and a dinner choice of ribeye, salmon or vegetarian. Shuttle service available for 6 or more people with advance reservations. New Year’s Eve Party at the Holiday Inn Gurnee New Included in the celebration package is Roast Prime Rib of Beef and Roast Turkey Carving stations served with natural aujus and a variety of rolls, mashed potato bar with toppings, salad station - house salad with two dressings, rolls and butter. Dessert station to include - cheesecake and a coffee. Cash bars are open 7:30pm-12:30am, stations open at 8:30pm-10pm, champagne toast at midnight. These are interactive stations, not a full sit down dinner or buffet. Live music featuring Infinity Band will start at 10pm and play until 12:30 am. Tickets are $100-$125 and stay overnight for only $99. Year’s Eve Party at the Holiday Inn Gurnee.
Toukie’s New Year’s Eve Beach Party
Will you be among the KeyLimers celebrating with us? Ride a wave into the New Year with the only beach party in northeastern Illinois. Join the rockin' and rollin' island for a celebration to remember. KeyLime Cove is the KEY to a Happy New Year! Party includes overnight accommodations, admission to the Lost Paradise waterpark, entertainment including a stiltwalker, juggler, face painter and more. Dinner buffet, live music and breakfast buffet in the morning. Please visit the website for complete details.
Bow Ties & Bling New Year's Eve Party @ Primo We're Bringing Elegance Back this NYE. Free Uber rides, live music, DJs, hotel accommodations, champagne, and much much more! Stay tuned to our page as we release more exciting details leading up to the party of the year. Special rates at the Holiday Inn Gurnee and free shuttle to and from the party to the hotel. The Primo Party is the only place to be this New Years Eve. Reservations required.
Til into 2016 New Years Bash at Rink Side 6-9 p.m. The best New Years Eve Bash is at Tilt Studio at Rink Side Sports in the Gurnee Mills Mall! Enjoy dinner, unlimited ice skating (including skate rental) with our DJ and Snowflake mascot, play laser tag, mini golf, video games and participate in raffles to win great prizes. Hats and noisemakers will be supplied. Tickets are $25 pp if purchased in advance, or $30 pp if purchased on Dec. 31. What better way to ring in the New Year with a fun night for the entire family. 
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Timothy O’Tooles 9 p.m. Celebrate New Year's Eve at Timothy O'Tooles. Ten dollar cover includes a Champagne Split or Miller High Life Tallboy, DJ, party favors & drink specials! Please visit the website for more information. Call us at (847) 249-0800 for tickets or buy them through the website. *Some exclusions apply.*
Noon Year’s Eve in Gurnee (Viking Park Community Center) 10:30 – Noon Not a night owl? Come ring in the new year with the little ones (3 - 12) while they enjoy a bounce house, games, activities and New Year's crafts! A balloon drop and toast will round out the celebration. Parents are required to attend. No food will be served. Advance registration is required.
New Year’s Eve Bash @ Rainforest Café Join the Gurnee Mills restaurant for a New Year's Eve Bash! Featuring a kid's dinner buffet, sundae bar, magician, face painter and a sparkling cider toast and balloon drop at 7:45. This event sells out every year, so make reservation today.
Kid's New Year's Eve Party @ Uno Bring your kids to celebrate New Year's Eve at Uno's. A countdown, sparkling ginger ale toast, balloon drop and other treats for kids 12 and under.
New Year’s Eve Party @ Austins 10 p.m., Doors open 9 p.m. Celebrate New Year's Eve at Austin's Fuel Room. Live entertainment by Charllie Foxtrot (great fun party band) and Battling DJ’s in the Saloon Room. Free party favors, & appetizers. Free shuttle if your staying in the Libertyville hotel area. Have dinner here at Austin's before the party and get free cover. Otherwise cost is $10 before 10:30 $15.00 till midnight $20 after midnight.
Ring in the New Year @ Mickey Finn's Ring in 2016 at Mickey Finn's. No reservations needed, just stop in for a great night with friends. $10 cover after 9pm. Live music from Ivy Ford and the Cadillacs. Party favors and champagne toast.
New Year's Part @ O'Tooles Join us for a laid back New Year's Eve Party. The $10 cover includes a champagne split or Miller High Life Tallboy, DJ, party favors and great drink specials.
New Year’s Eve Dinner, Theatre and overnight at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort 5 p.m. Enjoy deluxe overnight accommodations, a four-course dinner in the King's Wharf Restaurant, tickets to Elf, DJ and dancing in the Grand Ballroom, party favors, midnight champagne toast and a New Year's Day Brunch in the King's Wharf Restaurant. Cash bar available. Reservations required for both dinner and brunch. Dinner seating's available: 5:00pm, 5:15pm, 5:30pm, 5:45pm & 6:00pm. No cancellation, nonrefundable. Must be 21 or older. Starting at $359.00 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Mention code D60 with reservations.
New Year’s Eve Overnight and Party Package @ Lincolnshire Marriott Resort Enjoy deluxe overnight accommodations, a four-course dinner in the King's Wharf Restaurant, DJ and dancing in the Grand Ballroom, party favors, Midnight champagne toast and a New Year's Day Brunch in the King's Wharf Restaurant. Cash Bar available. Reservations required for both dinner and brunch. Dinner seating's available at 8:30pm & 9:00pm. No cancellation, nonrefundable. Must be 21 or older. Starting at $309 + tax & gratuity per couple, mention promo code EVE.
Zion
New Year's Eve Bash @ the Illinois Beach Resort Ring in the New Year at the beach. This New Year's Eve Bash includes full Dinner with dessert, wine service during dinner, open bar all night, sweet table, champagne toast at midnight with balloon drop. Please visit website for more information and dinner menu. Bash only tickets are $100 per person. Reservations required. Overnight packages including a champagne brunch on New Year's morning are also available starting at $295 & tax for 2. Mundelein
Noon Year’s Eve @ Goldfish Swim School 12:30-3 p.m. Celebrate the New Year without staying up late at this Noon Year's Eve Swim party. Enjoy swimming, music & dancing, balloon dropping, cupcakes and juice, games and color activities.
New Year's Eve Specials @ Karma
Make reservations now for a New Year's Eve dinner at Karma. Choose 3 courses from the special menu with a champagne toast for only $65.
Wauconda
Ring in the New Year @ the Lake County Discovery Museum Wednesday December 30 and Thursday December 31; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Looking for something to do with the kids during holiday break? Come out to the Lake County Discovery Museum! Kids will celebrate the New Year by making a variety of crafts and party favors. We'll practice ringing in the New Year with our very own ball drop at noon. Free with museum admission. All ages welcome.
Ring in the New Year @ Docks Ring in the New Year at Dock's. Cover in the bar is $35 and includes live entertainment from Alex and the Allstars, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, midnight food buffet featuring ham & turkey off the bone, Italian Beef, Italian Sausage and appetizers.
Barrington
Barrington’s Fourth Annual Noon Year’s Eve Ball 10:30 a.m. - Noon Too young to stay up to midnight or want to start New Year's Eve early? Children and parents can get an early start at the Noon Year's Eve Ball. Ring in the Noon Year with dancing, festive snacks and a Noon Year toast. All attendees must register. Registration deadline is December 21. So in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Be at war with your vices at peace with your neighbors and let every new year finds you a better man (or woman).
Wadsworth
New Year's Eve Lobster Festival at The Shanty Make reservations now for The Shanty's New Year's Eve Lobster Festival. Enjoy a lobster entree and the open champagne bar for $50 per person. Also enjoy the music of The Groove Experience starting at 8pm. Come out for a night of great food, friends and music. Reservations recommended. Lake Barrington
New Year's Eve @ Za Za's Make reservations now and come out to Za Za's for New Year's Eve. Enjoy a great dinner and live music beginning at 8pm from DeJa Vu. They are a high energetic dance band that has performed hundreds of festivals, weddings & corporate events. Other ways to Ring in the New Year
Dodge Ball Tournament All players must sign up ahead at JumpAmerica.com. View divisions, times & more and don't forget to follow us on social media to stay up to date on what's happening with the tournament. 880 Lakeside Dr.Gurnee, IL 60031 
17th Annual Polar Bear Plunge in Waukegan New Years Day Tis the season for freezin'! Join the Waukegan Park District and the City of Waukegan in the 17th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at the Waukegan Municipal Beach. Start the 2016, New Year off with a splash or watch from the sidelines! The first 500 taking the plunge will receive an event shirt. Food, hot chocolate, and Polar Bear Hats will be sold on site. Aqua shoes or other foot wear is required. Waukegan Municipal Beach, 201 Sea Horse Drive, Waukegan, IL 60085
Grayslake Giving Trees Exhibition On Friday, November 27, stop in between 5pm and 8pm for a first look at the Grayslake Giving Trees. Local non-profit and community organizations have been invited to share their message by decorating a tree at the museum. The public is encouraged to vote for their favorites with their dollars through the end of December.
Ring in the New Year @ the Lake County Discovery Museum Looking for something to do with the kids during holiday break? Come out to the Lake County Discovery Museum! Kids will celebrate the New Year by making a variety of crafts and party favors. We'll practice ringing in the New Year with our very own ball drop at noon. Free with museum admission. All ages welcome. 27277 N Forest Preserve Rd, Wauconda, IL 60084
Candy Cane Classes Only at Sweet Pete’s! Watch the age old tradition of creating hand-made candy canes. All guests will shape canes to take home. 270 Market Square
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Wonderland Express @ Chicago Botanic Take a magical trip to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty at the Chicago Botanic Garden when we kick off the holiday season! Outside, 750,000 lights sparkle and welcome you and your family to the Garden's wonderland. Inside the Regenstein Center, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winds over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago's favorite landmarks. Paul Busse, designer of the Model Railroad Garden, created this amazing exhibition exclusively for the Garden's holiday celebration. Adults tickets are $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers, seniors 62+ are $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers, children 3-12 are $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers and Children 2 and under are free.
Michael's Red Hots: Red Hot Balloon Drop
A New Year's Event for Families until the sun comes down. From 4:30-7:30 p.m. Parents and kids alike will offer light appetizers, kiddie cocktails, games and raffle prizes. Besides the balloon drop there will be dancing and a live dj.
New years Eve @ Potawatomi Celebrate the end of the year and win big with the most extras in the city! Only at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino. Check out our dining specials and entertainment options. w/ Crystal Method
Buy tickets now for a great night of music and fun with The Crystal Method. With the 2,400 sq. ft. dance floor and great music, New Year's Eve will be a night not to miss. Choose from General Admission tickets, Premium and VIP packages.
