Go cuckoo for cocoa, laugh with some friends and watch the big game in this Super (Bowl) edition of things to do this weekend January 31-February 2.
Winter time is the perfect time to throw on your stocking hat, grab your sled and find a snow-covered incline to race down. Click here for some of the best sledding and tubing spots in Lake County.
The Lake County Libation Trail Month ends on January 31. Sippers from all over that "check-in" to five different stops along the trail have the opportunity to win free tickets to the Lake County Beer Festival on February 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center. Click here to learn more.
Here are the top things to do this weekend in Lake County January 31-February 2.
Celebrate the winter season and indulge your sweet tooth during the Long Grove Cocoa Crawl. Start your chocolate-infused journey at the visitor’s center to pick up a map showing over two dozen businesses sampling treats. Sample your way through the Historic Downtown Long Grove streets and taste The Village Tavern’s house-made toffee, hot chocolate bark from the Long Grove Confectionery Co., a chocolate bacon stout (known as Xerxes) from Buffalo Creek Brewing and a slew of other cocoa treats from over 20 participating businesses. Before calling it a day, crawl your way back to the visitor’s center and cast a vote for your favorite cocoa treat to be entered into a raffle to win prizes. Confection aficionados can explore the village by one-horse open sleigh as Historic Downtown Long Grove also offers complimentary rides.
Saturday, February 1; Noon-4 p.m. Admission: Free. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
Laughter is the best medicine, and the Genesee Theatre is serving up a full dose of it this Saturday. Renowned stand-up comedian Lewis Black brings his signature style to the Waukegan stage. The two-time Grammy Award-winning comic has sold-out venues across the country. No topic is safe when Black touches the mic to deliver hilarious rants and blunt observations that are sure to have those in attendance laughing the night away.
Saturday, February 1; 8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$70. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan.
Dress to impress in your poodle skirt as Fox Lake turns back the clock to the 1950s with a classic Sock Hop Dance Party at Lakefront Park. This event gets starts with the mother-son dance beginning at 4 p.m. and is followed by the father-daughter romp kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Get ready to boogie the day away with your little ones. The afternoon frolic is highlighted by 1950s-era music, snacks, and other activities. This event requires registration in advance. To register, visit their website at foxlake.org or call 224-225-1404.
Saturday, February 1; 4-5:30 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. Admission: Residents: $15 Non-Residents: $20 (each additional child: $5). Lakefront Park Building. 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake.
“Are you ready for some football?” Visit the Shanty Restaurant as they kick off their Super Bowl Party on the final Sunday of the NFL season. The restaurant will be offering its full dinner football bar menus that both fans and foodies will love. Festivities also include a complimentary barbeque buffet at halftime and a variety of raffle prizes with drawings at the end of each quarter. The award-winning, nationally recognized Wadsworth eatery provides guests with an ultimate viewing experience for the San Francisco 49ers-Kansas City Chiefs melee.
Sunday, February 2; 4:30 p.m. Admission: Free. The Shanty Restaurant, 38985 N. U.S. Highway 41, Wadsworth.
Explore the inventive and imaginative works of masons when you visit the “In View” art exhibition at The Art Center of Highland Park. In this open-call show, local members and faculty of the city’s art center showcase a variety of art mediums to captivate art enthusiasts including sculptures, photography, paintings and more. The In View: Member and Faculty Exhibition runs through January 31.
Friday, January 31; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission: Free (Suggested $5 donation). The Art Center of Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park.
For more things to do this weekend January 31-February 2, continue here. To get your hands on some suds, vino and spirits for the Lake County Libation Trail Month, click here.
Dress to impress in your poodle skirt as Fox Lake turns back the clock to the 1950s with a classic Sock Hop Dance Party at Lakefront Park. This event gets starts with the mother-son dance beginning at 4 p.m. and is followed by the father-daughter romp kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Get ready to boogie the day away with your little ones. The afternoon frolic is highlighted by 1950s-era music, snacks, and other activities. This event requires registration in advance. To register, visit their website at 
