Top 10 Holiday Things To Do in Lake County 2020
By: Jonathan Jones 12/01/2020
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
Visit Lake County wishes a happy holiday to everyone, and we hope to provide you with a holly jolly 10 holiday things to do in Lake County to unScrooge yourself this festive season. Let’s face it, there are a collection of bah hum-buggers out in the world.
With the public health crisis, we encourage visitors and residents to holiday your way as you feel comfortable.
Lake County is your season's greetings destination. "Holiday Your Way" in Lake County, Illinois, as the land of lakes spreads joy this most unique season. Here are the top 10 holiday things to do in Lake County 2020.
Through the end of the year, "Holiday Your Way" to Lake County, Illinois, for festive family fun and activities. Discover, explore and "Run, Run Rudolph" to the county as you "Jingle Bell Rock" while "Walking in a Winter Wonder-" land of lakes. Lake County is home to various Christmas traditions, holiday festivities, meet and greets with jolly old St. Nick, shopping sprees, delectable eats and other activities perfect for the whole family.
“Turn up the lights in here, baby. Extra bright, I want y’all to see this. Turn up the lights in here, baby. You know what I need, want you to see everything want you to see all of the lights.” – Rihanna. There is no way around it, Lake County is lit. From public light displays to motion twinkling shows to village and city Christmas tree and menorah lightings, Lake County illuminates the night through the holiday season. Meander through a shiny land of lakes world and don't forget to snap a memory.
"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches." Christmas trees have a sort of je ne sais quoi. Every family needs something out of their respective tree, whether it is the tree’s fullness, the pine cone smell, your Christmas critters that are ecstatic for presents (and the time off of school) or perhaps just to instill or boost the holiday spirit in some of those mean green Mr. Grinch naysayers in your family unit. Click the button below to see 10+ land of lakes places that provide your holiday arbor.
4. Visit Santa in Lake County
"You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout; I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town." Jolly old Saint Nick will be present at a slew of locations, whether it is a mall, an outdoor park, during dinner or other Lake County venues. Before the children have nestled all snug in their beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, make sure to visit the man in the red suit. Kringle will be masked, and these locations with Mr. Claus are taking the proper health COVID-19 guidelines. Visit with a mask.
- Visit Contactless Santa at Hawthorn Mall (through Dec. 24) INFO»
- Santa Saturdays and House Tours at the Shiloh House (through Dec. 31) INFO»
- North Pole Calling with Waukegan Park District (12/4) INFO»
- Holly Jolly Drive-Thru in Lincolnshire (12/4) INFO»
- Santa at Hawthorn Woods (12/5) INFO»
- Santa Parade in Libertyville (12/5-6) INFO»
- Breakfast with Santa at Lindy's Landing (12/6, 12/13 12/20)
- Santa in the Park in Grayslake (12/6) INFO»
- Holly Jolly Drive Thru with Santa in Antioch (12/11-12 12/18-19)
- Socially Distant Selfie with Drunk Santa at Side Lot Brewery (12/18) INFO»
t’s an all-out shopping spree, and of course, everyone in Lake County is invited! Black Friday sales may be over, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find stupendous deals throughout the holiday season. From malls to mom and pop shops, Lake County’s shopping options are abundant. Here are a few spots to explore your gift-giving generosity.
Mom & Pop Shopping Destinations
Malls in Lake County
With infection positivity rates spiking in Illinois, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health suspend indoor service at bars and restaurants in Lake County. However, you can still eat, drink and support local via curbside pickup, carry out, picking up gift cards or braving the chill and eating/sipping outdoors. Support your local cuisine and Lake County Libation Trail makers as they will still serve the high-class fare and drinkables you know and love.
Deck the halls in a dazzling display of 2.5 million lights, sights and sounds for Six Flags Great America's holiday party. There is a plethora of yuletide entertainment at the Gurnee holly jolly park. Exchange a gift with yourself as you explore Holiday in the Park Lights. Don't let those Ebenezers cramp your seasonal style. All visitors over age two must wear a mask and are encouraged to practice social distancing while venturing into the park. Following Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's reopening guidelines with the public health crisis, Six Flags Great America will operate at reduced capacity levels without rides. The Gurnee amusement park is also implementing extensive safety measures and hygiene protocols, including several new advanced technology systems to protect guests and employees.
"Giddy-yup, giddy-yup, giddy-yup, Let's Go to the show," Lake County! There's no better way to soak up Lake County than witnessing a delightful holiday concert or show. Holiday your way with a virtual experience full of festive spirit by attending one of these stupendous hot ticket items from the comfort of your home. "O Come All Ye Faithful" Lake Countians.
- Outdoor Christmas Concert at Gurnee (12/4) INFO»
- Prairie Spirits Dance Troupe on CLC Main Stage via Zoom (12/4-5) INFO»
- Holly Jolly Concert by Lake Forest Civic Orchestra (12/5) INFO»
- Charlie Brown Christmas with Chris White Trio (12/10) INFO»
- Liz Calloway: Home for the Holidays Virtual Concert (12/11) INFO»
- Adler at Home Concert Featuring Anita Graef (12/11) INFO»
- Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats Virtual Concert at James Lumber Center (12/11) INFO»
- Symphony847 Virtual Concert at North Shore Distillery (12/11) INFO»
- The Rhythm of Learning Music School Presents the Virtual Holiday Concert at Hawthorn Mall (12/12) INFO»
- Tempel Lipizzans Holiday Special Highlight Performance (12/12) INFO»
- Elf Drive-in Movie Night at Hawthorn Mall (12/12) INFO»
- Socially Distanced Chanukah Party Drive-in Movie and Candle Lighting at Loft 21 (12/13) INFO»
- A Holiday Horror Story in Grayslake (12/19) INFO»
- Virtual Holiday Concert with David HB Drake in Grayslake (12/20) INFO»
Just over the Lake County northern border lies Wilmot Mountain. The Wisconsin winter destination is equipped with 120 skiable acres, 23 trails, seven lifts, two surface conveyor lifts and progression terrain parks with a double high-speed rope tow and 22 lanes for tubers. To further prioritize their employees' and guests' health and safety in response to COVID-19, Wilmot Mountain has re-imagined the resort experience. The Wisconsin slope's approach to safety will be consistent across their family of resorts to provide you with a familiar and comfortable experience regardless of where you choose to recreate.
Every holiday season, the Lake Zurich church throws an unbelievable Christmas pageant with a cast of 300 live animals, dramatic lighting and more highlighting the birth story of Jesus Christ. However, with the pandemic’s effects, Quentin Road Baptist Church will host an illuminating adventure, and you can travel through “Bethlehem” like the three magi. On your trek, hikers will interact with townspeople, shepherds, angels and wise men as you hear the story of Christmas. The hikes will run on two weekends, December 11-13 and December 18-20.
For a more extensive list besides these top 10 holiday things to do in Lake County, continue here. To see what else is going on in the land of lakes, click here.
