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Hearty eating is in our future as we look at the top things to do in November. Gobble Gobble. The spooks and spirits have retired to their final destinations for 2020, the lights turn on to prepare for the holiday season.
Just because the holidays are right around the corner, it doesn’t mean snow is falling just yet. Get your #AutumnGrams, and don’t forget to post #LetsGoLakeCounty and/or #LetsSnapLakeCounty on them. Continue here to learn more.
Let’s go and shed our cosplay outfits as we head into our most thankful month. Here are Lake County’s top 10 things to do in November 2020.
No matter the season, we enjoy the fruits of what Mother Nature gave us in Lake County: The tall trees, the winding trails, the serene bodies of waters, the creatures and critters and the picturesque plant life. Lake County provides outdoor escapes from the shelter in place with an up close and personal live-action Claude Monet portraits. LCFPD's (Lake County Forest Preserve District) Hike Lake County Challenge (on foot only) runs through November 30 and you can earn some hiking swag as well as explore upcoming kaleidoscopic fall colors. The stars on a clear night are spectacular. You can experience a night hike as the LCFPD has solar lit trails through late March. Hey Lake County, take a hike (or bike).
With infection positivity rates from the novel coronavirus surpassing the 8% threshold for the third straight day, 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 and support local via curbside pickup, carry out, picking up gift cards or braving the chill and eating outdoors. Support your local cuisine makers as they will still serve the high-class fare you know and love.
You’ll be amazed by their maize mazes. Richardson Adventure Farm & Corn Maze is known for having the world’s most massive corn maze. The Spring Grove area spans 33 acres of land and is equipped with 11 miles of trails. The design commemorates the 50th anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day gave a voice to an emerging public consciousness about our planet’s state, and since 1970, we’ve celebrated this holiday in the United States. Besides the famous maze, the Adventure Farm features another five mazes, a zip line, a pumpkin patch, Zorbing rides (a ride inside a giant 11-ball available on weekends), live pig races, a wooded picnic area, free campfires, pedal carts, pedal trikes, a goat farm, a farm carousel and more. Richardson Farm is open through Sunday, November 8. The farm reopens the Friday after Thanksgiving and invites one and all to cut their family Christmas Tree down. You may cut your own fir tree, purchase a pre-cut arbor or pick up a wreath and garland. Visit richardsonadventurefarm.com for details about COVID-19 protocols.
Let's toast to the Lake County Libation Trail! Visit Lake County launches its third installment of Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check-in Challenge running Sunday, November 1-30. Visit Lake County is supporting its libation makers as we continue to feel the effects of the pandemic. In this November edition of the Check-in Challenge, craft drinkers arrive at a participating location, they check in using their mobile pass to show they're in attendance. If libation-ers check in to three or more participants on the Lake County Libation Trail by November 30, they are entered into the sweepstakes to win a prize. To enter, patrons will text "CHEERS" to 224.706.1133. Visitors of three breweries, distilleries and/or wineries are entered to win a Libation Trail Overnight Package that includes a stay for two at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort with late checkout, $50 food and beverage credit at Wright's Brew & Bistro and a sample pack of Five Eyes Honey Ale, made with honey produced at the resort brewed by Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein. While mitigation measures are in place as of Saturday, October 31, libation-ers are permitted to check-in from the patio or at curbside pick up while they are buying plenty of packaged products to enjoy at home. Drink Lake County local, check in and discover new palates on the Libation Trail Check-in Challenge.
The pandemic has canceled many events in Lake County for the autumn season, but that doesn’t deter us from achieving fall feels. There is still a collection of box socials where individuals can taste the harvest goodness, embrace sweater weather, breathe in the autumn vibes and get to ta fall festival in the land of lakes. Here are the parties on the docket for November 2020:
Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check-in Challenge (Nov. 1-30) INFO»
"I said, ooh, I'm blinded by the lights. No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch," - The Weeknd. Meander in the illuminated world of wonder and light at Chicago Bo’s Lightscape. As you enter, you walk through a cathedral-esque threshold; you enter a world of the Glencoe sanctuary that’s as luminous as it’s ever been. This is a must-experience event for your eyes and your feels. Snap your #instagood grams and/or holiday cards here!
“Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.” Jacob Marley and a cast of other memorable Charles Dickens characters are lined along Antioch’s Main and Lake Streets to offer visitors a cheerio to the holiday. This Olde English public art exhibit comes to life with Dickens Holiday Village, over 40 lifelike mannequins spread along the streets, displaying over 25 different storylines and acting out different Dickens’ scenes. Get the “bah humbug” out of your soul with these charming displays. Across town, Kringle’s Christmas Village illuminates with the holiday spirit. In an indoor storefront pop-up down from Piggly Wiggly, many shadowboxes provide that same nostalgia attained when enjoying Chicago’s Marshall Fields’ windows. Both are on display during the holiday season. During the summer, Christmas still lives as 30 snowmen made of wood are designed by talented artists for two months in shop windows.
Get a glimpse of Santa’s Rock N Lights at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center for their final weekend. The Grayslake facility showcases a superbly illuminated show in a drive-thru format. The lights have doubled since last year. The route is nearly a mile of 1,000 programmable and over 100,000 animated lights synced to holiday music. There are over 700 feet of tunnels and a reimagined layout with themed worlds of lights, including the dinosaur world. The experience is socially distanced and touch-free.
The average American will eat around 3,000 calories this Thanksgiving, and for those who may be uninformed, that’s a lot. Is it worth it, you ask? Without a doubt. Whether you trot, run, scuttle or Mick Jagger, you definitely will gobble. Here's a list of Turkey runs in Lake County this year:
After an entire summer where the amusement park could not open, Six Flags Great America announced that the state had approved the Gurnee grounds to open for their annual Holiday in the Lights event. Great America will reopen on November 27 with their third season of this event called "Holiday in the Park Lights." Due to the pandemic's Illinois safety guidelines, rides will not operate. However, the holiday light experience will include two and a half million illuminate bulbs on trees and buildings, traditional holiday eats and hot chocolate, as well as live entertainment that will be performed outdoors. The event runs through December 27.
