Happy Christmahannukkwanzadan from the good folks at Visit Lake County to you and yours. Boy, do we have a holiday season lined up for you.
“I think I'm a big kid at heart, so I get very excited around the holidays,” is a spot on quote from Bobby Moynihan of Saturday Night Live.
From Turkey Day to your December holiday of choice to New Year’s, you can’t help but enjoy yourself giving to one another, eating delicious dishes at family holiday parties, hanging out with your friends, relaxing or being spiritual during this wonderful end to the year.
There’s plenty to do around this time. Of course Lake County knows how to celebrate the holidays and winter in general. This is blog post is everything you need to know about the holiday season in 2015: tree lightings, shopping deals, polar expresses, festivals, unique events, concerts, holiday performances and so much more.
If you’re looking to try and get a little exercise during this nourishing holiday season, take a look at the slew of races occurring around Lake County on our turkey trot blog.
While chestnuts are roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, peruse through the 2015 Holiday Guide to Lake County.
Caring Santa provides a subdued and welcoming environment for children with special needs and their families to visit Santa. The Santa set is located outside the dining pavilion in the Macy's Wing.
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.
The Holiday Parade on Main Street kicks off the season on Friday the 27th. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, caroling and Santa. Then visit Santa at his Frozen Village beginning on Saturday the 28th. Santa's Frozen Village is the place where dreams continue. Children visit with Santa and share their dearest wishes for the Holidays. Visits with Santa are free Monday through Friday nights. Frozen friends will join Santa on Saturdays and Sundays and will have admission of $5 per person and includes treats for the kids. Bring the camera for the photo memories.
Come out for the annual tree lighting and fireworks. Festivities will include music by Jazz Spectrum, the Fremont Singers and the annual reading of Clement Moore’s classic poem, “The Night Before Christmas.” Refreshments will be provided by the Mundelein Park District. Also Santa's Cottage will be opening at the new location on Village Hall Plaza.
Visit for the Nutcracker performed by Midwest Dance, a magical story hour by Mrs. Claus, followed by Santa's arrival & cookies & milk, Rose School singers and more.
Get a jump on holiday shopping at the Hawthorn Woods Craft Fair. The event features a variety of unique handcrafted items and home-based businesses to choose from. Find something for everyone on that shopping list.
Christkindl Festival is an open-air event during the holiday season featuring authentic German food, live entertainment, unique hand-crafted merchandise, drinks, fun activities for families and kids crafts, live reindeer, carousel & train rides, Gingerbread House competition and even Santa's house. Please visit the website for a complete list of entertainment.
Begin the day with the children's petting zoo, photos with the Santa and a visit to the special gingerbread houses at Ambrosia. Climb aboard and explore a Barrington fire truck, and visit participating retailers for special treats and surprises throughout the shopping center.
Bring the family out for some free fun and festivities. Festivities include an ice sculpture demonstration by Art Below Zero, performances by the Round Lake Area Park District's Princess Cabaret, kids games, Little Elves Workshop, sleigh rides, moonwalks, Round Lake Area Park District Community Band, Toys-for-Tots Drop off Center, Festival of Lights. Don't forget a camera to take a picture with Santa at the North Pole!
The kids know they have visited the real Santa and Mrs. Claus when he is outside in a snow covered sleigh in Cook Park! Visit them from 10 am to noon or from 1pm to 3pm. The Children’s Holiday Shoppe is at Petranek's Pharmacy this year in their Community Room. Kids can shop for their family at the Holiday Shoppe with the help of Santa's Elves. Prices for gifts go up to $5. There also will be a tour of the Cook Mansion.
Olde England comes alive in Historic Downtown Antioch with lifelike figures representing scenes from the Dickens Era. Experience this public art exhibit while strolling among the delight streets of Antioch. Enjoy the charm of Dickens among the many boutiques, gift shops and eateries. Also enjoy special Saturday Dickens activities.
Deerfield will be celebrating the holidays with festive holiday activities for every age. Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, roasted chestnuts, carolers, warm treats, live animals and more. In addition Saturday will include the big man, Santa Claus to offer photo opportunities for children of all ages, holiday games, including dreidel games, petting zoo, pony rides, gingerbread house decorating and much more.
HO HO HO! The time has finally arrived! Santa is going to be at Bass Pro Shops! That’s right! He’s making a list, and checking it twice! Come to his magical wonderland filled with games, free photos with Santa, yummy food like freshly cooked fudge, cookies, fondue, and popcorn! Make neat crafts, and even meet his elves! Be sure to join us November 14th for the special Preview Night, and help kick off the season in Santa's magical wonderland!
***Rink Side’s Holiday Open House & Skating Exhibit***
Rink Side will be hosting a free Skating Exhibition at 5:30 PM. Come see some of the local talent perform. Also visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus at the rink from 5pm-7pm and they will be available for pictures. Public Session will begin after the Skating Exhibition for $13 per person.
Families will meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an Elf. Enjoy making a Christmas ornament, eating a delicious treat. The festive atmosphere with holiday music, decorations, and jolly elves is sure to create a Christmas memory that will last a lifetime. Please bring a camera. Parents may drop off the gift prior to event, or pay an extra $7 and one will be chosen for your child. Registration closed December 7th.
The brightly decorated Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train will be making a stop at Viking Park. The “train of lights” partners with local communities across the United States and Canada to raise food and funds for local food banks as well as to raise awareness about hunger issues. Audiences of all ages will enjoy live holiday music, a brief ceremony, and candy cane treats for kids. Each Holiday Train is 1,000 feet long with 14 brightly decorated rail cars, including a boxcar that has been transformed into a traveling stage for performers. Non-perishable food items for donation is the cost for admission and all donations stay in the community.
All aboard for a magical journey of imagination to the “North Pole” (Waukegan). Wear pajamas and listen to a classic holiday story on board the train. Write a letter to Santa, snack on a cookie, and meet some holiday characters on the way. Bring the camera to take a photo with the whole Claus family and make some memories to last a lifetime! Participants must register at the address where they reside. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.
Join the magical journey aboard the Polar Express. Don't miss this special train ride from the Libertyville Metra station to the North Pole (Fox Lake) and back again. The entire trip to and from the North Pole will take approximately 90 minutes. Remember that the Polar Express always leaves on time, so please be prompt. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa Claus will join the Polar Express and ride back with everyone. Our Polar Express will re-create the trip recounted in the award-winning children's book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Wear your PJ's! Space is limited so register early. Open to all ages; all riders must register to have a ticket aboard the Polar Express. Non residents $25.
All aboard! Come join us on a magical journey aboard the Polar Express. Meet at the Grayslake Train Station on Lake Street and board the train for a special afternoon. Enjoy the fantastic ambiance of a train ride and storyteller reading the award-winning holiday story, 'Polar Express.' As we ride the train to the North Pole (Fox Lake), a 'special friend' will board the train to tell everyone 'Ho-Ho-Ho!' Perfect for ages 1 and up. Children are $19 for non-residents and adults are $14. Pre-registration is required.
All Aboard! Experience a holiday event as we travel from the Metra Train Station on Deerfield Road to meet Santa and favorite holiday “friends.” Refreshments will be served. Be sure to bring a camera because this will be a most memorable event. Space is limited, advance registration is required. Children up to age 10 with parent/family member are welcome.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 pm-8 pm. Meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus and Rudolph Visit and have a picture taken with Santa by Sharrett Studio Photography for $10. Join us for raffles, prizes, a face painter, balloon art and magician. Extended shopping hours from 5-8 p.m.
Welcome Santa and the Christmas Season to town at the old-fashioned Holiday Parade. The parade takes place on Main Street between Park Avenue and Depot Street traveling north and will conclude with the official lighting of the Antioch Family Christmas Tree outside the Village Hall. Homemade cookies, hot chocolate and old-fashioned caroling will take place at the Village hall during the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Santa will make a special appearance and will then be available for visiting immediately after the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Enchanted Village located at 882 Main Street.
Bring the family out and be a part of this Celebrate Highwood tradition as the trees and streets throughout Downtown Highwood will be magically lit for the first time. The entire family will have fun visiting with Santa, enjoying holiday carolers and seeing the lights. There will also be Toys for Tots toy drive and Moraine Township food drive.
Park and take the Holiday Trolley to all the events on December 5th. Enjoy carriage rides from 1pm-6:30pm, the Candy Cane Festival at the Foundry Shopping Center, Gingerbread Lane through The Shops of Lageschulte, Winter Wonderland at the Ice House Mall and Santa arrives on the Barrington Fire Engine at 5pm to light the holiday tree! After his arrival, Santa will visit with children in his red Santa House on South Cook Street. Remember to bring a camera to capture those memorable moments with Santa.
Kick-off the holiday season at the Downtown Lighting Ceremony. Hot chocolate, delicious treats and holiday music will kick off the holiday season at this Downtown Deerfield tradition. Mayor Rosenthal will light the downtown holiday lights at 5:00 pm.
The Illuminated Parade line up will begin at the Grant Community High School parking lot and will kick-off at 5pm. The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin following the parade at Millennium Park at 6:30 p.m. There will be caroling and hot chocolate, with the official tree lighting at 7pm. This year’s theme is “A Magical Christmas”. Following the parade, Santa will be greeting children at the Santa House in Millennium Park until 7:30pm. Children of all ages are invited to greet Santa and get a surprise. While guests wait to visit Santa, they can visit with his furry Reindeer friends who will be in Millennium Park from 6pm-8pm.
Downtown Tree Lighting Festival. Sleigh rides, visit with Santa at The Oasis, refreshments, and get a jump start on holiday shopping! Santa arrives at the Holiday Tree at the corner of Center and Whitney Street at 5:30PM. Sleigh rides take place between 6pm-8pm. Holiday Market at the Grayslake Museum begins at 5PM.
The tree will be set aglow while we listen to the Stevenson High School Caroling Choir followed by the arrival of Santa Claus on our fire truck. Stay warm inside the Barn with hot cocoa and cookies while making an ornament for your family tree. Children can visit with Santa, so don’t forget your camera. Be sure to join us for this traditional holiday event!
The day’s events will feature musical performances with a special appearance by Santa. Enjoy a family-friendly scavenger hunt through downtown Highland Park with prizes at the end. In addition, don’t miss free, live performances of The Nutcracker in the store window of Uncle Dan’s at the corner of Central Avenue and Second Street. The afternoon events will conclude with Mayor Rotering flipping the switch to turn on the holiday lights in Port Clinton Square. Come early to shop and dine!
Come join us as we light the tree and ignite the community's spirit! Carols will be sung, doughnuts and hot cocoa will be shared and there will be opportunities to take a tag from the Angel Tree.
This annual event is a Lake Forest Holiday Tradition for the entire family. Activities include a visit from Santa Claus, refreshments and caroling with the Lake Forest High School Choristers. The trees in Market Square and along Western Avenue will be set aglow at dusk.
Lake Villa Holiday Festivities & Parade
November 28
This annual event draws hundreds of people both near and far! See antique cars, floats, bands and much more in the parade. Afterwards the Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place in Lehmann Park. Santa will be on hand at the Train station. Don’t miss this fun family event! Parade starts at 5pm and winds its way through the subdivision, comes down Cedar Ave and ends at the train station. For more information please contact the Village of Lake Villa.
Lincolnshire Community Association makes the holidays a little brighter with its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration! Bring the family and join friends and neighbors to celebrate the arrival of the holiday season. Hot cocoa and desserts will be provided. Musical performances and a very special visit from Santa! Contribute canned goods and/or an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program.
The festivities begin with a sing-along of traditional carols and local groups performing their talents. Santa arrives around 7pm to light the tree and share good cheer. Be sure to get a photo with Santa. Downtown merchants will offer extended hours for evening shopping throughout the Village. Treat the family and friends to dinner at one of Libertyville’s nearly 100 eateries.
Holidays are a time for families and friends to come together. Join the Lindenhurst Park District for the traditional lighting of the Holiday Tree. Santa himself arrives in high style, escorted by the Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department. Afterwards, enjoy snacks and juice. Feel free to bring a camera to capture the child's delight when sitting on Santa's lap.
Charming, historic downtown Long Grove is the destination for the holiday season. Visitors will enjoy a variety of family fun beginning Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve. Weekends enjoy caroling, Santa strolling around for photo ops, horse-drawn carriage rides and more! Plus, the Free Gift Program continues through December 24th. Long Grove will provide a free gift to customers that spend $150 in our shops and restaurants. Gifts available at the Visitor's Center.
Come out for the annual tree lighting and fireworks. Festivities will include music by Jazz Spectrum, the Fremont Singers and the annual reading of Clement Moore’s classic poem, “The Night Before Christmas.” Refreshments will be provided by the Mundelein Park District. Also Santa's Cottage will be opening at the new location on Village Hall Plaza.
Bring the family out for some free fun and festivities. Festivities include an ice sculpture demonstration by Art Below Zero, performances by the Round Lake Area Park District's Princess Cabaret, kids games, Little Elves Workshop, sleigh rides, moonwalks, Round Lake Area Park District Community Band, Toys-for-Tots Drop off Center, Festival of Lights. Don't forget a camera to take a picture with Santa at the North Pole!
Round Lake Beach Village Tree Lighting (Event starts at 6pm, the tree lighting is at 6:30 with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire truck in front of the Village Hall. Then guests are welcomed to go to the Cultural & Civic Center to see Santa and take photos, crafts, “shop local” holiday bags filled with special coupons and goodies, and more!
Help bring the holiday season in by assisting Mayor Roger Byrne flip the switch to the holiday tree. Bring the family, the neighbors, and the kids out for hot chocolate, cookies, and cider. With the assistance of the Countryside Fire District, Santa has been able to clear his calendar in order to attend this event. See you there.
Get into the holiday spirit at the annual Tree Lighting event. Santa will arrive on a fire truck to greet the boys and girls of Wauconda. Then come inside after the tree is glowing and enjoy a winter wonderland of crafts, games, and stories. Bring your camera to take a picture with Santa. Goody bags available while supplies last and light refreshments will be served.
One of the most loved holiday movies is now a full grown Broadway musical. Join Buddy the Elf in his larger than life quest from the North Pole to New York City to find his true identity. This heartwarming and hilarious musical is breaking box office records around the county, and arrives at the Marriott Theatre just in time for the holidays. Audiences from 8 to 80 will get wrapped up in this warm and funny new holiday classic.
The 18-Piece Brian Setzer Orchestra brings his favorite swing, jump blues, rockabilly and rock and roll hits to his 12th Annual Christmas Tour. Songs include Jump Jive An’ Wail, Let’s Shake, Dig that Crazy Santa Clause, The Dirty Boogie and more.
Come out and enjoy an evening of holiday music at this annual Christmas Concert. All of the choral students will begin the program and then each individual group will sing a set of songs. The orchestra will also perform and the evening ends with the always popular audience participation of well-known Christmas Carols.
Don't miss this elegant Dinner & Concert at the Sanfilippo Estate. Carousel pavilion doors open at 5:00 pm for cocktails, dinner at 6pm, and the concert with William Powers at 8:00 pm in the Music Theater. Tickets will be available online only and are limited. Please visit the website for updated information.
Enjoy songs of the season at the Annual Holiday concert performed by the Viking Park Singers chorus. Refreshments will be served after the performance. Tickets may be purchased from any chorus member, at either Community Center or at the door.
Zuzu’s petals, Zuzu’s Petals! Get in the spirit with a screening of America's favorite Holiday Classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" with a special live appearance, Q&A, and stories from Zuzu herself, Karolyn Grimes. Her sparkling personality and her couragious story allows her audiences to feel good about themselves and their lives, no matter the hardship.
Take a special journey with Quentin Road this Christmas as the secrets from Christmas Past are unlocked. With a 300-voice children-and-adult choir, dramatic lighting, and live animals (including an 8ft camel), see what really happened on that first Christmas night long ago. With original songs and orchestration by David Clydesdale, this spectacular Christmas performance will be an instant classic to relive year after year. See why thousands in the Greater Chicagoland area make this event a part of an annual Christmas celebration. Tickets sell fast.
Bring the family out for an evening of holiday music. The annual Messiah features the Christmas Portion of Handel's Messiah as well as, a traditional carols. Attendees are encouraged to sing along in this community tradition; specific rows in the church are designated for those wanting to join the chorus in singing soprano, alto, tenor and baritone/bass.
Experience this performance based on the famous Charles Dickens' book A Christmas Carol. Holiday fun for the whole family. Performances are December 11-13 & 18-20.
This annual show will start the Holiday shopping off with a bang. Over 300 booths to choose from offering handmade arts and crafts, floral, plush items, country, unique gifts, fine art and much more.
Come join us for the Annual Holiday Open House Friday, Saturday and Sunday – November 27th, 28th and 29th from 10am - 5pm. We'll have mall gift card drawings throughout all 3 days. Treats and Mall-wide minimum 15% off all merchandise except items marked net, sale or firm.
The 3.5 hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Antioch Metra Station for a journey to the "North Pole". Children will join in and sing as our conductor goes around checking each of them in. Children's faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the "North Pole". Santa will join the group in between keeping an eye on the elves that are busy making the toys for Christmas. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Antioch Metra Station. Children and adults are encouraged to wear pajamas to this event.
Bon Appetitt. Come out to Downtown Grayslake on Saturdays for the Fall/Winter Farmers Market. The market will offer seasonal produce, baked goods, wine and cheeses, spices, organic selections, ready-to-eat food, live entertainment and much more. For more details and vendors please visit the website.
Come into the studio and create a glass ornament or window sparkler. There are 2 styles to choose from, Flat or Twisted and also the choice of colors. These weekends are the only time this will be offered. It is first come-first served and a limit of 1 per person. Ornament - $25 each. Fridays-Sundays beginning November 27 through December 20. Everything in the Gallery will be sale priced for holiday gifts.
What a perfect time to holiday shop! The downtown windows are beautifully dressed so stop to admire. The merchants are happy to help you find that perfect holiday gift. The shops and restaurants downtown will be rocking with special promos, wine tastings and music.
Barrington is ushering in the holidays with a festive wine walk! Free sips, tasty treats, special deals and raffles featured at participating merchants. For a list of participating merchants please visit the website.
Suds and Spirits are for tasting while you enjoy the surrounding Wonderland Express exhibition with trains and more than 80 Chicago landmarks. Ticket price includes tasting glass, wristband to participate in tastings, guide, and access to Wonderland Express.
Happy Christmahannukkwanzadan from the good folks at Visit Lake County to you and yours. Boy, do we have a holiday season lined up for you. 
ake County knows how to celebrate the holidays and winter in general. This is blog post is everything you need to know about the holiday season in 2015: tree lightings, shopping deals, polar expresses, festivals, unique events, concerts, holiday performances and so much more. 
Gurnee Mills Events
making a list, and checking it twice! Come to his magical wonderland filled with games, free photos with Santa, yummy food like freshly cooked fudge, cookies, fondue, and popcorn! Make neat crafts, and even meet his elves! Be sure to join us November 14th for the special Preview Night, and help kick off the season in Santa's magical wonderland! 
