Lake County Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2015
By: Jonathan Jones 11/19/2015
‘This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.’ Well in Lake County’s case, the size and stature of the lights are at a bigger display. Alicia Keys was notable for her song about New York where she exclaimed, ‘The big lights will inspire you.”
I always thought that was sort of a funny line; mainly because I thought the line should have been bright lights.
The festive illumination is something everyone looks forward to in the holiday season. Lucky for all of us in Lake County there are plenty of holiday trees that are erected around the area. For more information on holiday celebrations continue here to our 2015 Holiday Guide.
Here is your guide to the Lake County’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremonies.
Jelly Belly’s Christmas Tree Lighting & Celebration
November 21
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.
Antioch’s Annual Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Santa’s Enchanted Village
November 27
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.
Highwood’s Holiday Light Celebration
November 28
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.
Snow Much Fun at the Barrington Holiday Events & Tree Lighting
December 5
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.
Deerfield Downtown Lighting Ceremony
November 25
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.
Village of Fox Lake & Korpan’s Landing Holiday Illuminated Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 27
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.
Grayslake Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Market 2015
November 27
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.
Hawthorn Woods Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4
The tree will be set aglow while we listen to the Stevenson High School Caroling Choir followed b
y 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!
Highland Park’s Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony
November 21
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!
Village of Island Lake Tree Lighting
December 4
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.
Lake Forest’s 32nd Annual Tree Lighting
November 27
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.
Lake Zurich’s Annual Winter Celebration and Tree Lighting
December 4
Come out for an evening of caroling, a visit from Santa Claus and free refreshments, all while enjoying the annual tree lighting. Admission is free.
Lincolnshire’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 5
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.
Libertyville’s Holiday on the Square
November 27
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.
Lindenhurst Park District’s holiday Tree Lighting
December 5
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.
Long Grove’s Holiday Festivities
November 27 – December 24
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.
Mundelein Tree Lighting and Santa’s Cottage
December 4
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.
Round Lake’s holiday Festival
December 5
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 Tree Lighting Event
November 27
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!
Vernon Hills Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony
November 28
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.
Wauconda’s Holiday Walk & Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 5
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.
