Things To Do This Weekend Dec. 29 - Jan. 1
By: Jack Nelson 12/28/2017
Goodbye, 2017 and welcome the New Year! We at Visit Lake County hope that you had a spectacular and safe holiday season and are looking forward to the big countdown.
There are dozens of places and ways to ring in the New Year all throughout Lake County. For a complete list of New Year's activities click here. For a complete list of all other events and happenings, you can click here.
Grab your party favors, light-up '2018' glasses and let's get festive.
Inspired by a charismatic newsboy from the streets of New York City, the Lincolnshire’s Marriott Theatre hosts its popular musical ‘Newsies’ for one final weekend. Jack Kelly dreams of a better life far from the hardship of the streets and must come up with a way to rally other newsboys to fight against the newspaper publishing titans. This Broadway smash-hit is a high-energy musical thrill for the whole family.
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 29-Jan. 31; Fri 7 p.m., Sat 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission $55-$60. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
Kick off the new year with a splash. Waukegan’s 19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge takes place New Year’s morning on Waukegan’s Municipal Beach. Join hundreds of others also taking the plunge, benefiting the Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County.
Monday, Jan. 1; 9–11 a.m. Admission $15-$20. Waukegan Beach, 1 Seahorse Dr., Waukegan.
The nation’s only coast-to-coast model train show makes a stop at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake this Saturday and Sunday. The Great Train Show features over 50 exhibitors from across the country, over 250 tables of trains for sale and many operating model train displays. Children will enjoy an appearance from Thomas the Tank Engine, who will be in attendance to give rides to kids of all ages.
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 30-31; Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission $9-$10. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 East Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
This is the final weekend to view the ‘When Baseball Went to War’ exhibit at the National Museum of the American Sailor. The popular display explores the history of Navy baseball from its earliest years through present day with a special emphasis on the role that Naval Station Great Lakes played in the development of naval baseball.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 30-31; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. National Museum of the American Sailor, 2531 Sheridan Rd., Great Lakes.
One of Zion’s most iconic structures is decorated for the holidays with wonderful lights and much more. The beautiful Shiloh House is open for self-guided tours Friday through Sunday evenings through the end of the year. The elegant 25 room mansion, built for John Alexander Dowie, is truly a sight to see this weekend.
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 29-31. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Donations accepted. Shiloh House, 1300 Shiloh Blvd., Zion.
For even more events happening in Lake County, click here.
For a full list of New Year's Eve events, click here.
