Things To Do This Weekend December 18-20, 2020
By: Jonathan Jones 12/17/2020
Have yourself a merry little holiday in this edition of things to do this weekend December 18-20.
Experience the fruits of the season's greetings time of year as you holiday your way in Lake County. Continue here to learn more about the most wonderful time of the year in the land of lakes.
Drive through a dazzling display, experience nostalgic holiday feels, pop, lock and drop it with a toy soldier and have a socially-distanced visit with jolly old Saint Nick in this weekend watch installment.
Here are your top things to do this weekend December 18-20
Get a glimpse of Santa’s Rock N Lights at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center as we journey deeper into the holiday season. The Grayslake grounds showcase a superbly illuminated show in a drive-thru format. The lights have doubled since 2019. 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 “lit” experience is socially distanced and touch-free. Santa’s Rock N Lights runs through January 3.
Friday-Sunday, December 18-20; 5-9 p.m. Tickets per car: $24.99, $5 per additional passenger in vehicles over six individuals. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
“Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting tingling too. It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together” at Long Grove’s Vintage Holidays. Experience the charming village’s holiday cheer and nostalgic seasonal feels with a variety of specialty shops and eateries as you enjoy the weekend festivities, which include horse-drawn sleigh rides, carolers, holiday lights and a visit from Santa Claus in the quaint downtown’s final weekends of the celebration. Old Kris Kringle will be available to take photos with the youngsters. The holiday tradition begins this weekend and runs through December 20.
Friday-Sunday, December 18-20; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission: Free. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
So... Clara had this weird dream last night. She said some rats and toys were fighting each other. The beloved holiday tradition featuring a dancing nutcracker, sugar plum fairies, mouse royalty and more comes to College of Lake County’s James Lumber Center in Grayslake with a different flavor. “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” donning B-Boy and B-Girls busting plenty of moves and break dancing to the timeless tunes provided by Tchaikovsky. “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” showcases a diverse, all-star cast of dancers. The Grayslake production is a virtual livestream event. Tickets can be purchased at stellartickets.com.
Friday, December 18; 7 p.m. Tickets: $20-$50. Virtual Event. James Lumber Center of the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.
“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
Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills,
Gurnee Mills,
Bass Pro Shops in Gurnee and the
Shiloh House in Zion. 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, as this is the final weekend to see him. Kringle will be masked, and these locations with Mr. Claus are taking the proper health COVID-19 guidelines. Make your reservations online before arrival. At Hawthorn, Gurnee Mills and Bass Pro Shops, you can stick around to get some holiday gifts for the family, while at the Shiloh House, you can take a tour of the historic home to see some holiday illuminations. At Hawthorn Mall, Santa is located by the Macy’s mall entrance, while at Gurnee Mills, Claus is near the Dining Pavilion South in the Macy’s wing.
Friday-Sunday, December 18-20. Various admissions. Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. Gurnee Mills, 6170 Grand Ave., Gurnee. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 6112 Grand Ave., Gurnee. Shiloh House, 1300 Shiloh Blvd., Zion.
Six Flags Great America launches its new Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru. Like their ongoing Holiday in the Park Lights display, you will experience the dazzling display of illuminants, seasonal sights and holly jolly sounds from the warmth of your car. The Gurnee display is highlighted by 11 immersive themed areas throughout the 300-acre theme park, millions of twinkling lights, live entertainment and festive music. Experience a socially distanced season’s greetings from beloved holiday characters, iconic holiday decorations, and drive-by featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus and their jolly elves. The park will return after this weekend to an on-foot light display and re-launch on select days from January 2-18. Visit sixflags.com to pre-reserve and purchase tickets.
Friday, December 18; 5-9 p.m. Admission starts at $14.99 per person. Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
For more things to do this weekend December 18-20, continue here. To learn how to Holiday Your Way in the land of lakes, click here.
