Things To Do This Weekend December 24-26, 2021
By: Jeff Randolph 12/22/2021
It's the perfect way to celebrate the holidays and the final weekend of 2021 in Lake County. Let’s take a look at things to do this weekend December 24-26.
Lake County is home to several wineries, distilleries and breweries with holiday offerings. Check out a list of season libations by clicking here.
Catch holiday lights in Gurnee. Santa finishes off his stay in Vernon Hills before heading off to deliver gifts. A beach club is transformed into a holiday hideaway. It's a Dickens of a time in Antioch. The lights are rockin' in Grayslake. Let’s look at the top five things to do this weekend December 24-26.
Holiday in the Park Lights! at Six Flags Great America keeps glowing through the holidays! The dazzling spectacle of twinkling lights, spectacular shows, holiday shopping highlights the Gurnee amusement park event. The illuminating thrill zone also features the unique bulb shows like the Kalightoscope Light Show, Roasted Marshmallows & S’mores Galore at the fire pit, photo ops with Santa Claus and your favorite Looney Toons characters, head to five live shows that feature your favorite holiday tunes and more. For the people that didn’t make your “naughty list,” peruse the gift options at Holiday Treasures, Sugar Plum Keepsakes, Merry Market Place or Santa’s Workshop. During your visit, experience rides geared towards families like Columbia Carousel, JUSTICE LEAGUE™: Battle for Metropolis, THE DARK KNIGHT™ Coaster and more, while the more thrilling coasters hibernate until next spring. Take advantage of the exclusive holiday menu as Mrs. Kringle has sprinkled unique holiday recipes throughout the park, all bound to leave your stomach as stuffed as your stocking. Merry memories can be made at Holiday in the Park Lights! through December 30.
Sunday, December 26; 4-9 p.m. Tickets: starting at $24.99. Certain activities may require additional fees. Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
“You better watch out! You better not cry. You better not pout; I’m telling you why.” Kris Kringle concludes his residency on Christmas Eve at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. The photos with Santa are themed after the 1983 classic holiday film “A Christmas Story”. Visits with Santa are free and are available through walk-ins only. The photos will be available for purchase from by imaging provider Cherry Hill Programs.
Friday, December 24; Visits with Santa are free. Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills.
On Sunday be sure to visit Grandpa Ho-Ho’s Holiday Hideaway at Lindy’s Landing in Wauconda. Lindy’s Beach Club is being transformed into a festive outdoor pop-up experience with holiday decorations and seasonal vibes. Enjoy drinks from their cocktail menu like the Mistletoe Martini, Rudolph Mule and Spiked Egg Nog. The tented is heated but make sure to dress appropriately as Grandpa’s Ho-Ho Holiday Hideaway runs until December 31.
Sunday, December 26; noon-5 p.m. Lindys Landing, Waterfront Restaurant and Marina, 115 Park Street, Wauconda.
Olde England comes alive in historic downtown Antioch. Dickens Holiday Village has moved indoors this year as part of Kringle’s Christmas Village. View 40 Charles Dickens-inspired characters that have been created by community volunteers. Each character displays a plaque describing each scene and how life was in the Dickens Era. Kringle's Christmas Village offers dozens of oversized, illuminated shadowboxes filled with miniature holiday scenes. The indoor showroom is located at the far end of Piggly Wiggly Plaza, just steps away from Main Street. Dickens Holiday Village and Kringle's Christmas Village will be on display from through New Year’s Day.
Friday-Sunday, December 24-26; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission is free. Dickens Holiday Village and Kringle’s Christmas Village, 510 Orchard St., Antioch.
“Oh, Christmas lights light up the street. Light up the fireworks in me,” sings British alternative band Coldplay. Santa‘s Rock N Lights Drive Thru Light Show continues this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center. Experience an illuminated showcase highlighted by over a mile of dancing light tunnels, nearly a million lights moving in synchronicity to music and memories that make seasons bright at this pandemic-proof exhibit. The 25-minute, Grayslake light show also features larger than life 3D polar bears, dinosaurs and peacocks and various vibrant glows throughout this land of lakes holiday tradition running daily through January 2. Reservations must be made online prior to visiting at SantasRocknLights.com. Bulb enthusiasts are encouraged to tune their radio stations to 88.7 F.M. when driving the trail.
Friday and Sunday, December 24 and 26; Fri. and Sun.: 5-8:30 p.m. Tickets: Friday is $34.99, Sunday $32.99 for vehicles with up to six individuals . Six or more people incur additional tickets. Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake.
Look at the 12 things at Christmas that Lake County gave to you in 2021 by clicking here. You can find more things to do this weekend December 24-26 by clicking here.
