Things To Do This Weekend January 8-10, 2021
By: Kelli Smith 01/07/2021
New Year, new us, same amazing Lake County events in this installment of things to do this weekend January 8-10.
This 2020 holiday season, Lake County hosted amazing events that included your favorite holiday characters, sugar plum fairies and sleigh bells jingling all night long.
If you didn't get enough cheer this holiday season, you're in luck. The season of cheer is almost through and this weekend will be one of the last opportunities to experience lights, Santa, holly and mistletoe.
Take a look at the top five things to do this weekend January 8-10 that Lake County has to offer to launch the new year!
Calling all Christmas and Dinosaur lovers, Santa's Rock N Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at the Lake County Fairgrounds has been extended through Sunday, January 10. It's your last chance to see double the light from the prior holiday season and the new reimagined layout with themed world's illumination. Experience an animated drive-thru, contactless light show on the Grayslake grounds highlighted in 700 feet of lit tunnels including their new techno rainbow, a longer route and synchronizing tunes to the flashing brilliance by tuning into 88.7 FM Radio. Online ticket purchases are required to access the light show. No onsite tickets can be purchased.
Friday-Sunday, January 8-10; Friday-Saturday 5-10 p.m., Sunday 5-9 p.m. Tickets: $32.99-$34.99. An extra $5 for additional passengers over six individuals. Tickets are required for riders three and older. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
If you haven't yet seen the Holiday lights through Six Flags Great America's Drive-Thru experience, now is the time! The Gurnee amusement park is decked out with over three-million dazzling lights across 300 acres. The whole family can delight in socially-distanced entertainment in Snowman City, through Jolly Lane and in the Holiday Square. The Gurnee fun zone also features live entertainment with performers masked and following COVID-19 protocols. Head home with a holiday snack or a souvenir bundle to remember the experience. Six Flags Great America's Drive-Thru Experience runs on select days through January 18.
Friday-Sunday, January 8-10; 5-9 p.m. Reservations must be made in advance. Tickets: $14.99 per passenger. Kids ages two and under receive free entry. Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
Get active and give back all in one sitting. Jumpstart your fitness resolution by participating in Long Grove's Virtual New Years Day 5K! Walk or run for a good cause as proceeds to go Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter located in Deerfield. Time yourself, break a personal record, take a coffee walk or host a socially-distanced catch up with friends and family on your outdoor virtual 5K experience. Make the run your own by creating a unique route, submit your time at runsignup.com/race/il/longgrove and post a photo of your 5K experience and tag @EnjoyLongGrove. The grand prize is a VIP Tour & Tasting for up to 10 guests from Lake County Libation Trail participant Buffalo Grove Brewing Co. Registration closes January 15 and the 5K must be completed by January 31. A Post Race Hybrid Party will also be hosted at Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. in Long Grove's Alpine Biergarten on February 4 from 5-7 p.m. Happy running!
Friday-Sunday, January 8-10 Registration: $39. Buffalo Creek Brewing Co., 360 Historical Ln., Long Grove.
You're a star! Support local artists and check out Mundelein's Stars on Parade in the snow. The outdoor exhibit is highlighted by a series of 15 fiberglass star sculptures with varying themes including diversity, birds of Lake County, a rendition of Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and many more. Check out each sculpture while simultaneously exploring key spots of Mundelein's downtown area. This art project created "by the community for the community" is free to the public. Check out the artists that align on the streets of Mundelein.
Friday-Sunday, January 8-10. Downtown Mundelein, Hawley and Lake Streets and Chicago and Seymour Avenues.
Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? Head to this art experience virtually or in person by appointment! January will be the last month to gaze at the new works by artist Arica Hilton. Hilton's nature-inspired works will make you feel like you're exploring the outdoors through colors, shapes, and sounds. Take a 360 degree virtual tour through Brushwood Center's "Tides: A Prelude" created by the Chicago born designer. Appealing to all the sense, Hilton's work is complemented by Chicago classic composer and conductor Vladimir Kulenovic all month long presenting "Nature in Concert". Visitors and virtual viewers alike will relish in the art installation and the intimate live concert experience with both artists at the Riverwoods Village Hall. Due to COVID-19 protocols, only virtual view is available at brushwoodcentergallery.org, but in-person dates and registration are coming soon.
Friday-Sunday, January 8-10; Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Rd., Riverwoods.
For more things to do this weekend January 8-10, continue here.
