Things To Do This Weekend November 12-14, 2021
By: Jeff Randolph 11/10/2021
It's a colorful season with leaves on the trees and on the ground. Let's look at things to do this weekend November 12-14.
There are autumn vibes all throughout Lake County. Check out our list of fall feels by clicking here.
Take a journey through the area sampling spirits, ales and vino. An illuminated festival lights up Chicago Botanic Gardens. St. Nick makes an appearance at Deer Park Town Center. Basketball season starts for Lake County's team. There's a behind the scenes look at classical dressage and stunning stallions in Old Mill Creek. Here’s the top five things to do this weekend November 12-14.
Let’s toast to the Lake County Libation Trail! “It’s five o’clock somewhere,” as suds aficionados, vino connoisseurs and spirit enthusiasts will be elated with these glasses of “liquid courage.” The Lake County Libation Trail Check-in Challenge is highlighted by over 25 of the most delectable flavors from locally sourced ingredients. So whether your adult beverage is an ice-cold frothy lager, a dry red merlot or an old-fashioned on the rocks, Lake County has precisely what you need to make your taste buds dance. When craft drinkers arrive at a participating location, they check-in using their mobile pass to show they are in attendance. If libation-ers check into three or more participants of the Lake County Libation Trail between November 12-21 via indoor dining, outdoor sipping, curbside pickup or carryout, they are entered into a sweepstakes and win a free VIP 3-Stop Lake County Libation Trail Tour courtesy of O’Toole’s. Participating breweries include Bosacki’s Brewery and Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein, Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, Half Day Brewing Co. and Wright’s Brew and Bistro located inside Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Lincolnshire, Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing and Zümbier Brewery in Waukegan, Roaring Table Brewing Co. and Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, Harbor Brewing Co. in Winthrop Harbor, Liquid Love Brewing in Buffalo Grove, Light the Lamp Brewery in Grayslake, Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville, Black Lung Brewing in Round Lake Beach, Only Child Brewing Company in Gurnee, Ravinia Brewing Company in Highland Park, Side Lot Brewery in Wauconda and Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington. The Lake County Libation Trail features participating wineries, including Glunz Family Winery & Cellars in Grayslake, Lynfred Winery in Wheeling, Valentino Vineyards in Long Grove, Pazzo di Vinno in Highwood and Vigneto del Bino Winery in Antioch. Adults ages 21 and over can also indulge in spirits from participating distilleries like Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, North Shore Distillery in Green Oaks, 28 Mile Vodka and Distillery in Highwood and Oppidan Spirits in Waukegan. To register, follow the go to experience.visitlakecounty.org, text “CHEERS” to 224-706-1133 or visit one of the aforementioned participating venues and point your camera phone to the QR code. The event runs through November 21.
Friday-Sunday, November 12-14; Hours and process vary per location. Various breweries, wineries and distilleries in Lake County.
Inspirational author Roy T. Bennett wrote, “To shine your brightest light is to be who you truly are.” Lightscape is returning for its third year at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Feel the glow along the illuminated trail that was created just for the Glencoe sanctuary. Walk the path filled with art installations, thousands of glowing lights and twinkling colors complemented by musical trees and new features along the 1.25-mile path. Attendees must purchase tickets early to secure their time slot. Space is limited through this weekend, as most of the timed entries have sold out. Children ages three and under receive free admission, and parking costs $10-$20 per vehicle. Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden runs through January 2.
Friday-Sunday, November 12-14; 4:30-11 p.m. Admission: $12-$28 per ticket (parking not included.) Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
“He’s making a list and checking it twice.” Santa’s Arrival and Fireworks at Deer Park Town Center kick off the holiday season this Saturday. The “Jolly Old Soul” will arrive in a fire truck following the unique performance by the local puppet show “Those Funny Little People” starting at 6 p.m. Santa Claus will be available for socially distant visits and contactless photo opportunities till 8:30 p.m. Kris Kringle’s visitors will receive free antler headbands and a free pouch of reindeer fare while supplies last. St. Nick will countdown the tree lighting and concludes with the magical fireworks show featuring a finale that honors our veterans. The pyrotechnics show begins approximately at 6:30 p.m., so arrive early as parking fills up fast.
Saturday, November 13; 6-8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Rd., Deer Park.
It’s a slam dunk as Vipers Pro Basketball tipoff their 2021 season after a hiatus due to the pandemic. The Lake County professional men’s American Basketball Association (ABA) basketball team will host the southern California-based Oceanside Surf at Warren Township High School in Gurnee on Saturday. The semi-pro ballers are showcased in a family-friendly environment entertaining to even the most novice basketball fans. The team consists of former Division-I collegiate athletes, international players and local ballers with hopes of moving to the NBA hardwood.
Saturday, November 13; 6:30 p.m. Admission: $5-$12.50. Warren Township High School-Almond Campus, 34090 N. Almond Rd., Gurnee.
The Tempel Lipizzans invites equestrian aficionados to the stables this Saturday. Visitors to the historic Old Mill Creek homestead will embrace this unique experience as they sit under the heat lamps inside the indoor arena, watch these steeds run through their training sessions and observe the traditions of yesteryear’s classical riding. After the training session, attendees will be invited to the stallion stable to interact with the Lipizzaners and their riders. The breed is now considered an endangered domestic animal with less than 12,000 species worldwide.
Saturday, November 13; 10-11 a.m. Admission: $15-$25. Tempel Farms, 17000 Wadsworth Rd., Old Mill Creek.
For more ideas on things to do this weekend November 12-14 click here. To get more ideas on the Lake County Libation Trail Check-In Challenge click here.
