Things to do this weekend December 26 - 28

By: Jonathan Jones 12/22/2014

With the holidays in full swing and the kid's home from school, don't miss all the fun events in Lake County. Here are 5 things to do this weekend. Also, don’t forget to enter our a Holiday Contest for a chance to win an overnight stay at KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort and a shopping spree at Westfield Hawthorn Mall. If you are visiting the Vernon Hills Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show, be sure to take pictures and submit them on Social Media using the hashtag #VHHolidaylights14 for a chance to win a $100 Maggiano’s gift card.

1.) The Great Train Show, Lake County Fairgrounds Saturday & Sunday, December 27 & 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Great Train Show is America's favorite traveling train show serving more states than any other show. Train enthusiasts young and old will enjoy the operating model railroads, train dealers, collectors, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, a play area for smaller engineers and much more! 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake

2.) Shiloh House Christmas, Zion Friday-Sunday, December 26 – 28, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Shiloh House is all decorated for the holidays and is open for self-guided tours. This is the last weekend of the season to view the beautiful mansion all dressed up with holiday decor. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. 1300 Shiloh Blvd., Zion

3.) Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show, Vernon Hills Daily through January 3rd. Grab some hot chocolate and take a ride through this Lake County holiday tradition. The family will be filled with excitement at the Northern Illinois' largest drive-through Holiday Light Festival while viewing thousands of twinkling lights, animated displays and holiday decorations. Open 6-10pm. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The Grounds of the Cuneo Mansion, Enter off Lakeview Parkway and Rt. 60, Vernon Hills

4.) Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Garden Daily through January 4 Take a magical trip to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Outside, 750,000 lights sparkle in the Garden's wonderland. Inside the Regenstein Center, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winds over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago's favorite landmarks. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe.

5.) 16th Annual Polar Bear Plunge in Waukegan Thursday, January 1, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Start the New Year off with a splash or watch from the sidelines! Starting 10 a.m. on January 1st, the first 500 registrants taking the plunge will receive an event t-shirt. Food, hot chocolate and Polar Bear hats will be sold on site. Aqua shoes or other footwear is required. Cost is $10 in advance and $15 the day of the plunge. Waukegan Municipal Beach, 201 Sea Horse Drive, Waukegan.