Top Things to Do this Holiday Season in Lake County, Illinois

With its gorgeous parks, overflowing calendar of events and premier shopping centers, Lake County, Illinois, is an ideal winter holiday destination. Where else can you go cross-country skiing; see a world-class Broadway show; and save big bucks while shopping for designer brands, all in one day? Here are some of the top things to do this holiday season in Lake County.

Holiday Shopping

Whether you’re looking for handmade housewares, innovative artwork or one-of-a-kind fashions, Lake County offers multiple malls, shopping centers and boutiques, where you can find unique gifts for your friends, family and maybe even yourself.

Start your shopping spree at Gurnee Mills. Home to more than 200 stores, Gurnee Mills is the largest shopping center in the state. Shop for holiday fashions at Macy’s; stock up on outdoor gear at Bass Pro Shop; or see what’s sparkling at the Charming Charlie jewelry store. Gurnee Mills also has several outlet shops, including Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and the Nike Factory Store. Another favorite shopping destination is Deer Park Town Center in nearby Deer Park. This isn’t your average mall. Deer Park Town Center is an open-air lifestyle center, complete with all the shops and stores you’d expect, as well as a host of amenities like restaurants, salons and a cinema. While shopping, you can also upgrade your digital life at the Apple store; get your winter glow at the Planet Beach spray tanning center; and buy trendy work outfits at Anthropologie.  

As much fun as the malls are, it’s also exciting to explore the work of local artisans and crafters when visiting a new city. With its turn-of-the-century buildings and tree-lined sidewalks, MainStreet Libertyville is a charming destination for shoppers looking for unique and handmade items. The area also has some of the locals’  favorite restaurants and bars. You’ll also want to visit Historic Downtown Long Grove. While this picturesque village retains much of its original character and charm, including winding cobblestone walkways and stately 19th-century homes, it also caters to today’s tastes with shops, selling everything from locally brewed beers to mid-century modern home decorations to Scandinavian jewelry.

Holiday Events

Every winter, Lake County comes alive and transforms into a winter wonderland with holiday-themed events and festivals. In Historic Downtown Antioch, you can take part in one of the area’s largest volunteer public art exhibits at the annual Dickens Holiday Village celebration. During this festival, many of downtown’s sidewalks are adorned with sculptures of characters from Dickens’ most popular stories. Every year, the Dickens Holiday Village continues to grow. In 2017, you will be amazed to see more than 50 handcrafted installments representing Dickens’ favorite characters. 

In nearby Deerfield, the city’s annual Winter Celebration kicks off the holiday season with a festive party. Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, feast on roasted chestnuts and try your hand at decorating gingerbread houses. Carolers keep things merry, and the little ones will love the chance to ride ponies and meet live animals in the petting zoo. The event also also has dreidel games, live music and plenty of vendors selling warm drinks and snacks.

In Lake County, giving back is the norm. And during the holidays, the county gives back in a big way when the Canadian Pacific Railroad Holiday Train rolls into  Gurnee’s Viking Park each winter. This annual event is a celebrated fundraiser and food drive for food banks in North America. Bring a nonperishable item and enjoy an afternoon of holiday-themed entertainment. 

Trains are also part of the excitement at the Wonderland Express festival at Chicago Botanic Garden. This annual holiday party features everything you need for a day of family fun, including an indoor snow shower, ice carvers and carolers. You’ll also find a meticulously made miniature cityscape of nearby Chicago and several model trains on display. Kids will also be delighted when Thomas the Tank Engine makes his appearance.  

Holiday Shows

From holiday hits to fresh takes on Christmas classics, you’ll find plenty of entertainment to keep you in a cheerful spirit this winter. At Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, its winter lineup is stacked with holiday shows and performances that will have you singing and dancing along to your favorite Christmas tunes.  Catch pop band 98 Degrees’ spectacular Christmas show, where all the members will break out all their slick moves you remember from the 1990s as well as original holiday songs. If that’s not enough nostalgia for you, check out the Theatre’s “A Carpenters Christmas,” which features one of the best Carpenters tribute bands in the country. You can also sing along to holiday favorites like “Santa Claus is Comin' to Town” and “White Christmas.” The theater will also host special performances of classics like “The Magic of the Nutcracker” and “A Garfield Christmas” this season.

The Sanfilippo Foundation’s "Place de la Musique" is famous for its fantastic collection of antique phonographs, clocks and music machines. It’s also famous for its annual Christmas concerts. Watch as Dave Wickerham, one of the best theater organists in the world, performs holiday classics on the Sanfilippo Foundation’s famous Wurlitzer piano.  

What’s a holiday season without Ralphie, the leg lamp and repeated warnings that “you’ll shoot your eye out”? Enjoy the holiday classic “A Christmas Story” at P.M. & L. Theatre in Antioch on weekends from Dec. 1 to Dec. 17. You can also enjoy other classics like “Newsies” and “Sleeping Beauty” at  Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

To enjoy a new spin on a holiday classic, head to Citadel Theatre Company in Lake Forest. This holiday season, the theater is debuting the world premiere of “Scrooge and the Ghostly Spirits.” Based on the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” this new musical brings the story and characters you love to life with an original score and plenty of songs and dances. 

Finally, no holiday in Lake County is complete without a performance by the Illinois Brass Band. This season, the band is bringing its horns and big band Yuletide favorites to the Round Lake Beach Civic Center on Dec. 10.