Things To Do This Weekend December 30-January 1, 2023
By: Nick Borowitz 12/22/2022
New Year's Eve is upon us! There is no shortage of celebrations in Lake County to make the most of the experience. Here are the things to do this weekend December 30-January 1, 2023.
Peruse our list of activities to keep the kids busy for winter break.
The holidays are wrapping up, but there are still plenty of theatre performances to watch.
Visit the breweries, wineries and distilleries of the Lake County Libation Trail.
Here are the things to do this weekend December 30-January 1, 2023.
1. 95 WIIL ROCK New Year's Eve Big Ball at the Holiday Inn Chicago North Hotel in Gurnee
The Holiday Inn Chicago North in Gurnee brings down the house on New Year's Eve. The New Year’s Eve Big Ball hosted by 95 WIIL ROCK personalities Tom and Stino features live music acts like Modern Day Romeos and Keith Magnine, a buffet dinner, party favors, a midnight champagne toast and more. Salads, toppings, pasta, rolls, prime rib, chicken breast, grilled salmon, mashed potatoes, and desserts highlight the buffet dinner. Alcoholic beverages are not included with admission but are available for purchase at the Gurnee hotel’s Grand Ballroom cash bar. Partygoers are encouraged to stay overnight with room rates starting at $119. Visit 95WIILRock95WIILROCK.com for tickets
December 31-January 1, 2023; 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Admission: $110, Overnight stay: $119. Holiday Inn Chicago North Hotel, 6161 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
2. New Year's Eve Family Party at the Sullivan Community Center in Vernon Hills
The New Year’s Eve festivities begin one day early at the Sullivan Community Center in Vernon Hills. The Vernon Hills Park District facility transforms into Vernon Hills’ Times Square for its New Year’s Eve Family Party. The kid-friendly gala features food for purchase, open gym play, a live DJ, a juice toast and a balloon drop. Adults must accompany children, and both must register at VHParkDistrict.org.
Friday, December 30; 4-6:30 p.m. Admission: $5; children ages two and under receive free entry. Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Dr., Vernon Hills.
3. New Year's Eve Dinner at Three Embers Restaurant at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” is everyone’s favorite saying during the winter holidays. Visit the Marriott Theatre at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort to experience the live stage musical of “A Christmas Story.” The timeless yuletide tale tells the story of Ralphie Parker and his wish for a Red Ryder air rifle. Throughout the charming holiday tale, Ralphie deals with bullies, a disgruntled shopping mall Santa and elf duo, a malfunctioning furnace, his parents, a bar of soap and the iconic leg-shaped table lamp. The Broadway-hit musical adaption of the 1983 Bob Clark-directed movie has three Tony Award nominations. The movie continues to air on numerous television stations during the holiday season. The Marriott Theatre musical runs on select days through January 1. After the Marriott Theatre production, ring in a new year with a four-course dinner at Three Embers Restaurant, also inside the resort. The dinner features an appetizer, salad, entrée and a dessert course. The Lincolnshire Marriott Resort offers an overnight package that includes “A Christmas Story” tickets and the Three Embers Restaurant dinner. Visit MarriottTheatre.com for “A Christmas Story” tickets. Visit ThreeEmbersRestaurant.com to make dinner reservations. The Marriott Theatre musical runs on select days through January 1.
Friday-Sunday, December 30-January 1; A Christmas Story: December 30-January 1, 2023; Fri.: 8 p.m., Sat.: 4 and 8 p.m., Sun.: 1 and 4 p.m. Admission: $55. Ring in the New Year at Three Embers: December 31; various times. Admission: $98 per person. Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
4. Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge in Lake Michigan
Kick off the new year by taking a dip in the icy waters of Lake Michigan at the 24th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge. The Waukegan Municipal Beach event provides commemorative t-shirts and access to the Great Lake. Plungers fans are encouraged to cheer the field on from the shore. The City of Progress and the Waukegan Park District requires participants to wear shoes or aqua-fitted footwear. All proceeds from the event benefit Special Recreation Services of North Lake County-Waukegan, which helps individuals with disabilities participate in camps, athletics, fitness programs and more.
Sunday, January 1; 10-11 a.m. Registration: $20-$25. Waukegan Municipal Beach, 201 Sea Horse Drive, Waukegan.
5. Radiance New Year's Eve at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center
Ring in New Year’s Eve weekend with enough bass to shake the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center's foundation. Radiance New Year’s Eve hosts two nights of electronic dance music (EDM) complemented by dazzling light shows. The Grayslake festival features 15 acts including Subtronics, Of the Trees, Liquid Stranger, Rusko and more. Bass heads can select a one-night ticket or a two-day event pass, as well as VIP status. Radiance New Year’s Eve is open only to guests ages 18 and older. Due to the popularity of this EDM concert, tickets are expected to sell out.
December 30-31; Fri.-Sat.: 8 p.m. Admission: $100-$240. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
Click here to see more things to do this weekend December 30-January 1, 2023.
Visit one of the many distilleries, wineries and breweries on the Lake County Libation Trail.
Click here to see activities to keep the kids busy during winter break.
