Top 10 Holiday Things To Do In Lake County 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 11/16/2022
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
Visit Lake County wishes everyone a happy "Holiday Your Way in Lake County" to everyone!
Since there are bountiful activities and happenings for the whole family to experience, here are the top 10 things to do in Lake County 2022.
"Holiday Your Way" in the villages of Antioch, Gurnee, Libertyville, Vernon Hills and all of #LetsGoLakeCounty.
Lake County is your season's greetings destination. Spread joy as you "Holiday Your Way" in our corner of Illinois. Here are the top 10 holiday things to do in Lake County 2022.
Now through the end of the year, "Holiday Your Way" to Lake County, Illinois for festive family fun and activities. Discover and explore Lake County during the most wonderful time of the year. Lake County is home to various Christmas traditions, holiday festivities, meet-and-greets with jolly old St. Nick, shopping sprees, delectable eats and other activities perfect for the whole family. Keep scrolling to find your holiday experience!
Lake County knows how to light up the holiday season! Take a drive to visit the numerous public lights displays and tree lightings in the communities that compose Lake County. From public light displays to motion twinkling shows to village and city Christmas tree, menorah and kinara lightings, Lake County illuminates the night through the holiday season. Meander through an absolutely lit Lake County and don't forget to snap a picture.
“O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches.” Have you been dragging your feet this year and haven’t picked up your family tree yet? No worries at all, because Lake County has got you covered. Christmas trees have a sort of "je ne sais quoi." Each family’s holiday needs are unique to their respective tree. That can all depend on the tree's fullness, the pine cone smell or perhaps to boost the holiday spirit in some of the humbugs. Don’t be a blockhead like Charlie Brown. No matter if it’s a real tree (that you cut down or bought) or the artificial equivalent, grab a lovely festive tree in Lake County this holiday season.
“You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout; I’m telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town.” No matter if you have been naughty or nice, everyone loves to see the big man in red. And wouldn't you know it is that Santa will be pretty easy to find! Before the children have nestled all snug in their beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, make sure to visit Kringle.
Just because the weather may be getting brisk means that the festivals and parties end in Lake County. Nay, if anything, it's a reason to get outside and have a hot cup of cider or hot chocolate. You can find a vareity of festivals, each with their own focus. And if you're not feeling up to a festival, check out a community tree lighting.
- Santa's Rock N Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center (Now-Jan. 1, 2023) INFO»
- November-Fest Lager Returns to Bosacki's Brewery (Now-Nov. 30) INFO»
- Vintage Holidays in Historic Downtown Long Grove (Now-Dec. 18) INFO»
- Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois (Now-Jan. 6, 2023) INFO»
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Now-Jan. 8, 2023) INFO»
- Libertyville Tree Lighting and Downtown Holiday Walk (Nov. 25) INFO»
- Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in Antioch (Nov. 25) INFO»
- Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival in Grayslake (Nov. 25) INFO»
- Bloody Mary Bash at North Shore Distillery (Nov. 25) INFO»
- Village of Round Lake Beach Tree Lighting (Nov. 25) INFO»
- Fox Lake Festival of Lights (Nov. 26) INFO»
- Light Up The Season! Vernon Hills' Tree/Menorah/Kwanzaa Lighting (Nov. 26) INFO»
- Festival of Arts and Crafts at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center (Nov. 25-27) INFO»
- Lincolnshire Lights (Dec. 2) INFO»
- First Friday on MainStreet Libertyville (Dec. 2) INFO»
- Mundelein Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec. 2) INFO»
- Dickens of a Holiday in Libertyville (Dec. 3) INFO»
- WinterFest in Mundelein (Dec. 3) INFO»
- Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Waukegan (Dec. 3) INFO»
- Miracle on MainStreet in Lake Zurich (Dec. 3) INFO»
- Victorian Tea in Libertyville (Dec. 3) INFO»
- Holiday Lights in Gurnee (Dec. 8) INFO»
- Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in Gurnee (Dec. 8) INFO»
- Dickens of a Holiday in Libertyville (Dec. 10) INFO»
- Victorian Tea in Libertyville (Dec. 10) INFO»
- City of Zion Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec. 17) INFO»
- ArtWauk in Waukegan (Dec. 17) INFO»
- The Shanty's Christmas Celebration in Wadsworth (Dec. 22) INFO»
- New Year's Eve Family Party at Sullivan Community Center in Vernon Hills (Dec. 30) INFO»
- New Year's Eve Party at Mickey Finn's Brewery (Dec. 31) INFO»
"Giddy-yup, giddy-yup, giddy-yup, Let's Go to the show," Lake County! There's no better way to soak up Lake County than witnessing a delightful holiday concert or show. Holiday your way with that Festivious spirit by attending one of these stupendous hot ticket items. "O Come All Ye Faithful" Lake Countians and visitors.
- A Christmas Story at the Marriott Theatre (Select Dates Through Jan. 1, 2023) INFO»
- A Very Electric Christmas at Genesee Theatre (Dec. 2) INFO»
- CLC Winter Dance at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts (Dec. 2-3) INFO»
- Mid-American Winter Classic at Genesee Theatre (Dec. 3) INFO»
- Holiday Highlight Performance at the Tempel Lipizzans (Dec. 3) INFO»
- Special Family Christmas Concert at The Sanfilippo Estate (Dec. 3) INFO»
- Dark Side of the Yule in Lake County at Orlin Trapp Auditorium (Dec. 4) INFO»
- Traditional Christmas Concert at The Sanfilippo Estate (Dec. 4) INFO»
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Genesee Theatre (Dec. 8) INFO»
- Marie Osmond's Christmas Tour at the Genesee Theatre (Dec. 9) INFO»
- "It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play at Improv Playhouse (Dec. 9-18) INFO»
- Waukegan Symphony Orchestra's "Do It Yourself Messiah and Carol Sing-Along" in Waukegan (Dec. 10) INFO»
- Holiday Highlight Performance at the Tempel Lipizzans (Dec. 10) INFO»
- A Christmas Carol: Live Radio Play at Mundelein Village Hall (Select Days Through Dec. 11) INFO»
- Someday at Christmas: John-Mark McGaha Sings Stevie Wonder at the Marriott Theatre (Dec. 12-13) INFO»
- Million Dollar Quartet at Genesee Theatre (Dec. 15) INFO»
- Ruth Page Civic Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts (Dec. 17) INFO»
- A Live Holiday Performance with Trevor Carlton at Hawthorn Mall (Dec. 17) INFO»
- Christmas Musical Pageant at Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich (Dec. 15-18) INFO»
- Junior Clause at Citadel Theatre (Select Dates from Dec. 20-30) INFO»
- The Magic of the Nutcracker at the Genesee Theatre (Dec. 21-22) INFO»
- Eve of the Eve at Mickey Finn's Brewery (Dec. 23) INFO»
Take in the yuletide sights as they roll on the rails in Gurnee with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train. The locomotive comes all the way from Canada and makes multiple stops throughout the United States. The train is decked out in all its holiday glory and is a sight to behold as it rumbles into the station. Be sure to set your clocks though, the train arrives at Viking Park at 5:10 p.m. and then departs 30 minutes later. Of course, St. Nick is also aboard the locomotive. After seeing the rail-bound behemoth, head over to Welton Plaza for the Holiday Lights. The free winter gathering features carolers, food trucks, snacks, hot cocoa, a live petting zoo, a tree ornament crafting station, a s’more’s making area, lighted displays, visits with Santa Clause and more.
Browse in awe at the miniature scenes of the winter holiday at Kringle’s Christmas Village in Antioch. Each shadowbox is filled to the brim and features a festive, custom layout. New for this year is the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest. Trees are decorated by various community members and organizations, so no one setup is like the other. This display is indoors and runs alongside the inside-portion of the Dicken’s Holiday Village that features life-sized wax figures. The statues are adorned in Dickens-era clothing. To complement the Dicken’s spirit, there is a miniature Dicken’s Village display. Kringle’s Holiday Village and Dicken's Holiday Village are free for everyone to enjoy and located at Piggly Wiggly Plaza. Visit AntiochChamber.org for information.
Snow showers and twinkling lights transform the Great Wolf Lodge Illinois into the magical Snowland! Starting November 18, celebrate in proper Northwoods style with daily snow showers in the Grand Lobby, visits from Santa, seasonally themed crafts, holiday stories and songs, twinkling lights, shimmering holiday trees, cheerful decorations and a variety of festive activities. Experiences included with an overnight stay include:
- Twas’ the Night Before Snowland
- Snowland Scavenger Hunt
- Snowland Competition Games
- Yoga Tails
- Frosty Fest Family Dance Party
- Snowland Bingo
- Trivia Games
- Craft Kit to Go
With the arrival of the holidays, that means some epic deals, steals and savings are upon us! Black Friday may be over, but that doesn't mean that the savings stop. Plus, it's always nice to shop local and avoid having to wait for those pesky shipping times when you purchase on-line. There are numerous places to shop in Lake county from mom and pop stores to the malls that everyone loves to frequent. Visit the locations below when you want to give a gift that keeps dollars within the Lake County community.
Volo Antique Malls 27640 W. Volo Village Rd., Volo
Long Grove Confectionery Retail Store 114 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove
Long Grove Confectionery Co. Factory Store 333 Lexington Dr., Buffalo Grove
Long Grove Confectionery Nut and Candy House 581 Bonner Rd., Wauconda
The Joyful Gourmet 542 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
Broken Bridge Treats 220 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove
RISE Dispensaries 1325 Armour Blvd., Mundelein
McMahon Gallery 321 S. Ridge Rd., Lake Forest
Skipper Bud’s 1000 IL Route 173, Antioch
Reclaimed Artisans Inc. 302 Peterson Rd., Libertyville
Signature Popcorn 318 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove
Peter Patterson Glassworks 888 Tower Rd., Suite E, Mundelein
Lambs Farm Shop and Sugar Maple Country Store at Lambs Farm 14245 W. Rockland Rd., Libertyville
Ma and Pa's Candy 424 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove
Callie's Boutique at the Inn at Sheridan 2723 Sheridan Rd., Zion
Rosella's Boutique 1435 Peterson Rd., Libertyville
Woodland Grove Photography Studio and Gallery 169 Archer Ave., Mundelein
Extreme Flight Simulation 1350 Tri-State Pkwy., STE 128 Gurnee
Lovin Oven Cakery 455 Lake St., Antioch
Sock Monkey Museum 210 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove
Tony Cannoli Specialty Pastries 460 Lake St., Mundelein
Treetime Christmas Creations 22102 Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington
Uniquely Sweet 888. E. Belvidere Rd., Grayslake
The Irish Boutique 224 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove
Woodland Grove Photography Studio and Gallery 169 Archer Ave., Mundelein
Click here for a list of Black-owned Businesses
Mom and Pop Shopping Destinations
Malls in Lake County
Visit the Lake County Libation Trail To Wind Down From the Shopping Bonanza
For Beer Lovers
- Black Lung Brewing Company, Round Lake Beach
- Bosacki’s Brewery, Mundelein
- Buffalo Creek Brewing, Long Grove
- Half Day Brewing Company, Lincolnshire
- Harbor Brewing Company, Winthrop Harbor
- Light The Lamp Brewery, Grayslake
- Liquid Love Brewing Company, Buffalo Grove
- Mickey Finn’s Brewery, Libertyville
- Nightshade and Pandemonium Brewing Company, Waukegan
- 9th Hour Brewing Company, Lake Villa
- Phase Three Brewing Company, Lake Zurich
- Ravinia Brewing Company, Highland Park
- Roaring Table Brewery, Lake Zurich
- Side Lot Brewery, Wauconda
- Tighthead Brewery, Mundelein
- Wild Onion Brewery, Lake Barrington
- Wright's Brew & Bistro, Lincolnshire
- Zümbier Brewery, Waukegan
For Vino Aficionados
For Cocktail Fans
Holiday Your Way in Lake County this season.
Click here for holiday activities happening around Lake County.
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