Top 10 Things To Do In November 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 10/28/2022
It's time to prepare the belly for delicious food and the spirit for the holiday festivities. Here are the top 10 things to do in November 2022.
Cold weather always means a good reason to visit a brewery, distillery or winery. Check out the Lake County Libation Trail and see where to grab a beverage in autumn!
The Spooks & Spirits have returned to their slumber until next year. You can still snap a properly decent photo by following our guide until the snow hits.
Don't miss out on the warm-ups to the winter holidays and be ready when family asks you what everyone is doing over the weekend.
Here are the top 10 things to do in November 2022.
Stay active and experience the trails of the Lake County Forest Preserves District (LCFPD) as part of the Hike Lake County program. Check the trailheads for the Hike Lake County logo when you prepare to embark. Complete at least seven designated trails that bare the program’s logo and add them to your hiking log. Download the trail log to track your progress.
Dogs are welcome to join you, too, but you and your canine companion must stay on pet-friendly trails. If you complete the Hike Lake County challenge with your pooch, they will earn a commemorative dog tag. Successful completion of the challenge awards hikers a commemorative medallion.
- Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago INFO»
- Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville INFO»
- Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods INFO»
- Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve in Long Grove INFO»
- Grant Woods Forest Preserve in Ingleside INFO»
- Hastings Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa INFO»
- Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda INFO»
- Marl Flat Forest Preserve in Round Lake INFO»
- Old School Forest Preserve in Mettawa INFO»
- Spring Bluff Forest Preserve in Winthrop Harbor INFO»
- Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve in Wadsworth INFO»
- Raven Glen Forest Preserve in Antioch INFO»
- Ethel's Woods Forest Preserve in Antioch INFO»
- Wild Card Pick a Trail (Pick any two-mile trail in the Lake County Forest Preserves for your wild card) INFO»
With sweater weather making its presence known, there's no better time to hit the streets and celebrate in Lake County. Eat delicious foods, sip on crafty concoctions, purchase seasonal homewares and socialize in the most happening downtown spots. Take a look at the parties that are on the itinerary for November 2022.
- Lure of the Local Arts Show in Mundelein (Through November 11) INFO»
- Lake County Film Festival at College of Lake County (November 3-14) INFO»
- First Friday on MainStreet Libertyville (November 4) INFO»
- Day of the Dead Celebration/ Celebration de Dia De Los Muertos in Round Lake Beach (November 4) INFO»
- Day of the Dead Celebration at the Dandelion Art Gallery (November 5) INFO»
- Champagne Walk & Brunch in Antioch (November 5) INFO»
- Fifth Annual Ladies Night Out Holiday Edition in Libertyville (November 11) INFO»
- Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot Machine & Jukebox Show at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center (November 11-13) INFO»
- Festival of Trees at Hawthorn Mall (November 14-30) INFO»
- Girls Night Out - Tipsy Elves in Antioch (November 17) INFO»
- ArtWauk in Waukegan (November 19) INFO»
- Vintage Holidays in Historic Downtown Long Grove (November 19-December 18) INFO»
- Festival of Arts and Crafts at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center (November 25-27) INFO»
- Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival in Grayslake (November 25) INFO»
- Fox Lake Festival of Lights (November 26) INFO»
- Small Business Saturday in Downtown Libertyville (November 26) INFO»
Feel the inner emotions with a deeply dramatic Shakespeare rendition. Delight the inner child with a live performance of a favorite classic tale. Or tear up with laughter and feel like your sides are about to split. Here are the 2022 Lake County November theatre schedules.
Celebrate local filmmakers at the Lake County Film Festival. The College of Lake County hosts in-person screenings at its Grayslake Campus in rooms A011, C105, D100, T332 and T334. Additional short film screenings are held at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest on November 5. The festival begins on November 3 and will be a free presentation of short films submitted by students. There are two collections of short films that will be presented: documentaries and narratives. The films will be juried and a winner from each category will be awarded a $250 cash prize. The "Rockin' The Suburbs" portion features music videos created here in the communities of Lake County. Screenings will run through November 6, takes a week-long break and resume on November 11. The festival wraps on November 14 with closing night ceremonies and awards announcements. The full schedule is available at 2022.lakecountyfilmfestival.org.
Six Fags Great America wants visitors to experience the last fun days of autumn at the thrill capital of the Midwest. For the first two weekends of November, catch one more ride on your favorite thrills like the Raging Bull, Whizzer, Viper, THE JOKER Free-Fly Coaster, and more before the season comes to an end. On November 12 and 13, Veterans and active duty military members will receive complimentary admission to Six Flags Great America when presenting their military ID at Guest Relations.
The Chicagoland favorite returns to the Chicago Botanic Garden and features a new path of light-filled installations. Allow your mind to wander through a lighted land of whimsy that features a cathedral, lighted art installations, a variety of stylistically arranged lighting displays and more. Meander in the illuminated world of wonder and light at Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape. This is a must-experience event for your eyes and your winter holiday feelings.
Santa‘s Rock N Lights Drive-Thru Light Show turns the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center into a winter experience like no other. Experience an illuminated showcase highlighted by over a mile of dancing light tunnels, nearly a million lights moving in synchronicity to music and memories that make seasons bright. Bulb enthusiasts are encouraged to tune their radio stations to 88.7 F.M. when driving the trail. The Grayslake light show features larger-than-life 3D animals and characters. This vibrant experience glows through January 1. Reservations must be made online prior to visiting at SantasRocknLights.com.
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
- Yoga Tails
- Frosty Fest Family Dance Party
- Snowland Bingo
- Trivia games
- Craft Kit to Go
Snowland at the Great Wolf Lodge Illinois goes through January 16, 2023.
Gobble, Gobble and make for the finish line! Do Turkeys trot? Whether they trot, run, scuttle or Mick Jagger, they definitely do gobble. Before or after you eat that delicious homemade cuisine, you may have the itch to run off those extra pounds. Dash down the streets of Lake County, and don’t forget to shake your tailfeather when you cross the finish line.
From mid-November through December 23, Holiday Your Way in Lake County, IL shows off 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. Support and shop local when you buy gifts, dine out and take the family to look at all the displays. Use #LetsGoLakeCounty in your social media posts and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about everything in Lake County!
More Holiday Fun in November
Transport your mind to Olde England and visit downtown Antioch to see the Dickens Holiday Village and Kringle's Christmas Village. The Dickens Holiday Village features figurines made from the ground up by volunteers. Kringle's Christmas Village lets you browse in awe at the dozens of oversized shadowboxes that display a variety of homely yuletide scenes. The displays are indoors to accommodate more guests and keep everyone warm. While visiting the displays, shop up and down the streets of downtown Antioch for delicious fare and holiday gifts.
As the winter holidays draw closer in Lake County, stay tuned for our Holiday Lights Guide. You will learn about spectacular lighting displays and where to find them. Keep an eye on the Visit Lake County events page and our blogs to always be in the know. Speaking of the outdoor light displays during the holiday season, stop by a Christmas tree lighting. It is a simple way to get into the spirit and make the Holiday Your Way!
- Santa's Arrival and Fireworks at Deer Park Town Center (November 12) INFO»
- Festival of Trees at Hawthorn Mall (November 14-30) INFO»
- Deerfield's Tree Lighting (November 23) INFO»
- Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in Antioch (November 25) INFO»
- Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival in Grayslake (November 25) INFO»
- Libertyville Tree Lighting and Downtown Holiday Walk (November 25) INFO»
- Fox Lake Festival of Lights (November 26) INFO»
- Light Up The Season! in Vernon Hills (November 26) INFO»
When you need a Christmas tree or any yuletide home decorations, be sure to stop at Treetime Christmas Creations. The Lake Barrington store is an excellent shopping experience to get into the spirit of the winter holidays. Find this season's latest decorations, grab a garland, hang a wreath and take home an artificial tree. Because sometimes, live trees can be a needle of an experience. While you debate about your holiday home decorations, catch Dean Richards of WGN Radio and his Treetime Holiday Spectacular broadcast on November 13!
Click here to see more things to do in November! There's always time to snap a picture and get out to a festival!
