Lake County Illuminates the Night Through the Holiday Season 2026

By: Stephanie Wylie 11/06/2026

As the days shorten and the evenings take on a chill, Lake County trades early sunsets for something brighter. Across the county, front yards, forest trails, downtown streets and a century-old mansion are glowing with seasonal cheer. Wander a botanic garden filled with light, wave as the Holiday Train rolls through Gurnee or park along a quiet Gurnee street and let a front-yard light show play through your car radio. Here’s your guide to the brightest ways to celebrate the season in Lake County.

HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS IN LAKE COUNTY

LIGHTSCAPE AT CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN (NOV. 13-JAN. 3)

Lightscape is back at the Chicago Botanic Garden, and most of it is new. Twenty of this year’s 24 installations are making their debut, giving even longtime fans plenty to discover along the nighttime trail. Visitors can step inside a giant snow globe and watch the world around them sparkle, then pause beneath the stars as a ballerina made of light leaps and twirls across the sky. Several themed nights offer different ways to experience the display. Jingle Jam Nights, Dec. 9 and 16, bring Santa and other festive characters for families. Adults can enjoy a stroller-free evening of drinks and seasonal bites on 21+ Nights, Dec. 10 and Jan. 1. Sensory Friendly night, Dec. 2, features reduced crowds, lowered lights and softer music. Ticket prices vary by date, time and demand, so early planners get the best selection. 

Friday-Sunday, November 13-January 3; 4:30-10 p.m. Admission: $24-$39 per ticket (parking not included). Children ages two and under are free. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.

CANADIAN PACIFIC HOLIDAY TRAIN IN GURNEE (DEC. 8)

The CPKC Holiday Train is rolling back into Gurnee for a 28th year, bringing music and generosity to town. The train travels across Canada and the United States each season, raising food, funds and awareness for local food banks along the way. Gurnee’s stop features a performance by Allen Stone, photos with Santa and a live DJ. Organizers invite attendees to make a difference by bringing nonperishable food items. Donations will support the Northern Illinois Food Bank and provide meals to local families in need. The Holiday Train a celebration of community, and the stop is as much about neighbors helping neighbors as it is about the lights. 

Dec. 8; train arrives at 5:15 p.m. and departs at 5:40 p.m. Free admission. Viking Middle School Park, 4460 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.

KRINGLE'S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN ANTIOCH (NOV. 26-JAN. 1)

Downtown Antioch’s holiday landmark returns with what the Antioch Chamber describes as a new look and more magic. Inside, oversized shadowboxes present miniature holiday scenes in intricate detail. A Dickens Village invites visitors to step back into the Christmases of long ago. Families can also join the Christmas Search, hunting for hidden holiday items throughout the display for a chance to win a prize. On select dates, Holiday Crafter Pop-Ups add handmade gifts and extra cheer.

Open daily, Nov. 26 through Jan. 1; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission: Free. 510 Orchard St., Antioch.

SNOWLAND AT GREAT WOLF LODGE ILLINOIS IN GURNEE (NOV. 23-JAN. 5)

Great Wolf Lodge turns winter into a full-blown celebration with Snowland, its annual holiday event. Activities for the whole pack include the Frosty Fest Family Dance Party, Snowland Bingo, ring toss and beanbag games, trivia, a scavenger hunt, holiday-themed yoga and keepsake crafts. Kids can also bring their wish lists to Santa Claus, with visit times varying by day. Seasonal drinks, including cocktails for adults and mocktails for kids, are available for purchase. Snowland activities are included with a stay at the lodge. 

Nov. 23-Jan. 5. Great Wolf Lodge Illinois, 1700 Nations Dr., Gurnee.

Festival of Lights Parade and Visits with Santa in Fox Lake (NOV. 28)

Fox Lake kicks off the season with its Festival of Lights Parade, which steps off at Grant Community High School at 4 p.m. and marches to Millennium Park. Afterward, the party continues with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, songs from the Grant Community High School Choir and visits with Santa.

Saturday, Nov. 28; 4-6 p.m. Free admission. Grant Community High School to Millennium Park, 6 Rollins Rd., Fox Lake.

Shiloh House Christmas in Zion (TBA)

The Zion Historical Society opens Shiloh House for the holidays, offering guided tours of the historic landmark and the city’s museum. Visitors can step through the Victorian mansion’s decorated rooms and learn about the community’s roots. Santa is also on hand at Shiloh Cottage during tour hours.

Select Saturdays. 3 to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person (cash only), and children under 12 are free. Shiloh House,1300 Shiloh Blvd., Zion.

GURNEE'S DRIVE-UP MUSICAL LIGHT SHOW (STARTING DEC. 1)

For nearly two decades, the Germann family has transformed its front yard into a light show that dances to a hand-programmed soundtrack. Visitors tune their car radios to 87.9 FM, or use the PulseMesh app on a phone with code 8EMD, and watch the lights move with the music. The show loops all evening, so there’s always another song to catch. The show also doubles as a food drive. A wooden box on the east side of the yard collects nonperishable food and toiletries for the Northern Illinois Food Bank, such as canned vegetables, soup, peanut butter, pasta, soap, toothpaste and diapers. Donations are never required but always appreciated.

Dec. 1-Jan. 3; nightly, 5-10 p.m. Admission: Free. 4968 Prairie Oak Rd., Gurnee.

City and Village Tree Lightings and Other Illuminated Spots

• It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Fri., Nov. 13-Sun., Dec. 13; Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest. INFO»
• WGN Radio LIVE with Dean Richards, Sun., Nov. 15; Treetime Christmas Creations, 22102 N. Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington. INFO»
• Santa's Arrival Parade and Holiday Celebration, Thurs., Nov. 19; Gurnee Mills, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. INFO»
• Holiday Lights at Welton Plaza, Fri., Nov. 20; Welton Plaza, 4343 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. INFO»
• Highland Park Holiday Lighting, Sat., Nov. 21; Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park. INFO»
• The Holiday: Candle Making Movie Night, Sat., Nov. 21; Romney Brown Candle Co., 170 Center St., Grayslake. INFO»
• Solar-Lit Trail Hike, Mon., Nov. 23; Old School Forest Preserve, 28285 St. Mary's Rd., Mettawa. INFO»
• Holiday Lights on Main Street, Wed., Nov. 25; Village of Wauconda, 101 N. Main St., Wauconda. INFO»
• Festival of Lights and Holiday Market, Fri., Nov. 27; Historic Downtown Grayslake, 10 S. Seymour, Grayslake. INFO»
• Libertyville Tree Lighting and Downtown Holiday Walk, Fri., Nov. 27; Cook Park and Downtown Libertyville, 101 W. Cook Ave., Libertyville. INFO»
• Village of Round Lake Beach Tree Lighting, Fri., Nov. 27; Cultural & Civic Center of Round Lake Beach, 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach. INFO»
• Festival of Arts and Crafts, Fri.-Sun., Nov. 27-29; Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake. INFO»
• Winthrop Harbor's Holiday Craft Fair, Sat., Nov. 28; Village of Winthrop Harbor, 830 Sheridan Rd., Winthrop Harbor. INFO»
• Jingle on Genesee Celebration, Sat., Nov. 28; Jack Benny Plaza, Clayton St. and Genesee St., Waukegan. INFO»
• Annual Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival, Sat., Nov. 28; Hawthorn Row, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. INFO»
• Kris Kringle Artist Market, Sat., Nov. 28; Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St., Waukegan. INFO»
• Light Up the Season! Vernon Hills' Tree, Menorah and Kwanzaa Lighting, Sat., Nov. 28; Century Park, 1002 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. INFO»
• Lincolnshire Lights, Fri., Dec. 4; Village of Lincolnshire, 1 Olde Half Day Rd., Lincolnshire. INFO»
• Wonderful: A Soulful Celebration, Fri., Dec. 4; Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. INFO»
• Elawa Farm's Holiday Market, select dates Fri., Dec. 4-Sun., Dec. 20; Elawa Farm Foundation, 1401 Middlefork Dr., Lake Forest. INFO»
• Winter Tree Lighting Festival, Sat., Dec. 5; Courtland Commons, 400 E. Courtland St., Mundelein. INFO»
• Annual Lunch with Santa, Sat., Dec. 5; The Vine Martini & Wine Bar, 101 Center St., Grayslake. INFO»
• Elf Invasion Pub Crawl, Sat., Dec. 5; Downtown Highwood, 17 Highwood Ave., Highwood. INFO»
• Holiday Choral Concert, Sat., Dec. 5; James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. INFO»
• A Merry Christmas with Brass, Sat., Dec. 5; Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. INFO»
• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, Sat., Dec. 5; Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. INFO»
• Xtreme Spirit Cheer and Dance, Sat.-Sun., Dec. 5-6; Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake. INFO»

For more ways to view how Lake County illuminates the night through the holiday season, continue here.