Winter Break in Lake County 2024

By: Stephanie Wylie 12/13/2024

Are you looking for something fun to keep your kids entertained this Christmas break? Look no further than Lake County's variety of free and paid events going on all winter break. There's something for each child's interest and activity level. Explore park district activities, visits with Santa, trampoline parks and more. 

Whether enjoying the holiday light displays, catching a theatre performance, buying last-minute deals or just enjoying the Holiday Your Way, use this guide and plan out your schedule during winter break in Lake County 2024.

• Enjoy festive holiday performances at Gurnee Mills until December 20, featuring local choirs, rock bands, holiday caroling and more, perfect for spreading cheer while shopping for outlet deals. INFO»
• Experience the holiday magic at Genesee Theatre with Dancenter North's The Magic of the Nutcracker, a lavish production featuring over 100 performers, stunning sets and Tchaikovsky's timeless score. INFO»
• Create festive seasonal crafts with your family at this free event, as supplies last, at the Waukegan Public Library. INFO»
• Timberjaxe Axe Lounge in Libertyville offers a family-friendly, alcohol-free environment for fun, team-building events, and skill-building experiences, featuring mocktails, kombucha and coffee, with a focus on community and safe enjoyment for all ages 12 and up. INFO»
• Check out Top Shelf's open skate, fun for all ages. INFO»
• Enjoy live performances, holiday shopping, food trucks, and a visit from Santa at this festive family event at Steps Performing Arts Center in Lindenhurst. INFO»
• Celebrate Santa’s farewell with hot cocoa, holiday activities and festive fun for all ages, featuring appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and more at Hawthorn Mall. INFO»
• Travel back in time to olde England and stroll through Antioch's Kringle's Christmas and Dicken's Holiday Villages. Dicken's Holiday Village features life-sized wax figurines adorned in Dicken's era clothing. Kringle's Christmas Village features large shadowboxes with holiday village scenes. Both displays run through New Year's Day. INFO»
• A winter break is never complete without hitting the sledding hills. Be sure to stretch before taking to the slopes. INFO»
• Decorate your own gingerbread house in a fun and festive class filled with holiday tunes, hot chocolate, and expert guidance at Taste Buds Kitchen in Bannockburn. INFO»
• Visit Santa and The Grinch for festive fun at Shiloh House in Zion on select Saturdays through December. INFO»
• Bring your wish list and camera to meet Santa at Hiram Buttrick Sawmill in Antioch on Fridays and Saturdays in December. INFO»
• Enjoy free visits with Santa, goodie bags and holiday cheer at Santa’s Cottage following the tree lighting in Mundelein.INFO»
• Test your skills and experience the thrill of piloting a 737 passenger plane or an F-18 fighter jet at Extreme Flight Simulation in Gurnee. Are you up for the challenge? INFO»
• Find more experiences to Holiday Your Way in Lake County! Read holiday stories about Lake County around the camp fire. 
• Experience this heartwarming tale of George Bailey in a live radio-style performance at Improv Playhouse in Libertyville. INFO»
• Sing festive tunes, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy a cozy pajama party benefiting Families Helping Families Chicagoland. INFO»
• Enjoy aquatic fun, crafts, snacks and prizes with your family at the Waukegan Field House Aquatics Center. INFO»
• Celebrate the season with world-class performances of Christmas classics by Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, Ruben Studdard and Haley Reinhart. INFO»
• Celebrate the season with a free photo with Santa, tree lighting, and seasonal treats at Bass Pro Shops, with reservations required for photos. INFO»
• Create a custom candle, enjoy pizza and watch the holiday classic Home Alone in a cozy setting. INFO»
• Explore a vibrant showcase of arts, music, and performances at downtown Waukegan's monthly ArtWauk celebration.INFO»
• Learn how to remove invasive European buckthorn effectively while contributing to preserve restoration at Ryerson Conservation Area. INFO»
• Enjoy nostalgic holiday carriage rides through Long Grove's historic district, complete with festive charm and picturesque scenery. INFO»
• Savor a festive brunch with Santa at Lindy's Landing in Wauconda, available on select Sundays with advance reservations. INFO»
• Experience a creative twist on a holiday classic as Scrooge discovers the Christmas spirit on Mars. INFO»
• Journey through a luminary-lit trail to Bethlehem, interacting with characters from the Nativity story.  INFO»
• Delight in a festive breakfast with Santa, holiday activities, and photo opportunities at the Rainforest Cafe in Gurnee Mills. INFO»
• Enjoy a magical performance of "The Nutcracker" with local and international dance artists at the James Lumber Center. INFO»
• Treat your family to the enchanting Illinois Youth Dance Theatre's Nutcracker performance in Lake Zurich. INFO»
• Watch the beloved holiday TV classic, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" come to life on stage at the Genesee Theatre.INFO»
• Master Christmas platter cookie decorating techniques and create festive treats at this fun, beginner-friendly class in Libertyville. INFO»
• Capture the magic of the season by reserving your photo with Santa at Gurnee Mills, available through December 24.INFO»
• Join the Waukegan Park District for a day of holiday-themed crafts, games and fun activities at the Belvidere Recreation Center. INFO»
• Spend a fun-filled day decorating gingerbread houses, crafting, and playing holiday games with the Waukegan Park District on December 26. INFO»
• Visit the Dunn Museum in Libertyville to experience "Art for Everyone: Bob Ross Exhibit". Visitors will experience soothing landscapes and happy little trees with over 75 original works on display. INFO»
• Take a tour of some sweets with Long Grove Confectionery Company in Long Grove. Smell the chocolate aroma and finally taste a sample of the gourmet chocolate before visiting the Factory Store. INFO»
• Unleash your creativity with colorful crafts, games and activities at this exciting day camp on December 27. INFO»
• Enjoy the beloved holiday classic, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," brought to life on stage with dazzling songs and festive cheer at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through December 29. INFO»
• Embark on an interactive journey to save Christmas, meet Santa and enjoy festive lights on the Time Warp Express at Volo Museum through December 30. INFO»
• Spend a fun-filled day of indoor games, crafts and activities with friends at the Belvidere Recreation Center during winter break.INFO»
• Celebrate the New Year with games, music, and a festive balloon drop at noon at the Waukegan Public Library. INFO»
• Enjoy music, gym activities, and a countdown to 2025 at this family-friendly New Year’s celebration at the Sullivan Community Center. INFO»
• Children ages 6-12 can enjoy a day of horse knowledge, grooming, tacking, and riding lessons at Susanna Farms' Winter Camp, with farm activities and crafts included. INFO»
• Ring in the New Year early with skating, music and games at the Just For Fun Roller Rink in Mundelein. INFO»
• Take the icy plunge to support individuals with disabilities at this exhilarating New Year’s Day tradition at Waukegan Municipal Beach. INFO»
• Stroll through Everts Park’s magical wooden structures and enjoy Highwood’s winter charm while exploring local businesses and festive attractions. INFO»
• Ring in 2025 at Kristof's Entertainment Center with each lane includes two hours of unlimited bowling with shoe renter with up to five people per lane, one large topping pizza and a pitcher of soda or domestic beer. INFO»
• Experience the dazzling spectacle of the Germann Family Light Show as residential abodes come alive with radiant brilliance. Delighting spectators each year with a refreshed display theme, this luminous showcase runs until January 1, 2025. INFO»
• Drive through a dazzling display of over 100,000 lights and more than 50 festive displays at Shiloh Park's Lighted Trail, available nightly through January 2. INFO»
• Enjoy a fun-filled day in your PJs with crafts, games and a movie at the Waukegan Park District's Holiday Adventures PJ Party on January 2. INFO»
• Celebrate New Year's with O'Toole's Libertyville, Gurnee and Lake Villa. Featuring a kids themed dinner party, goodie bags, crafts and more. GURNEE, LAKE VILLA & LIBERTYVILLE»
• Join the Waukegan Park District for a day of sports, games and crafts at the Holiday Adventures Winter Olympics event on January 3. INFO»
• Experience a magical holiday display of lights, art and music at the Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape, running through January 5. INFO»
• Enjoy the timeless fairy tale of Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" with a unique twist in this enchanting production at Marriott Theatre. INFO»
• Embark on a winter wonderland adventure with your family at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois during Snowland. Revel in holiday festivities including games, scavenger hunts, prizes, yoga, bingo and a myriad of joyful activities for everyone to enjoy. INFO»
• Explore hands-on experiments and fun scientific activities at the Waukegan Park District’s Holiday Adventures Science Lab on January 6. INFO»
• Travel back in time to olde England and stroll through Antioch's Kringle's Christmas and Dicken's Holiday Villages. Dicken's Holiday Village features life-sized wax figurines adorned in Dicken's era clothing. Kringle's Christmas Village features large shadowboxes with holiday village scenes. Both displays run through New Year's Day. INFO»
• Experience boundless fun as you bounce on trampolines, engage in spirited rounds of dodgeball, dive into foam pits, showcase your ninja skills, try your hand at bowling, and discover a myriad of thrilling activities at Launch Trampoline Park in Gurnee.  INFO»
• WhirlyBall in Vernon Hills offers a unique blend of basketball, hockey, lacrosse, and bumper cars, along with laser tag, video games, a sports bar, and event space, making it an ideal venue for parties, corporate outings, and large gatherings. INFO»