Holiday Your Way with Gurnee Events
Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things in Gurnee
Looking for myriad gift ideas? Shopping and drinking libations just makes the season's greetings experience that much more exceptional. The extension of this is highlighted by several local vendors complemented by eats from Essential Cafe.
Saturday, November 23; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Centre Club, 1405 Hunt Club Rd., Gurnee.
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The kids will have a grand old time while you get your act together. Whether it's Christmas shopping, turkey invitations or just flat out getting ahead - the Gurnee Park District's got you covered. The events include games, crafts, sports, eats and more. Applicable for youngsters ages one to 11 years old.
Saturdays November 23 and December 14; 5-8 p.m. Hunt Club Park Community Center, 920 N. Hunt Club Rd., Gurnee.
November 23 info » | December 14 info »
Do turkeys trot? Whether they trot, run, scuttle or Mick Jagger, they definitely do gobble. Before you eat that delicious homemade cuisine, you may have the itch to run off those extra pounds. Dash down the streets of Gurnee, and don’t forget to shake your tailfeather when you cross the finish line.
Thursday, November 28. The Gurnee Old Grand Avenue Fire Station, 4580 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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Kringle is making a list and of course, checking it twice. Visit his magical wonderland filled with games, free photo opportunities, yummy food like freshly cooked fudge, cookies, fondue and popcorn! Attendees can create neat crafts, and even meet his elves!
Now through December 24. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 6112 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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Roll out the red carpet, because the generous icon is making his grand entrance to the Gurnee shopping destination. Old Kringle strolls through the mall bumping the holiday slaps by a live DJ, while youngsters enjoy the staple platter milk and cookies. The evening will conclude with a reading of Claus's exploits on at least one British house while reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Stick around for a photo memory with the loveable guy.
Thursday, November 21; 6 p.m. Gurnee Mills near the Macy's Entrance, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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Jolly old St. Nick is hanging around Lake County to get a good idea of what your kiddies want for Christmas. Visit Santa, get a photo-op and maybe bring him a cold glass of milk and cookies. He’s got a lot of children to talk to! The man in the big red suit hosts his grand entry, Arrival Parade at the Gurnee mall on November 30. For individuals living with disabilities and/or impairments, Caring Santa may be an option to register for on December 3.
November 22-December 24. Gurnee Mills 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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“Let it snow” in Lake County for all we care, because inside Great Wolf Lodge Illinois, the temperature is a toasty 84 degrees. Book an overnight stay at the resort's event called Snowland for all the season's best like visit’s with Santa, shimmering décor, Snowflake Story Time, Snowland Celebration complete with magical snow, Snowland Yoga Tails, arts and crafts, dance parties, and more. And of course, there's the 80,000 square-foot indoor water park for a splashing good time!
November 25-January 6. Great Wolf Lodge Illinois, 1700 Nations Dr., Gurnee.
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There’s no better place to be scooting over frozen water. It is time to make your best U.S. Olympic Figure Skater Bradie Tennell triple axel impression. It’s an opportunity to slap shot like Chicago Blackhawk’s star Connor Bedard. Whatever your favorite activity is on the ice, be sure to invite friends and family to create memories on the twirl, twizzle and triple lutz on the Gurnee Mills ice.
December 1-31; Various times. Top Shelf Ice Arena and Bar and Grill, 6152 Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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Some folks take the light show into their own hands. That's exactly what the Germann Family does as they enter their 14th year, making spirits bright. The light show is best viewed from your car with your radio turned to 87.9 FM, as the bulbs are synchronized to the music. The Germann Family also works with Northern Illinois Food Bank and has a drop box for donations.
December 1-January 1; 5-10 p.m. Germann Light Show, 4968 Prairie Oak Rd., Gurnee.
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The village knows how to throw a lit after-party when the choo-choo takes off. Gurnee will illuminate the night sky with its Holiday Lights event that holiday carolers, food trucks, hot cocoa, a live-petting zoo, an ornament-making station, visits with the Santa Claus and of course, the bright lights in the big village highlight. .
Thursday, December 5; 5:30-7:30 p.m. Welton Plaza, 325 N. O'Plaine Rd., Gurnee.
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This breakfast date may be your kiddie's only opportunity to meet the man in the red suit this season. Head to Viking Park and have a unique breakfast with Santa Claus. Share your holiday wishes with Kringle and have your young ones take home an early holiday gift.
Saturday, December 7; 8:30-9:15 a.m., 9:30-10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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The Gurnee American Legion hosts a craft fair for shoppers to explore and find spectacular holiday gifts. The free admission event is also highlighted by over 30 vendors selling handmade items, a bake sale, a raffle and lunch
Saturday, December 7; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gurnee American Legion Post 771, 749 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee.
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The train horn can be heard in the distance. That’s the sound of the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train making its annual stop at Viking Park in Gurnee. This vastly illuminated 14-car train partners with local communities to raise food and funds for local food banks as well as raise awareness about hunger issues. The train will blare live holiday music, conduct a brief ceremony and will pass out candy canes for the kids. The choo-choo features live performances from The Lone Bellow and Tiera Kennedy. Also, old man Kris Kringle will be there to close out the celebration.
Saturday, December 7; 5-7:30 p.m. Train arrives at 5:10 p.m. and departs at 5:40 p.m. Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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Dance, sing along and get that holiday shopping done with live performances in the background. The Gurnee mall hosts four performances throughout the holiday season to spruce up your shopping experience. Performances are free and located in the Show Court Stage in partnership with 95 WIIL Rock, Click the button below to view the full lineup.
Select days from December 9-20; Various times. Gurnee Mills, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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It's always merry around these aprts this time of year. Individuals ages 55 and older should head to Gurnee for the seasons greetings mixer. The holly jolly mixer is highlighted by a roast beef lunch with all the fixins'. The monthly mixer also features
"Singo" - rendition of Bingo using holiday carols as the clues. Attendees are encouraged to bring a $6 gift for the exchange game and registration closes on Dec. 7.
Tuesday, December 10; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Viking Park 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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"Hey, I just met you. And this is Santa. But here's my number, so call me maybe." Get your wishlist ready while your dining down with old man Kringle. Make sure you bring a toy for less fortunate youngsters as they will host a Toys for Tots alongside the breakfast event. Don't forget to snap a selfie with Mr. Claus.
Saturday, December 14; 8-11 a.m. Gurnee American Legion Post 771, 749 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee.
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We all know the big man in the red suit has a healthy appetite for anything. Enter a tropical land inside Gurnee Mills for a delectable French toast breakfast, take some snaps with Santa and play a few games and activities.
Sunday, December 15 and 22; 8:30-10:30 a.m. Rainforest Cafe, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
December 15 info » | December 22 info »
Santa needs a delicious meal before traveling around the world for those little wide-eyed youngsters of yours. Kringle will be in attendance at O'Toole's Gurnee with the mainstay's fantastic menu of eats. Your kiddies will receive treats, mocktails and goodie bags. Reservations are required.
Monday, December 18; 5:30-7:30 p.m. O'Toole's, 5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee.
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Everyone always waits till the last minute to wrap gifts. Have a little spunk with it as Pips Meadery provides a gift wrapping service. Maybe even include one of the Lake County Libation Trail spirits to your secret Santa list. Either way, individuals will enjoy holiday eats, free fare and your bestest buddies while the gift wrap goes. Wassail away Lake County!
Thursday, December 19; 4-9 p.m. Pips Meadery, 1350 Tri-State Pkwy., Gurnee.
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For other holiday happenings in Lake County, continue here. For more about the Village of Gurnee, click here.
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