Many Lake Co. towns ringing in holidays
Libertyville will kick off its holiday season at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 as Santa and area families help light the tree at Cook Park along Milwaukee Avenue.
The celebration will begin with entertainment by the Soundsations from Dancenter North.
Then, the crowd will wait for Santa Claus to make his grand entrance at 7 p.m. aboard a fire truck driven by the Libertyville firefighters.
Randy Nelson, director of MainStreet Libertyville, said with the sirens going and lights flashing, children go crazy.
"When they first hear the siren coming, it gives you goose bumps," he said.
After Santa helps light the tree, visitors are welcome to visit St. Lawrence Episcopal Church and downtown stores that will offer free hot cocoa and other treats.
MainStreet Libertyville also will reveal the winners of its annual window decorating contest. Each year, 20 businesses enter what has become a competitive event.
"Many fine stores have absolutely wonderful displays. It's hard to pick a winner," Nelson said.
Then, holiday festivities will continue as the village hosts its Dickens of a Holiday Festival Dec. 6 and 13. Carriage rides and tours among the Cook Mansion are among activities.
Also, Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet with visitors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at his sleigh in Cook Park. Nelson said Santa takes a break to feed his reindeer and then will return from 2 to 4 p.m.
Children can visit the holiday shoppe from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Libertyville Civic Center. Area high school students turn into elves to help children pick gifts ranging from 25 cents to $5. Nelson said screens are put up, so parents stay surprised. Once gifts are chosen, they are wrapped with a tag.
"They can come in the door with $5 and come out with a wrapped gift ready to go under the tree," he said.
A popular attraction each year is the Victorian tea, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children enjoy an English tea, dining on finger sandwiches and desserts among the stained glass windows at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church.
A group of junior high students will perform chamber music to entertain tea guests on Dec. 6, and the Vernon Hills High School choir will perform Dec. 13. Tickets cost $30 each, and reservations are required. Call (847) 680-0336.
Antioch
Welcome Santa and the Christmas season at Antioch's old-fashioned holiday parade at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28. The parade begin on Park Avenue and will conclude with lighting the Christmas tree outside the village hall, 874 Main St. Join us for cookies, hot chocolate and caroling. Santa will then be available for visits after the tree lighting at Santa's Enchanted Castle on Toft Street.
Fox Lake
Fox Lake will hold its tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at Millennium Park. The holiday parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, starting at Grant High School parking lot, 285 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake. The parade will then proceed down Grand Avenue and left on Rollins Road into the Towne Centre Plaza.
Grayslake
Grayslake will hold its tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at the corner of Whitney and Center streets. Listen to Christmas carolers and welcome Santa. Pictures with Santa Claus will be taken from 5:45 to 9 p.m. at the Grayslake Youth Center on Hawley Street. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. from Centennial Park on Center Street.
Hainesville
The village of Hainesville will light its tree at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at village hall, 100 N. Hainesville Road. Before the ceremony, beginning at 2 p.m., children can meet with Santa Claus. The festivities will include cookies, candy, hot chocolate, juice and coffee. Visitors may also bring an ornament to hang on the village tree if they wish.
Hawthorn Woods
Hawthorn Woods will hold its tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, near the village hall, 2 Lagoon Drive. Following the tree lighting, there will be caroling, music, hot chocolate and cookies in the Barn.
Island Lake
The Island Lake Recreation Department will hold its Winter Wonderland from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Converse Park, south of Route 176. Santa will arrive at 2:45 p.m. followed by caroling at 3 p.m. and the tree lighting at 4 p.m. There also will be hay rides, sledding and ice skating weather permitting. Come warm up by the fire and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, coffee and soup.
Lake Villa
Lake Villa's annual lighted Christmas parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, starting at Palombi School on McKinley. The tree lighting will take place immediately after the parade at Lehmann Park. Refreshments and entertainment will be held in the train station. Donations of canned foods for Lake Villa's Township food pantry will be appreciated.
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich will hold its tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Breezewald Park, 125 N. Old Rand Road. Enjoy free warm refreshments, cookies and entertainment. See Santa and sing Christmas carols.
Lindenhurst
The Lindenhurst Park District will hold its tree lighting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the park district community center gym, 2200 E. Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst. The community holiday tree lighting will include Santa escorted by the Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department, cookies and juice, crafts for kids, Jason the Juggler and performances by the Lindenhurst Park District Engle Junction Preschool and dance program. The park district will collect canned food for the Lake Villa Food Pantry. For information, call (847) 356-6011.
Mundelein
Mundelein will hold its tree lighting from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Kracklauer Park, 100 N. Seymour Ave. See Santa Claus, enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, musical entertainment and fireworks. For information, call the village hall at (847) 949-3200.
Round Lake
Round Lake will hold its holiday tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the village hall parking lot, 442 N. Cedar Lake Road. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
Round Lake Beach
Round Lake Beach will hold its holiday tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 at village hall, 1937 N. Municipal Way. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. by fire truck to help light the 45-foot holiday tree and smaller trees decorated by Round Lake area students. Carolers will lead everyone over to the cultural and civic center to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy hot chocolate and treats.
Round Lake Heights
Round Lake Heights will hold its tree lighting and Christmas dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the village hall, 619 W. Pontiac Court. For information, call (847) 546-1206.
Round Lake Park
Round Lake Park will hold its tree lighting ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the village hall, 203 E. Lake Shore Drive. Join holiday songs and enjoy a visit from Santa. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the food pantry.
Vernon Hills
The Vernon Hills tree lighting ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive. Assist Mayor Roger Byrne with flipping the switch to the holiday tree. Hot chocolate, cookies and cider will be served. With the assistance of the Countryside Fire District, Santa has been able to clear his calendar in order to attend this event.
Volo
The Village of Volo will hold its holiday tree lighting Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road. Refreshments will be served at 4 p.m., and the tree lighting will begin at 5 p.m.
Wauconda
Join the Wauconda Park District's tree lighting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, outside the community center, 600 N. Main St. Santa will arrive by fire truck to greet everyone. Then come inside the center and enjoy crafts, games and have a picture taken with Santa. Refreshments will be served.