Tis the season Lake County towns get into the holiday spirit with tree-lightings and celebrations

Changed date of Wauconda tree lighting to Saturday, Dec. 6

Now's the time when communities across Lake County start preparing for the winter holidays.

During the next few weeks, events will include tree-lighting ceremonies complete with caroling, carriage rides, hot chocolate and more to kick off the season and help you get ready for gift shopping and sweet treats.

Here are some of the tree-lighting events and festivities coming up in Lake County:

Friday, Nov. 28

Antioch's Santa's Enchanted Castle and Holiday Parade: Antioch Village Hall, 874 Main St., Antioch. Tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m. Santa's Enchanted Castle opens immediately afterward; hours are 5:30-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23. Visit antiochchamber.org or antioch.il.gov.

Fox Lake tree-lighting: 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Millennium Park, Grand and Rollins, Fox Lake. Small fireworks celebration after the tree-lighting at 7 p.m. Santa attends. Free. Call (847) 587-2151 or visit www.foxlake.org.

Grayslake Tree-Lighting Festival and Holiday Market: 5:30 p.m. in downtown Grayslake, Center and Whitney streets. Includes a visit from Santa, sleigh rides from 6-8 p.m. and the Holiday Market at the Grayslake Museum opening at 5 p.m. Visit www.grayslakechamber.com or call (847) 223-6888.

Libertyville tree-lighting and Holiday Walk: 6:30 p.m. Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Free. Santa will arrive at 7 p.m. Visit www.libertyville.com/calendar.aspx or call (847) 362-2430.

Round Lake Beach tree-lighting: 6 p.m. at the Round Lake Beach village hall, 1937 N. Municipal Way, Round Lake Beach. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive on a fire truck in front of the village hall, then guests are invited to go to the Cultural & Civic Center to see Santa and take photos, do crafts, get "shop local" holiday bags filled with special coupons and more. Visit www.villageofroundlakebeach.com or call (847) 546-2351.

Saturday, Nov. 29

Korpan's Christmas Parade and Children's Party: Parade from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children's party follows immediately at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd. The parade will begin at the Grant Community High School parking lot and proceed west down Grand Avenue, then turn left on Rollins Road into the Towne Center Plaza. The party, for ages 10 and younger, will include raffles and an opportunity to visit with Santa. Call (847) 587-2151 or visit www.foxlake.org.

Lake Villa Christmas Parade and tree-lighting: 5 p.m. from Palombi Middle School, 133 McKinley Ave., to Burnett, then Sherwood, then Cedar Avenue, and ends at Lehmann Park, 65 Cedar Ave. Tree-lighting after the parade. The Metra Station will host a party with Santa. Call (847) 356-6100.

Lake Zurich Tree-Lighting: 4-6 p.m. in Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Lake Zurich's 26th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration. Includes caroling, a visit from Santa Claus and free refreshments. Visit lzacc.com or call (847) 438-5572.

Vernon Hills tree and menorah lighting ceremony: 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills. Visit www.vernonhills.org or call 847) 367-3700.

Friday, Dec. 5

Hawthorn Woods tree lighting: 6 p.m. at the Hawthorn Woods village hall, 2 Lagoon Drive. Listen to the Stevenson High School Caroling Choir, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus on a fire truck. Stay warm inside the Barn with hot cocoa and cookies while making an ornament. Children can visit with Santa. Visit www.vhw.org or call (847) 438-5500.

Island Lake Tree-Lighting: 6 p.m. at the village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave., Island Lake. Includes the singing of carols, doughnuts and hot cocoa, and an opportunity to take tags from the Angel Tree. Visit www.villageofislandlake.com or call (847) 526-8764.

Mundelein Tree-Lighting Ceremony: 5:30 p.m. in Kracklauer Park, Seymour Avenue, Mundelein. Enjoy the festivities with Santa Claus, hot chocolate, doughnuts and fireworks. Free. Visit www.mundelein.org.

Round Lake tree-lighting: 6 p.m. at the Round Lake village hall, 422 N. Cedar Lake Road, Round Lake. Call (847) 546-5400 or visit www.eroundlake.com.

Saturday, Dec. 6

Lindenhurst Tree-Lighting: 4:30-6 p.m. at the Lindenhurst Park District, 2200 E. Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst. Santa will arrive outside the park district gym escorted by the Lake Villa District Fire Department. Activities include a raffle for ages 11 and younger, Jason the Juggler, a free children's craft, refreshments, and performances by Engle Junction Preschool at 5 p.m. and the Lindenhurst Park District Dancers at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.lindenhurstparks.org or call (847) 356-6011.

Round Lake Park tree-lighting: 3:30-6 p.m. at the village hall, 203 E. Lake Shore Drive, Round Lake Park. Includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visit www.roundlakepark.us or call (847) 546-2790.

Round Lake Heights tree-lighting: 7 p.m. at the village hall, 619 W. Pontiac Ct., Round Lake Heights. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Santa will arrive on a fire truck. Visit www.villageofroundlakeheights.com or call (847) 546-1206.

Wauconda tree-lighting: 6 p.m. at the Wauconda Park District, 600 N. Main St., Wauconda. Santa will arrive on a fire truck. Go inside to enjoy crafts, games, and stories. Goody bags will be available while supplies last and light refreshments will be served. Free; no registration required. Visit waucondaparks.org or call (847) 526-3610.

Waukegan's HolidayWauk: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Waukegan, Genesee Street and Grand Avenue. HolidayWauk includes free holiday crafts at participating locations in the Main Street District, music, pictures with Santa for people and pets, s'mores, and a gaming tournament for middle and high school students at 17 North, and ends with the lighting of the tree in Jack Benny Plaza. Visit waukeganmainstreet.org/event/holidaywauk-2 or call (847) 599-2525.

Saturdays, Dec. 6 and 13

Dickens of a Holiday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Libertyville. Events include a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10 a.m. to noon or 1-3 p.m. in Cook Park on Church Street; the Children's Holiday Shoppe at Petranek's Pharmacy, 426 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; tours of the Ansel B. Cook Museum from noon to 4 p.m. (tours also available from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14); and Victorian Tea at 11 a.m. at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church. Visit www.mainstreetlibertyville.org. For Victorian Tea reservations, call (847) 680-0336.

Sunday, Dec. 7

Lincolnshire's Tree-Lighting Ceremony: 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Village Green, Milwaukee Avenue and Old Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Includes hot cocoa and desserts, musical performances and a visit from Santa. Donations of canned goods and unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program will be accepted. Visit village.lincolnshire.il.us or call (847) 883-8600.

Viking Park Singers Annual Holiday Concert: 3 p.m. at the Viking Park Dance Hall, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Enjoy songs of the season. Refreshments served after the performance. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for students ages 6-17, free for children younger than 5. For information, call (847) 623-7788.