Tree lightings, parades, winter markets and more in Lake County
With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, it's time for local villages to turn into winter wonderlands with festive decorations and sparkling lights. Here are some of the tree-lighting ceremonies and other holiday happenings planned in and around Lake County:
Friday, Nov. 29
Antioch: 6:30-7:30 p.m. at 874 Main St., Antioch. The annual Christmas Parade on Main Street proceeds from Park Avenue to Orchard Street, ending at the village hall for the tree-lighting. The Antioch Fire Department will provide free hot chocolate and cookies, while supplies last. Free. Visit antioch.il.gov.
Glencoe: 4-7 p.m. Village of Glencoe, 675 Village Court, Glencoe. "Light the Lights" is the village's revamped tree-lighting ceremony and holiday shopping kick-off celebration, complete with a Beer and Wine Stroll, shopping specials, trackless train rides, reindeer petting, live music, a visit from Santa and more. Visit bit.ly/2OV6XUa.
Grayslake: 3-8 p.m. in downtown Grayslake. Includes sleigh rides from 6-8 p.m., visits with Santa at The Oasis beginning at 3 p.m., refreshments, and Holiday Market at the Grayslake Museum beginning at 5 p.m. Santa arrives at the Holiday Tree at the corner of Center and Whitney streets at 5:30 p.m. Free. Visit grayslakechamber.com.
Lake Forest: 3-5:30 p.m. at 256 Market Square, Lake Forest. The 36th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony includes entertainment, an ice sculpting performance, an arts and crafts activity, a visit from Santa Claus, hot chocolate and doughnut holes. There will be a caroling concert by the Lake Forest High School Choristers at 4:30 p.m. and a performance by the Lake Forest Dance Academy at 5 p.m., followed by the tree-lighting. Free. Visit www.cityoflakeforest.com.
Lake Villa: 5-8 p.m. in Lehmann Park, 148 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa. Lineup for the Lighted Christmas Parade begins at 4 p.m. at Palombi School, 133 McKinley Ave., and the parade begins at 5 p.m. The tree-lighting will take place immediately after the parade at Lehmann Park, followed by refreshments, entertainment and visits with Santa at the Metra Train Station. Free. Visit lake-villa.org.
Libertyville: 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Cook Park in Libertyville. The annual Holiday Walk includes music, singing, photos with Santa and holiday-themed entertainment from the Butterfield Chorus Club and the Libertyville High School Band. Santa Claus will help with the official countdown for the lighting of the village holiday tree at 7 p.m. The Ansel B. Cook Mansion will be open for tours. Downtown merchants will offer extended hours for shopping and dining. Free. Visit www.libertyville.com.
Round Lake Beach: 6:15-8 p.m. at the village hall, 1937 Municipal Way, Round Lake Beach. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 6:15 p.m., and the tree-lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Afterward, everyone is invited to the Cultural & Civic Center, 2007 N. Civic Center Way, for holiday music, photos with "Olaf" and refreshments, including coffee, hot cocoa and baked goods. Visit rlbciviccenter.com.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Fox Lake: 2-9 p.m. on Grand Avenue in downtown Fox Lake. Kriss Kringle Winter Market will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. The Festival of Lights Parade starts at 5 p.m. from Grant Community High School and marches down Grand Avenue, culminating with The Holiday Tree Lighting in Millennium Park, Grand Avenue and Route 59. Free. Visit foxlake.org.
Highwood: 2-6 p.m. Highwood city hall, 17 Highwood Ave., Highwood. The Holiday Festival features fun for the whole family, culminating with a tree-lighting ceremony. Pick up a map and schedule for the afternoon's free activities at city hall. Highlights include a kid-friendly Cookie Walk, seasonal music and food, and shopping. Kids can do crafts at a "glitter bar" and ornament-making station. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available for $5. From 4-6 p.m., Santa will make an appearance. An after-hours 12 Drinks of Christmas pub and restaurant crawl for the adults will run from 6 p.m. until closing time. Visit www.highwoodchamber.com/events.html.
Northbrook: 5-7 p.m. at The Village Church, 1300 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Along with the tree-lighting, there will be hot chocolate, popcorn, food vendors and crafts. Free. Visit www.northbrooknine.com/tree-lighting.html.
Vernon Hills: 4:30-6 p.m. at Vernon Hills Golf Course, 291 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills. Gather in the clubhouse to enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and cider as you wait for Santa to arrive, courtesy of Countryside Fire. Meet Santa and take photos, and then head outside to flip the switch on the village's giant holiday tree and menorah. Free. Visit www.vernonhills.org.
Friday, Dec. 6
Island Lake: 6-8 p.m. at the village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave., Island Lake. The annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Angel Tree features hayrides, craft projects, doughnuts and hot chocolate. Stay warm by the bonfires and enjoy a visit with a Very Special Guest at this family-friendly holiday event. Free. Visit villageofislandlake.com.
Lincolnshire: 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Village Green Center, 100 Village Green, Lincolnshire. A family-friendly event with Santa, tree-lighting, school choir performances, Toy for Tots collection, food/beverage vendors and other activities. Free. Visit lincolnshireil.gov.
Mundelein: 5-6:15 p.m. at the village hall plaza, 300 Plaza Circle, Mundelein. Music, singing and other holiday-themed entertainment. Free rides for children on a trackless train. Santa Claus will help with the official countdown for lighting the Village Holiday Tree and fireworks display. Free hot chocolate and other goodies. After the tree-lighting, children can stop by Santa's Cottage to visit and receive special prizes. Everyone is invited to the annual spaghetti supper at the Mundelein Police Station. Free. Visit mundelein.org.
Round Lake: 5-7 p.m. at the Round Lake village hall, 422 N. Cedar Lake Road, Round Lake. The tree-lighting event features music by a student choir, Santa arriving on a firetruck, hayrides, hot chocolate and refreshments. The annual tree-lighting begins at 6 p.m. Free. Visit eroundlake.com.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Barrington: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with events at various locations. Tree-lighting ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at Village Center, Cook and Station streets, with Santa arriving on a fire truck and remaining to take photos on South Cook Street until 6:30 p.m. Free trolley service will take visitors to other locations hosting events. Free. Visit www.barrington-il.gov.
Fox River Grove: 2-5 p.m. at Algonquin Road School, 975 Algonquin Road, Fox River Grove. Performances by the Cary-Grove High School swing choir and Diva Voice. Event includes face painter, balloon artist, crafts and cookie decorating, and pictures with Santa hosted by the Lions Club. Activities will be held indoors, with officials lighting the Christmas tree outside shortly before 5 p.m. Free. Visit foxrivergrove.org.
Hawthorn Woods: 3-6 p.m. at Community Park, 5 Park View, Hawthorn Woods. Hometown Holiday event features visits with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, cookies, hot cocoa, holiday carols and the community tree-lighting. Bring a Toys for Tots donation. Free. Visit vhw.org.
Lake Zurich: 3-7 p.m. at 70 E. Main St., Lake Zurich. Miracle on Main Street event features a 35-foot holiday tree, an opportunity to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and the reindeer, children's crafts, sleigh rides, adult beverages and food vendors. Free; vendor fees vary. Visit lakezurich.org.
Lindenhurst: 4:30-6 p.m. at Lippert Community Center, 2200 Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst. Hosted by the Lindenhurst Park District, the event will feature caroling, visits with Santa, a kids' raffle, Jason the Juggler and refreshments. Nonperishable food items will be collected for the Lake Villa Township Food Pantry. Free. Visit www.lindenhurstparks.org.
Wauconda: 6-8:30 p.m. at the Wauconda Park District Community Center, 600 N. Main St., Wauconda. Holiday activities on Main Street, immediately followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus by fire truck to the tree-lighting and brief fireworks display. Afterward, come inside for crafts, games and refreshments. Bring a camera for photos with Santa. Free. Visit wauconda-il.gov.