The holiday season is here!
We hope this Local Holiday Guide helps make the holiday season a little less stressful.
This guide includes info on photos with Santa, light shows, where to get a Christmas tree, and more!
Please be sure to visit links to RSVP (if needed) and view additional event information.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Featured sections:
Holiday Light Events
Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe, IL) Lightscape
November 14- January 4
CPKC Holiday Train (Viking Park, Gurnee)
December 9th from 4 pm – 6 pm
Goebbert’s Light Show
11/27- 1/4. Online tickets required. Drive Thru Light show.
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
November 13 – January 3
Santa’s Rock N Lights Drive Thru Light Show (Geneva, IL)
November 21- December 31
Santa Photos
Bass Pro Gurnee (6112 West Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL)
Free 4 x 6. Need to schedule online.
Hawthorn Mall
November 24-December 24
Special events: Pet Photo Nights: 11/24, 12/1, 12/8 from 4 pm – 7 pm
Sensory-Friendly Santa: Sunday 12/7 from 9 am – 10:30 am
Grayslake Park District- Santa at the Rec Center
Sunday, December 7 from 11 am – 1 pm
Ring in the holidays with a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Grayslake Park District Rec Center. Grayslake Central PSP Group will have fun games and activities to do while waiting to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bella Vie Studios will be there taking pictures of this special moment and will take home a free picture. Additional prints will be available for purchase online. Pre-registration is required for this event.
Gurnee Mills
November 24 – December 24
Special events: Caring Santa: December 7th 9 am-10:30 am
Pet Photos: Sunday, November 23rd from 7:30 pm-8:30 pm
Long Grove
November 29, 12-4 pm, November 30, 12-4 pm, December 6, 12-4 pm, December 7, 12-4 pm, December 13, 12-4 pm, December 14, 12-4 pm, December 20, 12-4 pm, December 21, 12-4 pm. Free Pictures with Santa- Sunday, December 7 from 12-4 pm Covered Bridge Park. No reservations needed. First come, first served.
Libertyville
Photos with Santa (Cook Park, 10am -12pm; 1-3pm)
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for a photo in his sleigh! Monetary donations and non-perishable food items for Libertyville Township Food Pantry are appreciated.
Mundelein
Santa’s Cottage December 6 from 3 pm – 5 pm, December 13 from 12:30 – 3 pm, December 20 from 12 – 3 pm
Silent Night with Santa– December 17 from 6 pm – 8 pm. Experience the magic of the season in a calm and welcoming environment at our Silent Night with Santa event. This sensory-sensitive visit is designed for children who may need a quieter, slower-paced atmosphere to enjoy meeting Santa. Families can take their time for photos, share wish lists, and create special holiday memories without the hustle and bustle of a large crowd. $19 Resident/$25 nonresident
Santa Events
Breakfast with Santa
Austin’s Breakfast with Santa
December 21 from 10 am – 2 pm
Canlan Libertyville
Pancakes with Santa
December 13 from 9 am – 11 am
Centre Club Libertyville
December 13 from 9 am – 10:30 am
Call 847-990-5750 to register or for more info.
Lamb’s Farm
December 6, 7, 13, 14 (Various times)
Mellody Farms (Lazy Dog Restaurant)
Breakfast with the Grinch
December 6th 10 am – 12 pm
Dinner with Santa
The Boardroom
December 7 from 5 pm – 7 pm
O’Toole’s
Libertyville Location (412 Lounge) December 8th 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Enjoy a festive buffet featuring our seasonal favorites, mocktails & cocktails at the bar, goodie bags for the kids, and of course… pictures with Santa!
Gurnee Location Tuesday, December 9th 4:30pm-6:30pm. Treats, Mocktails & Goodie Bags! RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Call (847) 249-0800
Cookies with Santa Lindenhurst Park District Community Center Gym (2200 East Grass Lake Road, Lindenhurst, IL) Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10:30 am – 12 pm
Meet Santa and join the fun! Play a playful snowball toss with Santa—he’s ready for a challenge! Get creative and decorate holiday cookies with all the frostings!
Visit our Hot Cocoa Bar for a warm treat! Enjoy crafts, play games, and groove to holiday tunes!
Christmas Tree Farms
Country Bumpkin (27691 N. Gilmer Rd., Mundelein,IL) Meet Santa on November 29 from 1 pm – 3 pm!
Gengel Christmas Tree Farm (38614 N Fairfield Rd, Lake Villa, IL)
Kroll’s Farm (13236 W. Town Line Rd. Waukegan IL 60087)
Oney’s Tree Farm, Inc. (16608 Rt.14 Woodstock, IL 60098): November 28th through December 21st, Daily from 9am-6pm
Richardson Farm (9407 Richardson Rd Spring Grove, IL 60081) Opens 11/28-12/21
Williams Tree Farm (4661 Yale Bridge Rd, Rockton, IL 61072)
Holiday Shopping Events
Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 29th! Check out Mainstreet Libertyville to learn more.
Holiday Faire (Mickey Finn’s) Sunday, November 30 from 11 am – 4 pm
Join us for one of Libertyville’s favorite events – Mickey Finn’s Holiday Faire! Check out a great selection of handmade treasures and unique crafts, while enjoying the festive vibes. Don’t forget to grab a glass of Santa’s Magic at the bar – it’s the perfect way to unwind. Bring your friends and family!
Holiday Shopping Night Out (Grayslake) Thursday, December 4 at 5 pm
Come to the Village Center for an evening of one-night only discounts, raffles, treats and more during our Holiday Shopping Night Out! Gather your friends and shop local for the holidays from 5 – 8 pm. Stroll through your favorite shops, discover special gifts for your loved ones and enjoy a night out with friends!
Kids Only Holiday Shop (Gorton Center) Wednesday, December 3 from 2:30 pm – 6 pm
A beloved community tradition, the Kids Only Holiday Shop invites children ages four to ten to shop for loved ones – all on their own! This cherished tradition sparks independence and lets kids feel the joy of giving.
Mainstreet Libertyville Children’s Holiday Shoppe (Libertyville Civic Center) Saturday, December 13th from 10 am-3 pm
Kids can experience the joy of giving by shopping for gifts for their loved ones (with a little help from Santa’s elves)! Children ages 4-10 may shop for up to six gifts.
Kids Kringle Market (Dunbar Recreation Center) December 13 from 2 pm – 4 pm
The Kids Kringle Market showcases the talents of local youth ages 5-18 as they participate as vendors in this holiday event. From Handcrafted Jewelry to unique holiday decorations, the market is a perfect place to find gifts for your loved ones, in addition to shopping, families can enjoy holiday treats, crafts, music, story time and a visit with Santa.
Kris Kringle Market (Volo Museum) Saturday, November 29 from 1 pm – 6 pm
Over 30 fun and creative vendors will be set up, presenting a wide variety of fantastic crafts and Holiday decor items, ranging from handmade items and jewelry to collectibles and delicious homemade treats! ENJOY FREE MARSHMALLOW ROASTING, A FREE ART STATION. FOR THE KIDS AND A FREE PHOTO OP WITH THE GRINCH HIMSELF! The market will be set up right outside of the museum’s main entrance. The event is free to attend and enjoy! Afterwards, you can spend the rest of the day visiting the world-famous Volo Museum, the Titanic Museum, and/or Jurassic Gardens for the regular admission prices.
Other Fun Festive Events
Libertyville Santa Parade (December 6 at 2 pm) Alternate weather date is December 7
Mainstreet Libertyville Victorian Tea (Saturday, December 13th: United Methodist Church Libertyville, 11am-1pm)
Take a break from the holiday rush and enjoy tea, scones, pastries, and finger sandwiches served by hostesses in authentic Victorian attire. Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased online or by calling the MainStreet Libertyville at (847) 680-0336. Please reserve your seats early, as this event is expected to sell out!
Holly Jolly Family Show (Gorton Center, Lake Forest) Sunday, December 21 from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Join us for a fun and festive afternoon with the Lake Forest Civic Orchestra at our annual Holly Jolly Family Show—a joyful, family-friendly performance to usher in the spirit of the season. This 50-minute program is filled with festive favorites, including selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, classic holiday songs, and more—perfect for kids and adults alike.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides (Long Grove)
Carriage rides are one of our most beloved activities during our Vintage Holidays season. Passengers are invited to sit back and take in the nostalgia of our historic downtown as the clattering of horse hooves lead the way. Ride Dates: November 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
Nutcracker Events
The Nutcracker at Genesee Theater
December 18 and 19
Buy Tickets
Dance Center North’s “The Magic of the Nutcracker” and “Clara’s Dream” at Libertvyville High School
December 13 and 14
Buy Tickets
Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker at College of Lake County
December 20 + 21
Buy Tickets
Holiday Movies
McHenry Outdoor Movie Theater
Polar Express with Hot Chocolate Bar- November 28 – 29
Christmas Vacation- December 12 – 13
Holiday Train
Happy Holiday Railway (Illinois Railway) Embark on a magical 40 minute train ride through the winter countryside with Santa Claus himself!
In Wisconsin
Lake Geneva Cruise Line Santa Cruise: Start off the festivities at our Christmas Tree Festival, where kids can send their wishlists to Santa and parents can grab a festive drink from Santa’s Bar. Then, board our heated, beautifully decorated vintage boat for a dazzling cruise along the shoreline. All kids will get a special treat with their boarding pass.
Apple Holler Holly Jolly Jubilee: Get into the holiday spirit as you step into the magical world of our Holly Jolly Jubilee! This holiday celebration embodies the essence of the holidays, bringing families together in a joyous celebration. Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes as our live performing elves fill the air with the melodies of the season and stroll through our brand new Gingerbread Village! Don’t miss out on this enchanting experience that will leave you with lasting memories and smiles for the season ahead.
Holiday Giving
Giving Tuesday is December 2! The holidays are the perfect time to make a financial donation, donate items, or donate your time! Check out some of these wonderful Lake County organizations and learn how they are benefitting our community.
CASA Lake County (Vernon Hills, IL): CASA Lake County exists to promote and protect the best interests of youth who have been considered to be abused, neglected or dependent. Our Holiday Giving Drive goes from November 19th through December 15th. We are collecting donations of wish list items like clothing, coats, boots, shoes, toys, and more.
Feed My Starving Children (Libertyville, IL): Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian non-profit that provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children.
Fill a Heart 4 Kids (Lake Forest, IL): Provides homeless, at-risk, and foster children food, critical necessities, life skills & educational support to empower & Build Brighter Futures 4 Kids!
Lamb’s Farm (Libertyville, IL): Helping people with developmental disabilities lead productive, happy lives and connecting with the human spirit in us all.
PADS Lake County (Waukegan, IL): We help individuals and families reach their full potential by providing a comprehensive approach to reducing homelessness.
Reach Rescue (Mundelein, IL): Reach Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not for profit animal rescue group serving the greater Chicagoland area.
St. Joe’s Food Bank (Libertyville, IL): The Food Pantry serves residents of Lake County, IL and people experiencing homelessness.