Seasonal

Local Farmers Markets

Libertyville Farmers Market
Join us every Thursday morning in downtown Libertyville.
May 30th and June 6th, and then June 20th through October 17th
7am – 1pm

Mundelein Farmer’s Market
Park Street between Lake & Seymour Streets
Fridays June 14th – September 27th
3 – 7pm

Vernon Hills Farmers Market
Century Park
Thursdays, June 6th – August 29th
Century Park
3 – 7pm

Local vendors will display their goods weekly, June 6 through August 29 on Thursdays from 3 pm-7 pm at the south end of Century Park. There will be no market on July 4.
A parking lot is on site at the corner of Hawthorn Parkway and Lakeview Parkway. Additional parking is available at the Rust-Oleum Development Center.

Grayslake Farmers Market
Center Street

Spring Market
Saturdays
April 13th – June 1st
10am – 2pm

Summer Market
Wednesdays
June 5th – September 25th
3 – 7pm

Fall Market
Saturdays
September 28th – December 14th
10am – 2pm

The Grayslake Farmers Market is a nonprofit organization that fosters a sense of community by operating a weekly three season outdoor shopping experience in the historic downtown center that offers farm fresh and prepared foods, arts and crafts, music and children’s activities.

East Grand Avenue Farmers & Artisans Market 
July 21th
August 18th
September 15th
October 20th
11am – 3pm

The East Grand Artisans & Farmers Market will be located in the parking lot of the Salvation Army (3559 Grand Avenue) at the corner of Belle Plaine/Grand Avenue.

Lake Bluff Farmers Market
Village Green
Fridays
June 8th – October 12th
7am – noon

From produce, proteins and pastries to flowers, cheese and more, the Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market is one of the Village’s best places to stock your fridge and pantry! With knife sharpening services, live music and cooking demonstrations, the Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market works to create an experience that will kick summer weekends in Lake Bluff in style. Join us, join our vendors and join your neighbors on the Lake Bluff Village Green each and every Friday in the summer!

The Garden Market at Elawa Farm
1401 Middlefork
Lake Forest
Fridays and Saturdays
May 17th – October 26th
8am – 1pm

The Garden Market begins mid-May and runs through October, featuring produce, herbs and flowers harvested directly from the Elawa Garden and from selected local visiting vendors. Our small-scale Market Garden provides a remarkable array of heirloom tomatoes, greens, carrots, beets, squash, herbs, honey, flower bouquets and more. 

In addition we offer seasonal homemade items from our own Elawa Kitchen as well as local artisan items for your garden and home.

Note:  Any surplus of produce and food items in our seasonal Garden Market are donated weekly to a local food pantry.

Fall Fun

Visit our Classes & Sports Page for Ideas!

Fall Fun

Coming soon 2021

View all of the businesses websites and call ahead for updates to their procedures and offerings for this the 2021 season! Reservations may be required and not all attractions may be offered. Call ahead for safety protocol to check your comfort level.

Heinz Orchard
1050 Crest Road
Green Oaks
847-770-3449

This no-frills orchard has been a family favorite for over 60 years!
They are typically open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check their website for details.
Accepts cash only. No admission or parking fees, just $10 for a 1/2 peck bag or $20 for a 1 peck bag.

A Note from their Facebook page 8/8/21: We plan on opening sometime mid-September. We don’t have a very large crop this year so our hours and days will be VERY limited. More info to come in a few weeks.

Apple Holler
5006 South Sylvania Avenue
Sturtevant, WI
262-884-7100

Pricing information can be found on their website. View their picking calendar here. 

All Seasons Orchard
14510 IL Route 176
Woodstock
815-338-5637

Pricing and more information about apple and pumpkin picking, fall fun & food can be found on their website. 

Stade’s Farm & Market
3709 Miller Road
McHenry
815-675-6396

Stade’s Market, Picking and Fall Fun information can be found on their website!

Stade’s Shades of Autumn Fall Festival is open 9/11/21 – 10/31/21

September Open Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 6pm, October Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 6pm

Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm
7150 18th Street (Highway L)
Kenosha, WI
262-859-2645

Fall Attractions 9/18/21 – 10/31/21

Country Store and Free Hand-painted Fall Display Hours: Open Daily from 8am – 8pm

Paid Fall Activity Area Hours: Weekdays 4pm–8pm • Weekends 10am–8pm

Didier Farm
16678 W. Aptakisic Road
Lincolnshire
847-634-3291

Opening 9/18/21 for the Season – view their website to see what is offered!

Green Meadows Petting Farm
33603 High Drive
East Troy, WI

The Last Day of the Summer Season is Labor Day, 9/6. The First Day of the Fall Season is 9/22/21!

Visit their website for more details!

Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm
13236 W. Town Line Road
Waukegan

Open for Fall 2021 9/18 – 11/1! Visit their website for hours and pricing.

Country Bumpkin
27691 N. Gilmer Road
Mundelein
847-566-2176

Open Everyday April – October 30th. Monday – Saturday 8am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 3pm

Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center
40 W. Higgins Road
South Barrington
847-428-6727

Farmer’s Market & Fall Festival open daily 9/11 – 10/31 9am – 6pm. Labor Day & Halloween 9am – 3pm.

Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard
42W813 Reinking Road
Pingree Grove, IL
847-464-5952

Fall Festival Open Daily from August 27, 2021 through Halloween Day

Hours are 9-6 every day, including Columbus Day and Labor Day

Online tickets are required. Click “Buy Tickets” to purchase your tickets.

Fall & Winter Light Show!

View more information including rates and offerings on their website. 

Patch 22
15900 Kelly Road
Wadsworth
847-336-0120

Patch 22 is typically open on weekends in October. Stay tuned for 2021 info!

Trick-or-Treat Hours

2021 Info Coming Soon!

See our Calendar for Fall Events!

Coming soon 2021

Volunteering as a family is a great way to model and teach gratitude to children. Giving back can be an annual family tradition that creates memories and bonds while helping others in your community. Visit each non-profits website to learn how to volunteer or donate.

 Adler Arts Center
1700 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Libertyville
847-367-0707

Bernie’s Book Bank
917 N. Shore Drive
Lake Bluff
847-780-READ

Bring your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to volunteer and experience how good helping others feels. We welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities. Attend any of our 18 weekly volunteer sessions with a simple online registration. Bernie’s Book Bank offers the perfect opportunity for your corporate, social, civic or religious group to help sort, sticker and pack quality books for at-risk children.

Cornerstone Foundation – The mission of the Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation is to provide opportunities and resources to children and their families who are in need. Since 2005, Charles Tillman’s charitable efforts have impacted the lives of thousands of critically and chronically ill children and their families.

Equestrian Connection
600 Bradley Road
Lake Forest

Equestrian Connection’s mission is to improve the physical, mental and emotional well being with children and adults with special needs by providing equine therapy and other therapy services that fill voids that address unmet needs with the use of highly trained horses, licensed and experienced therapists and therapeutic instructors, and an understanding pool of trained volunteers. We provide services to all those who need it despite their ability to pay.

Feed My Starving Children
742 E. Park Avenue
Libertyville
847-984-3846

FMSC offers volunteers a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and shipped to our incredible partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world.

Through volunteering at FMSC, you’ll get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference today.

Fill a Heart 4 Kids
400 E. Illinois Road
Lake Forest

Brighter Futures for foster and homeless children! There are so many ways to get invoived!

Gigi’s Playhouse
We change lives through consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community, through a replicable playhouse model.

Keeping Families Covered (formerly Twice as Nice Mother & Child)
3250-B N. Oak Grove Avenue
Waukegan
224-637-1644

Keeping Families Covered provides diapers and other basic needs to families. We distribute items through agency partnerships and direct-to-client service. We also raise awareness about diaper need and period poverty while working to build sustainable programs in Lake County. As a member of the National Diaper Bank Network, our on-site diaper bank and mobile diaper pantry distributes over 500,000 diapers every year. We also provide other essentials like baby wipes, infant formula, gently used maternity wear and children’s clothing/shoes (newborn to size 12), baby care equipment and children’s books. As a member of the Alliance for Period Supplies, we also distribute period products. Located in Waukegan, Illinois, Keeping Families Covered currently supports over 1,200 families and 1,800 children every month. We have donated over 2 million diapers and 100,000 period supplies to the most vulnerable residents in our community.

Lake County Center for Independent Living
3477 N. Seymour
Mundelein

Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL) is a non-residential, cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. We advocate for a fully accessible society that is inclusive of everyone. LCCIL believes that the disability community must have the freedom and opportunity to control our own lives.

Lake County Haven
Libertyville
847-680-1703

Lake County Haven is a social-service agency dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless women and children. We use education, employment, and life-skills training to help people move from homelessness to independence. Throughout this process, our goal is always the long-term stability and self-sufficiency of each person.

Little Giraffe Foundation 
Click here for ways to support this organization dedicated to funding neonatal research and supporting patients and parents of the NICU.

If you’d like to donate a book or toy for their holiday gift bag program to 14 Chicagoland hospital NICUs/special care nurseries, including Advocate Condell Medical Center and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, click here for their Amazon Wish List.

Northern Illinois Food Bank
Northern Illinois Food Bank – a proud member of Feeding America – is the source of nutritious food, innovative feeding programs, and hope for more than 71,500 people each week. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a goal of solving hunger in our 13-county service area, we rely on our generous donors, volunteers, and community partners – the local food pantries and feeding programs, food manufacturers and retailers, companies, foundations and individuals who join with us in our vision for no one to be hungry in Northern Illinois.

Orphans of the Storm
Orphans of the Storm is your community’s animal shelter. By choosing to volunteer your time and talents, you are helping to make a difference to thousands of homeless animals that arrive to our door each year.

PADS Lake County
Make a Donation, Give Items, Make Lunches, Volunteer

Project Linus
Through the gift of handmade blankets, Project Linus is able to provide a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. They donate blankets to children from premature babies to eighteen years of age. There are many ways to be involved including blanket making events, the Kids Helping Kids program, the adopt-a-blanket program and many more you can find here.

Roberti Community Center
919 8th Street
Waukegan

The mission of Roberti Community House is to nourish, educate and empower community members so that they can acknowledge, appreciate and actualize their individual strengths and talents.

Ronald McDonald House Near Lurie Children’s
For over 40 years this organization has been caring for families of children with complex medical needs by providing comfort, compassion and a sense of community. They allow families to stay close to their child in the hospital near the care and resources they need which supports the child and family’s health and well-being while saving the family’s hotel and food costs. The many ways to get involved can be found here. Your generous involvement allows the Ronald McDonald House to offer families home cooked meals, activities for children and their families, shared living space to bond with others, beautiful gardens for rest and play and a home filled with love and support. People can volunteer for the Meals or Cookies form the Heart programs, purchasing from the wishlist, volunteering, purchasing a brick in the garden and much more.

SRACLC Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County
290 Oakwood Road
Vernon Hills

The Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County was formed in 1976 as a cooperative effort of Member Agencies with the purpose to provide year round community based recreation services to individuals with disabilities and their families.

St. Joseph Food Pantry
Formation Center
112 North Milwaukee Avenue
Libertyville

The St. Joseph Food Pantry is a supermarket style food pantry located in the strip mall at 112 North Milwaukee Avenue in the Formation Center. Our food pantry is operated by volunteers. Food is donated and funds are used to purchase food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank as well as other local grocery stores. The food pantry is open to anyone who needs food due to loss of job or other events that created a hardship.

Stepping Stones Network
PO Box 208
Grayslake, IL

Our mission is to educate and engage the community to prevent domestic commercial sexual exploitation and provide comprehensive, restorative care to survivors.

Waukegan to College
410 Grand Avenue
Waukegan
224-303-4156

At Waukegan to College (W2C), our mission is to create brighter futures for first-generation students, their families, and their community by preparing students to enroll in and graduate from a four-year college or university.

Youthage Culinary
508 N. Seymour Avenue
Mundelein
847-865-1010

Our culinary program is designed to give youth an opportunity to experience hands on training while preparing them for real life experiences involving food service. The students will also learn Leadership Skills, Organizational Skills, and how to live healthier life styles.

See our Volunteer & Donate section for a comprehensive list of local non-profits.

Thanksgiving and Giving Back

Coming Soon 2021

November is a time to for gratitude and connecting with family and friends over a feast. It is one of my favorite months of the year. A time to slow down after the busy back to school season and Halloween festivities and prepare for the holidays ahead.

Where to Buy Your Thanksgiving Turkey, Ham & fixings:

Where to Buy Your Thanksgiving Pies:

Khayat Catering

Cheesecake Factory
930 Milwaukee Avenue
Lincolnshire
847-955-2350

Entire Menu is available for pickup and delivery.

Swirl Cafe
847-414-3806

Everything from their truck at the Farmer’s Market is available for pick up at the commercial kitchen in Grayslake. They also make custom holiday baskets.

Elawa Farm
1401 Middlefork Drive
Lake Forest
847-234-1966

See our Bakery section under Restaurants for a comprehensive list of bakeries.

Holiday Lights

Holiday In The Park Lights
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee

Select Dates November 27th – December 30th

The third season of Holiday In The Park returns November 27 as a re-imagined experience featuring over 3 million dazzling lights plus entertainment. While our world-class rides will not be open during Holiday In The Park Lights, we’ve planned some exciting holiday experiences you and your family will enjoy.

The Holiday In The Park Lights experience will include:

• Over 3 million sparkling lights
• Continuous twinkling holiday light displays throughout our property
• Themed entertainment for open-air viewing
• Special socially-distanced photo ops
• Delicious holiday treats and other exciting surprises

Kohlights
Kohl Children’s Museum
2100 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview

A Mesmertastic Holiday Lightacular! Kids take charge in the area’s newest holiday light display. It’s more than just a walk through the festive holiday lights in Kohl Children’s Museum’s newest outdoor activity: Kohlights. Using glow stick learning wands, children can control and change the lights, so it’s a different lightacular experience every time.

Learn while you play with light and color as you create new hues and patterns in this safe and interactive holiday light installation. The show must “glow” on!

Santa’s Rock n Lights
Lake County Fair Grounds
1060 E. Peterson Road
Grayslake
*Enter from Midlothian entrance

Drive thru Christmas light show experience. The lights are animated to Christmas music.

Neighborhoods with lots of lights or displays:

Milk Jug Luminaries
S. Dymond and Dover Street
Libertyville
Near Golf Road & Butterfield Road

Neighborhood tradition since 1987! Display generally begins the weekend after Thanksgiving and runs nightly from 6:00 – 10:00pm through Christmas. Snow makes these luminaries look even better.

Click here to read our Blog Post to learn the history of this neighborhood tradition

Germann Lights 
4968 Prairie Oak Road
Gurnee

Celebrating 10 years!!! The 2018 show should be up and running December 1st! The hours will be 5:00 – 10:00pm daily. Tune your radio to 87.9 to listen to this family friendly light show! Bring a non-perishable food item for the Northern Illinois Food Bank!

Virtual Tree Lightings

Libertyville
Friday, November 27, 2020
6:30pm
Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Santa Parade Information on Various Dates in Libertyville Neighborhoods

Mundelein
Friday, December 4, 2020
5pm
Virtual Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 

Vernon Hills
Saturday, November 28, 2020
5pm
Tree & Menorah Lighting

Santa Parade Information 2:45 – 4:45pm on 11/28

Long Grove
Saturday, December 5, 2020
4pm
Virtual Town Traditions Tree Lighting

See our Calendar for many more events!

Christmas Trees

Cut Down Your Own Tree Experience

Richardson’s Tree Farm
9407 Richardson Road
Spring Grove
815-675-9729

Oney’s Tree Farm
16608 Route 14
Woodstock
815-338-4108

Sullivan’s Tree Farm
24774 W. Petite Lake Drive
Lake Villa
847-989-3092

Pioneer Tree Farm
CLOSED in 2020 due to COVID
4614 Pioneer Road
McHenry
815-385-8512

Fresh cut Christmas Trees!

Kroll’s Farm Christmas Trees
13236 W. Town Line Road
Waukegan
847-662-5733

Fraser, Balsam, Canaan, Blue Spruce, White Pine

Handmade wreaths, Roping, Centerpieces, Christmas tree stands and more!

Additional Local Places to buy pre-cut trees: Boy Scout Troop at United Methodist Church, Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Menard’s, Costco

Sledding & Ice Skating

Libertyville

Charles Brown “Charlie Brown” Park
Sylvan Drive
Small hill that neighborhood families use for sledding for younger children age 2-6

Adler Park
1500 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Two sledding hill options plus a warming house complete with bathrooms. Features a small ice skating surface available for recreational skating.
For ice surface updates, call the Recreation Department Weather Hotline at (847)247-5433 OPTION 3.

Old School Forest Preserve
St. Mary’s Road, South of 176
Large sled hill

Copeland School
801 S. Seventh Avenue
Small hill for toddlers

Butterfield School
1441 W. Lake Street
Small hill for toddlers

Hill near Condell
801 S. Milwaukee Avenue
Small hill that neighborhood families use for sledding

Nicholas Dowden Park
920 Crane Boulevard
Features a small ice skating surface available for recreational skating and ice hockey play.
For ice surface updates, call the Recreation Department Weather Hotline at (847)247-5433 OPTION 3 – 2020 Update: phone line message says closed until further notice 

Libertyville Sports Complex 

2020 Season – Closed until further notice

1950 US-45
LSC Outdoor Hockey Rink – The hockey rink will be prepared for ice skating season when winter weather conditions begin in December.

PHONE HOTLINE for skating conditions at (847)247-5433 *OPTION 3.
There is no supervision provided. Therefore, people using the hockey rink are doing so at their own risk. Posted signage indicates General Rules.

“Open Skating” Usage Details

• Hockey Rink is for “open skating” with users sharing the space for hockey and skating, similar to open gym for soccer, basketball inside the LSC.
• Open to the public for both residents of Libertyville and non-residents. No Fee for usage.

HOURS OF OPERATION: DAILY, 9am-10pm; Hours subject to change due to weather conditions, ice conditions, etc.

• Other Important Information
  The LSC is not to be used as a warm-up shelter.
  A Porta Potty is located at the Rink for skaters to use. No usage of LSC indoor washrooms.
  Skaters are to call 911 in the event of accidents or other emergencies.
  Hockey Goals will be provided and on-site
  No special private rental time during the Ice Season due to unpredictable weather.
  Parking available near the hockey rink.

Mundelein

Keith Mione Community Park
Mundelein Park & Recreation District
1401 N. Midlothian Road
Ice Skating Rink and Sled Hill – 2020 Open

Ice Skating Rink and Sled Hill

**PLEASE NOTE**
Due to the unseasonably warm weather and the rain fall from yesterday, the Ice Rink will remain closed through this evening, Wednesday December 23. With the deep freeze coming this evening, we hope to open the rink tomorrow. Please check the Rainout Line for updates.

The Ice Rink will be open thru Friday for Public/Free Skate for the holiday. The hockey goals will be put out on Saturday, December 26 at 4pm.

ICE SKATING RINK COVID-19 TIER 3 GUIDELINES

Attention: Please abide by the COVID-19 TIER 3 GUIDELINES

• Public/Family/Free Skate: Maximum occupancy: 25

• Hockey: Maximum occupancy: 10

• Remember to social distance

• Face coverings required for all skaters

Ice skating rink for a multi-purpose rink used for open skate, hockey and unique games such as “broomball.” Please note and adhere to the schedule posted below.

John Wiech Park
IL Route 60/83
Snowmobile trail link

Kracklauer Park
Seymour Avenue
Small sled hill for toddlers

Maurice Kroll Park
Huntington Road
Small sled hill for toddlers

Lewandowski Park
Prairie Road
Small sled hill for toddlers

Vernon Hills

Century Park
Vernon Hills Park District
1001 Lakeview Parkway

2020 Update: Ice Skating Closed

Sled Hill, Pavilion, and Ice Rinks lit until 9:00pm daily.

There will be two rinks in Century Park: one for general skating and the other for hockey. Check the posted sign at the hill, Vernon Hills Park District website, or call the weather hotline to see if conditions are favorable for winter activities on any given day.

Augusta Park
210 Augusta Drive
Small, neighborhood sled hill good for toddlers

***Call ahead for availability, safety precautions, changes and cancellations***
Let them know you saw their event on the LAM website!

Easter Bunny Photos

Easter Bunny Meet N Greet
Hawthorn Mall
122 Hawthorn Center
Vernon Hills

Come visit the Easter Bunny at Hawthorn!
March 28th 12 – 2pm
Click link above for details!

Events

Flashlight Egg Scramble
Mundelein Park & Recreation District
Dunbar Recreation Center
888 Dunbar Road
Mundelein

March 18th 6 – 7:15pm
Click link above for details

Spring Egg Walk
1401 N. Midlothian
Mundelein

March 27th
Click link above for details!

MyPerks Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt
Hawthorn Mall
122 Hawthorn Center Vernon Hills

April 3rd 11am – 12pm
Click link above for details!

The Egg-cellent Hunt
Kid’s Castle Playground
299 Onwentsia
Vernon Hills

March 27th 10 – 11:30am
Click link above for details!

Easter Egg Hunt
Adler Park
1500 N. Memorial
Libertyville

March 27th – Click link above for availability and times based on age

Visit our Calendar for More Easter Events!

Events

Rock the Bald with Hawthorn Mall…Virtually!

Register to Rock the Bald and fundraise for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation!
Anytime between March 1st and March 31st, participants are invited to videotape themselves having their heads shaved, then share the video on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #rockthebaldathawthornmall and tag Hawthorn Mall.
Clink the link above for details!

HAWTHORN HIKERS LUCKY WALKING CHALLENGE

March 15th – March 29th: Join the Hawthorn Hikers for the Lucky Walking Challenge!
Click the link above for details!

Earth Day Celebration
Prairie Grass Nature Museum
860 Hart Road
Round Lake

April 24th
Click link above for details!

Also visit our Aquatics page under Resources!

Barefoot Bay
1461 N. Midlothian
Mundelein

Spray Park

Diamond Lake Beach 
1016 N. Diamond Lake Road
Mundelein

Lake Minear Beach 
600 W. Oak Spring Road
Libertyville

Vernon Hills Aquatic Center
645 N. Aspen Drive
Vernon Hills 

Adler Pool
1500 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Libertyville
847-816-7946