Happy Holidays from Little Trike Media! Welcome to our Lake County Christmas Guide. Make this Christmas merry and bright with Christmas events, Santa visits, holiday lights and more.
Christmas in Lake County
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Santa in Lake County
Upcoming Santa Events in Lake County:
Santa’s Cottage is one of Mundelein’s most cherished events in the eyes of children and their parents. Hosted by the Mundelein Community Connection, a visit to Santa’s Cottage is a memorable experience year in and year out. Santa’s Cottage is located outside of the Mundelein Village Hall-300 Plaza Circle. Please join us! Bring your camera! Santa’s Cottage is one of Mundelein’s most cherished events in the eyes of children and their parents. Hosted by the Mundelein Community Connection, a visit to Santa’s Cottage is a memorable experience year in and year out. Santa’s Cottage is located outside of the Mundelein Village Hall-300 Plaza Circle. Please join us! Bring your camera! Sunday, December 16th Come in to begin the festivities early with Santa Claus and his helpers. Even Rocky will get into the holiday spirit! Lunch With Santa includes homemade pizzas, sodas, Jr. ICEEs and freshly popped popcorn. You’ll receive a goodie bag that includes game tokens! The first 100 people to register will receive a FREE Photo with Santa. Description: Enjoy a lunch of pizza with Santa. The entire family is welcome! Holiday lights! Visit santa in performance pavillion Festive Carolers Please bring an item to donate to the Avon Food Pantry. Open Jump from 3:30pm-7:30pm for ONLY $9 per child. Then visit and take pictures with Santa from 4:00pm-5:00pm
Lunch With Santa
Find all the Christmas Events in Lake County on our calendar.
Santa is the guest of honor at meals all over town this month. Find all the locations where you can Dine with Santa from Breakfast to Dinner.
Read about our experiences at:
- Lambs Farm Breakfast with Santa
We know where Santa parks his sleigh! Find all the places where you can catch the big guy and don’t forget the camera! Find Santa in Lake County.
What to do if Santa is Scary?
Put your feet up in Santa’s living Room. Visit a Santa House in lake County.
Holiday Lights
Find all the sparkles from drive-thru festivities to great neighborhoods where you can see Christmas Lights in Lake County. Print out our fun scavenger hunt and take it with you!
Kick off the holiday season at Tree Lighting Event. These events vary from small celebrations at the village hall to lighted parades. Many of the Lake County Tree Lighting events include a visit from Santa. Use the map located in our guide to find Tree Lighting Events near you and light up your holidays!
If you’re up for a drive, check out Illumination at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
Christmas Events & Activities
Celebrate the Season and meaning of Christmas at a Live Nativity Performance in Lake County.
Take family movie night to the big screen with a Holiday Movie in Theaters.
Savor the Holidays with an Afternoon Tea in Lake County.
Your tiny conductor will love the sights and sounds of a Holiday Train Event in Lake County. From model trains to Christmas Train rides there is something for everyone.
Read about our Holiday Train Experiences:
- Canadian Pacific Holiday Train at Viking Park
- Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Can’t make it out? Jennifer tells you how to create your own Polar Express Party at home.
You don’t have to book a flight to Germany to experience the wonder of a Christkindlmarket.
Holiday Children’s Theatre in Lake County takes you beyond the Nutcracker to holiday favorites and youth theatre performances.
Leave the mess in someone elses kitchen! Head to Taste Buds Kitchen Bannockburn for a family Gingerbread House workshop.
Clara’s Dream is a special shortened Nutcracker performance that Dancenter North puts on that is perfect for preschoolers.
(Open to all ages) Wear your PJs as we enjoy a retelling of the classic book and enjoy some hot cocoa and cookies. Everyone is welcome, no registration required! Join Chris White and his trio for a Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas Concert! Come listen to the holiday music of Vince Guaraldi, better known as “the Peanuts composer”, at Gorton. The Chris White Trio will tickle the ivories and delight the senses as they entertain everyone right into the holiday mood with these well-known favorites. Don’t miss this special holiday evening out on the town with no holiday stress attached! Chris White is a talented musician originally from Toronto, Canada, and now a highly sought after artist in the Chicago and greater Midwest region, regularly performing at jazz hubs like The Green Mill, The Jazz Showcase, Andy’s, the House of Blues and more. A doctoral graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he is currently instructor of jazz piano and theory at Lake Forest College, North Park University and North Central College. A cash bar will be provided. Sunday, December 2, and Saturday, December 15, 2018 West Greenhouse Gallery Enjoy a complimentary photo to take home for the holidays. Visitors will take home a free photo printed on the spot! Generously supported by NorthShore University HealthSystem. Adults: $11 members/$13 nonmembers Early Closing Days: ‘Tis the season for family fun! Join us at the Garden for Wonderland Express, featuring magnificent model trains, magical and glittering indoor snow, and meticulously crafted Chicago landmarks in miniature. Tuesdays are half-price | Parking fees apply for nonmembers. Save Santa’s Cottage is one of Mundelein’s most cherished events in the eyes of children and their parents. Hosted by the Mundelein Community Connection, a visit to Santa’s Cottage is a memorable experience year in and year out. Santa’s Cottage is located outside of the Mundelein Village Hall-300 Plaza Circle. Please join us! Bring your camera!
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wonderland Express Details:
November 23 – December 21, 2018, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
December 22 – January 6, 2019, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Children ages 3 to 12 and seniors over age 62: $8 members/$10 nonmembers
Children 2 and under: Free
November 30, December 8, and December 24: exhibition closes at 3 p.m. (last ticket sold at 2 p.m.)
December 25: exhibition will be closed all day
Find all the Christmas Events in Lake County on our calendar.
Deck the Halls
Find the perfect Christmas Tree at one of the Lake County Christmas Tree Farms.
Read about our experience at:
- Oney’s Tree Farm, Woodstock
- Pioneer Tree Farm, McHenry
More Holiday Fun
Ages 3 and up with a caregiver. Ring in the New Year with crafts and games! Limit: 50. Free tickets distributed 30 minutes before the program.
Over the years we’ve had a gift idea or two:
- Gifts the Whole Family will Love
- 4 Easy Holiday Teacher Gifts
- Neighborly Gifts: Spread Holiday Cheer in your Neighborhood
- Toys for every kid on your list
- Gifts for Foodies
- Gifts for Tweens & Teens
- Gifts for Active Kids
- Gifts for Creative Kids
Holiday Recipes
‘Tis the season for yummy breakfasts and lots of baking! Try some of these favorite Christmas Recipes:
- Christmas Coffee Cake
- 5 Delicious Pumpkin-Free Desserts
- Make ahead Holiday Breakfasts
- Pumpkin Cheesecake French Toast Roll-ups
- Homemade Vanilla
- The Best hot Cocoa
- Maple Glazed Brussel Sprouts
And when the holidays are over…..
Recipes to make the most of all your leftovers.
Where to recycle all the Christmas fun - from trees to Christmas lights and everything in between.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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