Happy Holidays from Little Trike Media! Welcome to our Lake County Christmas Guide. Christmas is our favorite time of year and when the county is decked out in all it’s sparkly lights there is no reason to travel far for fun. Make this Christmas merry and bright with Christmas events that are close to home, Santa visits, holiday lights and more. You will find all our Christmas content here, updated yearly. It’s the most complete guide to all things Christmas in Lake County.
Christmas in Lake County
Deals | Free Holiday Fun | All about Santa | Holiday Lights | Christmas Events & Activities | Christmas Trees | Christmas Performing Arts | More Fun | Holiday Recipes
Christmas Deals
From discounts to free shipping, by shopping our affiliates you can save on your holiday gift-giving and support us at the same time!
Save on your gift-giving and shop local with our Good Gifting Local Shopping Guide.
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
Free Holiday Fun in Lake County
You’re doling out enough cash the month of December, memories shouldn’t cost you too! We have lots of fun that’s free, to help you and your family have a magical holiday.
Be Merry this December with our 24 Days of Merry. A daily dose of free holiday fun delivered to your inbox. Sign-up today and let the fun begin!
Holidays can be fun without a lot of work and planning, especially with Little Lake County! We created this fun printable you can download with 12 Holiday Activities in Lake County. Use it with the kids as a countdown to the holiday that is more memorable.
Find more free fun on our calendar!
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Santa in Lake County
He is the man of the hour, the one on everyone’s nice list. We know where Santa Parks his sleigh, and we’ll share with you. Whether you want to dine with Santa, visit him one on one or have a full-on Santa experience there is something for everyone to do with Santa in Lake County. So much so that we even made a map so you will know when Santa is near you!
Put your feet up in Santa’s living room. Visit a Santa House in Lake County for a more intimate visit with Santa (and usually free pictures).
Santa likes to hang out at Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland. Jessica tells you how it works from bringing your dogs (anytime!) to getting a Santa Pass. Learn more about Visiting Santa at Bass Pro Shops.
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:
It’s natural for children to be wary of Santa, but what do you do when they are straight-up scared? Therapist Sarah Roestn offers tips and advice to help your child When Santa is Scary. And if you are looking for a Special Needs Santa see our December Special Needs Calendar for a full listing of all the dates and times.
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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!
Holiday Light Displays in Lake County
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!
If you’re up for a drive, check out Illumination at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
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Christmas Events and Activities in Lake County
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 – Editor’s Note: This event is not happening in 2019.
Can’t make it out? Jennifer tells you how to create your own Polar Express Party at home.
Leave the mess in someone else’s kitchen! Head to Taste Buds Kitchen Bannockburn for a family Gingerbread House workshop.
Dicken’s isn’t just for reading. Head to downtown Antioch and see the tale of A Christmas Carol come to life in Dickens Holiday Village.
Looking to road-trip this season? Loralie tells you about a Holiday Day Trip to Milwaukee and Becky shares her tips for a Magical Macy’s Christmas in Chicago.
Christmas Performances in Lake County
Holiday Children’s Theatre in Lake County takes you beyond the Nutcracker to holiday favorites and youth theatre performances.
Christmas Holiday Concerts range from your child’s school orchestra to the local symphony and community bands. Find carol sing-a-longs, a Tuba Christmas and the only local Do It Yourself Messiah at our list of Holiday Concerts in Lake County.
The Nutcracker is a Holiday Tradition, find a performance near you!
Clara’s Dream is a special shortened Nutcracker performance that Dancenter North puts on that is perfect for preschoolers.
Find all the Christmas Events in Lake County on our calendar.
Back to TopChristmas Trees in Lake County
It’s time to deck the halls and trim the tree. But first, you need a tree! Whether you want to chop your own, plant it when your down or buy it pre-cut we have the perfect farm for you.
Find the perfect Christmas Tree at one of the Lake County Christmas Tree Farms. Read about our experience at:
More Holiday Fun
Look like the Pinterest Queen at the classroom party without the pain of a Pinterest Fail. We share how we faked it to Shine at the Christmas Party without really trying.
Grandma doesn’t need another picture frame, give her something homemade. It’s easy, even if you’re not crafty, at these locations for Handmade Holiday Gifts with Kids.
Christmas is our favorite time to curl up with a good book, check out these favorite Christmas Books and Activities:
- Read, Do, Go! All things Gingerbread publishes December 8
- Dicken’s isn’t just for adults. Read, Do, Go! A Dickens Holiday for All Ages
- Our friends at the RLAPL shared Mixed-up Christmas Stories with us.
- Some of our Favorite Christmas Books
- Christmas Books and Literature Activities
Favorite Holiday Recipes
‘Tis the season for yummy breakfasts and lots of baking! Try some of these favorite Christmas Recipes:
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. Publishing December 16, 2019
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Back to TopFind what you need no matter the holiday, Holidays in Lake County.