Holiday Shows and Concerts in Lake County 2024
By: Jonathan Jones 11/08/2024
"Giddy-yup, giddy-yup, giddy-yup, Let's Go to the show," Lake County! There's no better way to soak up Lake County than witnessing a delightful holiday concert or show. Holiday your way with that Festivious spirit by attending one of these stupendous hot ticket items. "O Come All Ye Faithful" Lake Countians and visitors.
Whether your jams are caroling, twisting the night away, watching thespians ride in one-horse open sleigh or if you are a Grinch and/or an Ebenezer Scrooge that just needs some holiday spirit, this guide to holiday performances is for you!
Be sure to stay tuned as we launch our Holiday Your Way campaign in Lake County, IL
"White Christmas" is a staple for the holiday season featuring legendeary gems from storied composer Iriving Berlin. The Lincolnshire show featuring the title song first used in "Holiday Inn" that won an Oscar for "Best Original Song" in 1942, follows Captain Bob Wallace (originally played by Bing Crosby) and Private Phil Davis (performed by Danny Kaye in the 1954 film), putting on a variety show for the 151st Dvision on Christmas Eve. After the war concludes, the duet becomes famous and they are also musical show producers. They later meet Betty (played originally by Rosemary Clooney and Judy (portrayed by Vera-Ellen), and the two soldiers and the two female performance conjur up a relationship. After running into their old commander from the war, they learn finances are an issue with his Vermont country inn and is due to close. The four plan a show to keep Waverly's inn still in business as they plan a show.
'Tis the season to be dancing. Witness the talent students that make up College of Lake County's dance department as they perform their unique rug-cutting capabilities in their performance of "The Gathering."
"Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green. Here we come a-wandering so fair to be seen." Gather the friends and fam for a Dublin yester-year experience. Ireland singer Fiona Gillespie leads the band of performers from Apollo's Fire that include fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer and bagpipe players to really provide visitors with the holiday spirit.
The train horn can be heard in the distance. That’s the sound of the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train making its annual stop at Viking Park in Gurnee. This vastly illuminated 14-car train partners with local communities to raise food and funds for local food banks as well as raise awareness about hunger issues. The train will blare live holiday music, conduct a brief ceremony and will pass out candy canes for the kids. The choo-choo features live performances from Tenille Townes and BRELAND. Also, old man Kris Kringle will be there to close out the celebration.
There's no such thing as the holidays without the sounds of the mighty Sanfilippo Wurlitzer. Organist and wizard with the ivory, Dave Wickerham tickles the keys to give onlookers a bit of the Christmas spirit. The Barrington facility will feature a concert three times December 7-8. The San Filippo House three-day event also is highlighted by tours, libations, dinner, brunch, organ demonstrations and so much more.
Rodney Marsalis and Philadelphia Big Brass's arrangements fo Christmas carols are fresh and innovative, while staying true to the spirit of the season. The band from the city of brotherly love plays a ton of favorites just in time for the holiday season from Tchaikovsky, Bach and Handel to classics to pop classics to traditional carols.
Visit Waukegan High School's for an evening of holiday cheer. The City of Progress' Symphony Orchestra performs its annual "Do-it-Yourself Messia and Carol Sing Along" featuring the Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" as well as a slew of traditional carols. Visitors are encouraged to sing along in this community tradition.
Get ready to rock around the Christmas tree with "Christmas with the King: Brandon Bennett Sings Elvis." Internationally acclaimed for his role in Chicago's Million Dollar Quartet and winner of Graceland’s "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist" competition, Bennett brings the magic of Elvis to life with his magnetic stage presence and southern charm. This electrifying holiday concert features Elvis classics like "Blue Christmas," "Burning Love" and "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me," along with heartfelt storytelling that will warm your holiday spirit.
This collaborative show features two world-class vocalists performing timeless Christmas classics. Both Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey are renowned Christian music artists. This Waukegan performance promises to be a heartwarming and uplifting experience, filled with beautiful tunes and the spirit of Christmas. Sources and related content
“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” The Improv Playhouse presents “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” adapted by Joe Landry this weekend. The Libertyville performance center’s holiday tradition stages their interpretation of the Frank Capra holiday classic. The play, performed in the fashion of a 1940s radio show features the tale of George Bailey. The show’s protagonist puts his big dreams on hold to take over his father’s business who abruptly passes away. Bailey faces many adversities during his endeavors that essentially saves the town of Bedford Falls during the Great Depression. With Bailey down on his luck, frustrated with life and questioning his own existence a guardian angel named Clarence tries to steer him away from suicide.
The Waukegan theatre presents the 1843 classic Charles Dickens novel, “A Christmas Carol.” In this version, spectators from all generations will be treated to this story of reluctance, regret and redemption. The story follows British banker Ebenezer Scrooge, a crotchety old man who has forgotten his own history that has made him who he was. The Dickens character is visited by his deceased business partner and confidant Jacob Marley as well as three other spirits to transform Scrooge into a kinder gentler man.
Every holiday season, the Lake Zurich church throws an unbelievable Christmas pageant with a cast of 300, live animals, dramatic lighting and more highlighting the birth story of Jesus Christ. Quentin Road Baptist Church will hold off on re-upping the pageant one more year and host the second installment of its illuminating adventure, and you can travel through “Bethlehem” like the three magi. On your trek, hikers will interact with townspeople, shepherds, angels and wise men as you hear the story of Christmas. The hikes will run on two weekends, December 13-15, as well as the 20-22.
'Tis the season to be merry, and the land of lakes orchestra (LCSO) provides a holiday performance to display the season's greetings feels. The LCSO's set list includes Alfred Reed's "Russian Christmas Music," "Carol of the Little Russian Children" and more.Mannheim Steamroller's "Fresh Aire Christmas", baroque tunes from Bach, Handel and Corelli, and more.
The Nutcracker is a staple of the holiday season, especially when it’s the night before Christmas Eve. The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan opens its curtain for the annual Dancecenter North ballet originally composed by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This legendary story follows a group of family and friends gathered together for a Christmas celebration. Clara, the story’s protagonist, is given a Nutcracker gift from her godfather. When the children go to bed, Clara stays awake and finds herself in the middle of a battle between a slew of mice and toy soldiers – and thus, the magic ensues with the soldiers led by the Nutcracker himself.
December 14-15 at Libertyville INFO»
December 19-20 at Genesee Theatre INFO»
The tunes will be in abundance of seasonal cheer at the Waukegan staple. Grammy winners and nominees, an American Idol winner and double platinum music artists - with a lineup consisting of Ruben Studdard, Haley Reinhart, Peabo Bryson and Oleta Adams. These four aritsts will be performing Christmas classics and greatest hits and its not a night to miss out on.
Plié and Pirouette into the holiday season with the beloved Ruth Page Civic Ballet's rendition of "The Nutcracker" at the James Lumber Center. Originally performed at the Arie Crown Theatre in Chicago from 1965 until 1997, this production recreates Ruth Page’s beautiful, full-length staging. Experience the exquisite dancing, stunning costumes and magical settings in the "Land of Snow" and the "Kingdom of the Sweets" like never before on the Grayslake stage.
The little reindeer with the neon nose went down in history and is coming to the live stage to a theatre near you. The Waukegan venue hosts the claymation movie coming to real life musical, of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical." Catch your favorite characters like old Rudy, Hermey, Yukon Cornelius and more as you witness nostalgia with your little one on the live stage.
Ring in New Year’s Eve weekend with enough bass to shake the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center's foundation. Radiance New Year’s Eve hosts two nights of electronic dance music (EDM) complemented by dazzling light shows. The Grayslake festival features a bunch of acts including Rezz, Peekaboo and more.
It features Jeff Award-winning star Nat Zegree, known for his role in "Million Dollar Quartet," alongside the Chicago-based pop rock band The Oh Boys.The show promises an evening filled with rock and roll hits, spanning from legends like Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly to contemporary artists like Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Miley Cyrus.
For more information about holiday shows, continue here.
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