Things To Do This Weekend January 2-4, 2026

By: Jonathan Jones 12/19/2025

Happy Holidays Lake County. As we all wind down from an undoubtedly special holiday season, there's still plenty to do in the land of lakes this weekend. 

Whether you're searching for a certain clownfish, sipping on Lake County libations (pre-dry January), marveling at illuminations, getting a visit from three royalties or playing in an interactive museum, this weekend is jam-packed for post holiday experiences and land of lakes memory makers, 

Here are your tippy top five things to do this weekend January 2-4, 2026. 

“Finding Nemo” at the Marriott Theatre

“Fish aren’t made to be in a box, kid.” Marriott Theatre’s young audience show comes to a close this weekend. The off-Broadway version of the 2003 Disney Pixar movie of the same name comes to life. Nemo, the protagonist of the story, swims too close to the top of the ocean, loses his way and is caught. Marlin, Nemo’s father, heads on a journey to find his only son, while Nemo looks to escape his new home in a dentist's office’s fish tank. The interactive musical offers youngsters a stellar show, featuring flashy costumes and exceptional puppetry. The show closes with a question-and-answer session in which the musical's stars converse with the audience. Visit the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort for its final curtains, and head to MarriottTheatre.com for tickets.

Friday-Sunday, January 2-4; Fri.: 10 a.m., Sat.: 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and Sun.: 10 a.m. Tickets start at $18.75. Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.

Holiday Pop-up at North Shore Distillery

The Lake County Libation Trail spirit-makers at North Shore Distillery in Green Oaks open their doors for one last hurrah of their Holiday Pop-up. The first craft distillery in the Land of Lincoln serves delectable cocktails, including rums, gins, absinthes and unique seasonal beverages. The self-proclaimed nerds and Illinois-made inventors, Derek and Sonja Kassebaum (and their larger-than-life friend Ethel), love to experiment with new flavors, complemented by a plethora of ingredients. The tasting room has become an immersive holiday experience at the North “Pole” Distillery, complete with holiday sips, shimmering décor and entertaining activities. One of their signature adult beverages is the Feeling Toasty cocktail, made with North Shore Distillery Bourbon, North Shore Tahitian Vanilla Vodka, and demerara and pecan bitters. Get your jingle jangle juice one last time at the Green Oaks spot. For more information, visit NorthShoreDistillery.com.

Friday-Saturday, January 2-3; 4-10 p.m. North Shore Distillery, 13990 Rockland Rd., Green Oaks.

Three Kings Day at Gurnee Mills

“Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to that perfect light.” Gurnee Mills and Alpha Media (soon to be Connoisseur Media) host a festive celebration of Three Kings Day. The merriments, also called Day of the Magi, Feliz Dia de Reyes and the Epiphany, will keep visitors in the holiday spirit as the event is highlighted by live music, activities, eats and the magic of the Three Kings tradition. The event will be held at the Show Court Stage near Entry G. For further details, visit Simon.com/Mall/Gurnee-Mills.

Saturday, January 3; 2-4 p.m. Free admission. Gurnee Mills, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.

Kohl's Children's Museum in Waukegan

The Kohl’s Children’s Pop-Up Museum makes its way back to the land of lakes. This time, the exhibition is located at Belvidere Mall in Waukegan. This final weekend of the pop-up museum features air mazing, a design and build engineering and construction at its train table, a light and shadow dome, an art studio, a motion quest interactive experience that is highlighted by using air pressure, gravity and gears, an art studio, a book nook and more. The free pop-up museum experience runs on select days through January 17. Click here to learn more. 

Friday-Saturday, January 2-3; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kohl’s Children’s Museum Pop-Up at the Belvidere Mall, 2107 Belvidere Rd., Suite no. 2219, Waukegan.

Lightscape’s Cocktail Under the Lights at Chicago Botanic Garden

After a busy holiday season, moms and dads could use a break from it all. The Chicago Botanic Garden hosts its Cocktails Under the Lights for adults ages 21 and older. While sipping specialty cocktails and mocktails, set out for a stroll at the Glencoe exhibit’s Lightscape during its final weekend, highlighted by a dazzling 1.3-mile illuminated trail that transforms the grounds into a breathtaking display of light, art and sound. This year’s reimagined experience invites guests to bundle up, sip hot chocolate and stroll through an array of new installations from international artists. With its mix of whimsy, artistry and wonder, Lightscape continues to be one of the Land of Lincoln’s most beloved holiday traditions, illuminating the season for visitors of all ages. For more info, visit ChicagoBotanic.org.

Friday, January 2; 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets: $36-$39 (doesn’t include parking). Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.

For more things to do this weekend January 2-4, 2026, continue here. To learn about all the ways you can holiday in the land of lakes, click here.