Calendar of Events

Next Weekend is just around the corner! Every season in Lake County creates long-lasting memories. Take an adventure through nature at one of the Lake County Forest Preserves or our state natural areas like Illinois Beach State Park, Chain O'Lakes State Park or Volo Bog State Natural Area. Dine on the delectable bites by eating alfresco or devour world-class cuisine in the comfort of your home with curbside pickup, takeout or delivery. Our local wineries, breweries and distilleries offer sumptuous spirits, vibrant vinos and breathtaking brews compliments of the Lake County Libation Trail. Peruse the calendar of events to see what's going on this month and beyond in the land of lakes!

Weekend Watch: Lake County's Top Five Things To Do This Weekend

Dancenter North Presents The Magic of the Nutcracker at Genesee Theatre in Waukegan

Quentin Road Christmas Presents: The Real Story of Christmas Pageant in Lake Zurich

It's a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play Presented by Improv Playhouse in Libertyville

Home for the Holidays Lighted Christmas Trail in Zion

Vintage Holidays in Long Grove

Sorry, but that event is no longer available. Please see our updated calendar of events below.

Dec. 1 - Dec. 15

Holiday Performances at Hawthorn

12/1/25 - 12/15/25
Hawthorn will host holiday performances throughout the season, featuring lo...
Explore Events @ Hawthorn

Dec. 15

Loteria Bingo Night at Beer Bazaar

12/15/25
Get ready for a night of fun, laughter, and a chance to win prizes at Beer ...
Explore Events @ Beer Bazaar

Dec. 15 - Dec. 16

The Lovettes: Boogie Woogie Santa Claus at Marriott Theatre

12/15/25 - 12/16/25
All is merry and bright as Chicago rockers The Lovettes celebrate the women...
Explore Events @ Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire

Dec. 16

Denny's Christmas Show at Dover Straits

12/16/25
Dover Straits will host Denny's Christmas Show, a holiday tribute featu...
Explore Events @ Dover Straits Seafood House

Dec. 16

Krampus at Gorton Center

12/16/25
Krampus is a darkly festive tale of a yuletide ghoul. It shows a twisted si...
Explore Events @ Gorton Center

Dec. 16

Holiday Bingo Night at Station 51

12/16/25
Celebrate the season with a festive twist on one of Antioch’s favorit...
Explore Events @ Station 51 Truck Company Bar & Grill

Mar. 12 - Dec. 17

On the Air Live at Copper FIddle

3/12/25 - 12/17/25
On The Air Joins Copper Fiddle Distillery for an incredible Evening of musi...
Explore Events @ Copper Fiddle Distillery

Dec. 17

Breakfast with Santa at Egg Harbor Cafe

12/17/25
Warm up with a cozy breakfast and a visit from Santa on Wednesday, December...
Explore Events @ Egg Harbor Libertyville

Dec. 17

A Visit with Jane Austen

12/17/25
Just Jane: A Visit with Jane AustenWednesday, December 17, 7:00–8:00 ...
Explore Events @ Lake Forest Public Library

Dec. 17

Christmas Classics Dinner Show by Ludy and his Lady at Bonnie Brook Golf Course

12/17/25
Join Bonnie Brook Golf Course for a special holiday dinner show featuring L...
Explore Events @ Bonnie Brook Golf Course

Dec. 17

Festive Family Adventures at Elawa Farm

12/17/25
Tis the Season for Holiday Cheer. Kids will create their own mini festive h...
Explore Events @ Elawa Farm Foundation

Dec. 16 - Dec. 18

Lightscape Jingle Jam Family Night at Chicago Botanic Garden

12/16/25 - 12/18/25
New this year, Jingle Jam Family Nights will be held Dec. 16, 17 and 18. Ki...
Explore Events @ Chicago Botanic Garden

Dec. 18

Peanuts Jazz with Chris White Trio at Gorton Center

12/18/25
Celebrate the season with an unforgettable evening of holiday cheer and tim...
Explore Events @ Gorton Center

Dec. 18

Draw Yourself as a Superhero with Gene Ha at Dunn Museum

12/18/25
Registration closes at 12 am CST the day of the program. Email AskAnEducato...
Explore Events @ Dunn Museum

Dec. 18

Couples' Holiday Paint at the Jane Addams Center

12/18/25
Visit the Jane Addams Center for a relaxing evening of painting with your p...
Explore Events @ Waukegan Park District

Dec. 18

Game Night at Beer Bazaar | Table Top Thursdays

12/18/25
A night of tabletop games where guests can learn to play a new game from a ...
Explore Events @ Beer Bazaar

Dec. 18

Winterhaus: Ugly Sweater Karaoke at Phase Three Brewing Company

12/18/25
Guests are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweaters and warm up th...
Explore Events @ Phase Three Brewing Company

Dec. 18 - Dec. 19

Dancenter North Presents The Magic of the Nutcracker at Genesee Theatre

12/18/25 - 12/19/25
Dancenter North’s The Magic of the Nutcracker marks its 37th annivers...
Explore Events @ Genesee Theatre

Dec. 19

White Christmas at Gorton Center

12/19/25
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on the big screen at Gorton will warm...
Explore Events @ Gorton Center

Dec. 19

Holiday Baking Workshop: Buche de Noel with Pastry Chef Maggie Logan at Elawa Farm

12/19/25
Get into the spirit of the season with this hands-on holiday baking class l...
Explore Events @ Elawa Farm Foundation

Dec. 19

Gingerbread Villages at Waukegan Park District

12/19/25
It takes a village. A gingerbread village, that is! The Waukegan Park Distr...
Explore Events @ Belvidere Recreation Center

Dec. 19

Wicked Winter Market at Harbor Brewing Co. Lake Villa

12/19/25
Harbor Brewing Co.’s Barrel Room will host another Wicked Market &mda...
Explore Events @ Harbor Brewing Co. Lake Villa

Dec. 19

Winterhaus: Finback Friday at Phase Three Brewing Company

12/19/25
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is celebrated as a holiday classic, inspirin...
Explore Events @ Phase Three Brewing Company

Dec. 19

Karaoke Ugly Sweater Party!

12/19/25
Join us for a night of Holiday Karaoke! Nader promises to do his reprise of...
Explore Events @ Beer Bazaar

Nov. 21 - Dec. 20

Special Exhibit "Seasons of Shopping: Waukegan's Holiday Traditions"

11/21/25 - 12/20/25
Step into a nostalgic winter wonderland and explore how Waukegan celebrated...
Explore Events @ Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie

Nov. 29 - Dec. 20

Santa Claus is Coming To Town at Shiloh House in Zion

11/29/25 - 12/20/25
Santa Claus will visit the Zion Historical Society’s Shiloh House fro...
Explore Events @ Shiloh House

Dec. 1 - Dec. 20

Lindys Christmas Dinner To-Go

12/1/25 - 12/20/25
Let Lindy’s handle the cooking this holiday season so you can focus o...
Explore Events @ Lindy's Landing Restaurant

Dec. 5 - Dec. 20

Santa at the Sawmill

12/5/25 - 12/20/25
Come to the Hiram Buttrick Sawmill on Fridays and Saturdays fom 5 to 7 p.m....
Explore Events @ Hiram Butrick Sawmill

Dec. 6 - Dec. 20

Santa's Cottage in Mundelein

12/6/25 - 12/20/25
Santa’s Cottage is a cherished Mundelein tradition, offering families...
Explore Events @ Village Plaza

Dec. 7 - Dec. 20

Holiday Choir Performances at Deer Park Town Center

12/7/25 - 12/20/25
Experience the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Deer Park Town Ce...
Explore Events @ Deer Park Town Center

Dec. 20

HolidayWAUK in Waukegan

12/20/25
ArtWauk is the monthly celebration of all arts in downtown Waukegan and the...
Explore Events @ Waukegan Arts Council

Dec. 20

Lindsey Stirling: The Snow Waltz Tour at Genesee Theatre

12/20/25
Lindsey Stirling brings The Snow Waltz Tour to the stage Saturday, Dec. 20,...
Explore Events @ Genesee Theatre