Grayslake Other Christmas Activities 2026

Teams take the stage under bright lights and screens to compete in a spirited cheer and dance championship. Attendees can listen to holiday music, snap photos with Santa, and join in indoor snowball fights. Winning teams and athletes are awarded...

Visitors celebrate the kick-off to the holiday season with the lighting of North School Park and Harmony Park. Trolleys loop between the two parks, featuring Dickens-era characters who share stories about Arlington Heights in the past.

Visitors can experience live entertainment, ice carving displays, crafts, and character meet and greets, along with train rides for kids. The festival hosts a Kris Kringle market, food vendors, and visits with Santa at Santa's Cottage. The festivities conclude with...

Visitors can celebrate the holiday season with festive games, merry crafts, and encounters with Santa’s elves. The gathering features live music by the Palatine Children’s Chorus, complimentary hot chocolate and treats, and photo opportunities with Santa in the gazebo.

The celebration begins with the Festival of Lights Parade stepping off from Grant Community High School and concluding at Millenium Park. Following the parade, guests can gather for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and choral performances by the Grant Community...

Hawthorn and the Village of Vernon Hills celebrate the season with the lighting of the village holiday tree and Santa's arrival on a fire truck. Guests can meet winter princesses, take photos with Santa, and browse a vendor market while...

Old Town Algonquin transforms into a holiday celebration featuring a ceremonial tree lighting and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visitors can enjoy live music and dance performances across multiple stages while browsing handcrafted gifts and treats from artisan vendors...

Visitors can celebrate the holiday season with lights, music, and community festivities. The seasonal event also includes a tree lighting.

Visitors can explore a winter wonderland set throughout the community center featuring pictures with Santa, children's crafts, and a gingerbread house contest. The event also offers trolley rides, a balloon artist, and a local vendor market. Festivities conclude outdoors with...

Visitors can enjoy festive seasonal activities including hands-on crafts and cookie decorating. Guests can also meet with Santa and browse the Kris Kringle Market.

Visitors can meet Santa to share their wish lists and take family photos in front of a decorated Christmas tree. Held as part of the Village’s Holiday Festival, the decorated open house also offers cookies, refreshments, and activities for all...

Visitors can wander through a festive display of Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. The exhibit honors American heritage and holiday traditions with creative, patriotic-themed tree designs. Guests can view the decorated trees throughout the historic Opera House.

Guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor holiday activities, including sleigh rides, winter-themed crafts, holiday music, and complimentary hot cocoa. The event features live demonstrations from sled dogs taking their handlers for a ride and an ice sculptor creating a custom...

Participants pick up an official play card and search for ornamental pickles hidden inside local shops and businesses throughout Woodstock. Hunters who find the required number of pickles submit their completed cards to earn a holiday craft ornament and an...

Children can enjoy a personal visit with Santa inside a cozy, dedicated cottage designed to offer an intimate holiday experience outside of a commercial mall setting. The festive house is staffed by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a team of elves....

Bring the family to meet and take photos with Santa himself. Visitors can create keepsake holiday card pictures while enjoying the festive sights, sounds, and spirit of the holiday season in Downtown Mount Prospect.

Participants create a living holiday centerpiece with modern flair using multiple plants not typically seen in traditional festive arrangements. Set inside a reusable decorative bowl, the hands-on project offers an alternative to classic poinsettias and evergreens. Instructors also share composition...

Participants learn to create homemade botanical decorations using velvet, decoupage, glitter, hand-cut paper, and glue with botanical artist Kate Donley. The hands-on session covers crafting velvet acorns, shimmering glittery pinecones, and custom decoupage wood slices. Everyone leaves with at least...

Guests gather for an annual holiday breakfast hosted at the country club. Attendees can meet Santa Claus in person and capture their own festive pictures during the visit.

Former Barrington High School choir director Nancie Tobison hosts this seasonal gathering alongside returning alumni and musical friends. Attendees listen to live performances of holiday classics and hear personal stories shared by the performers.

Participants move and stretch with deep breathing to release tension and restore balance to the body. Afterwards, attendees settle into a restorative posture for yoga nidra, a deeply restful guided meditation that leads through stages of consciousness to integrate body,...

This planetarium show explores potential astronomical explanations and modern misconceptions regarding the biblical Star of Bethlehem, examining possibilities such as exploding stars or comets. The presentation begins with a live segment covering current night sky highlights and visual tours of...

Children and families can bring their letters for Santa to a magical mailbox at the park gazebo. Visitors get to meet one of Santa's elves to make sure their letters are safely on their way to the North Pole. Guests...

Visitors gather for a festive twist on traditional bingo where standard numbers are swapped for beloved holiday tunes. Guests can test their seasonal music knowledge, sing along, and engage in friendly competition. Outside snacks are welcome to enjoy during the...

Dogs and their owners can visit to take a festive souvenir photo with Santa Claus. Each registered dog receives a stocking full of treats and participates in a craft activity to create a keepsake holiday gift. Additional fun and festive...

Families gather for a cozy evening to decorate gingerbread houses using pre-packaged baskets filled with all the necessary decorating tools. The event features festive holiday music alongside a hot cocoa bar.

Families gather to design and decorate festive gingerbread houses together. Each group is provided with an assembled house, frosting, and candy treats to customize their creation. Guests can get as creative as possible for a chance to win the title...

Grandparents and grandchildren gather for a festive holiday celebration centered around creativity and sweet treats. Participants decorate an assortment of holiday cookies using colorful frosting, sprinkles, and festive decorations. Everyone leaves with their custom holiday creations to take home.

Join local therapist Cara Stronsky, founder of Rising Sunlight Counseling, for a workshop focused on managing holiday stress and emotional pressures. Participants explore practical techniques for coping with overwhelm and setting healthy boundaries. The session provides actionable guidance on staying...

Ring in the new year with a holiday-themed public ice skate. The event welcomes participants of all ages to take to the ice at Centennial Ice Rinks.

Participants build artisan gingerbread houses using handmade frosting and decorate them with an array of candies, cookies, and goodies. Guests can enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic beverages such as espresso, coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider, or a signature mocktail alongside light savory...

Experience the magic of the holiday season at the annual Woodstock Christmas Parade. This cherished tradition features dazzling floats and decorated vehicles, bringing festive spirit to life. Following the parade, join in for a special meet-and-greet with Santa, complete with...

Join the Village of Pleasant Prairie for a free, family-friendly Twelfth Night Ceremony and Bonfire on January 6, 2025. This cherished tradition marks the end of the holiday season with a spectacular holiday tree bonfire at Lake Andrea. Enjoy hot...

Experience the magic of the season at the Kenosha Public Museum's Holiday Train Display. This cherished annual event transforms the museum lobby into a winter wonderland with an enchanting exhibition of model trains and delightful holiday houses. It's a perfect,...

Embark on a magical journey with the North Pole Express, a beloved holiday tradition hosted by the Palatine Park District. This enchanting event offers a festive experience for all ages, inviting families to create lasting memories. While specific details for...

Join the Zion Park District for their annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. This festive event marks the beginning of the holiday season with community spirit and seasonal cheer. It's a wonderful opportunity to gather with neighbors and celebrate the magic...

Join the Wheeling Park District for their annual Holiday Hoopla event! This festive gathering offers a delightful afternoon for families, featuring a variety of engaging games and creative crafts for children. The highlight for many will be the special opportunity...

Step back in time this holiday season at the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Holiday Family Fun event. Visitors can tour the beautifully decorated 1906 house and museum, enjoy a warm cup of cocoa, and create festive crafts to take home....

Get ready for a delightful holiday experience with Jolly Jingles, a Santa Sing-Along Celebration. This event promises a heartwarming gathering where families can come together to share in the joy of the season through music and festive cheer. It's a...

Bring the little ones to Jolly Stop for an evening of holiday cheer! Children aged 2-12 can enjoy cookies, cocoa, and a festive craft. They can also write a letter to Santa and drop it in his mailbox, and sing...

Dive into the holiday spirit at Santa Splash, where Santa Claus makes a special appearance at the indoor pool. Enjoy festive photos and treats while celebrating the season. This unique event offers a fun way to combine a swim with...

Step back in time with 'Under the Mistletoe! Nostalgic Holiday Favorites,' a delightful musical performance. This event promises to evoke the warmth and joy of past holidays with beloved songs that capture the spirit of the season.

Create lasting holiday memories at this signature gingerbread house decorating class. Children design and adorn their own gingerbread house with endless supplies, guided by experienced instructors. It's a delightful, hands-on experience perfect for family bonding and festive fun.

Gather your family for a delightful gingerbread house decorating session. Each group receives a gingerbread house, frosting, and an assortment of candies to create a festive masterpiece. Little ones will also enjoy a special gingerbread craft activity, making it a...

Unleash your creativity this holiday season with a unique fused glass workshop. Participants can choose to design a set of vibrant fused glass jewelry or craft two enchanting Christmas tree votives. Explore a spectrum of colors and shapes to bring...

The Waukegan Park District invites families to celebrate the holiday season with a variety of engaging programs and events. From the thrilling Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day to the fun-filled 'Holiday Adventures' with themes like Winter Olympics...

Ring in the New Year with a daytime celebration perfect for families! This event features a variety of games, music, and a spectacular balloon drop. Each attendee receives a glow-stick necklace, party hat, and noisemaker to add to the festive...