DEERFIELD: Downtown Deerfield Tree Lighting ceremony will take place on November 23, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Deerfield Village Centre Plaza located between between Starbucks and Bobby’s. It’s an event you and your family won’t want to miss!
WINNETKA: Santa’s Mailbox Santa’s elves will sneak into Winnetka and drop off this magical mailbox on Wednesday, November 23. Children can write to Santa and drop off their letters at his specially designated mailbox located in the southwest corner of Elm and Chestnut Streets in Winnetka (near the Post Office).
On Wednesday, December 21, the elves will pack up and take it home to the North Pole.
Don’t forget to include names and a return address to ensure the elves know where to send Santa’s response!
GLENCOE: Liza’s Gazebo Grand Opening Celebrate the start of the holiday season and the grand opening of Liza’s Gazebo! Enjoy a petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games, and live music by the Empty Pockets. After enjoying a mix of classic rock and holiday favorites, follow Santa downtown for the Village’s Light the Lights tree-lighting. This event will take place at Kalk Park (located at 298 Park Avenue).
LIBERTYVILLE: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony This annually family event will be held on Friday, November 25 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Cook Memorial Park in Libertyville. It’s a wonderful way to kick-off the holiday season!
WILMETTE: Super Sunday FREE Skating Class This not-to-be missed class will be held on Sunday, November 27 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The program is designed for children ages 4-12 who would like to learn how to ice skate and who have never enrolled in group lessons. These complimentary 30-minute classes will be held at Centennial Ice Rinks, 2300 Old Glenview Road.
VERNON HILLS: The Monster Trucks Mall Tour is on Black Friday. Shoppers who visit one of the participating five malls on Friday, November 25, will be treated to an interactive Monster Trucks photo opportunity, a movie-themed temporary-tattoo artist, CREECH coloring station, and Build A Truck station. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center in Vernon Hills. Please email HMoffitt@alliedim.com for more information.
LAKE FOREST: Lake Forest’s 33rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring thousands of twinkling lights, will be held on Friday, November 25 in Lake Forest’s historic Market Square and on Western Avenue at the train station. This annual event, presented by The Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation and sponsored by Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company, has become a traditional gathering of family, friends and visitors to the community.
Tree Lighting 2016
Starting at 2 p.m., the holiday movie Home Alone will be shown at Gorton Community Center. Come to Market Square at 3 p.m. – there will be events for the whole family to enjoy. There will be an Ice Sculpting performance by Art Below Zero beginning at 3 p.m. An arts and crafts activity will also be available beginning at 3 p.m. Children will have an opportunity to make a holiday ornament to be hung on the Christmas tree. For children and the young-at-heart, there will be a special visit from Santa Claus from 3:30 to 5 p.m., and everyone can enjoy hot chocolate and donut holes provided by Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company. A caroling concert by the Lake Forest High School Choristers begins at 4:45 p.m., followed by a Lake Forest Dance Academy performance beginning at 5 p.m. The lights will be set aglow at 5:15 p.m. Western Avenue between Deerpath and Westminster will be closed to vehicular traffic from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
LIBERTYVILLE: Sixth Annual Bloody Mary Bash at North Shore Distillery Just 8 miles from two huge malls, North Shore Distillery is the perfect respite from shopping on Black Friday. Whether you are avoiding shopping altogether, taking a break, or shopping online, stop by for a range of fantastic Bloody Mary options at this epic celebration of the bloody mary. Four mary options, with full garnish bar, available. This event will take place on Friday, November 25 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 13990 Rockland Road, in Libertyville.
HIGHWOOD: Highwood’s 3rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Celebrate the start of the holidays at Highwood’s 3rd annual “Celebrate Highwood” tradition as they light up Downtown Highwood for the 2016 Holiday season on Saturday, November 26 from 2 to 7 p.m. at City Hall Park, 17 Highwood Avenue. Featuring two horse drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, s’more making, holiday music and performances, the 12 Drinks of Christmas and holiday windows contest, the seasonal event will have something for everyone.
City Hall Park will transform into celebration central when Santa arrives by fire truck at 2 p.m. Attendees are invited to take pictures with Santa, and the Highland Park Fire Department will offer children the opportunity to ‘touch the fire truck’. There will be two horse drawn carriages sponsored by M Slavin Farmers Insurance offering rides for $5 per family, face painting by Superhero for Hire at 3 Barrel Studios, and festive holiday music piped in by Matt Feddermann Music.
Revel in the magical lighting of Downtown Highwood at 6 p.m. at the Official Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony followed by a live holiday performance by TPS REMIXED, Highwood’s Performer’s School’s a cappella group.
Warm up to hot cider from the Highwood Chamber of Commerce, hot cocoa and cookies from Highwood Public Library, good old-fashioned popcorn ball treats from Highwood Historical Society elves, s’more making sponsored by the Bank of Highwood-Fort Sheridan, and roasted chestnuts sponsored by Aperion Care.
More than a dozen of Highwood’s favorite establishments were challenged to create a drinkable homage to the Twelve days of Christmas. Dubbed the “12 Drinks of Christmas,” creative holiday concoctions will be available to drink all in one place as the Highwood restaurants and bars set up shop in a Kringle market setting in front of City Hall.
Everyone is encouraged to give back this holiday season and help Highwood collect non-perishable food for St. James Church to help others in the community. The Marines will also be on site collecting new, unwrapped toys for their Toys For Tots program that was started in 1947, by U.S. Marine Major Bill Hendricks and was adopted by the Marine Corps in 1948. For those who cannot attend, people are encouraged to drop off toys to: The Bank of Highwood/Ft Sheridan, The Humble Pub, Jen Z’s Beauty Services Inc., The Toadstool Pub, and VITI Financial.
Attendees can stroll the streets of town, to view the holiday windows and cast their vote for their favorite at The Chamber of Commerce booth. For more information on all of Highwood’s festivals, please visit www.CelebrateHighwood.com.
GLENVIEW: It’s Happiness on Parade , Glenview’s beloved tradition of glimmer, shimmer, sweet treats, and Santa, is back for the holiday season. Scheduled for November 26, the free Holiday in the Park and Parade is a cavalcade of delights, a family favorite offered by the Glenview Chamber of Commerce.
The magic starts at 4 p.m. on Glenview Road between Waukegan and Lehigh, as the holiday lights go live. Minutes later: Santa is on parade, joined by bands and marchers from Glenview’s businesses, schools and organizations. After the parade: Glenview’s tree lighting in Jackman Park. Then lots more fun: conversations with Santa, free presents and treats, plus hayrides and mini-train trips.
Sponsors for the time-honored event include Astellas, Glenview State Bank, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Northern Seasonal Services, NorthShore University Health System.
LAKE FOREST: Advent Carols and Lessons at Church of the Holy Spirit A Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent will be offered on Sunday, November 27 from 5 to 6 p.m. This lovely service alternates readings from scripture with hymns and anthems appropriate to the season of preparation and expectation. The Senior Choir will sing, joined by a string quartet, which will also offer prelude and postlude music. Did you know that in England people wait for hours in long lines to attend this service? We promise no lines at our service! The Church of the Holy Spirit, located at 400 E. Westminster, Lake Forest
WILMETTE/KENILWORTH: Small Business Saturday On Saturday, November 26, all shopping districts in Wilmette will participate in Small Business Saturday. Come shop locally and find some unique gifts while helping the local economy. Local business owners (who are your neighbors and friends) will be on hand to offer you exceptional customer service, quality products and specials. So skip the mall….we have it all…in Wilmette.