Community Corner
Get Out: Winter Farmers Market, Reindeer Ride, Christkindl Market And More
Need some fun new weekend activities? Patch has got you covered. Get out there and enjoy!
Check out these unique activities this weekend for fun family entertainment:
Grayslake
Where/When: Save a Pet, 31664 N. Fairfield Road, Grayslake, noon-5 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3), and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 4).
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Why Go: Looking for a holiday gift for that special someone? Looking to enjoy the "holiday spirit" in the company of a furry friend? Visit Save-A-Pet to shop, sing and support the residents.
The Tree of Hope will be lit at 4 p.m. Dec. 3. Prior to the tree lighting, there will be live caroling for residents and guests! Tree of Hope ornaments will be available to purchase during the Holiday Open House, and virtual ornaments are available to purchase online too.
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Pricing: free.
Where/When: UPS store, 100 S. Atkinson Road, Grayslake, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).
Why Go: Santa & his little elves are flying into the UPS Store-Grayslake to help promote their Holiday Food/Toy Drive. Santa and his little helpers will be available for visiting with all the girls and boys. Cookies and treats will be provided. The Food/Toys collected will benefit local food pantries and be distributed to local families.
Pricing: free with donation of food or toy.
Where/When: College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3), 1-5 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 4), 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday (Dec. 5), and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 6).
Why Go: The juried sale will feature original art by more than 40 different Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana artists, including handmade jewelry, wearable art, decorative and functional ceramics, wood and metal sculpture, fused and blown glass, mosaics and candles. The sale will be held in the Atrium located outside the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art in the Library/Learning Resource Center at CLC's Grayslake Campus. Parking is available in lots two through six, and visitors should enter through the C Wing. A portion of the proceeds help fund student scholarships. Members of the Friends of the Gallery will receive 10 percent off any item purchased at the Holiday Art Sale.
Pricing: free.
Where/When: Center Street in downtown Grayslake, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays (Dec. 3, 10 and 17).
Why Go: The market offers wine, fresh baked goods, appetizers, gourmet cheeses, organic meats, floral arrangements and even homemade candles in addition to local produce. A Farmers Market Cookbook, which provides local recipes and is an ideal gift for food lovers is also available for purchase.
Pricing: free.
Libertyville
Where/When: Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St., 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday (Dec, 2).
Why Go?: The Libertyville Junior Women’s Club will baby sit the kids while the parents go out for the evening. Only potty trained children. Adult club member and teen assistant will entertain the kids with games, crafts and movies. To register, send an e-mail tolkcleveland21@gmail.com
Pricing: $10 for the first child, $5 for each additional child.
Where/When: Cook Memorial Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).
Why Go?: The kids know they have visited the real Santa and Mrs. Claus when he is outside in a snow-covered sleigh in Cook Park. Visit from 10 a.m. to Noon or from 1-3 p.m. The Children’s Holiday Shoppe is at Petranek's Pharmacy this year in their Community Room. Kids can shop for their family at the Holiday Shoppe with the help of Santa's Elves. Prices for gifts go up to $5. There also will be a tour of the Cook Mansion.
Pricing: free
Where/When: George Garner Cyclery, 740 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, 10 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).
Why Go?: The second annual Reindeer Ride benefits the Marine Corps Toys of Tots organization. Can't make the ride? Consider dropping off a toy at any of three locations in Libertyville, Northbrook or Lake Zurich.
Pricing: free
Where/When: Adler Park, 1500 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, 10 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).
Why Go?: Presented by Our House of Hope K-9 Rescue, every $15 donation to Our House of Hope K-9 Rescue, you will receive one, 4x6 digital photo to take home and the option to order reprints in time for the holidays. Photos can be with or without Santa in our beautiful lodge setting and can be alone, with your pet or the entire family. In addition, you can shop for your fur babies, meet with your local veterinarian and trainers, have some holiday refreshments and sit on Santa Paws lap. For information, call (773) 552-4673 or e-mail at ourhouseofhope@yahoo.com.
Pricing: $15 per person
Where/When: Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave., 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 3-4).
Why Go?: The Magic of the Nutcracker is seen by more than 6,000 people each holiday season, and is the largest and longest running version of the classic ballet in Lake County. This lavish ballet will feature more than 100 local dancers, singers, actors, and internationally renowned guest artists. Tickets for Libertyville High School performances on Saturday December 3rd at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday December 4th at 3:00 p.m. can. Group sales are also available by calling this number. Tickets for the shortened "storybook" version of the ballet, "Clara's Dream" will also be available. "Clara's Dream" will be performed at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Libertyville High School, and is for preschoolers and their chaperones.
Pricing: $15-$32 per person. To purchase, Dancenter North at (847) 367-7970.
Where/When: David Adler Music and Arts Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., 5-9 p.m. Friday (Dec. 2).
Why Go?: The Adler Exhibition Series features Chicago artist Robert Klunk. Art enthusiasts are invited to enjoy complimentary wine and a chance to meet with Klunk while previewing his collection in the historic Adler Center Ballroom.
Pricing: free.
Lake Forest
“It’s a Wonderful Life…. in Lake Bluff”
Where/When: Downtown Lake Bluff, 40 E. Center Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).
Why Go: Join in a day-long celebration in the traditional holiday spirit brought to you by the Lake Bluff Downtown Merchants, Village of Lake Bluff, and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
The Village's charming downtown will come alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of the season along with in-store promotions and gift ideas for all ages. Featured attractions include Santa, rides on a horse-drawn carriage, elves and reindeer and the lighting of the downtown Gazebo.
Pricing: free.
Elawa Farm Annual Holiday Market
Where/When: The Elawa Farm Foundation, 1401 Middlefork Drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday (Dec. 2-4).
Why Go: The annual Holiday Market is a great place to shop for a fresh Frasier Fir tree as well as a variety of wreaths, roping, decorative branches and outdoor potted arrangements. Inside the Hay Barn, you will find farm-made baked goods, gingerbread houses, Elawa honey, amaryllis, paperwhites and more.
Proceeds go toward the restoration of the Elawa gardens, garden tools and equipment. For more information, call (847) 234-1907 or send a message to garden@elawafarm.org.
Pricing: free.
Where/When: Citadel Theater, 300 S. Waukegan Road, runs Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 30. Evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., 3 p.m. on Sundays. Special matinee at 1 p.m. Dec. 15.
Why Go: Citadel Theatre proudly presents Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol, adapted by Peter DeLaurier and starring Frank Farrell as Scrooge. Faithful to Dickens' beautiful language, this flexible adaptation of the beloved Christmas classic tells the heartwarming story of miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge who is always cold-hearted, and Christmas is no exception -- that is, until the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, comes to warn him about the consequences of living a life of greed and materialism. Over the next three nights, Scrooge is visited by three other spirits who try to convince him that his selfishness will be his downfall. Is this enough to make the selfish old miser change his ways? Directed by Pat Murphy.
Pricing: $37 per person.
Where/When: Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 E. Westminister Road, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, Dec. 2-6.
Why Go: Choose from a wide array of unique and thoughtfully-sourced items that will make the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Special offerings include traditional Christmas items, fair trade merchandise, unique jewelry and home decor and other wonderful treasures. Proceeds support the church’s mission and outreach programs, benefiting those in need in Lake County and throughout the world. A Bake Sale will be held on Friday, and a festive Tea Luncheon will be offered on Saturday.
Pricing: free.
Where/When: Grand Cru Wine Merchants, 840 S. Waukegan Road, 1-4 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3). Subsequent wine tastings will be held Dec. 10 and 17.
Why Go: Grand Cru Wine Merchants recently announced the move from Arlington Heights to Lake Forest. The shop specializes in selling affordable boutique wine, spirits, and beer from around the world. In order to properly celebrate the grand opening, Grand Cru will be holding wine tastings for a month!
Pricing: free.
Where/When: Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).
Why Go: Celebrate the season with gifts that are artfully created, varied in price and truly not to be found anywhere else for you and for your loved ones. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
Pricing: free.
Where/When: Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, 1 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).
Why Go: Twenty-six young actors from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff have been rehearsing since early September for this final presentation. During the 11-week performance class, students worked on developing their characters through scene study of a fun-filled and exciting script.
Pricing: $5 per person. Tickets are available at the door, on-line at www.gortoncenter.org or by calling (847) 234-6060.
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