Holiday house walks, tree lightings, stories with Santa, Nutcracker performances — it’s the holiday season for sure. Here is a summary of what’s going on around the North Shore this weekend of December 9 -11.
GLENCOE- Christmas Concert Get into the holiday spirit at the Chicago Botanic Garden with a Christmas Brass Concert, featuring festive holiday favorites in Alsdorf Auditorium. One-hour brass concerts will be held at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Ticket price includes concert and access to Wonderland Express.
NORTHFIELD- Northfield Park District Holiday Fest Please join the Village of Northfield for their Annual Holiday Fest on Saturday, December 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be kids activities, games, prizes, crafts, cookie decorating, and a visit from Santa.
WINNETKA- Winnetka Congregational Church Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on the church lawn for the chruch’s first-ever tree-lighting ceremony! There will be festive music, tasty refreshments (cocoa, hot cider, and more!), and Carol singing.
All are welcome. Please invite friends, neighbors, elves (toy-making or non toy-making), reindeer (flying or non flying), dogs with reindeer antlers, anyone driving a car with reindeer antlers or a Rudolph nose on the grill, Scrooge (he needs it!), or anyone you think might enjoy our time together.
LIBERTVILLE- On Saturday, December 10, downtown Libertyville will be bustling with holiday activities. Each week Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in Cook Park and look forward to visiting with all the children from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your camera. It is the ideal setting for your holiday photo. Your children can do their own private shopping at the Children’s Holiday Shoppe located at Petraneks Pharmacy, 426 N. Milwaukee Avenue, across from Cook Park. “Elves” are there to assist with the selection of gifts, which are then wrapped and ready for giving. All gifts are budget friendly and priced at $5 or less.
The elegant Annual Victorian Tea is held at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, which is beautifully dressed for the holidays, on both Saturdays at 11 am. The authentic English tea which includes delicious pastries, tea sandwiches and scones with Devonshire cream is served by hostesses in period costume.
This holiday season, experience downtown Libertyville with its variety of boutiques, diversity of dining options and the festive activities you will find during Dickens of a Holiday.
EVANSTON- Holiday Tree Lighting Support local businesses and start your holiday shopping in Downtown Evanston before and after the Holiday Tree Lighting! Take advantage of special offers, discounts and entertainment in shops, cafés and restaurants. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. and the tree lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Sherman Avenue and Davis Street.
CHICAGO- Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker Opens The Joffrey Ballet, led by Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive Director Greg Cameron, proudly presents the highly anticipated world premiere production of The Nutcracker by Christopher Wheeldon, winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Choreography for An American in Paris. The Nutcracker will be presented at the Joffrey’s home venue, the historic Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, in downtown Chicago at 50 East Congress Parkway, in 27 performances, December 10-30, 2016.
RIVERWOODS- Brushwood Center Holiday Open House & Caroling Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is celebrating the season with its 2nd Annual Brushwood Holiday Open House and Carol Sing!
This free event will include holiday crafts and treats, caroling, and a luminary nature walk in beautiful Ryerson Woods. Our latest art exhibit, Foliage and Feathers, will be on display along with historic Brushwood photographs, opening a fascinating window into local history. Registration is recommended, click here to register.
LAKE BLUFF- Kiwanis Annual Pancake Breakfast With Santa Come out and see jolly old St. Nick on Saturday, December 10 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church (located at 244 East Center Avenue). The cost is $7.50 for ages 3-10 year olds, and $10 for kids over ten years, and kids under three are free. It’s sure to be a great way to celebrate the season.
WILMETTE- Nutcracker Production Join us for this celebrated Wilmette Park District tradition! Now with 4 performances to accommodate the growing popularity. The performance will be on December 9 at 7 p.m.., December 10 at 2 and 7 p.m., and December 11 at 2 p.m. in the Community Recreation Center Auditorium. Tickets on sale NOW! For tickets visit the front desk, or Wilmette Park District.
LAKE FOREST- Woodlands Academy’s Winter Wonderwalk & Boutique In addition to tours of four magnificent Lake Forest and Lake Bluff homes uniquely dressed for the holidays, the 21st annual Winter Wonderwalk & Holiday Boutique benefit for Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart offers a unique three-day shopping experience. Once again this year, the Gloria Dei Center on the expanded campus of Woodlands Academy, will host Boutique shopping events all three days of this year’s Winter Wonderwalk, Thursday, December 8, through Saturday, December 10.
As part of Chicago’s historic North Shore, the estates and homes of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff represent the best of architectural design from the past and present. Interior viewing of those selected for this year’s Housewalk tours will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, December 9.
Shopping hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, December 9, and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10. Nearly 50 vendors from Lake Forest to Chicago, Wisconsin and beyond will be offering a wide variety of items that won’t be found in traditional stores.
Saturday’s agenda includes Pop-up Alley featuring one-day-only vendors and Outfit Your Gent for the Business Casual World, a men’s fashion show. From 11 to 11:45 a.m. models display styles from J. McLaughlin and accessories from other Boutique vendors.
NORTHBROOK- Lunch with Santa Join us for a delicious holiday breakfast or lunch featuring the man in red! Santa Claus visits with each family. Families can enjoy holiday songs, crafts and a commemorative photograph. Registration is per person. This special event will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 12 p.m.-1:45 p.m. at the Clubhouse-Sportsman’s Country Club.
WILMETTE– Skate With Santa Join the Winnetka Park District on December 11 from 1 to 2:45 p.m. at Centennial Ice Rinks. Can Santa really skate? Come and see! We will have games and giveaways too. Pay at the door: $7.50 for students; $8.50 for adults. Bring a non-perishable food donation and pay only $4.25 to skate with St. Nick!
LAKE FOREST– Lake Forest Open Lands: Story Time With Santa Enjoy an afternoon of holiday cheer at this family fun event! Ride a horse-drawn wagon through the preserve with jolly old St. Nick, listen to a seasonal story and craft a winter wildlife ornament. Indulge in delicious treats and join us for this wonderful winter tradition! The event will take place on Saturday, December 11th at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, located at 350 N. Waukegan Road in Lake Forest. It’s a great time for the whole family.
If you have an event you would like to submit to our Daily North Shore calendar, click here. To view a full listing of our events, click here.
