The North Shore is alive with holiday cheer: From holiday lights to festive open houses, when it comes to fab ways to live it up during the holidays on the North Shore, we’ve got you covered.
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe / Website
Dates: Nov. 15-Jan. 5
It’s that time of year again—Lightscape is back at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The highly anticipated multi-sensory adventure features an after-dark trail illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights, music and art installations. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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Market Square, Lake Forest / Website
Dates: Nov. 30, 12-3 p.m.
Celebrate Small Business Saturday with this cocoa-fueled stroll through downtown Lake Forest, which will feature treats, complimentary Holly Trolley rides through downtown and local shopping in a festive environment.
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Downtown Wilmette / Website
Dates: Nov. 30-Dec. 29
Embark on a holiday-themed scavenger hunt around Wilmette. Participants of all ages can be on the lookout for gnome stickers in various storefront windows throughout town, fill out a designated game card with business names and submit them for weekly prizes. Game cards can be picked up and dropped off at The Wild Child Toy Shop 1114 Central Ave., or printed at home.
See Also: The Best Holiday Lights Displays In Chicago
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Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston / Website
Dates: Dec. 4-5
She’s most famous for her six-season stint on Saturday Night Live, but Ana Gasteyer has proven herself a chanteuse of the highest order ever since, including performing on Broadway in Wicked and releasing multiple albums. Now she’s hitting the Space stage in Evanston to perform holiday tunes from her album Sugar and Booze, featuring seasonal favorites and holiday originals. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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Downtown Wilmette / Website
Dates: Dec. 5, 12-7 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season in style with this sip-and-stroll event in downtown Wilmette, where boutiques will debut holiday gifts and fall/winter merchandise and guests can enjoy refreshments as well as dining specials at local restaurants. Event-goers can also pay a visit to the clubhouse (930 Greenleaf Ave.) from 4 to 9 p.m. for a special holiday market with more than 25 local vendors.
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Martin Theatre at Ravinia, Park and Green Bay Road, Highland Park / Website
Dates: Dec. 6-8
Enjoy three days of holiday concerts and seasonal festivities with Ravinia’s Winter Weekend, featuring hot cocoa, festive activities, holiday shopping at the venue’s local artisan pop-up and more. The Grammy Award-winning period orchestra Apollo’s Fire returns on Dec. 6, followed by a Dec. 7 jazz tribute from Chicago native Andrew Bird. The weekend wraps up on Dec. 8 with an all-star performance for guests of all ages from Rodney Marsalis and his brass ensemble, Philadelphia Big Brass. Visitors also have the chance to give back by donating to Moraine Township Pantry before each featured performance. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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North Shore Center for The Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie / Website
Dates: Dec. 6-7
Salt Creek Ballet’s The Nutcracker is returning to the North Shore Center stage this holiday season, bringing waltzing flowers, giant mice and sugar plum fairies to audience members of all ages. Set to Tchaikovsky’s quintessential musical score, the show features dazzling costumes, talented performers and new sets. Tickets are available for purchase here.
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Downtown Wilmette / Website
Dates: Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
From a character breakfast at Plaza del Lago to pictures with Santa, a giant snow globe and carolers, there’s loads of holiday merriment to enjoy during this daylong, family-friendly event series. Bring a recent receipt from a local business of $10 or more and get a complimentary ticket to a showing of Elf at The Wilmette Theatre, which is followed by hot chocolate at Village Green and an annual tree lighting at 5 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 847.251.3653 or by emailing [email protected]. For more information, check out the full schedule of events here.
See Also: The Best Holiday Events In Chicago
Photography by: Top photo by iStock/lisegagne; Lightscape photo by Robert Kusel
