Entertainment in Lake County including concerts, performances and more.
Antioch
Performance: PM&L Theatre’s bonus holiday show, “Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol,” will be performed at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18; at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12, 13 and 19; and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at 877 N. Main St. It tells the timeless story of the Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation after four ghosts visit him in a single night. “A Christmas Carol,” originally adapted for PM&L Theatre by Lou Jones with additional adaptations by director Rebecca Zellar, puts Antioch’s “Dickens Village” live on stage with a cast ranging from ages 6-77. Tickets are available online at www.pmltheatre.com and are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and students. The box office is open Monday through Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and one and one-half hours before curtain on show dates. Details, 847-395-3055.
Walk and sale: United Methodist Church of Antioch, 848 Main St. will hold its cookie walk and Christmas resale “shoppe” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 12. Festive cookies and candy, as well as gently-used Christmas treasures will be offered. Proceeds go to projects such as Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti, Disaster Relief through Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, and Habitat for Humanity in Lake County. Also, “Organ Melodies” will be performed from 11 to 11:45 a.m. free of charge. Debbie Gillette will play Christmas music on the beautiful pipe organ. Details, 847-395-1259.
Contest: Dickens Dog Costume contest, social and parade at 11 a.m. Dec. 12 behind the Village Hall, 874 Main St. Details, 847-395-2233.
Fox Lake
Movie: Fox Lake Theatre will present a free screening of “Home Alone,” rated PG, at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at 115 Towne Centre. This is the 25th anniversary of the movie. Details, 630-068-1600.
Grayslake
Concert: Three master musicians who made their name on the Windham Hill label will present “Windham Hill: A Winter’s Solstice Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St. With warmth and humor, pianist Liz Story, Grammy-nominated singer and multi-instrumentalist Barbara Higbie and guitarist Sean Harkness will present classic and original holiday music that celebrates the winter solstice. The concert’s music will focus on the significance of the winter solstice in indigenous traditions from around the world. Musicians on the Windham Hill label are internationally recognized and include George Winston, Will Ackerman, Liz Story, Michael Hedges, Alex DeGrassi, Barbara Higbie, Darol Anger and their group “Montreux,” Mark Isham, Tuck and Patty and Sean Harkness. The name “Windham Hill” became synonymous with the best in acoustic music in the 1980s and 1990s.Tickets are $31-40, $15 for CLC students and teens and $12 for children. Details, 847-543-2300.
Visits from Santa: The Grayslake Community Park District will bring Santa to your home to give your child a special gift, purchased by you, Dec. 12. All unwrapped gifts need to be dropped off at the Recreation Center, 240 Commerce Drive, no later than Dec. 9. Each gift, only one per child, will be wrapped with Santa’s wrapping paper. Registration required by Dec. 4. For Grayslake residents only. Cost is $15 for the first child, and $8 for each additional child. Details, 847-223-7529.
Great Lakes
Commemoration: The Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was one of the great defining moments in history and brought the United States into World War II as a full combatant. Pay tribute to those lost in the attack with a brief commemoration at noon Dec. 7, followed by a lunchtime viewing of “Banzai: Japan 1931-1942” from the acclaimed World War II documentary “The World at War” at The Great Lakes Naval Museum, Building 42, 610 Farragut Ave. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch. Light refreshments will be served. Selected artifacts from the museum’s collection that are related to the raid on Pearl Harbor will also be on display during this event. Admission and parking are free. Details, 847-688-3154 or email glnm@navy.mil.
Concert: The Great Lakes Naval Museum will host the Navy Band Great Lakes woodwind quartet “Fairwinds” as they play classic and favorite holiday music at 2 p.m. Dec. 11. Stop by and enjoy some hot cocoa and holiday cookies as you listen. Admission and parking are free. Details, 847-688-3154 or email glnm@navy.mil.
Craft: In celebration of the holidays, students are invited to Great Lakes Naval Museum to decorate their own nautical-themed Christmas ornament at 1 p.m. Dec. 12. During this activity, students can enjoy delicious hot chocolate, listen to holiday music and design, decorate, and color their own Christmas tree ornament. This is a wonderful family activity during the holiday season and the ornaments look fantastic on any Christmas tree. All craft supplies are provided and there is no charge for this event. Details, 847-688-3154 or email glnm@navy.mil.
Gurnee
Pageant: The Miss Sunburst Model Search Pageant and Baby Contest, for girls and boys, will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at Gurnee Mills, Grand Avenue and I-94. The age groups are Baby (under 1 year), Tiny (1 year) and Little (2 and 3 years). A king and queen will be chosen in each age group. The model search is for girls ages 4 to 27. The age groups are 4-6, 7-10, 11-13, 14-17, and 18-27. You may enter the pageant starting one hour before the event. Winners will go to the state finals in May. Everyone who participates will receive a crown and trophy. Entry forms with all the information are available at Gurnee Mills or email Mary@sunburstbeauty.com.
Concert: Viking Park Singers’ annual holiday concert will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave. Enjoy songs of the season. Refreshments served after the performance. Tickets are $7, $4 for ages 6 to 17 and free for children under 5. Details, 847-623-7788.
Breakfast: Breakfast with Santa will be from 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Dec. 12 at Viking Park Community Center. Enjoy pancakes, sausage and Canadian bacon. Visit with Santa and his Elf, share your holiday wishes and take home a special gift. High chairs are not available. Child under one year old may attend, but do not need to register. Registration required. Cost is $8 and $10 for nonresidents. Details, 847-623-7788.
Concert: A Christmas concert by a young adult choir, Minister Tranelle Duffie and Youth Praising God, will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 12 on the Telemundo Stage at Gurnee Mills, I-94 and Grand Avenue. They will perform along with the choir from First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, North Chicago. Details, 847-599-7505.
Lake Forest
Fundraiser: Winter Wonderwalk, tours of Lake Forest homes, and Holiday Boutique benefit for Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart will be held Dec. 10-12. The event will offer a first-hand look at the transformation the former Barat College’s library building, designed by architect Dirk Lohan (grandson of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe), has undergone. There will be more than 40 vendors, from Lake Forest to Chicago, Wisconsin and beyond, displaying their items in the hallways of the school, 760 E. Westleigh Road. There will be a full-service Boutique Cafe with a range of lunch and snack options prepared by Chef Fredy who caters for the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks and White Sox. Saturday Boutique shopping hours from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. along with seminars, demonstrations, hourly prize drawings and a Pop-up Alley including additional Saturday-only vendors. A Boutique preview party themed “Let it Snow” will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10 featuring cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres, first-look shopping, door prizes and more. The Housewalk tours are scheduled on from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 11. Friday’s Boutique hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Housewalk tour sites offer a variety of architectural and decorative highlights. Ticket prices: Let It Snow Preview Party and 3-day shopping pass, $30; Preview Party, Housewalk ticket and 3-day shopping pass, $85; Housewalk and 2-day shopping pass (Friday/Saturday), $65; and 2-day shopping pass, $15. Tickets may be picked up at Woodlands Academy’s Gloria Dei Center from 4. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 and beginning at 9 a.m. on Dec. 11. This is one of the major fundraising events supported annually by Woodlands’ Mothers Club, Fathers Club and Alumnae Parents Connection. Proceeds will benefit the school’s financial aid program. Details, www.winterwonderwalk.org or email kfivelson@woodlandsacademy.org.
Visits: Santa and his reindeer visit from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Market Square in downtown. Details, 847-234-2600.
Holiday dance: Performance Companies of Lake Forest Dance Academy will present a holiday show for all ages at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Lake Forest Recreation Center, 400 Hastings Road. In addition, there will be a bake sale and a Gingerbread House raffle. Tickets are $5. Details, 847-810-3948.
Lake Villa
Breakfast: Pancake breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 6 at Lehmann Mansion, 485 Milwaukee Ave. There will be visits with Santa, raffles, balloon artist, activities for the kids and more. Bring a non-perishable item for the Lake Villa Food Pantry. All proceeds benefit the Lake Villa Historical Society. Tickets are $8 and kids 3 and under are free. Details, 847-265-8266.
Libertyville
Exhibit: The David Adler Music and Arts Center announces the return of several nationally recognized artists in a special exhibition that explores printmaking titled “Printmaking: Bob Klunk, Beth McKenna, Stephanie Toral and Scott Westgard.” The artists will exhibit new prints, monotypes, and etchings in their December exhibition. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave. The exhibit runs through Dec. 19. Admittance to the exhibit is free. Toral will exhibit a series of 10 new monotypes inspired by a single subject: a feather. Klunk will display hand-colored etchings. McKenna’s colorful woodblock prints and Westgard’s intimate copper-plate etchings complete the exhibit. Details, 847-367-0707.
Walk/snowshoe: Enjoy a guided nature walk along the solar-lit path where you may learn about winter ecology, plant and animal adaptations and possibly hear hoots or howls at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at Old School Forest Preserve, St. Mary’s Road, just south of Route 176. Trail is 1.3 miles and may be snow-covered, uneven, and slippery. Warm, sturdy boots or snowshoes recommended. Snowshoes not provided. Meet at the Trails parking lot (first lot on the left as you drive around the loop). For adults, families with children 6 and up. Cost is $6 and $3 for ages 6 to 17, and $8 and $4, respectively, for non residents. Details, 847-367-6640.
Breakfast: Breakfast with Santa will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Dec. 12 at Crawford House at Butler Lake, Lake Street. Cost is $10, and $2 for children 2 and under. There will be pictures with Santa and Christmas carols. Details, 847-362-2430.
Breakfast: Breakfast with Santa will be held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. and at noon Dec. 12-13 and 19-20 at Lambs Farm, I-94 and Route 176. Kids can enjoy a delicious brunch and visit with Santa, and can also choose a holiday gift, make a picture frame, decorate a gingerbread man, make sand art ornaments and more. Cost is $16.95, $7.95 for children 23 months and younger with activities. For reservations, call 847-362-5050.
Performance: The Improv Playhouse Radio Players, professional drama troupe of the Libertyville based theater company, will perform the live staged radio drama “It’s A Wonderful Life” at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19, and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20 at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors and military, and $10 for students in advance, and $25, $20, and $15, respectively, at the door. Details, 847-968-4529.
Concerts: And Then Some Dec. 9, 97 Nine Dec. 11, and Wheelhouse Dec. 12 at Mickey Finn’s 345 N. Milwaukee Ave. All begin at 10 p.m. and are free. Details, 847-362-6688.
Concerts: One Night Band Dec. 11 and Infinity Dec. 12. Austin’s Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road. Both begin at 10 p.m. and tickets are $8 for each. Details, 847-549-1973.
Riverwoods
Christmas program: Brushwood Center will have carols, cookies, cocoa and more from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Road. Also, photos of past holidays will be on exhibit. Free but donations accepted. Registration is required. Details, 847-968-3343.
Round Lake
Meet Santa: Milk-N-Cookies with Santa at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 at Robert W. Rolek Community Center, 814 Hart Road. There will be exciting games and crafts, along with playing in the neighborhood. Santa will also be available. Bring your own cameras if you would like to take advantage of this photo opportunity with Santa. Before everyone leaves, Santa will read a holiday story and join guests for some “milk-n-cookies.” This event is suited best for children 1-6 years of ages. Registration required. Cost is $12, and $8 for each additional child. Details, 847-546-8558.
Story time train: The Polar Express story time train ride from Round Lake to Fox Lake and back again will be at noon or 1:45 p.m. Dec. 12 at Round Lake Train Station, Route 134. Listen to holiday stories and sing carols. Upon arrival at the North Pole a “special friend” will board the train to tell everyone “Ho-Ho-Ho!” The ride home (to Round Lake) will include carols and a snacks. Cost is $22 and $27 for nonresidents. Details, 847-546-8558.
Waukegan
Walk and sale: St. John’s United Church of Christ will hold its cookie walk and craft sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at 1520 N. McAree Road. Make your own cookie assortment by picking individual homemade cookies and sweets. Sold by the pound. There will be breads and other goodies, and at chance to purchase some unique crafts. For more information, 847-625-7496.
Movie and appearance: Get in the spirit with a screening of America’s favorite Holiday Classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” with a special live appearance, questions-and-answers, and stories from Zuzu herself, Karolyn Grimes, at 2 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St. At the tender age of 4, Karolyn Grimes began memorizing lines and acting in the fantasy world of cinema. She worked with film legends John Wayne, Cary Grant, Bing Crosby, Loretta Young, Fred MacMurray, Betty Grable, Danny Kaye and of course, Jimmy Stewart. Tickets are $15, and $13 for seniors over 65 years old, children under 12 years old, and military and are available by visiting the Genesee Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 800-982-2787.
Concert: Established soft-rock king Michael Bolton will perform at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Genesee Theatre. He has honored several genres besides his own adult contemporary category, including ’60s soul and works from the Great American Songbook. Tickets are $48-68 and are available by visiting the Genesee Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 800-982-2787.
Performance: Dancenter North presents “The Magic of the Nutcracker” school performance, at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 at Genesee Theatre. Tickets are $9-9.50. Also, performances will be at 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 12. Meet, greet and sweets package will occur following the 1 p.m. performance, and prior to the 5 p.m. performance at 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $15-36 and an additional $15 for the meet-and-greet. They are available by visiting the Genesee Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phones at 800-982-2787. Group discounts also available by calling the Box Office directly at 847-263-6300.
Waukegan
Holiday party: Waukegan Township will hold a holiday party for seniors, ages 55 and better, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Park Place, 414 S. Lewis Ave. This complimentary dinner will include entertainment from the Senior Stompers, and Singing Santa. There will be free shuttle pick-up and drop-off at several locations. Reservations are due by Friday, Dec. 11. Details, 847-244-9242.
Winthrop Harbor
Show: The annual holiday craft show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Schlader Recreation Center, 2700 9th St. There will be approximately 50 crafters and artists displaying their unique items. Food will be available, and there will be door prizes to win. Details, 847-746-3505.
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