Classic Toyota’s Community Calendar for the Holiday Season 2025 (November/December)

Nov 8, 2025

The holiday season is finally here! A time for gathering with loved ones and enjoying all that Lake County Illinois has to offer. Here at Classic in Waukegan, we love to get together with our friends and family, and enjoy all the community events happening in November. It’s a great time of year to give the gift of a little quality time with your favorite people, and maybe even try a little something new.

In the spirit of the holidays and our love for community support, we also encourage you to shop local during this holiday season! Now more than ever, it’s important to put our dollars directly back into our local economies and help fellow friends and neighbors have a happy holiday season. There are lots of wonderful main street stores to shop in your neighborhood, as well as plentiful holiday markets offering handmade and artisanal goods.

So without further ado, here’s the local community calendar of events and things to do in Lake County for November/December.

The Volo Museum will be offering free admission for Veterans on Veterans Day, November 11th. Platinum passes will be available in person for all active and inactive military (with valid ID).

It’s Trivia Tuesday on November 11th and 18th at 6:30PM at the Beer Bazaar in Grayslake! It’s free to win and prizes will be handed out for first place. Those who play 6 rounds will get 10% off their draft pours during trivia night.

Highland Park will be hosting a special Veterans Day Observance at 11AM at The Moraine with a live performance by the Highland Park High School Brass Quintet with guest singers.

Enjoy a Free Tasting event at the Beer Bazaar from the local Driftless Glen Distillery on Friday November 14th from 3:30-5:30PM. Pick up a bottle for holiday gift giving!

It’s Holiday Ladies Night at Reclaimed Artisans Inc in Libertyville on Friday November 14th from 5PM to 8:30PM.

The Miracle on South Division Street will be running from November 14th through December 14th at the Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest.

Small Business Saturday is in full swing at Hawthorn in Vernon Hills celebrating local small businesses and local entrepreneurs and kickstarting the holiday festivities on November 15th and 22nd

Santa arrives at the Deer Park Town Center with quite the warm welcome on Saturday November 15th complete with festive fireworks and a tree lighting. Families can enjoy the Glow Zone as well as photographs and meet and greets with Santa himself.

Artwauk in Waukegan is back downtown and at the Belvidere Mall featuring art exhibits, live music and performances, and special vendors. Come on out and support the arts and grab a delicious meal.

Long Grove is kicking off the holidays with “Vintage Holidays” on Friday November 21st at 5PM, and at 7:30PM you can join the fun for the annual tree and bridge lighting! Merchants will be open late for local holiday shopping.

Wicked: For Good Movie Release Day Party will be happening at Hawthorn in Vernon Hills starting at 12PM Noon! Come dressed in your Wicked themed costumes or pink and green clothing to celebrate!

Pet Photos with Santa will be available at Gurnee Mills on Sunday November 23rd from 7:30PM to 8:30PM. Reserve your spot online now!

Enjoy a free Thanksgiving Dinner at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake from 5PM to 7PM and meet your community members while enjoying a nice warm meal for the holidays.

The Turkey Trots are back for the season on Thursday, November 27th: Village of Wauconda; Downtown Highland Park North Shore Turkey Trot; 31st Annual Jon Callaghan Turkey Trot in Gurnee; Long Grove Turkey Trot in Historic Long Grove;

Small Business Saturday rolls into town on November 29th on Mainstreet in Libertyville from 10AM to 10PM.

It’s a Holiday Market and Entertainment Weekend at Gurnee Mills from November 28th and 29th from 6AM to 9PM on Friday and 10AM to 8PM on Saturday.

Enjoy a Christmas Parade and local Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Antioch on November 28th from 6:30PM.

The Libertyville Tree Lighting and Downtown Holiday Walk will be taking place from 6:30PM to 8PM at Cook Park and downtown.

Shop local on Black Friday November 28th in front of Lucky Stop Round Lake from 12PM to 4PM for a special Black Friday Market: Vintage and Makers Market event.

The Chain o Lakes Chambers Mistletoe and Martinis Festive Christmas Market Event will take place from 12PM to 5PM on Friday November 28th at Countryside Banquets in Lakemoor.

Enjoy the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market in Grayslake at Historic Downtown Grayslake from 2Pm to 6PM.

The Chris Kringle Market is coming to the Volo Museum from 1PM to 6Pm on Saturday November 29th with over 30 vendors and a station for kids arts and crafts.

The Go Waukegan Winter Hot Chocolate Walk is coming to the Jack Benny Center in Downtown Waukegan on November 29th.

The Festival of Arts and Crafts provides another fine opportunity to shop local from November 28th, 29th, and 30th at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Events Center.

Miracle on Main Street brings the community together in Downtown Lake Zurich at Rotary Park on December 6th.

Mundelein is hosting their holiday tree lighting Ceremony on December 6th.

Enjoy Breakfast with the Grinch with BBQD Productions at Third Lake BBQ on December 7th.