Record Roundup: Details on local tree lightings and 35 other opportunities for local holiday fun

The holiday spirit is all around. And we have the proof.

The North Shore packs the holiday season with all kinds of events, everything from Santa breakfasts to tree lightings to movie screenings and more. For some of the events, you better act now to reserve your spot; for others, just circle the date and show up!

All the details you need for many of those events are below, but we surely did not list everything. If you have another event you think we must add to this list, please email newsroom@therecordns.org.

Lightscape
When: 4:30 p.m.-close select dates thru Jan. 5
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Details: An after-dark, illuminated trail through the gardens that includes festive sounds coming from the trees. Advance tickets start at $30 for adult members, $34 for nonmembers, and $19 for children over 3 years old. Kids 2 and younger are free. Advance parking for nonmembers is $15.

Letters to Santa
When: Thru Dec. 15
Where: Northfield Community Center, 401 Wagner Road, Northfield
Details: Drop off your letters in the special mailbox at the community center. Include your return address.

Reindeer Visit
When: Thru mid-December
Where: Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Details: Donner and Blitzen return to Chalet for the holiday season. Come see them during business hours. Special happy hours (hot chocolate, music, cookies, wine and beer) from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 12. Click here for more information.

Santa’s Mailbox Wilmette
When: Nov. 22-Dec. 8
Where: Mallinckrodt Park Gazebo, 1041 Ridge Road, Wilmette
Details: Children are urged to bring their letter to Santa to the special mailbox that delivers straight to the North Pole. Include a return envelope so Santa can write back.

Highland Park Holiday Lighting
When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 23
Where: Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park
Details: Mayor Nancy Rotering will light the holiday tree and menorah at 4:45 p.m. Appearances from Santa Claus and Hanukkah Harry, plus the Frozen Robin Carolers and Highland Park Players.

Santa’s Mailbox Winnetka
When: Nov. 27-Dec. 19
Where: Winnetka Park District, 540 Hibbard Road
Details: This magical mailbox will make sure your letter gets to Santa Claus, but make sure you include a return envelope for a message from the big man.

Turkey Day Skate
When: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 28
Where: Winnetka Ice Arena, 490 Hibbard Road
Details: Prepare for Thanksgiving dinner with a special skate day. Admission is $2 per skate. Skate rental is $4.

Light the Lights Festival
When: 5-7 p.m. Nov. 29
Where: Downtown Glencoe, Wyman Green
Details: Gather to enjoy the lightscape — including the 6-foot, lighted 60022 display — and family-friendly activities (trackless train rides, a carnival ride, live music, hot chocolate, igloo photobooth, light tunnel, more) throughout downtown Glencoe, including Tudor Court where there will be a winter village with the characters from “Frozen.” Santa will be at Writers Theatre. A sensory room will be available at the Glencoe Public Library. The lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m.

Pet Visits with Santa
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 29
Where: Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Details: Bring your pet for a visit with the big guy. Walk-ins welcome if space allows.

Game of Gnomes
When: Nov. 30-Dec. 29
Where: Wilmette
Details: Search Wilmette storefronts for gnome stickers. Write the names on a game card and drop the completed card at Wild Child Toy Shop, 1114 Central Ave., for a chance to win a Shop Wilmette gift card. A winner will be picked each week in December.

Santa at Chalet
When: Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15
Where: Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Details: Mr. and Mrs. Clause will send the day a Chalet. Stop by to have your photo taken and share your wishlist. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments (sold out) take priority.

Breakfast with Santa
When: Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22
Where: Pit and Tap, 1168 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
Details: Santa will visit the holiday pop-up Deck the Halls at Pit and Tap for four straight Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets (purchase online) come with a classic American breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, mini pancakes, orange juice and coffee.

Northfield Holiday Fest
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 4
Where: Clarkson Park, 1950 Willow Road, Northfield
Details: Light the park with Santa Claus while enjoying music from local students, food and drink from Stormy’s Tavern, crafts, s’mores and more.

State of the Villages Holiday Tea
When: 3-5 p.m. Dec. 4
Where: Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine St., Winnetka
Details: Hear updates from village managers of Winnetka (Robert Bahan), Northfield (Patrick Brennan) and Kenilworth (Kathy Thake), as well as Village Presidents Cecily Kaz (Kenilworth), Chris Rintz (Winnetka) and Greg Lungmus (Northfield) The event will include a holiday collection for the New Trier Township Angel Fund and Northfield Township Food Pantry. RSVP required.

Holiday Open House: Sip and Shop
When: noon-7 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Downtown Wilmette, near Wilmette and Central avenues
Details: Businesses in the Wilmette district will have festive specials, promotions and treats during this popular event with an earlier start time this year. The Wilmette Woman’s Club is joining this year with a Holiday Market featuring more than 25 local vendors from 4-9 p.m.

Welcome to Winter
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Weinberg Family Recreation Center, 305 Randolph St., Glencoe
Details: A new event this year, this winter carnival features ice skating and other winter activities to along with refreshments. Free for passholders and $20 for non-passholders. More information and registration.

Winnetka Holiday Tree Lighting
When: 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Dwyer Park, 856 Elm St.
Details: An annual tradition, kick off the holiday month with the tree lighting (6 p.m.) and lights around Dwyer Park. Enjoy holiday caroling, a visit from Santa and elves, and hot beverages and treats.

Adult Gingerbread House Workshops
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 6-7
Where: Lakeview Center, 800 Gillson Park Drive, Wilmette
Details: For ages 21 and up, start with a box house and cover in frosting, candy, cookies and whatever else. The event is BYOB. More information and to register.

Breakfast with Santa
When: Dec. 7, 14 and 21 (multiple time slots)
Where: The Lawn Grill at Wilmette Golf Club, 3900 Fairway Drive
Details: Visit and snap a photo with Santa and receive a goodie bag. A family-style breakfast will include pastries, fruit, pancakes, bagels and lox, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. Registration is required. Adults $39 resident/$49 nonresident. Children (3-17) $19/$24.

‘Frozen’ Pancake Breakfast
When: 9-10:45 a.m. Dec. 7
Where: Convito Cafe, 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette
Details: RSVP and prepay (depends on food order) by Nov. 29 for this event featuring characters from the movie “Frozen” and a menu with adult and kids dishes. To sign up, call (847) 251-3654 or email convitomanager@gmail.com. More information.

Alvin the Elf’s Winter Carnival
When: 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 7
Where: Skokie School, 520 Glendale Ave., Winnetka
Details: Carnival games, cookie decorating, reindeer, refreshments and more — and maybe even a visit from the big guy (Santa!). Registration is between $15-$18.

Gingerbread House Workshops
When: 1 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 7-8
Where: Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Details: Cover your box house with frosting, candy, cookies and other goodies and make sure you bring something in which to carry your creation home. Fee is $47 for resident and $58 non-resident. More information and to register.

Holiday Happenings and Wilmette Tree Lighting
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Downtown Wilmette, Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Ave.
Details: A day of festivities — such as visits with Santa Claus, a giant snow globe, carolers, “Elf” at Wilmette Theatre, and candy canes and hot chocolate — ends with a tree lighting at 5 p.m. on the Village Hall Green. More information.

Kenilworth Tree Lighting and Holiday Market
When: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Kenilworth Assembly Hall, 410 Kenilworth Ave.
Details: Photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus begins an evening that also includes children’s activities, a holiday market with local vendors and a tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. followed by cookies, hot chocolate and live music.

Breakfast with Santa
When: 8-11 a.m. Dec. 8
Where: Kenilworth Assembly Hall, 410 Kenilworth Ave.
Details: Enjoy a breakfast buffet and photos with Santa in this event from the Kenilworth Park District. More info and tickets.

Classic Snow Globes (Grades 5-8)
When: 7-7:45 P.M. Dec. 10
Where: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Details: Create your own snow globe to celebrate the season. More information and registration.

The Great Holiday Wrap-up
When: 3-7 p.m. Dec. 11
Where: Mallinckrodt Center, 1401A Ridge Road, Wilmette
Details: Drop off up to 10 gifts per family and let the park disrict’s wrappers take care of your holiday labor. There is no fee, but the district requests donations to the New Trier Township Food Pantry. More information and registration.

Gingerbread House Making
When: 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 14
Where: Kenilworth Assembly Hall, 410 Kenilworth Ave.
Details: Decorate your own gingerbread house with frosting and candy provided. $40 per gingerbread-house kit. More information and registration.

Women of Note Holiday Concert
When: 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14
Where: Mallinckrodt Center, 1041A Ridge Road, Wilmette
Details: The women’s chorus, which debuted in 1965, will put on a free holiday show, “A Season of Celebration,” with favorites like “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” Light refreshments provided.

Holiday Skating Exhibition
When: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 14
Where: Winnetka Ice Arena, 490 Hibbard Road
Details: Any skater enrolled in the winter sessions may participate in the show, which is free to attend. Right before the exhibition, from 2-3:20 p.m., enjoy a Ugly Sweater Holiday Skate.

Holiday Exhibition
When: 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 15
Where: Centennial Ice Rinks, 2300 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette
Details: The free annual exhibition for the park district’s skating classes. Attendance is free.

Gingerbread House Decorating
When: 5-6 p.m. Dec. 18
Where: Winnetka Community Room, 540 Hibbard Road
Details: Space is limited for this event in which children will use sweets and candies to build their own gingerbread house. More information and registration.

Watch Party: ‘Making the Movie Home Alone’
When: 5-6:30 pm. on Dec. 18
Where: North Shore Country Day, 310 Green Bay Road, Winnetka
Details: Enjoy the docu-story from the Winnetka Historical Society and filmmaker John Newcombe on how the holiday classic was made. After the showing, play trivia about “Home Alone” and other movies filmed on the North Shore. Snack and beverages provided. Tickets are $15.

Armchair Travels: Christmas markets in Prague and Germany
When: 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave.
Details: Travel pro Eugene Flynn leads this presentation on holiday markets in four cities in Germany. More information and registration.

Winter Solstice Parade of Lights
When: 5-6 p.m. Dec. 20
Where: Shelton Park, 251 Harbor St., Glencoe
Details: Come decorated in lights and other bright objects (no candles) to help light up the Green Bay Trail for this eighth annual event to mark the passing of the longest period of darkness of the year. Enjoy music, a bonfire, hot chocolate and more. Event updates.

Santa For A Cause
When: 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 21
Where: Central Station Coffee and Tea, 1150 Central Ave., Wilmette
Details: Donations will be accepted for I Am ALS while guests can visit and take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Visit with Santa
When: Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 21
Where: Weinberg Family Recreation Center, 305 Randolph St., Glencoe
Details: Santa Claus will be on hand to take photos with guests, who can also enjoy holiday treats and activities. Sessions occur every 10 minutes and registration is required for $15/$20 per group.

Skate with Santa
When: 11 a.m. Dec. 24
Where: Centennial Ice Rinks, 2300 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette.
Details: A holiday-themed public skate complete with hot chocolate, candy canes and a visit from Santa. Fee is $5 with a donation to the Wilmette Food Pantry. Skate rental is $5. More information.

Holiday Sing
When: 6-6:30 p.m. Dec. 24
Where: Village Green Park, 553 Maple St., Winnetka
Details: Winnetka neighbors will gather on the village green for the 29th annual tradition. Guests are welcome to bring candles or flashlights and sing holiday favorites.

Wilmette Menorah Lighting
When: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 25
Where: Wilmette Village Hall Green, 1200 Wilmette Ave.
Details: A community gathering co-sponsored by the local chamber of commerce and Village and Chabad of Wilmette with a lighting of a large menorah and performance by live entertainers, giveaways and more.

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