Enjoy Holiday Celebration in Lake Bluff, Taste Some Wine, Do Some Shopping

It's Thursday and you have no idea what you're going to do this weekend. Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch is coming to the rescue.

We've got the best bets for your done-with-work-outta-here time. Check out our picks for the activities to hit and new places to explore this weekend.

“It’s a Wonderful Life…. in Lake Bluff”

• Where/When: Downtown Lake Bluff, 40 E. Center Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).

• Why Go: Join in a day-long celebration in the traditional holiday spirit brought to you by the Lake Bluff Downtown Merchants, Village of Lake Bluff, and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce. The Village's charming downtown will come alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of the season along with in-store promotions and gift ideas for all ages. Featured attractions include Santa, rides on a horse-drawn carriage, elves and reindeer and the lighting of the downtown Gazebo.

• Pricing: free.

ElawaFarm Annual Holiday Market

• Where/When: The Elawa Farm Foundation, 1401 Middlefork Drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday (Dec. 2-4).

• Why Go: The annual Holiday Market is a great place to shop for a fresh Frasier Fir tree as well as a variety of wreaths, roping, decorative branches and outdoor potted arrangements.  Inside the Hay Barn, you will find farm-made baked goods, gingerbread houses, Elawa honey, amaryllis, paperwhites and more. Proceeds go toward the restoration of the Elawa gardens, garden tools and equipment. For more information, call (847) 234-1907 or send a message to garden@elawafarm.org.

• Pricing: free.

A Christmas Carol

• Where/When: Citadel Theater, 300 S. Waukegan Road, runs Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 30. Evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., 3 p.m. on Sundays. Special matinee at 1 p.m. Dec. 15.

• Why Go: Citadel Theatre proudly presents Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol, adapted by Peter DeLaurier and starring Frank Farrell as Scrooge.  Faithful to Dickens' beautiful language, this flexible adaptation of the beloved Christmas classic tells the heartwarming story of miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge who is always cold-hearted, and Christmas is no exception -- that is, until the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, comes to warn him about the consequences of living a life of greed and materialism. Over the next three nights, Scrooge is visited by three other spirits who try to convince him that his selfishness will be his downfall. Is this enough to make the selfish old miser change his ways?  Directed by Pat Murphy.

• Pricing: $37 per person.

ChristkindlMarket

• Where/When: Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 E. Westminister Road, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, Dec. 2-6.

• Why Go: Choose from a wide array of unique and thoughtfully-sourced items that will make the perfect gift for everyone on your list.  Special offerings include traditional Christmas items, fair trade merchandise, unique jewelry and home decor and other wonderful treasures. Proceeds support the church’s mission and outreach programs, benefiting those in need in Lake County and throughout the world. A Bake Sale will be held on Friday, and a festive Tea Luncheon will be offered on Saturday.

• Pricing: free.

GrandCru Wine Merchants Wine Tasting

• Where/When: Grand Cru Wine Merchants, 840 S. Waukegan Road, 1-4 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3). Subsequent wine tastings will be held Dec. 10 and 17.

• Why Go: Grand Cru Wine Merchants recently announced the move from Arlington Heights to Lake Forest. The shop specializes in selling affordable boutique wine, spirits, and beer from around the world. In order to properly celebrate the grand opening, Grand Cru will be holding wine tastings for a month!

•  Pricing: free.

Special Saturday Shopping Day

• Where/When: Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).

• Why Go: Celebrate the season with gifts that are artfully created, varied in price and truly not to be found anywhere else for you and for your loved ones. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

• Pricing: free.

Rapunzel

• Where/When: Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, 1 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 3).

• Why Go: Twenty-six young actors from Lake Forest and Lake Bluff have been rehearsing since early September for this final presentation. During the 11-week performance class, students worked on developing their characters through scene study of a fun-filled and exciting script.

• Pricing: $5 per person. Tickets are available at the door, on-line at www.gortoncenter.org or by calling (847) 234-6060.

For more, visit our events page for the weekend.