Local Holiday Events Near Mundelein & Station 250
With the holiday season in full swing, people from Mundelein are searching for can’t-miss event opportunities. Station 250 is perfectly suited in Mundelein to enjoy a huge range of events, from craft fairs to light displays, concerts, and more. There is no shortage of holiday fun and cheer in this town! This article will explore some of the best local events and how joining your community to celebrate can help you love where you live.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Happening on Dec 7th this year, the Mundelein tree lighting ceremony is a brand new holiday event that people in the town have been anticipating all season. According to mundeleincommunityconnection.com, “It is a combination of the Village’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, which has been held on the first Friday of December for over 20 years, and Winterfest started by MCC in December 2022, on the day after the Tree Lighting […]”.
The Winter Tree Lighting Festival opens with Santa’s Cottage at 2 pm. Musical entertainment, featuring school choirs and local musicians, opens at 3 pm. Other activities include Kiddy Train Rides, Ice Sculpting, Disney Princesses, story-time, letters to Santa, a Kris Kringle Market, kids’ games, kids’ crafts, food vendors, hot chocolate and treats provided by the Mundelein Park and Recreation District, the Mayor’s Seasonal Message, the Mundelein Queens, Lighting of the Village Holiday Tree, Fireworks, and a second session of Santa’s Cottage following the Fireworks”.
Santa’s Cottage
For the first 3 Saturdays of December, Mundelein locals can visit Santa’s Cottage, one of the most iconic events of the season. “The inspiration for Santa’s Cottage began with Oscar Demski, a long-time resident of Mundelein and the recipient of MCC’s first “Volunteer of the Year” Award in 1993” […] He wanted kids to be able to visit Santa one-on-one, in a unique, cozy house that was removed from the commercialized atmosphere of a department store or mall. He thought that waiting outside in winter for a visit made the experience of seeing a big, jolly Santa in a small space much more memorable”.
A favorite of the kids in the area, this is a can’t-miss event for snapping a cute photo on Santa’s lap and letting your kids bask in the magic of the holidays.
Ice Skating at Glacier Ice Arena
A local spot that gets busier with the cold weather is the Glacier Ice Arena, a favorite of locals. With an indoor ice arena that lets you beat the cold outside and favor the cold inside, Glacier has a year-round schedule of freestyle skating that peaks in the winter months. From hockey to figure skating to beginner classes and more – even if you have never skated in your life, Glacier can show you how to find your footing and create an enjoyable experience with your friends and family. Their open skate time welcomes all, “People of all ages are welcome to practice skills, skate for fitness, or just enjoy skating. Plenty of rental hockey and figure skates are always available”. You can even host your next event there! Check out their freestyle schedule, class schedule, and more over at glacierskate.com.
North Pole Express
A favorite for families, the North Pole Express brings the kids of Mundelein closer than ever to Santa and the North Pole. Happening this year on Dec 8th, the North Pole Express is a “magical holiday-themed train ride to the North Pole! Families, come bundled up in your jammies and meet us at Prairie Crossing Train Station, where we’ll stay warm with hot cocoa and cookies […].
Once seated, we’ll embark on a festive adventure to the North Pole, singing holiday carols and playing games along the way. […] Santa will board the train to hand out a small gift to each registered child. After Santa’s visit, we’ll depart from the North Pole and head back to Prairie Crossing Station”. Find more details on how to register your child at mundeleinparks.org.
Create a Cozy Gathering of your Own
If you want to stay close to home and cozy up with friends and family new and old, Station 250 has multiple public rooms that can be reserved and rented if you want to invite your neighbors or friends and family to come hand and celebrate the holidays. From the conference room to the game room, these spaces can provide a stress-free entertainment experience. You and your guests can even take advantage of the multi-sport simulator room and keep your guests entertained all night long.
No matter your vibe, if you like to spend your holidays enjoying the incredible neighborhood and town you live in, or if you prefer to keep it lowkey with at-home celebrations with family and friends, Mundelein and Station 250 are here for you. As a resident, you are perfectly positioned to enjoy the best the season has to offer all while enjoying the comfort of your home and the community your neighborhood provides.
