5 things to do in McHenry County: Meet the Grinch in Lake in the Hills

1. Create some holiday crafts while watching a winter movie as part of a Santa’s Workshop event Friday put on by the Huntley Park District.

A photo opportunity with Santa himself will be provided.

The cost is $10 for Huntley Park District residents and $15 for nonresidents.

The event will take place 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the theater at the REC Center, 12015 Mill St.

To register, go to huntleyparks.org.

2. The McHenry Downtown Theater is hosting The Polar Express Experience where families can come in their pajamas and enjoy Christmas carols, the movie and a visit with Santa.

The event is being offered at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $40 and each ticket includes: a souvenir golden ticket, a jingle bell, a cup of hot chocolate, popcorn bucket and picture opportunity with Santa. Attendees should bring their cameras.

For information or to purchase tickets, go to mchenrytheatergiftcard.com.

3. The Holiday Magic Parade will kick off Johnsburg’s holiday festivities Saturday.

The parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. at Angelo’s Fresh Market, 4000 N. Johnsburg Road.

The route will briefly head north along Johnsburg Road before turning onto Hilltop Lane, zigzagging down May Drive, Florence Drive, Lakeview Street and Channel Beach Avenue to Fremont Lane and Shiloh Drive. The route then heads down Johnsburg Road to Church Street, ending at the Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 W. Church St.

A tree lighting ceremony will take place immediately following the parade. The event will include music, refreshments and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Calus.

This event is free to residents of Johnsburg but attendees are asked to bring a new toy or an item for the food pantry for those in need.

Information can be found at johnsburg.org.

4. The Grinchmas Flurry Fest in Lake in the Hills, a self-guided holiday walk that culminates in a meeting with Santa and the Grinch, will take place Sunday.

This year, ticketed time slots are being offered so that visitors can enjoy the lights and meet Santa and the Grinch without crowds or long wait times, organizers said.

The event will run 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Lake in the Hills Village Hall, 600 Harvest Gate. Tickets can be reserved for 5 to 7 p.m.

Reserved spots are free for Lake in the Hills residents and $2 for nonresidents. They must be reserved by noon Thursday online at bit.ly/FlurryFest.

Drop-in tickets for 7 to 8 p.m. cost $2 for Lake in the Hills residents or $5 for non-residents.

The walk had originally been scheduled for Friday, but was rescheduled due to the weather, the village announced Wednesday. All ticketed time slots remain the same, and nonresidents who paid for a ticket but cannot attend on Sunday may request a refund by emailing recreation@lith.org.

The lights and decorations will remain up until the new year.

5. A sing-along to the classic “White Christmas” will be offered three evenings next week at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St.

The lyrics will be on the screen so viewers can sing along with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney as they watch the 1954 film.

The screenings will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday of next week, Dec. 14 through 16.

Tickets are $8 and can be bought at woodstockoperahouse.com.

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