Thousands flock to Grayslake’s Festival of Lights and Holiday Market; ‘This is just so nice to have everybody come together’

The Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Friday at the Grayslake Village Center attracted thousands of visitors.

The five-hour event was presented by the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce and included photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live reindeer, a holiday street market, food vendors, a Grayslake Arts Alliance Holiday Fine Arts Show and a parade bringing Santa Claus to a stage for the grand countdown of turning on 255,000 village lights using an oversized switch.

Keon Selner, 3, of Grayslake, showed delight in meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. He would like a track for small toy cars and more drums from Santa Claus this Christmas, according to his parents Keith and Alexa.

A view from the Ferris wheel of Center Street at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

With a smile, Keith Selner indicated his wish for Christmas and for Keon would include, “health and laughter and good behavior.”

This year’s parade featured the Grayslake North High School Marching Knights. Band members decorated instruments with working holiday lights, and wore festive holiday clothing and hats.

The tradition has carried on for more than 30 years as a tree lighting, but the event was augmented with committee assistance in recent years, according to Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Maribeth Hamm.

“We’ve made it bigger and better; every year something new,” she said. “Grayslake’s an unbelievable community. It’s so much fun. There’s something going on all the time.”

Hamm said supporting local businesses is also what it’s about.

“Without these small businesses, there wouldn’t be a downtown,” she said.

Keon Selner, 3, of Grayslake shows delight being with Santa Claus at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
Keon Selner, 3, of Grayslake shows delight being with Santa Claus at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

New this year was a Ferris wheel and people could ride for free. It was breezy at the top of the wheel, with the 24-degree weather featuring periodic snow flurries.

Izzy Wadleigh, 9, of Grayslake, and mother Sarah said after a spin, “It was the hit of the show.”

Izzy and her mother stopped in at Blush Boutique & Spa, where owner Kelley Plichta and boutique associate Chloe Bustos offered patrons complimentary decorated ice cookies and cocoa.

Families on the Center Street parade route wait for a glimpse of Santa Claus at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
Families on the Center Street parade route wait for a glimpse of Santa Claus at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Plichta appreciated potential customers coming into the business to see the inventory and learn about its spa services.

“Supporting local businesses helps to support local families and small businesses, which helps individuals more than the big corporate companies,” Plichta said.

Emma Sjostrom, 8, of Antioch, and her mother Sandy were among the Blush Boutique & Spa visitors.

Two of Santa's reindeer made an early celebrity appearance at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
Two of Santa’s reindeer made an early celebrity appearance at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Speaking about the event, Sandy Sjostrom said, “It’s beautiful, we love it and this is just so nice to have everybody come together and just really enjoy the holidays, and get into the spirit of Christmas.

“We love local businesses,” she added, “especially because we know how hard they work to keep their doors open, and we just love all the cute stuff and the love that they put into their stores.”

Bustos said, “I wish that people would commit to kindness this holiday season and beyond.”

The Grayslake North High School Marching Knights marching band travels with the parade on Center Street at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
The Grayslake North High School Marching Knights marching band travels with the parade on Center Street at the Festival of Lights and Holiday Market on Nov. 29, 2024 in downtown Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

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