The season is bright thanks to tree lightings and festive celebrations in North Shore

Ready, set, glow.

The countdown to tree lightings is over as Kenilworth and Wilmette’s ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 2, capped the holiday kickoff season in The Record‘s coverage area.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF LOCAL TREE LIGHTINGS AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Wilmette spent most of Saturday celebrating with its Holiday Happenings, which included photos with Santa Claus at the Wilmette Theatre, candy canes and hot chocolate, carol singers and plenty more in and around the Village Hall.

The festivities were capped with the lighting of the town’s holiday tree, star and more that blankets the Village Hall Green in light each evening.

Around the same time, the tree lighting up the road in Kenilworth kicked off an evening of events on Dec. 2.

The town’s holiday market at Kenilworth Assembly Hall featured special guests Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and after the lighting, cookies, hot chocolate and live music were served to the festive crowd.

The night before, Friday, Dec. 1, Winnetka enjoyed its holiday tradition by lighting the tree in Dwyer Park. Carols, hot chocolate, and of course Santa Clause were all hits during the event.

Glencoe and Highland Park lit their holiday trees a bit earlier. The Light the Lights ceremony in Glencoe on Nov. 25 had plenty of children’s activities in the community’s downtown, including a winter village on Tudor Court.

Highland Park’s Sugar Plum Shopping Spree and Tree Lighting on Nov. 18 was the first of four events in the Home Sweet Home for the Holidays series in downtown Highland Park. The final two events are yet to come with the Candyland-themed Wonderland from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9., and gingerbread-house making from 2-4 p.m. on Dec. 16 at Renaissance Place.

For more festive events throughout December, check out The Record Roundup of holiday events.

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