Gorton Center

<h3>Noiś Saxophone Quartet</h3>
Think you know what a saxophone quartet sounds like? Noiś is here to change your mind.
Musical America calls Chicago’s Noiś Saxophone Quartet “the American saxophone quartet du jour.” Now the quartet celebrates its 10th season by doing what it does best: taking four saxophones places you never expected them to go.
For its Rendezvous Arts debut, Noiś brings a bold and wide-ranging program. Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 5 and Paquito d’Rivera’s Wapango burst with rhythmic energy. An unexpected Schumann arrangement shows off a completely different side of the quartet.
Then Noiś turns to the music of today. Works by Sarah Kirkland Snider, Emma O’Halloran, Augusta Read Thomas, Shelley Washington, and Travis Laplante each bring a distinct voice. Noiś moves effortlessly from intimate and atmospheric to playful, explosive, and exhilarating.
Over the past decade, Noiś has premiered more than 120 new works. Along the way, the quartet has built a national reputation for redefining what four saxophones can do.
Now we get to experience them up close.
Four saxophones. Ten years together. One seriously unexpected hour of music.

Local Event: Rendezvous Arts: Noiś Saxophone Quartet

Lake County

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff

Illinois

Rendezvous Arts: Noiś Saxophone Quartet

Noiś Saxophone Quartet
Think you know what a saxophone quartet sounds like? Noiś is here to change your mind.
Musical America...

Citadel Theatre

On one fateful Christmas Eve, George Bailey teeters on the edge of despair, until an unexpected visitor reveals the extraordinary impact of his life. Told as a lively 1940s radio broadcast, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play blends humor, nostalgia and heart into a timeless reminder that the choices we make can change everything.

Local Event: OPENING NIGHT: It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

OPENING NIGHT: It's a Wonderful Life: A Live...

On one fateful Christmas Eve, George Bailey teeters on the edge of despair, until an unexpected visitor reveals the...

OPENING NIGHT: It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Central Street

Please join Central Street Evanston on November 14, 2026 for the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.centralstreetevanston.com/holiday-stroll-tree-lightng" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">holiday stroll and tree lighting</a>. Kick off the holiday season early with a memorable day&nbsp;of shopping and dining, special entertainment, surprises, and holiday&nbsp;cheer. Enjoy shopping and dining promotions all day long, with an afternoon of festivities including a&nbsp;visit from Santa, strolling alphorns, free trolley rides,&nbsp;holiday festivities, caroling, elves, music and more. 5 PM tree lighting ceremony in Independence Park.&nbsp;Come celebrate peace, love &amp; light on Central Street. <a href="https://maps.northwestern.edu/txt/facility/275" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Free Parking</a> at the Ryan Field West Parking Lot at Ashland Avenue &amp; Central Street. <a href="https://www.centralstreetevanston.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Visit the Central Street website</a> for more information.

Local Event: Central Street Evanston Annual Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting

Cook County

Evanston

Central Street Evanston Annual Holiday Stroll...

Please join Central Street Evanston on November 14, 2026 for the annual holiday stroll and tree lighting. Kick off the holiday...

Central Street Evanston Annual Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting

<h5>Reiki Accelerated Class 1 and 2</h5>
Discover the Healing Power of Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that supports physical, emotional, and mental balance. It uses gentle touch to channel universal life energy into the body, helping to promote relaxation and reduce stress. The word&nbsp;Rei&nbsp;means “universal life,” and&nbsp;Ki&nbsp;means “energy,” so Reiki literally translates to&nbsp;Universal Life Force Energy.
This holistic practice is based on the belief that all living things are sustained by a vital life force. When this energy flows freely, the body can maintain health and balance. Through Reiki, practitioners aim to restore this flow, facilitating healing at physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Using the practitioner’s hands, Reiki energy is transferred to the recipient, calming the nervous system and enhancing overall well-being. Many find it to be a deeply soothing and grounding experience.
<h5>What You’ll Learn in Our Accelerated Reiki Class</h5>
Our&nbsp;Accelerated Reiki Class&nbsp;is open to everyone and includes both Reiki Level I and Level II certifications. In this course, participants will:
<ul><li>Learn the core Reiki symbols and their meanings</li><li>Receive clear, step-by-step instruction from an experienced teacher</li><li>Gain hands-on practice with energy work</li><li>Earn a Reiki II certificate upon completion</li></ul>
You’ll leave the class with the knowledge and confidence to practice Reiki on yourself, others, and even animals.
Meet Your Instructor: Melissa MacTaggart
Melissa MacTaggart is a certified Reiki Master Teacher who has trained in the Usui method—the oldest form of Reiki. She studied at Zaanti Reiki and Sat Nam Yoga in Chicago and founded Blossom and Bee Reiki in 2018.
Melissa has led Reiki workshops in both Los Angeles and Chicago. Her passion for energy healing began in her teenage years, sparking a lifelong journey into the mind-body connection. Today, she considers Reiki her most beloved modality because of its transformative, radiant power. Her mission is to help others discover peace and balance through energy work. Melissa’s mantra is, “Let’s move energy together.”

Local Event: Accelerated Reiki Levels I & II

Accelerated Reiki Levels I & II

Reiki Accelerated Class 1 and 2
Discover the Healing Power of Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that supports...

Let your little animal lover bring their imagination to life! In this hands-on, pretend-play craft experience. Children will pick their own pet, decorate and personalize it, create their own grooming supplies, and build a cozy bed or house for their new furry friend.
To finish, each child will officially adopt their pet with a special adoption certificate and take their creation home. It’s a sweet mix of creativity, imaginative play, and hands-on making that encourages kids to care for, nurture, and use their imagination with their new pet!

Local Event: Paws and Palettes 

Paws and Palettes 

Let your little animal lover bring their imagination to life! In this hands-on, pretend-play craft experience. Children will...

Starbucks Reserve

Join The Northshore Chess Club EVERY Saturday from 1-4PM at our “Saturday Chess at Starbucks” events at the Lake Forest Starbucks (672 N Western Ave, Lake Forest, IL). Check <a href="https://www.meetup.com/northshorechess/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.meetup.com/northshorechess/</a>&nbsp;to join the club, to post comments, ask questions, and RSVP for events.
Please RSVP, come play, and learn something to improve your chess! If you’re a beginner please review the rules of chess (like En Passant) before you come. There’s a PDF on <a href="https://www.chesshouse.com/pages/chess-learning-resources" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">chesshouse.com/pages/chess-learning-resources</a> (Rules of Chess).
Note: we have a maximum of 15 spots per event, so if you can’t come please cancel your RSVP to allow someone else to come! All ages, genders, and levels welcome!
PS-Dues are $5/YEAR (after a 1 month trial), to defray my Meetup subscription, paid either through Meetup.com, or better yet you can pay me cash and I'll mark you as paid! -Carlos Cardona, Owner, <a href="https://carloscardona.myportfolio.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Carlos Cardona Photography</a>

Local Event: Northshore Chess Club at Starbucks

Northshore Chess Club at Starbucks

Join The Northshore Chess Club EVERY Saturday from 1-4PM at our “Saturday Chess at Starbucks” events at the Lake Forest...

For 17 years, Local Legends has been one of the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff’s most anticipated traditions. Each year, the event honors a remarkable individual whose work has left a lasting mark, and part of what makes it special is that you never quite know who it will be. Across nearly two decades, Local Legends has celebrated an ever-surprising range of voices, and the annual reveal has become a moment our community looks forward to together.
More than a celebration, Local Legends sustains the work of the History Center throughout the year, supporting the preservation, programs, and stewardship of our community’s history for generations to come.
Seats are filling up quickly, so if you've been meaning to get your tickets, now is the time!
This Year’s Honoree: Rebecca Makkai
We are especially proud to honor an author with deep roots in our own community. Rebecca Makkai grew up in Lake Bluff, and has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed novelists of her generation. Her 2018 novel The Great Believers, set during the AIDS epidemic in 1980s Chicago, was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and won the ALA Carnegie Medal, the Stonewall Book Award, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. The New York Times named it one of the ten best books of 2018, and later included it among the best books of the twenty-first century.
Her 2023 novel, I Have Some Questions For You, was a New York Times bestseller. She is also the author of the novels The Borrower and The Hundred-Year House and the story collection Music for Wartime, and is a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow. Now based in the Chicago area, she remains closely tied to the region that shaped her, which makes her a fitting choice to celebrate as this year’s Local Legend.
This year’s event
This year’s celebration takes place Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, and will see Rebecca be interviewed by WGN Morning News Anchor, Larry Potash. The setting is an intimate interview that encourages the sharing of little-known stories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and insights missing from standard biographies.
Patron sponsors of all levels are invited to a special cocktail event the day before, on Friday, November 13, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm to be held at the Armour Estate on the Lake Forest Academy Grounds.
New this year, sponsors at the $2,500 level and above are invited to an intimate author luncheon and book talk with Rebecca Makkai at the History Center on Friday, November 13, at 12:00pm. We’re introducing this gathering for the first time in 2026, and we hope it becomes a lasting part of the Local Legends tradition. Details about both events will be sent to each patron sponsor.Thank you to our media sponsor Forest &amp; Bluff!<figure><img src="https://cdn20.patchcdn.com/users/22985980/20261105/124921/forest-bluff___05124920198.jpg">﻿</figure>

Local Event: Local Legends 2026 Honoring Rebecca Makkai

Local Legends 2026 Honoring Rebecca Makkai

For 17 years, Local Legends has been one of the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff’s most anticipated traditions. Each...

Local Event: It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

First, we’ll warm up! Next, we will sing a selection of familiar upbeat country favorites led by Lake Forest’s own <a href="https://liamsheridanmusic.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Liam Sheridan</a>! No experience is necessary, and there’s no future commitment – just a chance to share music in a welcoming, low-pressure setting.
The event runs about 45–60 minutes, followed by refreshments and time to connect.

Local Event: Sing at Gorton – Upbeat Country Sing-Along

Sing at Gorton – Upbeat Country Sing-Along

First, we’ll warm up! Next, we will sing a selection of familiar upbeat country favorites led by Lake Forest’s own Liam...

Lake Bluff Public Library

What is a virtual visit and when are they useful? How do you know if the health information you find online is reliable? What apps and online tools can help you with your health goals? This class will explore a variety of online health and wellness resources and show you how to use them with confidence.

Local Event: Digital Health and Wellness (Online Program)

Digital Health and Wellness (Online Program)

What is a virtual visit and when are they useful? How do you know if the health information you find online is reliable? What...

Lake Forest High School

When Ethel Savage inherits a fortune from her late husband, she uses it to support dreamers and their unconventional ambitions. But her greedy stepchildren, a socialite, a senator, and a judge, commit her to a mental institution in hopes of gaining control of the money. At The Cloisters, Ethel finds friendship and acceptance among its eccentric residents, while her stepchildren relentlessly try to uncover where she has hidden the family fortune.&nbsp; Filled with warmth, humor and heart, The Curious Savage celebrates kindness, compassion, and the value of those often overlooked in the world driven by greed and ambition.

Local Event: LFHS Theater presents: "The Curious Savage"

LFHS Theater presents: "The Curious Savage"

When Ethel Savage inherits a fortune from her late husband, she uses it to support dreamers and their unconventional ambitions....

On one fateful Christmas Eve, George Bailey teeters on the edge of despair, until an unexpected visitor reveals the extraordinary impact of his life. Told as a lively 1940s radio broadcast, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play blends humor, nostalgia and heart into a timeless reminder that the choices we make can change everything.

<h5> Grab Your Boots and Get Ready to Line Dance!</h5>
Kick the dust off those boots. Pop on that cowboy hat. Slide into your favorite jeans. It’s time for line dancing!
Never tried it before? Perfect. Want to brush up on your moves? Even better. This class is built for beginners – and for anyone who just wants to have fun.
We’ll start slow. Easy steps. Clear breakdowns. No pressure, no partner, no problem. Just laughs, music, and movement.
Then, the real fun begins. We’ll groove through country classics. We’ll jam to high-energy pop hits. These are the dances you’ll see at weddings, parties, and dance halls all over. And now, you’ll know them too.
Come solo. Come with friends. Either way, you’ll walk out smiling, sweaty, and ready to show off your new moves.
So grab your boots, grab your crew, and let’s do some line dancing!
Lesley has been dancing her whole life. She’s been classically trained in Ballet and Jazz. She’s been teaching dance for 40 years. She currently works at <a href="https://www.lakeforesthfc.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Lake Forest Health and Fitness</a> and Life Time Fitness in Vernon Hills. Her super power is making everyone feel successful.&nbsp;

Local Event: Line It Up Line Dancing

Line It Up Line Dancing

 Grab Your Boots and Get Ready to Line Dance!
Kick the dust off those boots. Pop on that cowboy hat. Slide into your favorite...

Steve Martin and John Candy star in this hilarious holiday comedy about two unlikely travelers trying to make it home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. A series of mishaps turns their journey into an unforgettable cross-country adventure.

Local Event: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Steve Martin and John Candy star in this hilarious holiday comedy about two unlikely travelers trying to make it home to...

West Lake Forest Train Station (Corner of 43 and Everett Road)

It’s that time of year again—the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Running Club’s Free Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K/10k Fun Run/Walk!
It is FREE, FUN, stroller/dog friendly—and open to ANYONE who wants to come out 8am Thanksgiving Day! 
LFLB Running Club has hosted this free event as a way to support our greater community of runners/walkers and as a voluntary fundraiser for the Northern IL Food Bank. Over 500 usually attend. A great way to start out your Thanksgiving celebrations.Please consider contributing to the Northern Illinois Food Bank through this event's fundraising campaign. (Last year we set a record donation of $21,456!) <a href="https://support.solvehungertoday.org/fundraiser/7665505" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://support.solvehungertoday.org/fundraiser/7665505</a>
Visit lflb.org to find out more about this event and our regular Saturday morning run as well!

Local Event: Lake Forest Lake Bluff Running Club’s Free Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K/10k Fun Run/Walk

Lake Forest Lake Bluff Running Club’s Free...

It’s that time of year again—the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Running Club’s Free Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K/10k Fun Run/Walk!
It is...

Lake Forest Lake Bluff Running Club’s Free Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K/10k Fun Run/Walk

The <a href="https://swedishgleeclub.org/yule/dinner" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">online reservation link</a>&nbsp;for the Swedish Glee Club’s Julmiddag (Christmas dinner) Concert is open now through midnight, Wednesday, December 02. 2026. Celebrate the Christmas season like a Swede at&nbsp;Chevy Chase Country Club’s Grand Ballroom.&nbsp;Enjoy the sound of the multi-generational Swedish Glee Club singing contemporary and traditional Swedish and English songs. Enjoy a delicious, authentic Swedish Christmas buffet dinner (julmiddag). Cash bar. Purchase braided Swedish cardamom loaves, plates of Swedish cookies, and handmade ornaments and crafts. Buy tickets to win one of our Swedish-themed raffle baskets. Not Swedish? You can be Swedish at the Julmiddag! Don’t delay - last year’s event sold out! &nbsp;(*A limited number of concert-only tickets will be available November 22 through December 5th.)&nbsp;

Local Event: Swedish Glee Club’s Julmiddag Concert

Libertyville

Swedish Glee Club’s Julmiddag Concert

The online reservation link for the Swedish Glee Club’s Julmiddag (Christmas dinner) Concert is open now through midnight,...

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Vernon Hills

Rachel Barnes

Highland Park

Eric DeGrechie

Deerfield

Amie Schaenzer

Buffalo Grove

Northbrook

Grayslake

Winnetka-Glencoe

Lake Zurich

Glenview

Christine Altieri - State Farm Insurance Agent provides comp

Christine Altieri - State Farm Insurance Agent

Christine Altieri - State Farm Insurance Agent provides comprehensive insurance services to residents of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and the surrounding suburbs. Located at 975 Weiland Road, Suite 120, the agency has been serving the local community since 1984. Christine Altieri is a long-time resident of the area and an active member of the Buffalo Grove Rotary, grounding her practice in deep local roots and a commitment to the region. The agency offers a wide range of insurance products, including auto, homeowners, condo, renters, life, health, and pet insurance. With a multi-lingual staff fluent in English, Spanish, and Polish, the team provides expert coverage recommendations, policy reviews, and personalized assistance for new policy setups and renewals. They are dedicated to helping clients navigate complex insurance needs with professional guidance tailored to individual circumstances. Customers can expect a high level of service from a team with over 80 years of combined insurance experience. By prioritizing clear communication and personalized support, the office ensures that every client receives the attention and expertise necessary to protect what matters most.

Christine Altieri - State Farm Insurance Agent provides comprehensive insurance services to residents of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and the...

Your New Favorite Yoga Studio,  Modern Yoga for Every Body

YogaSix Highland Park

At YogaSix Highland Park, we believe yoga should be accessible, empowering, and energizing for everybody. Our modern, welcoming studio offers a variety of heated and non-heated classes designed to meet you where you are—whether you’re brand new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice. From strength-building Power and Sculpt + Flow classes to restorative Slow Flow and Restore experiences, every class is designed to help you move, sweat, reset, and reconnect. More than just a workout, YogaSix Highland Park is a community-focused space where members can show up exactly as they are. Our experienced instructors create an inclusive environment that feels supportive, motivating, and approachable—without intimidation or pressure. We focus on movement that feels good, music that keeps the energy high, and experiences that leave you feeling stronger both physically and mentally. Located in the heart of Highland Park, our studio is proud to offer a consistent schedule of classes seven days a week, special workshops, wellness events, and opportunities to connect with others in the community. Whether you’re looking to build strength, reduce stress, improve flexibility, or simply carve out time for yourself, YogaSix Highland Park is here to support your goals. We’re more than a yoga studio—we’re a place to sweat, grow, breathe, and belong.

At YogaSix Highland Park, we believe yoga should be accessible, empowering, and energizing for everybody. Our modern, welcoming studio offers a...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Events and Things to Do in Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, IL

Saturday, November 14

Central Street Evanston Annual Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting

NOV

14

11:00 AM

Central Street, Central St, Evanston, IL

Sunday, December 13

Swedish Glee Club’s Julmiddag Concert

DEC

13

3:00 PM

1000 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL

Also around town...

Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending

Friday, November 13

Saturday, November 14

Sunday, November 15

Tuesday, November 17

Wednesday, November 18

Thursday, November 19

Friday, November 20

Saturday, November 21

Sunday, November 22

Monday, November 23

Thursday, November 26

Central Street Evanston Annual Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting

Swedish Glee Club’s Julmiddag Concert

Christine Altieri - State Farm Insurance Agent

YogaSix Highland Park