It is that magical time of year. Everyone is starting to get into the holiday mood and all the hustle and bustle.  No matter how busy you are, take a step back to enjoy this time of year with your family and friends. Wondering how to do that? We have the answer; Lake Geneva!

Head up to Lake Geneva where the holidays come to life when they kick off the Christmas in the Country celebration at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. The fun begins on Sunday, November 24 with the kick-off of the 25^th Annual Illumination Ceremony. Get there before the start time of 6pm when everyone gathers around the Christmas tree to start the countdown. Who wouldn’t want a front row seat for that? More than two million Christmas lights are turned on both indoors and outdoors followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Once the ceremony is over families can enjoy; hot apple cider, kids activities, holiday cookies (yum) and dozens of gingerbread houses will be on display for you to enjoy. If it is too cold outside to walk around, no problem, there is a 12 Days of Christmas light show that you can drive through.

Make a weekend of it and enjoy all the other holiday activities that are going on around the resort.

Trolley Tour of Lights: Hop on board an enclosed and heated trolley to take a tour of the Grand Geneva grounds and see all the decorations.

Holiday Tea: Every Friday and Saturday, from November 22 thru December 21, at the Ristorante Brissago to enjoy an afternoon of tea. The Mad Hatter Tea will take adults and kids back in time for this special tradition.

Here are other family activities around the Lake Geneva area that you should add to your calendar.

Williams Bay Festival of Trees: On Friday, November 29 head over to Edgewater Park at 4pm when the festival begins. There is fun for the whole family such as; music, bonfires, kids crafts, s’mores and of course the lighting of the tree. If you live in Gerstad Builders Bailey Estates community, you are only five minutes away from this winter celebration.

Santa Cruise on the Lake Geneva Cruise Line: Start out your holiday season aboard the Grand Belle starting the day after Thanksgiving. It is the floating version of the Polar Express! This magical cruise will take you to Santa’s Hideaway but there is magic to see along the way. The 40 minute tour takes you along a beautiful lighted display that guides your journey, with your final destination being Santa’s cottage. At the cottage, Santa reads off the names of the all the kids on board who have made it to his “Nice List”.  This magical cruise is great for the whole family and is enjoyed by adults and kids alike.

All of these events are right in the backyard for two Gerstad Builders communities. The Trails of Pheasant Ridge in Richmond, IL and Bailey Estates in Williams Bay, WI. How awesome to be a 5 to 10 minute drive to some wonderful holiday festivities.

McHenry County has holiday celebrations too.  If you live in Liberty Trails than you are only 4 minutes from all the celebrations.

Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting:  Head to the downtown McHenry Christmas Walk where all the festivities are taking place. From 1:30 – 5:30 on Sunday, Novermber 24 you can enjoy multiple activities such as; trolley rides, store sales, food and holiday characters. Of course let’s not forget Santa! You can visit Santa all afternoon at Santa’s House at Veteran’s Memorial Park.  The holiday celebration concludes with the tree lighting at 5pm in Veteran’s Memorial Park.

New to the area? Let Gerstad Builders help you find your dream home. Visit Gerstad Builders Sales Center/ Design Center right in McHenry or call (815) 385-4495 to get the process started.