Gina Grillo – Page 3 –

Stars and angel take their positions during the children’s Christmas Pageant at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest on December 14. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lake Forest’s Church of the Holy Spirit’s annual Christmas pageant features over 50 children

December 16, 2025 at 6:13 a.m.

The children’s Christmas Pageant at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest celebrates the pure joy of the holiday season.

Julian Asher Calderon, three years old from Highland Park, makes a plan with Santa Claus during the 2nd annual Winter Wonderland at the West Ridge Center in Highland Park on Friday evening. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Highland Park’s annual Winter Wonderland offers enchantment celebrating multi-holiday season

December 8, 2025 at 5:34 p.m.

Winter Wonderland, hosted by the Park District of Highland Park on Friday, December 5, offered an evening of enchantment wrapped in a multifaceted holiday celebration.

Bridgette Feeney, 4 years old, of Lake Forest, connects with Santa Claus during the 41st Annual Lake Forest Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration

presented by The Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation in historic Market Square. The event offered an afternoon and evening of kids’ activities, food and beverages, carolers, Lake Forest Dance Academy performances, and more at this beloved Lake Forest tradition. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Crowds gathered to enjoy Lake Forest’s 41st Annual Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration in Market Square

December 2, 2025 at 5:50 a.m.

The 41st Annual Lake Forest Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration arrived on Friday, along with winter weather, and crowds in Market Square kept warm with coffee, hot cocoa, and holiday cheer.

On Sunday, Brushwood Center, invited women veterans to experience a day of recharging and relaxing in community with fellow women veterans and family members in the peace and tranquility of Ryerson Woods. Nature, Art, and Wellness Day for Women Veterans at Brushwood Center offered camaraderie through wellness activities: yoga, forest bathing, and reflective acrylic painting, all part of a full-day program. Barbara Kaplan of Wheeling, Kathy Wilson of Mundelein, Margarete de Soleil of Skokie, and Forest Therapy Guide Sarah Abu-Absi lead women on a forest bathing meditation. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Women veterans relax, recharge and experience nature, art, wellness during a day at Ryerson Woods

November 17, 2025 at 6:23 p.m.

On Sunday, Brushwood Center invited women Veterans to experience a day of recharging and relaxing in community with fellow women Veterans and family members in the peace and tranquility of...

Here, April Graves of Light Drawn Studios in Lake Forest, creates custom-commissioned oil embellished portraiture, which she describes as art with all the richness of an oil painting and the likeness of a photograph. Graves work was featured during the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Artisan Guild’s Winter Fair Holiday Boutique, Nov. 7 and 8 at CROYA in Lake Forest. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Winter Fair Boutique in Lake Forest showcases work of homegrown, seasoned artists

November 11, 2025 at 12:22 p.m.

First signs of winter this weekend included a winter-themed art market showcasing work by homegrown, seasoned artists in a celebration of local talent.

The nautical-themed state-of-the-art playground spotlights enhanced accessibility and universal access for children and adults, expanded sensory play that includes cozy spaces like the fish climber, pictured here, and sensory elements like bongos and chimes, increased roofs adding shade and sun protection, and the installation of a poured-in-place (PIP) rubber surface for easy access and a cushioned landing. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lake Forest’s new playground at Forest Park Beach celebrated by attendees at its opening Saturday

November 3, 2025 at 4:56 p.m.

New slides, swings, and climbing features were offered on Saturday, November 1, at Forest Park Beach, providing new adventures.

Eight-year-old Melina Gran of Highland Park honors family members Jesus Vega Porcayo and Silvia Olivar Bravo, her grandparents, who passed away in Mexico, during the Highland Park community Ofrenda, a celebration of the past as well as the future. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Highland Park kicks off second annual Dia de los Muertos Week with celebration Saturday

October 27, 2025 at 5:46 p.m.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday on November 1–2 that celebrates the lives of departed loved ones rather than mourning their deaths.

At Oktoberfest, hosted by the Gorton Center on Oct. 18 Chicago area band, Die Musikmeisters, provided live music with an Oktoberfest vibe, while dance instructors, Elizabeth Bushell and Brenda Good showcased polka and German folk style choreography, encouraging patrons to join in throughout the evening. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lake Forest’s Gorton Center holds Oktoberfest celebration with German food, dirndls and lederhosen

October 24, 2025 at 7:19 a.m.

Dirndls, lederhosen, bratwurst, beer, Bavarian bells, and German folk dancing, all part of the Oktoberfest celebration at the Gorton Center.

Busy community carving stations where the finishing touches were being made to pumpkins in preparation for Saturday’s 7 p.m. pumpkin lighting ceremony. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Highwood celebrates its 15th Annual Pumpkin Fest with tradition and a great wall of pumpkins

October 7, 2025 at 8:41 a.m.

When autumn leaves start to fall, one North shore town has created a seasonal tradition that honors everybody’s favorite gourd. Celebrate Highwood’s 15th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, October 3-5,...

Pipe Bands Prairie March & Traditional Massed Bands with Drum Major Jason Paguio included participants from Chicago Highlanders, City of Chicago Pipe Band, Dundee Scottish Pipe Band, James Enright Memorial Pipe Band, Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band, and Milwaukee Scottish Pipe Band, all part of the Bagpipes & Bonfire at Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve in Lake Forest on Sunday. (Gina Grillo/ for the Pioneer Press)

Lake Forest’s annual Bagpipes & Bonfire attracts hundreds to celebrate the gift of the land

September 29, 2025 at 6:51 p.m.

Hundreds gathered in the golden warmth of an autumn afternoon on Sunday for a multi-generational celebration of nature. Bagpipes & Bonfire, generally held on the last Sunday in September, is...

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