5 festive things to do around McHenry County

1. A candlelight hike – or ski if snow falls – is set for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17 and 18, at the Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake.

The hikes will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All ages are invited, but children ages 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Should it snow, skiers of every experience level and age are welcome, but attendees must bring their own equipment. Trails will be groomed for skiing if there is at least 4 inches of snow.

Registration is not required. Call the Prairieview Education Center at 815-479-5779 with any questions.

The event will not take place if trails are hazardous or the wind chill drops below -20 degrees. Go to www.MCCDistrict.org for updates.

2. Wreaths will be placed on the graves of veterans Saturday in the Huntley and St. Mary cemeteries as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

The ceremony will take place at noon at the Huntley Cemetery, located off Dean Street.

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations across all 50 states.

For information, visit www.huntley.il.us.

3. Ugly sweater bar crawls are set for Saturday in both Crystal Lake and Woodstock.

This is the first time Woodstock is hosting its Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl, which will start at 3 p.m. at Napoli Pizza, 135 W. Washington St., before heading to Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern, Oliver’s Bar and Grill, D.C. Cobb’s, The Cabin, Benton Street Tap and the Pour House.

For information, go to bit.ly/WoodstockUglySweater.

The Crystal Lake Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl kicks off at 9 p.m. at any participating bar.

Among the participating bars are Cantina 52, Crystal Lake Brewing, Taqueria Las Cumbres, The Cottage, Matt’s Tavern, Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria and Pub, The Tap on Williams Street, Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen, Jude’s, Labemi’s Tavern and Restaurant and Goal Line Sports Bar and Grill.

A scavenger hunt for the Coors Light Ugly Sweater Logo hidden at each bar comes with the chance to win four tickets to the Milwaukee Bucks.

For information, go to bit.ly/CLUglySweater.

4. Winterfest at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road in West Dundee, is in its last weekend.

Open from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Randall Oaks Zoo will be decked out in holiday lights and decorations. The festival also will feature a bonfire, community tree sponsorships and visits with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. each day.

The cost is $4 for Dundee Township Park District residents, and $4.75 for nonresidents. Admission is free to children younger than age 1, and to U.S. military members with ID.

For information, go to dtpd.org/winterfests

5. Winter farmers markets taking place in McHenry County include the following two in Crystal Lake.

The Cary Winter Farmers Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in building six of the Algonquin Township Road District offices, 3702 Route 14/Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake.

It features knife sharpening, as well as meats, eggs, caramel corn, seasonal vegetables, honey, baked goods, soaps and micro-greens for sale.

The Farmers Market+ In The Dole runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in The Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake.

The Farmers Market+ At The Dole kicked off this past summer with more than 60 small business owners participating. The indoor market features many of the local businesses that participated outdoors, live music and lunch options.

Among the goods for sale are a variety of fresh and prepared food items; personal care items like soaps, CBD products and herbal-infused oils; pet food and treats; home goods like pottery, wooden serving pieces, framed photography and ceramic take-home kits; jewelry; and children’s books.

After the holidays, the market will return on Jan. 16 and 30, Feb. 13 and 27, March 13 and 27, and April 10 and 24.

For information, go to www.farmersmarketatthedole.org.

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