What better way to spend a Saturday evening than a nice stroll around the pond and through the woods at Veteran Acres Park. That alone would be a treat, but line the paths with luminarias, a few key campfires, some hot cocoa, and you are really in for a treat. If you weren’t able to make it out for this wonderful event, be sure to work it in next year, and in the meantime, talk a virtual walk with the photos below…hot cocoa is optional, but highly recommended.
In addition to the above, Mrs. Claus was on hand to read stories in Oakwoods Lodge, and while we missed them, the Encore Music Academy Carolers were out to spread the holiday cheer.
The Luminaria Walk is put on by the Crystal Lake Park District.
Address: Veteran Acres Park, 431 Walkup Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Veteran Acres Park picnic shelter serving as starting point for the Luminaria Walk. 
View from the hill over the pond as the sun fades. 
Luminarias lining the path down the hill. 
Luminaria walk, opening up to the pond with Nature Center in background. 
Still water over the pond, reflecting the light from Oakwoods Lodge. 
Luminarias line the bridge over the pond. 
Luminarias along the second bridge. 
Oakwoods Lodge…a stopping point along the way. 
Mrs. Claus, reading stories at Oakwoods Lodge. 
Hot cocoa and warming fire outside Oakwoods Lodge. 
Lighted reindeer and sleigh decoration outside Oakwoods Lodge.
Walkers enjoying the lights and fire outside Oakwoods Lodge. 
Walkers along the luminaria walk. 
Lights from the Veteran Acres picnic shelter and main parking lot reflected on the pond. 
Walking along the pond. 
Looking back over the pond at the Oakwoods Lodge. 
Luminarias lighting the path up the hill to the Nature Center. 
Pondside of Nature Center with a roaring fire awaits. 
Looking down at Oakwoods Lodge and the pond from the Nature Center. 
Warm light pouring from the Nature Center. 
Roaring fire outside the Nature Center. 
Candy Cane Forest inside the Nature Center. 
Lighted and decorated trees outside the Nature Center.
As you can see from the photos, the walk through the woods is very dark. This part of the walk is also on very uneven ground and may be challenging to navigate. It is, however, optional and the smaller loop around the pond may be easier.
Luminarias leading into the woods. 
Luminarias outlines the path through the woods. 
Luminaria path leading down the hill and out of the woods. 
Luminarias lighting the path across the grass, back to the pond. 
Shadows and light cast down the sledding hill from the picnic shelter and parking lot. 
Path heading back to the pond with luminarias dotting the path on the other side. 
Lights reflecting on the dark surface of the pond. 
Luminarias leading past the last campfire. 
Looking back along the lit path. 
Plane cutting through the clouds…or sleigh on test flight? 
Until next year.
President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.
