When we look out over the beautiful landscape of Independence Grove and see the trees turning, we know the extended holiday season is upon us.

We love the holidays and know they are a special time of year: the blaze of autumn for Thanksgiving, the blanket of snow and glow of lights for Christmas and Hanukah, the sparkle of a new year.

It is also a time for family, friends, community, and celebration.

Naturally, we love warm weather events and outdoor weddings. But we get equally excited about being a part of your holiday festivities! Not only is Independence Grove an outstanding venue for magical winter weddings, but we are also the perfect destination for corporate parties and retreats, extended family gatherings, and other cold-weather events.

The Venue

We are proud of our crown jewel of an event space, Audubon Hall. It’s a 19,000 square foot space with banquet rooms, event spaces, and a classroom. The cedar, stone, and glass structure is the perfect complement to the preserves natural resources. This spacious venue with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the lake makes for a memorable wedding, bar mitzvah, holiday party, or corporate meeting.

And for that cozy, welcoming touch, you and your guests will enjoy the warmth and glow from our fireplace.

The Food

When you book an event at Audubon Hall, you get stunning views of natural beauty, outstanding service. But that’s not all. You also get award-winning gourmet cuisine from Catering by Michaels. Events at Independence Grove is a Catering by Michaels company and is the exclusive caterer and event management partner for Independence Grove Forest Preserve, one of the forest preserves of Lake County. Our combined experiences mean you can be confident that your event will be remarkable.

The entire Catering by Michaels family is dedicated to making sure your event is memorable. We start with the magnificent views from Audubon Hall and continue with the delicious food. We will work with you to craft the perfect holiday menu to compliment your specific vision.

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and accommodating. We can accommodate a wide range of specialty dishes and needs. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are just the beginning. We have an extensive background in a variety of ethnic, kosher, and halal foods. We will work with you to make sure you—and all your guests—are satisfied from appetizers to desserts!

Menu Inspirations

We offer dedicated holiday menus from which you can draw inspiration. We also have a knowledgeable staff who are available to craft your own menu. Do you want stoppers? How about a whole roasted free range turkey (with all the sides, of course!) or our Holiday Seafood Spectacular which features seared rare Ahi tuna slices, jumbo shrimp, and Jonah crab claws. Are you interested in cocktail parties or buffets or full dinners? We can accommodate you.

Let’s Start Planning!

Give us a call us at (847) 247-1111 to find out how Independence Grove can be a part of your holiday celebrations!