Before you create your seventh-month schedule, scour the top 10 things to do in July.
July is the summer’s warmest month. Find your adventure this summer at Hurricane Harbor, a community festival, one of the serene bodies of water Lake County offers and more.
To experience the rockets bursting in air for Independence Day, continue here. See all of the fun summer happenings listed on our summer page, and have the opportunity to win four tickets to Six Flags Great America plus a one-night stay at the Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort. You could also win a boat for a day on Chain O’Lakes courtesy of Skipperbud’s in Antioch. Click here to enter.
Scroll down to see Lake County’s top 10 things to do in July.
“Darling Grenadine: A New Musical” follows a charming protagonist Harry who lives in Manhattan and works as a songwriter. This musical comedy is a “Swell” story that explores an abundance of themes like the juxtaposition between romance versus reality, as well as denial and heartbreak, addiction and loss and so much more. “Darling Grenadine” is based on the novel donning the same title, as the book, music and lyrics were all conceived by Daniel Zaitchik. The production runs through August 18.
Many children are well acquainted with the incomparable Junie B. Jones. Based the novels by Barbara Park, that sassy little diva Jonesy has just entered the first grade. Junie has hit a crossroad in the game of life with Lucille, who doesn’t want to be her best friend anymore, but Junie B. buddies up with the new student Herb. Just as she’s dealing with her former bestie, her teacher Mr. Scary thinks she may need glasses. With all of these issues, things can’t get any worse right? The cafeteria lady is cool, there’s an exciting kickball tournament and let’s not forget a top-secret personal beeswax journal involved with this live show. There’s never a dull moment in the Junie B. Jones experience.
“There is a-splishin’ and a-splashin,’ reelin’ with the feelin,’ movin’ and a-groovin,’ rockin’ and a-rollin’” at Hurricane Harbor water park at Six Flags Great America. This Gurnee water park offers 17 refreshing attractions to help you beat the summer heat. Take a dip in the drink, recline, relax and experience all the thrills of your adventure at Hurricane Harbor. Hurricane Harbor is open through September 2.
Summer’s marquee event is in full swing. North America’s longest-running outdoor festival is featuring a plethora of humongous acts. Pack some snacks and sun hats and head out to Ravinia Festival. Here is your July schedule:
Fare Fanatics should go on a food frenzy with friends! Lincolnshire and Highland Park both host days for food trucks fans. Lincolnshire's cuisine fest is highlighted by local trucks providing barbecue, innovative sandwiches, seafood options, international eats and so much more every other Friday through August 23. Famished Lake and Cook County foodies will devour exceptional eats, hear live tunes, partake in a bags (and/or cornhole) league and lots more in Highland Park's Food Truck Thursdays. The north shore city's event happens weekly through September 12.
“Hurrah for the flag of the free. May it wave as our standard forever,” (cue the wicked piccolo solo). We all live for that moment when we look to the sky and anxiously await our favorite brand of boom and color spatter from a Lake County fireworks show. Then viewers their starry-eyed “ooh’s and ahh’s,” (some of us get 3D glasses to see if they work, but they never do) as we hope our favorite kind of firework will be the next one to light up the smiling faces around us. From neighborhood block parties and backyard cookouts to community festivals to parades, to live music and fireworks, honor Independence Day by donning your red, white and blue garb in Lake County.
It’s festival season in Lake County. The sun is out, the streets are over saturated with humans hunting for a party to cut a rug to live Spotify, exploring their palate for a bite of enchanting eats and drinks, seeking the thrills of a lifetime on all of the carnival rides and so much more. Also,, this just in MaxxForce, Six Flags Great America's newest coaster slated to beat three world records, is opening Independence Day weekend! Let's take a look at July's Festivals:
Even if you don’t own a DeLorean, you can take a trip back to the past to experience the 16th-century English Elizabethan era just over the Wisconsin border. The renowned Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha features sword fighters, maidens, minstrels and jesters. There are many photo opportunities like having the chance to meet and greet with legendary celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth and Robin Hood. The Faire also offers games, rides, arts & crafts, eats, live music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a spectacular cast of characters.
Join man, woman and their best friend as they stroll down the streets of MainStreet Libertyville for Dog Days of Summer. Experience the exhilaration of watching these four-legged creatures fly in the Dock Dogs Regional Finals when nationally ranked jumping dogs run down a 40-foot dock and jump into a 27,000 pool of water. The event also features a gratitude ceremony, a pet blessing, a 3K fun walk, a sheriff K-9 demonstration, over 30 vendors and much more.
For nearly a century, the Lake County Fair has provided a great family experience for members young and old spanning generations. The annual six-day event in Grayslake turns 91 years old this year. This Lake County staple will include live entertainment, food vendors, live farm animals, the Timberworks Lumberjack Show, parades, carnival rides, games, motocrossing, a demolition derby, a flower show, the Miss Lake County Pageant and so much more. Live music acts include the Original Rockin Fenderskirts, 7th Heaven, Brecken Miles, Too White Crew, Ultra Violet, Saddlebrook, Blue Marlin and Zydeco Voodoo.
These racers got all the muscles. Savage Race is one of the most competitive obstacle courses in the Land of Lincoln as Richardson Adventure Farm hosts the event. The blitzrace is highlighted by newer obstacle courses including "Holy Sheet," "Pedal for the Medal," "Battering Ram" and other classics that include "Colossus" and "Sawtooth." Awards are earned by the top performers and if competitors run two or more races they can earn the prestigious Syndicate Medal.
We also just found out that Richardson Adventure Farm recently released the design for their fall corn maze celebrating the 50-year anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing on the moon! The event Spring Grove farm is open from September 7-November 3.
To view events not featured in the top 10 things to do in July, continue here!
