Things To Do This Weekend July 2-4, 2021
By: Kelli Smith 07/01/2021
Happy 4th of July Lake County as we celebrate the United States’ birthday in this edition of things to do this weekend July 2-4.With fireworks, parades, carnivals, festivals and other celebrations back on the calendar, the day devoted to celebrating the land of the free and home of the brave will be one to remember.
Sport your favorite red, white and blue apparel and get ready to party like it's 1776 this weekend in Lake County.
1. Six Flags Great America July 4 Fest
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The thrill capital of Lake County is celebrating Independence Day with twists, turns and drops, live entertainment and splashes at Six Flags Great America’s Coca-Cola July Fourth Fest. Besides the exciting 17-roller coasters, the splashtastic slides at Hurricane Harbor Chicago and other fantastic delights, the Gurnee celebration is jam-packed with classic American eats including hot dogs, brats, burgers, corn on the cob, pasta salad, watermelon and more. The two-day event also includes live shows presented by SNICKERS and a firework display at the end of both nights. Splash around at Hurricane Harbor Chicago in the hot sun and brave the record-breaking, tallest water coaster and the latest addition to the park, Tsunami Surge. Take advantage of discounted park tickets and use the online promo code “COKE” at checkout. From 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., active duty and retired members with military I.D. of the U.S. Armed Forces and their immediate family receive exclusive ride time on the American Eagle coaster.
Saturday-Sunday, July 3-4; 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Admission starts at $24.99. Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
2. Fox Lake Bloody Mary Trail and Celebrate Fox Lake
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Stay true to the (tomato) red, white and blue this weekend in Fox Lake. Festivals Celebrate Fox Lake, and the Fox Lake Bloody Mary Trail kicks off. The holiday weekend marks the beginning of the Fox Lake Bloody Mary Trail. The typical day-long adult beverage event has transitioned into a month-long celebration of the tomato-flavored libation. Visit any participating bar in the Fox Lake area to collect your voting card and begin July’s tastiest trail. Each participant must visit at least three participating bars to be entered for a chance to win a $100 or $25 gift card. In addition, the first 200 completed cards will receive an “I Support Local Bars” pint glass. To find a list of participating bars, visit FoxLakeBloodyMaryFest.org. The Celebrate Fox Lake event kicks off on Saturday, July 3 with a parade down Grand Avenue starting at 4 p.m., and continues with live music from local bands including In The Stix and Karma Committee. At dusk, pyrotechnicians will launch colorful firework display over Nippersink Lake. Fox Lake Bloody Mary Trail runs through August 1.
Fox Lake Bloody Mary Trail: Friday-Sunday, July 2-4. Hours vary. Free admission. Various locations in the Fox Lake Area. Celebrate Fox Lake: Saturday, July 3; 4-10 p.m. Free admission. Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake.
3. Mundelein Community Days
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Party with American pride this weekend at the Mundelein Community Days Festival. The weekend-long Fourth of July social is highlighted by a four-day carnival, a pet parade, a car show, horseshoe tournaments, a bags tournament, fire engine rides, pony rides, food from local eateries in Lake County and more. Experience live entertainment from headlining local bands Bella Cain, Brushville and Serendipity, as well as a plethora of artists and dance groups for the Kracklauer Park festivities. The village’s annual Freedom 5K steps off on Independence Day morning. Take a spin on the classic carnival rides, visit the petting zoo and stay until dusk for the sparkling pyrotechnics. The annual Fourth of July Mundelein parade as well as more live shows concludes the holiday weekend. Visitors can find a full calendar of events at Mundelein.org.
Friday-Monday, July 2-5. Fri: 4-10 p.m., Sat: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sun: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m., Mon: noon-8:30 p.m. Free admission. Kracklauer Park, 116 N Lake St., Mundelein.
4. Red, White and Boom in Lincolnshire
Have a “Yankee Doodle” day in Lincolnshire at their annual Red, White and Boom! Fourth of July Celebration. Start the day on the right foot with their 39th annual 5K race followed by the annual parade at Spring Lake Park at 8 and 11 a.m., respectively. Visitors can migrate the freedom festivities to Lincolnshire’s North Park, which features live music, balloon and bubble artists, bingo, a car show and more from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. America’s birthday celebration concludes with a bang as the Lincolnshire festival’s fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 4; 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. Free admission. Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Dr., Lincolnshire and North Park, 1025 Riverwoods Rd., Lincolnshire.
5. Ravinia Festival Opening Weekend in Highland Park
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America’s oldest outdoor music festival is back in action after a year hiatus. The Highland Park staple presents world-class music spanning all genres. The kickoff weekend includes a performance by the Ravinia Stearns Music Institute’s (RSMI) Faculty Fete and Piano & Strings Trio. The Faculty Fete performs pieces by legendary composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Gabriel Fauré. Saturday’s lineup is opened by the RSMI Program for Piano & Strings at the Bennett Gordon Hall. Ravinia Festival throws a party on Saturday evening called the Chicago Festival highlighted by rock band Ides of March, unique ragtag ensemble Mucca Pazza, and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra Sextet. The Highland Park music haven celebrates and thanks frontline and healthcare workers, first responders and neighborhood partners on Saturday. Prior to the festivities, the esteemed South Shore Drill Team will lead a processional through Ravinia Festival. The holiday weekend closes with pianist Garrick Ohlsson’s Part Two performance (of four) as he plays five movements from the compositions of renowned Germanic ivory tickler Johannes Brahms at Ravinia Festival’s pavilion. To watch the livestream of artists from RSMI, visit YouTube.com/RaviniaFestival. Ohlsson returns to Ravinia Festival for his Part Three and Part Four Brahms movements, Wednesday, July 7 and Monday July 12.
Friday-Saturday, July 2-3 and Monday, July 5; Visit RaviniaFestival.org for start times and tickets. Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park.
To start July off with a "boom," click here to learn about the top 10 things to do this month.
Festival season isn't over after the fourth of July, it has only just begun! Click here to learn about the other summer festivals in Lake County!
