Top 10 Things To Do in May 2018
By: Jonathan Jones 04/30/2018
Let's go Lake County and peruse the top 10 things to do in May.In May, we celebrate the full swing of spring, since April showers bring May flowers (no, not the boat).
May is also filled with some of our favorite holidays: Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day (three-day weekend!), National Tourism Week and other annual events like the Kentucky Derby, the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals and a plethora of other happenings.
Here's a friendly reminder, Ravinia Festival tickets went on sale May 8 & 10. Check out the schedule by following this link.
Boating season has begun as well. It’s also National Boating Safety Month. Click here to find everything boating in Lake County.
Here are your top 10 things to do in May.
1. Center Stage in Lake County
Lake County is known for its theatre. Performers continuously break legs as these May shows feature incredible voices, thrilling dances, great storytelling and some of the most enchanting music ever written for the center stage. Here is your schedule for May:- “The Emperor’s New Clothes at Marriott Theatre (Through May 13)
- “Bad Seed” at PM&L Theatre (May 4-20)
- “The Explorer’s Club” (Through May 28)
- “Oklahoma!” at Marriott Theatre (Through June 11)
2. May Festivals (all May)
It’s time to toss your galoshes and winter coats, and celebrate the most excellent box socials Illinois has to offer. Spring festivals in Lake County feature the most delectable eats, eclectic live music, radiant works of art and of course, libations. Experience the fanfare of our warming season as we provide you with the guide to May spring festivals in Lake County.
- First Fridays (May 4)
- Cinco de Mayo in Downtown Waukegan (May 5)
- Lake Zurich Craft Beer Fest (May 11)
- Long Grove Chocolate Fest (May 18-20)
- Extreme Block Party Expo & Taste of the Towns at Doubletree Mundelein. (May 19)
- StarWauk (May 19)
3. Mother’s Day Celebrations (May 11-13)
Mothers are the backbone of our lives. Mothers do the heavy lifting. Mothers always have the most logical advice. Mothers provide unconditional love. Let's celebrate head honcho of the fam by treating her to a delicious Lake County brunch. Click the button below to see what's going on!
4. Genesee Theatre Productions (all May)
The Waukegan theatre is providing visitors with glorious nostalgia as they feature some of our favorite musicians. There are also legendary performers gracing the theatre’s stage this month. Here’s what’s going on in May at Genesee Theatre.
- Femmes of Rock (May 4)
- Charles Esten & Clare Bowen (May 11)
- Grand Funk Railroad (May 17)
- Smash Mouth with the Spin Doctors (May 18)
- Rick Springfield (May 20)
5. Lake County Ghost Adventure (May 19)
If you "ain't afraid of no ghosts," you may be interested in the Lake County Ghost Adventure Tour. This excursion is a seven-hour paranormal excursion exploring cemeteries, historic sites and lunch at a haunted establishment. Wear comfy shoes. This bus tour is a BYOB event (only on the bus) with a cash bar at lunch (lunch and a soft drink are included with admission). Private tours are available.
6. Blarney Island Opening Weekend (May 19-20)
Time to live on island time and head to the ‘Key West of the Midwest’ as Blarney Island in Antioch opens its doors for the season. This two-day unofficial start to summer features drink and food specials (with an updated menu) and live music featuring Two Tones, Pirate Radio, Yesterday’s Children and a DJ. FYI, Thunder on the Chain begins May 31.
7. Annual Des Plaines River Canoe and Kayak Marathon (May 20)
For over half a century, the Des Plaines River Canoe and Kayak Marathon has been a hit. The 18.5-mile marathon in the historic Des Plaines River begins in Libertyville at the Oak Springs Road Canoe Launch. This is the United States’ second oldest canoe race. If you are with the family, there is a brand new 5.25-mile mini-thon available starting in Potawatomi Woods in Wheeling. There are races for each age group to accommodate all. Be sure to look port and starboard when you cross the stream!
8. Lincolnshire’s Food Truck Fridays Begin (starting May 25)
The opportunity is now to treat yourself to something new for lunch. Lincolnshire’s Food Truck Fridays in the Corporate Center Parking Lot will display a variety of gourmet selections. The foodie frenzy will occur every Friday until the end of the summer as a variety of delicious aromas waft through the air, while a delectable dish is prepared right in front of your eyes. This tasty event runs through August 31.
9. Butterflies & Blooms Exhibit at Chicago Botanic Garden (beginning May 26)
Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies and blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden. The Butterflies & Blooms exhibition highlights species are native to Africa, Asia, North America and South America. The butterflies are housed in a 2,800-square-foot mesh enclosure on the Regenstein Learning Campus. Visitors can observe the butterflies hatching through a window located inside the pupa emergence room. This exhibit runs through September 3.
10. Hurricane Harbor Opening Weekend (May 26-28)
“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.
For more of Lake County's top 10 things to do in May, continue here.
