Lake County Summer Festivals Guide 2017
By: Jonathan Jones 06/09/2017
If you're suffering from "Saturday Night Fever" or "Boogie Woogie Flu," Lake County summer festivals are the way to make you and "Johnny B. Goode."
Lake County festivals are full of delectable bites, savory suds, moving tunes and of course carnival rides.
Find something to do with the whole family or grab some friends and head to one of these fantastic Lake County summer festivals!
Mundelein Community Connections and Tighthead Brewing Company join forces to host the Mundelein Craft Beer Festival. Admission for this event includes a souvenir tasting glass and brew samples from over 40 local breweries. The Mundelein brew fest also features live music and food trucks with serving fare for purchase. Designated driver tickets are available.
Saturday, June 10; 1-5 p.m. Tickets: $40-$45. Village Hall Plaza, 205 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein.
Summer’s marquee event is Ravinia in Highland Park. This festival is the oldest outdoor music event in North America. The Highland Park event has hosted everyone from Tony Bennett to Luciano to Miles Davis to B.B. King to Lauryn Hill to Dolly Parton to Bob Dylan and a host of other unbelievable acts. Ravinia also connects thousands of children in Lake County and the Chicagoland area with professional musicians to work as mentors. You also have the opportunity to see some of these child prodigies perform live. When you visit Ravinia, don’t forget your wine, picnic basket, blankets and lawn chairs so you can thoroughly enjoy a warm summer night in Highland Park with wonderful tunes. It’s conveniently located off of the Metra.
June 10- September 17. Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park.
It’s the party of the year in Libertyville! For four memorable days, beautiful downtown Libertyville provides a weekend full of activities including a parade, pageant, carnival rides, Church Street eats, beer garden, an arts and craft fair, eating competitions, car show, live entertainment and so much more. Some of the live bands performing include Hello Weekend, Wall of Denial, Rock City Seven, Gooroos and more.
Thursday-Sunday, June 15-18; Thurs 5-11 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sun 1-6 p.m. Downtown Libertyville, Milwaukee Avenue and West Church Street, Libertyville.
Fill your artistic void with the ever-extravagant monthly ArtWauk in Downtown Waukegan. Enjoy a plethora of talented individuals showcasing their work in many different art mediums. In addition to the portraits, sculptures and other artistic vibes, munch on some delicious dining options downtown or feel the flow of the tunes from the live entertainment at this free event occurring every third Saturday of the month.
Saturdays, June 17, July 15 and August 19. Downtown Waukegan, Genesee Street, Waukegan.
Are you craving some memories? Watch your past come back to life as Zion hosts Nostalgia Days at Shiloh Park. Enjoy live music, Lake County’s largest longest running car, truck & motorcycle show, outdoor movies, a carnival, laser tag, scrumptious eats and so much more.
Friday-Saturday, June 16-17; Fri 9:30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. Downtown Zion, Sheridan Road, Zion.
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Antioch's Summer Arts & Craft Faire[/caption]
This newly designed Antioch Summer Arts and Crafts Faire will feature artisans from around the country. Over 140 brilliant maestros will display their unique works of art. There will also be plenty of children's activities including face painting, balloon art and more!
Saturday-Sunday, June 17-18; Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Downtown Antioch, Main Street and Orchard Street, Antioch.
Is wizard chess your game or is it Quidditch? This magical weekend running alongside with Antioch's Summer Arts & Craft Faire provides a slew of enchanting activities including costume contests, games, a scavenger hunt and other Harry Potter-themed happenings. Wizards and muggles of all ages will enjoy this free admission event! The Antioch Chamber urges attendees to dress as the character whom most closely relates to you. Some of the events hosted in the downtown Antioch festival require advance registration.
Saturday-Sunday, June 17-18. Downtown Antioch, Main Street and Orchard Street, Antioch.
Experiencing summer in Historic Downtown Long Grove is always a treat. Long Grove Strawberry Fest is a ‘berry’ wonderful celebration that offers everything from chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry martinis and …well, more strawberry-fused foods. The festival features live music all day on three different stages, unique shopping, impressive fare and kid-tivities for the entire weekend.
Friday-Sunday, June 23-25; Fri and Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: $5. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
The event includes musical performances, food, drinks, arts and crafts, car show, carnival, a parade, activities for kids and adults and much more. There will also be a parade and much more fun. The Independence Day Fireworks Show is held on July 3 at 9:30 p.m. The Mundelein Community Days musical entertainment lineup includes Anderlik & Church, Kev & Co, Classical Blast, Brass from the Past, Gina Gonzalez and the Wingmen and more.
Friday-Monday, June 30-July 3. Downtown Mundelein, Seymour Avenue and Courtland Street, Mundelein.
The Naval Station Great Lakes Fourth of July Celebration is an event like no other. There is a full music lineup that includes the likes of Skillet, Bella Cain, the Navy Great Lakes Band and much more. Besides the live entertainment, the Naval Station Great Lakes event features a Firecracker 5K, family-friendly entertainment, yummy bites, carnival rides, a kid zone, paintball, rock climbing, family bingo, craft fair and two days of fireworks. The Great Lakes festival was voted by the International Festivals and Events Association in 2011 as 'one of the top three festivals in the world.' The Independence Day celebration is a free admission event. Watch two nights of pyrotechnics lighting up the lakefront sky.
Monday-Tuesday, July 3-4; 3-10 p.m. Naval Station Great Lakes – Ross Field, Route 137, Great Lakes.
Yankee Doodle went to Lincolnshire riding on a pony. His adventure to the Lake County village ended when he arrived at the Red, White and Boom Fest (sans the cap, feather and macaroni). This annual celebration's Sunday festivities includes live entertainment, food & beer tent, a carnival, games and a classic car show. The Monday schedule is highlighted by a pancake feast, 5K, the annual parade, the cardboard regatta, more live music and more fun. The festivities end with a stunning fireworks extravaganza.
Monday-Tuesday, July 3-4. Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Dr., Lincolnshire.
MainStreet Libertyville invites one and all to their monthly celebration of First Fridays. A variety of drinks, food and live entertainment surrounds the event as you peruse the Lake County local mom and pop stores offering promotional sales. The Friday celebration is a free admission event.
Fridays, July 7, August 4 and September 1; 6-9 p.m. Downtown Libertyville, Route 21, Libertyville.
The tradition returns to Downtown Waukegan as the hot rod holiday; Scoop 2017 kicks off July 7. Save the date to experience your favorite rides at the Car Show & VIP Scoop, Lake County eats and beers, a carnival and plenty of live entertainment that includes performances by Low-reen & the Lazy Dogs, Stann Champion’s Roots Rock Society and more.
Friday-Saturday, July 7-8. Downtown Waukegan, Genesee Street and Water Street, Waukegan.
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 and crafts, eats, live music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a spectacular cast of characters.
July 8-September 4. Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha.
Fall in love with your favorite season all over again during the Vernon Hills Summer Celebration 2017. Have a bite to eat, take a ride on a carnival ride and enjoy an abundance of live entertainment from the 90s chart-topping Verve Pipe, as well as Mike & Joe, Henneberry and Hello Weekend. Gaze upon nostalgic vehicles at the car show on Saturday and Compete in the bags tournament on Sunday.
Thursday-Sunday, July 13-16; Thurs 6-10 p.m., Fri 6 p.m.–midnight, Sat 1 p.m.-midnight, Sun 1-10 p.m. Century Park, 1101 Lakeview Pkwy, Vernon Hills.
How about a little fun in the sun in Antioch? The Taste of Summer Festival in Antioch features carnivals rides for the family, deliciously prepared eats from the village’s top restaurants, splendid merchandise from the area’s sidewalk sale and exceptional live acts in the Brook Bandshell. Some of the bands gracing the bandshell stage include the Neverly Brothers, American English, 7th Heaven and more.
Thursday-Sunday, July 20-23; Thurs Noon-10 p.m., Fri Noon-11 p.m., Sat Noon-11 p.m., Sun Noon-6 p.m. Downtown Antioch.
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 89 years old this year. This Lake County staple will include entertainment, food vendors, live farm animals, carnival rides, games, motor crossing, a demolition derby, a flower show, the Miss Lake County Pageant and so much more. The headliner of the fair's live entertainment is LOCASH. The band is a chart-topping favorite in the country music scene known for hits such as “I Know Somebody,” (which was RIAA Gold-certified), “I Love This Life,” (which also ascended to the top of the Billboard Country Charts). Tickets for LOCASH are now on sale. Learn more about the fair at
lcfair.com.
Wednesday-Sunday July 26-July 30; Wed 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Thurs 10 p.m.-11 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-midnight, Sat 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission: $5-$25. Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
The David Adler Festival of the Arts has showcased some of the finest work from artists across the country. As many as 70 talented individuals will have their work on display throughout the weekend. This event will also feature a youth art division to celebrate the talent of children ages 18 and younger. Besides the unique artwork on display, attendees will experience live music, divine fare and plenty more at the Libertyville festival in Cook Park.
Saturday-Sunday, August 5-6; Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 11 p.m.-4 p.m. Cook Park, 100 W. Church St., Libertyville.
Since 1972, Gurnee Days has hosted this four-day premier festival. The party in Gurnee features an array of unique events including a bicycle rodeo, live entertainment, farmers market, Gurnee Idol, golf tournament, amusement rides, a 10K race, baby contest, rib fest and so much more.
Thursday-Sunday August 10-13; Thurs 10 a.m.-9:45 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The festival hosts 100 juried artists from around the U.S. in Lincolnshire's Village Green. Formerly known as the Arts & Eats Fest, this Lincolnshire outdoor gallery offers extraordinary examples of fine art and fine craft in a variety of mediums and price points. The festival is the perfect family experience highlighted by live tunes, mouth-watering bites, fun activities for the kids and so much more. Art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see the masters at work with interactive demos and have the opportunity to take part in a booth chat to discover their inspiration. Festival-goers of all ages have a chance to get into the “art-filled” action by contributing to an on-site mural at the festival.
Saturday-Sunday, August 12-13; Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Village Green, Northeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire.
Grayslake Summer Days is one of the last festivals of the season in Lake County. This family-fun festival features live entertainment, carnival games, bingo, beer tents, arts & crafts, food vendors, a business booth area and go-cart races. Don’t forget to find a good spot on Whitney Street for the Bike and Pet Parade at noon on Saturday and the Summer Days Parade at 6:30 p.m. that night.
Friday-Saturday, August 18-19; Fri 5 p.m.-midnight, Sat 11 a.m.-midnight. Downtown Grayslake, Whitney Street Festival Site, Grayslake.
Summertime and ribs just have an excellent relationship together. Taste what's cooking at this at the Little Bear Rib Fest held at Vernon Hill's Century Park. Besides Lake County’s best ribs in show, explore the live entertainment, kids events and a whole slew of exciting things to do with the entire family in this two-day fest.
Friday-Saturday, August 18-19; Fri 6-11 p.m., Sat 3-11 p.m. Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills.
Look in the sky – it’s a bird, it’s a plane. Is it a plethora of hot-air balloons? The Annual Grayslake Color Aloft Balloon Festival gives attendees the opportunity to witness the inflation and competition as aircraft experts contend in a ‘Fox and Hounds Contest.’ After the sun sets, the sky will light up with the burners of the balloons that illuminate the night. The event includes live music, family activities and different food and beverage vendors.
Saturday, August 26; 4-9 p.m. Central Park, 250 Library Ln., Grayslake.
On Labor Day weekend, the City of Zion rejoices in unison as they host the Annual Jubilee Days Festival. The festivities kick off with the annual 5K run Saturday morning and the fun continues until Monday night. This event also includes a Miss Zion pageant, ice cream social, arts & crafts festival, live music, delectable eats, the Mayors Breakfast, the largest Labor Day parade in Lake County: the Jubilee Parade and fireworks.
Saturday-Monday, September 2-4; Sat 8 a.m., Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Mon 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Other Notable Lake County Summer Festivals
Waukegan’s Summer Solstice Celebration (June 20)
Key West Fest at Blarney Island (June 22-25)
Beach Fest 2017 at RLBCCC (June 23-25)
Grayslake’s 22nd Annual Arts Festival (June 24)
Harbor Fest – Pass the Passion (June 23-25)
Taste of Grayslake Family Picnic and Fireworks (July 1)
Seventh Annual Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival (July 1-2)
American Independence Parade & Festival in Waukegan
July 4th Fest at Six Flags Great America (July 2-4)
54th Annual Deerfield Family Days (July 3-4)
Jelly Belly Summer Carnival (July 6-9)
Waukegan’s Annual Tanabata Festival (July 7)
Blarney Gras Weekend (July 13-16)
Alpine Fest in Lake Zurich (July 21-23)
Jazz & Wine Festival (August 5)
Blues on the Water & BBQ Festival in Waukegan
Blarney Island’s Fantasy Fest Weekend (August 17-20)
Long Grove’s Vintage Days (August 19-20)
Taste of the Towns in Lake Zurich (August 20)
Windy City Dub Fest at Lake County Fairgrounds (August 26)
24th Annual Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow in Zion (August 26-27)
Long Grove’s Irish Days (September 2-4)
Continue here to find more information on Lake County summer festivals.
