Things To Do This Weekend July 9-11, 2021
By: Kelli Smith 07/08/2021
"Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August." —Jenny Han. Appreciate the spoils of summer this weekend. Whether it's the hot weather, delectable eats, local suds or live music, summertime activities are in full swing this weekend.
Turn the weekend into a road trip and discover the local gems, exquisite scenery and rich history of Lake County, Illinois. Bike through the Lake County Forest Preserve down Route 21, sail through the deep blue waters just near Route 41, or cruise to Volo Museum on Route 12. To learn more about our unique road trip routes, click here.
Here is this weekend's edition of the top five things to do in Lake County, July 9-11, 2021.
Turn back time and travel just north of Lake County to the 16th-century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. The festival’s opening weekend is highlighted by delectable food, a marketplace with unique handcrafted wares, an interactive theatrical gaming experience and slew of other 1500s festivities. There is plenty of excitement for youngsters as the Bristol Renaissance Faire has been voted as the top 10 family-friendly festivals for nearly a decade. Adult shenanigans can commence if you’re visiting without kiddies as adults 21 and older can take a tour on the Kenosha, WI facility that hosts their legendary pub crawl. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Renaissance-era attire while enjoying the sights and sounds of Medieval Europe. The Olde English fest will run on Saturday and Sundays through Labor Day weekend.
Saturday-Sunday, July 10-11; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Admission: $10-$26, children ages four and under receive free admission. Other activities may require separate admissions. Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, WI.
If you’re craving the summer heat and beats head to Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Craft Biergarten to celebrate Harborpalooza Music Festival. The North Point Marina party is highlighted by stellar tunes, great company, refreshing libations, stunning views of Lake Michigan and delectable foods. The festival kicks off at noon this Saturday with local groups and musicians Ben Mulwana, Brecken Miles and Talkin’ Trash. Local vendors JC’s BBQ and The Sweet Shop will be offering tasty treats throughout the festival. Be sure to clink glasses of the Lake County Libation Trail partner’s recently released suds, “Summer Nights.” Winthrop Harbor festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating.
Saturday, July 10; noon - 11 p.m. Free admission. Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Craft Biergarten at North Point Marina, 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor.
Lake County’s staple outdoor music festival finally returns for the summer after a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic. Since 1936, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has called Ravinia Festival home during the summer months. The Friday program performed by world-class musicians from the CSO includes compositions by Grammy-winning contemporary pianist and conductor Joan Tower, works by celebrated maestro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and ditties by renowned ivory tickler Ludwig von Beethoven. The aforementioned works will feature pianist Jorge Federico Osorio. CSO Music Director, Curator and Conductor Marin Alsop is the new principal of the orchestra. On Saturday, CSO returns to perform the “Celebrating Hidden American Triumphs” program, which includes works from composers Laura Karpman (“All American”), Stacy Garrop (“The Battle for the Ballot”), Carlos Simon (“Fate Now Conquers”) and James P. Johnson (“Harlem Symphony'' and “Victory Stride”). The Windy City orchestra also welcomes guest conductor Jonathan Rush and narrator Jaye Ladymore on the Saturday performance. Listen to the beautiful tunes of CSO from Ravinia Festival’s open-air pavilion or via the lawn seating area.
The Highland Park fest’s Kids Concert Series begins on Sunday with Beethoven Lives Upstairs produced by Classical Kids LIVE! and featuring the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago. The show features two actors sharing anecdotes and observations based on actualevents from the German composer’s life and includes more than 25 excerpts of Beethoven’s classics including the “Moonlight Sonata,” “Fur Elise” and the notable “Fifth Symphony” and “Ninth Symphony.” Additionally, the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, a study and performance hub for young professional performers, will live broadcast a piano and strings concert on their YouTube Channel. Tickets can be purchased for the in-person concerts at Ravinia.org.
Friday-Sunday, July 9-11; times vary for each performance. Admission: $10-$145 per performance. Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park.
Quitters don’t “tri” and triathletes don’t quit. Dive in and lace up your sneakers this weekend at Lake Zurich’s annual Triathlon in Paulus Park. The Olympic Aquathon features a 1.5K single loop swim in Lake Zurich and a 10K run around the lake. The Sprint Aquathon includes a quarter mile single loop swim followed by a 5K run. Spectators are invited to cheer on the athletes as they run around Lake Zurich. Due to construction and road conditions in Lake Zurich, the bike portion of the race has been cancelled, making the race an Aquathon.Triathletes can register at LakeZurichTri.com until noon on July 10.
Sunday, July 11; Sprint Aquathon begins at 6:40 a.m., Olympic Aquathon begins at 6:55 a.m. Free admission for spectators. Athlete registration: $80-$110. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.
Start the weekend off right with a bright and beautiful summer afternoon at MainStreet Libertyville’s Friday Lunch In The Park. Take your lunch break outside or meet up with friends to support local eateries in picturesque Cook Park. The food vendors at the weekly summer event offer crepes, barbecue, pizza, bagels and sandwiches, hot dogs and other grilled items plus ice cream, shaved ice and gourmet coffee creations between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Local band Moon and the Man will be performing at this Friday’s summer celebration. The Libertyville celebration runs Fridays through August 6.
Friday, July 9; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free admission. Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
Indulge in Lake County's summer libations before the month is through. Click here to learn more about the refreshing sips in Lake County.
