Top 10 Things To Do in June 2021
By: Jonathan Jones 05/27/2021
Lake County has a jam-packed schedule this June 2021! If you’re searching for some summer fun, you’ve come to the right place.
At this time of year, we pull out our summer garb (if it still fits after packing on those pandemic pounds) and head outdoors to bask in the warm Lake County sun.
Lake County heats up in the summer months with outdoor activities, concerts, festivals, nature exhibitions, great food, live theater and so much more. Don’t forget to plan something special for old papa bear as Father’s Day is June 20.
We're slowly but surely heading back towards normalcy as more folks are getting the coronavirus vaccine. Let's see what's going on with this installment of the top 10 things to do in June!
The Chain O’Lakes is far from placid on Thursday nights during the summer. Take your own vessel out or take the ferry from Port of Blarney to Blarney Island. Thunder on the Chain features the unique world of drag boat racing from June-September hosted by Blarney Island on Grass Lake. If you have the need for speed on a "school night," witness these fearless racers competing in nine different classes from the Northern Illinois Drag Boat Association as they sprint for the gold. Thunder on the Chain fields races through September 3. Blarney Island throws a party all weekend, starting with the boat races.
Take a dip in the drink, recline, relax and experience all the thrills at Hurricane Harbor Chicago. The Gurnee water park opens for the general public this weekend. The H2O haven is equipped with numerous waterslides; the main swimming area called Monsoon Lagoon, a kid zone play area that utterly soaks attendees, an interactive surf area and so much more. Have a splashing good time this Memorial Day weekend. This summer, the Six Flags theme park will reveal its water coaster to the park called
Tsunami Surge. Hurricane Harbor Chicago is open through Labor Day.
Bump, collide and compete against your friends in the unique bumper car sport WhirlyBall. Everyone’s favorite lacrosse/basketball/bumper car fusion game returns in Vernon Hills. The play place also has a little something for adults. Besides delectable eats, WhirlyBall has a vast selection of brews while the youngsters duke it out (or you join in on the fun). You can also continue the competition in the darkroom, as you can live a Star Wars lifestyle in their laser tag arena. Practice your best shots at the establishment's billiards and announce with a swaggy demeanor "eight-ball - corner pocket." The Vernon Hills facility offers billiards, bowling and a delectable dinner menu.
In our area, Lake County has 46 scenic courses with pristine wall-to-wall fairways. With the beauty, complexity and elaborate terrain, Golf Courses in Lake County have hosted some of the most extraordinary talents in the PGA and LPGA. Greats like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and a slew others have graced the land of lakes courses, Get out there and hit the links before as the weather starts to warm up. Many courses stay open through November. Check the course's website for COVID-19 guidelines. FOOOOOOOOORE!
5. June Festivals (All June)
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. Stay tuned for the summer festival guide and Ravinia Festival blog. These fests are making their first appearance back since 2019 due to the stay-at-home order last year.
- First Friday on MainStreet Libertyville (June 4) INFO»
- Grayslake Craft Beer Festival (June 5) INFO»
- Antioch Summer Wine Walk (June 5) INFO»
- Main Street Social Fourth Anniversary (June 5) INFO»
- Waukegan PrideDrive (June 5) INFO»
- Waukegan Pride 2021: How Sweet it is (June 5) INFO»
- Brothers' Field Food & Wine Fest in Long Grove (June 5) INFO»
- Lincolnshire Art Walk (June 5-6) INFO»
- Beach Bash at Diamond Lake Beach in Mundelein (June 12) INFO»
- Grayslake Arts Festival Wine Walk (June 19) INFO»
- ArtWauk in Waukegan (June 19) INFO»
- Fairytale Festival at Brothers' Field in Long Grove (June 19) INFO»
- Long Grove's Strawberry Festival (June 25-27) INFO»
- Midsommar Party at North Shore Distillery in Green Oaks (June 26) INFO»
- Taste of Grayslake, Family Picnic & Fireworks (June 26) INFO»
Lake County’s farmers markets are more than just places to find the freshest, locally grown, and deliciously ripe fruits and vegetables of the season. They’re also a place where neighbors, friends and family shop for unique handmade goods and explore the never-ending variety of local items from welcoming vendors.
7. Car Shows in Lake County (June 6, 9 and 16)
Vroom Vroom! Blast "Born to be Wild" as you head to these annual automotive shows. Peruse dozens of classic cars that are in mint condition as the weather warms up and these sporty, flashy, tanky and just flat out beautiful whips return from COVID-19 stay-in-place hibernation.
- Lambs Farm Champion Car Show in Green Oaks (June 6) INFO»
- Park on Park Cruise Night in Mundelein (June 9) INFO»
- Car Fun on 21 in Libertyville (June 16) INFO»
The Waukegan theatre is providing visitors with glorious nostalgia as they feature legendary comedians, renowned musician’s, tributes, kiddie shows live in person and more. Here’s the scoop for June at Genesee Theatre.
- Under the Streetlamp (June 18) INFO»
- Comedian Alonzo Bodden (June 20) INFO»
The famous white stallions of Old Mill Creek have entertained audiences for six decades with their flying horse movements, four-horse ballet and other historical nuggets. The Lipizzaner Stallions have been an enchanting fixture in Lake County for 60 years. Each of the equine routines is set to music, displaying classical horsemanship that has been practiced in Europe since the 16th century. The Old Mill Creek stable schedule is listed below:
- Summer Spotlight Performance (June 20) INFO»
- How a Lipizzan Stalion Learns to Dance (June 23) INFO»
- Highlights Evening Performance (June 26) INFO»
- How a Lipizzan Stalion Learns to Dance (June 30) INFO»
“Thank you, Mario! But our princess is in another castle!” This Fox River Grove unique facility was built by a Luxembourgian immigrant Ted Bettendorf starting in 1931. It took three and a half-decade for Bettendorf to build the structure, but and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately, Bettendorf didn’t live to see his finished creation as he passed away during the 1960s right before it was completed. The gothic-style castle is a 1.75-acre property inviting groups to tour the grounds as well as host wedding ceremonies, photo sessions, princess parties and much more. Bettendorf Castle reopens for a private tour to scope out the European-inspired facility in the flesh.
For more than the top 10 things to do in June, continue here. To find your adventure in Lake County, click here.
