Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to soak up the last rays of summer. And where better to do it than in beautiful Lake County? With its stunning lakes, vibrant towns, and exciting events, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures, family-friendly fun, or relaxing getaways, this blog will be your go-to guide for making the most of your Labor Day weekend in Lake County. Get ready to discover hidden gems, attend exciting festivals, and create unforgettable memories!
Stay tuned for our top picks on where to go, what to do and where to eat this Labor Day weekend.
Let’s all kick back and relax on this extended time off and see what’s going on for Labor Day weekend in Lake County.
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. Enjoy the Bristol Renaissance Faire before its closing for the season, so make the most of this magical weekend filled with jousting, merriment and unforgettable memories. Enjoy one final taste of medieval life with thrilling shows, delicious food and unique shopping experiences. Gather your court and head to the Faire for a grand finale!
Get ready to relive the '90s with R&B icons TLC and reggae sensation Shaggy. This epic concert at Ravinia Festival is a must-see for fans of all ages. Sing along to chart-topping hits like "Waterfalls," "No Scrubs," "It Wasn't Me" and "Boombastic" under the stars. Enjoy a variety of acts this weekend, so grab your friends and dance the night away!
Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Great America is closing its doors for the season! Make a splash and enjoy one last day of water-filled fun before the winter chill sets in. Featuring numerous water slides, the main swimming area called Monsoon Lagoon, a kid zone play area that utterly soaks attendees, an interactive surf area, the world's tallest water coaster: Tsunami Surge, and so much more. Soak up the sun, ride your favorite slides and create unforgettable memories with friends and family. Don't miss out on the final weekend of summer thrills! Hurricane Harbor Chicago is open select days through Labor Day. For tickets, visit SixFlags.com/HurricaneHarborChicago.
Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling, and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies and blooms at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Butterflies & Blooms exhibition highlights species 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 see the cocooned caterpillars transform into butterflies through a window in the pupa emergence room. The exhibition is open daily through September 4 (weather permitting).
Step into the '90s at Romney Brown Candle Company’s Lights, Camera, Candles Movie Night! on August 30th. Enjoy a screening of the classic film Clueless while crafting your own scented candle and savoring some delicious pizza. Bring your favorite drinks, and prepare for an evening of creativity and nostalgia with friends. Tickets are $35 and include everything you need for a fun-filled night—so book your spot before it’s gone!
Lake County offers a vibrant array of festivals over Labor Day weekend, perfect for enjoying the last days of summer. From lively music and food fairs to arts and crafts shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss the chance to explore local culture and community spirit in the heart of Lake County!
Get ready to immerse yourself in Irish culture at Long Grove's Irish Days! This three-day extravaganza features lively music, traditional dance performances and mouthwatering Irish cuisine. Explore the charming village, shop for unique treasures and enjoy family-friendly activities. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate Irish heritage!
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. The markets are also where neighbors, friends and family shop for unique handmade goods and explore the never-ending variety of local items from welcoming vendors.
Enjoy a relaxing evening at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove. Experience this Lake County Forest Preserve District's beer flights for sippers ages 21 and older while viewing the area's natural beauty. The beer garden highlights Lake County Libation Trail partners Mickey Finn's Brewery of Libertyville, Phase Three Brewing and Roaring Table Brewing of Lake Zurich, Half Day Brewing Co. of Lincolnshire, Tighthead Brewing Co. of Mundelein, Ravinia Brewing Co. of Highland Park, and Harbor Brewing Co. and 9th Hour Brewing of Lake Villa. The Garden also offers packaged snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and lakeside seating. The Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve runs on select days through the fall. Visit LCFPD.org for more details.
Old Lake County had a farm E-I-E-I-O. The six-decade-old Libertyville/Green Oaks farmyard is highlighted by a petting area with sheep, goats and a plethora of other livestock creatures to meet and greet, various attractions like miniature golf, an old-world carousel and more. Visit the homestead’s Dogwood Pet Shop, Magnolia Café & Bakery and the Sugar Maple Country Store for delectable treats, unique treasures, adorable puppies and kittens. The Libertyville grounds’ businesses benefit programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. The farmyard is open through October.
Discover the magic of camping in Lake County! Immerse yourself in nature's beauty with a variety of camping options, from rustic tent sites to comfortable RV accommodations. Explore stunning lakes, hike through lush forests, and roast marshmallows under the starry sky. The three campsites remain open through October.
1776 brings the drama and intrigue of the Continental Congress to life at the Marriott Theatre. Witness the birth of a nation as historical figures like John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson grapple with the monumental task of drafting the Declaration of Independence. This Tony Award-winning musical offers a captivating look at the personal struggles and triumphs of these founding fathers as they shape the future of America. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a pivotal moment in history through the power of live theater.
Get ready to rock at the Wauconda Street Dance as it celebrates 25 years of music and fun! This lively event features six bands across two stages, serving up an unforgettable evening of local talent, food and drinks. Join in the excitement with a $1,000 raffle, a competitive bags tournament and the mayor’s awards. The festivities run on Main Street between Bangs Street and Route 176. Admission is free, but don’t forget your over-21 wristband to enjoy the full experience!
Looking to add some serenity to your summer weekends? Join the Waukegan Park District and the City of Waukegan for Yoga at the Beach every Saturday from June 1 through September 28, 2024. Held at the beautiful Stiner Pavilion at Waukegan Municipal Beach, these free yoga sessions run from 8-9 a.m. and are open to all ages and skill levels. Led by seasoned instructor Marlene Runyard, these classes will guide you through physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation—all while soaking in the calming sounds of Lake Michigan. Don’t forget to bring your own yoga mat!
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.
Craving a night of spontaneous laughs and off-the-cuff brilliance? Look no further than the Improv Playhouse! Whether it's quick-witted banter or hilarious sketches born on the spot, our Libertyville stage is a haven for comedic genius and audience interaction. Prepare to be swept away by the magic of improvisation, where every night is a unique and unforgettable experience.
Have you ever dreamed of flying? A fighter Jet? Maybe a passenger liner? Or perhaps just giving VR gaming a try. It would take a long time to actually get behind a control stick. Extreme Flight Simulation in Gurnee has you covered with the virtual part. Schedule a session on the weekend and see what all the excitement is about.
The land of lakes is home to over 200 lakes and miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, which means the beaches are abundant. Searching for an adventure in one of the Great Lakes? Illinois Beach State Park in Zion or Waukegan Municipal Beach is your destination. Taking your little guppies for a more youngster-friendly environment? Lake Zurich’s Paulus Park Beach has lifeguards and a water playground. So take a dip and cool yourself off this summer along one of Lake County’s relaxing shorelines. So kick back and relax, and remember, life’s a beach!
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. Get out there and hit the links as spring is finally here! Let's take a look at some of our links partners.
"Oh, the places you'll go" and explore, and those sites, sounds and feels will leave you and the family with memory makers. Lake County Road Trips showcases five different experiences via car, bike or hoofing to create an adventure on the land of lakes' arterial highways: Illinois Route 21, U.S. Route 45, Illinois Route 83, Illinois Route 41 and U.S. Route 12. So this summer, don't just take a road trip. Explore, explore, explore!
In the summertime where the Lake County weather's fine, you can experience myriad potions when browsing ninety-nine bottles of libations on the wall. The Lake County Libation Trail options for our marquee season are sure to pique your interest. We make our own here in Lake County. So take your taste buds out for a treat as we recline, relax and loosen up with summer libations in Lake County. Cheers Lake County. You've earned the time to let your hair down as you take back a few Lake County summer libations.
No matter the season, we enjoy the fruits of what Mother Nature gave us in Lake County: The tall trees, the winding trails, the serene bodies of waters, the creatures and critters and the picturesque plant life. Lake County provides outdoor escapes from the shelter in place with an up close and personal live-action Claude Monet portraits. Wether you hike or bike Lake County offers scenic trails and diverse landscapes, perfect for riders of all levels to explore and enjoy.. The stars on a clear night are spectacular.
Hooked on Fishing? Let Lake County’s 75 inland lakes, charter fishing on Lake Michigan and the Chain O’Lakes reel you in. The Chain O’Lakes is a connective waterway that links the Fox River to 5 lakes through a series of canals and smaller waterways. And under these waters, the fishing tale of a lifetime is just waiting to get hooked. The Chain O'Lakes include a variety of species including: black crappie, bluegill, bullhead, catfish, carp, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, white bass, yellow bass and yellow perch.
Splashing in the water when the temperature is hot and taking advantage of the short period we spend in the pool before fall hits is a Midwestern pastime. We've put together a list of aquatic centers and pools here in Lake County.
Lake County is home to some of the quintessential facilities that are must-view buildings. Some are ageless wonders, some are beautiful and gaudy to look at and some are eccentric out-of-place structures that define Lake County. We may not understand the science behind building a structure, but we can point out cool Lake County architectural gems.
Hit the links in Lake County…on a far smaller course. It’s all in the hips. Make your tee times for some of the most unusual, scenic, difficult and competitive outings at two of Lake County’s best miniature golf courses. Before you hit the big boy golf courses, work on the short game at these two locations:
For more things to do this Labor Day weekend, continue here. To learn more about things going on in August, click here. Stay tuned, as the #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest has moved to the spring.
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