Spring Break in Lake County 2026

By: Stephanie Wylie 03/06/2026

Lake County awakens with a springtime itinerary that trades heavy parkas for hiking boots and golden tickets. The region is shaking off its seasonal slumber to offer a spring break slate that caters to both the restless toddler and the refined cinephile. The county is proving that you don’t need a boarding pass to find an escape. This year’s lineup blends the nostalgic with the cutting-edge. For those staying local, the hardest part of the week won't be finding something to do, but deciding which corner of the county to explore first.

Leprechauns and More

• Libertyville and Gurnee celebrate St. Patrick's Day for a week with corned beef, green beer, bagpipers, leprechauns and stout-filled cheers. (March 13-17) Gurnee and Libertyville»
• Grayslake’s downtown turns into a sea of green, kicking off a tradition of bagpipes, floats and open-air festivities. (March 14) INFO»
• Lindy’s Landing serves slow-braised Guinness stew and the soulful tunes of Kerien Burne, making the evening feel like a cozy Dublin pub. (March 14) INFO»
• Young explorers chase the rainbow in Highland Park woods on a guided scavenger hunt, with a "pot of gold" waiting at the finish. (March 14) INFO»
• It’s a "mutt strut" at Harbor Brewing Co., where four-legged friends and their owners can browse local artisan stalls and snack on taco truck treats while sipping on Lake Villa’s finest craft brews. (March 15) INFO»
• Race through Deer Park Town Center and earn shamrock sugar cookies in this chip-timed dash for Irish luck. (March 15) INFO»
• Home cooks join a hands-on class with Chef Dave to make crispy potato nachos and Irish soda bread instead of traditional corned beef. (March 17) INFO»
• Families trade four-leaf clovers for bingo at this lively game night with festive Irish food and prizes. (March 18) INFO»
• Waukegan’s high-energy dance workout turns the holiday into a heart-pumping community event. (March 19) INFO»
• Zion Park District hosts a giant afternoon with human foosball and massive yard games, making everyone feel like a leprechaun. (March 21) INFO»

Indoor Recreation

For those who prefer indoor adventures, Lake County offers numerous museums and exclusive programs to explore during the spring break period. Here's a brief selection:

• Channel your inner fashion mogul at Romney Brown Candle Company, where guests can pour custom couture-inspired scents and enjoy pizza while watching the runway drama of the world's most stylishly demanding boss. (March 14) INFO»
• Young investigators can trade their textbooks for magnifying glasses to solve puzzles and uncover the hidden secrets of the past through a hands-on exploration of real historical artifacts. (March 14) INFO»
• Mayor Tom Hood is ditching the podium for a casual morning at Starbucks, inviting residents to pull up a chair and discuss the community over a steaming cup. (March 14) INFO»
• Bluey, the beloved blue heeler from Down Under, is making a special stop at Pretty Pretty Print Press to share smiles and high-fives with her smallest fans. (March 14). INFO»
• Four-legged family members get their moment in the spotlight during a special evening session where pets can strike a pose with the Easter Bunny for a memory that is truly "paws-itive." (March 15) INFO»
• Researcher Mary Goljenboom pulls back the curtain on the forgotten history of female entrepreneurs, from Great Depression pilots to Parisian nightclub owners who defied the status quo. (March 19) INFO»
• College basketball fans can dive into the tournament madness with a daily buffet and wall-to-wall game coverage that captures every buzzer-beater and bracket-buster. (March 19-21) INFO»
• The Chicago Botanic Garden travels back to the age of Aquarius with a psychedelic display of 10,000 orchids, featuring floral lava lamps and a Volkswagen Beetle covered in blooms. (March 22) INFO»
• Midweek blues vanish behind a cloud of hickory smoke during a lively night of competitive bingo, savory ribs and family-friendly prizes in Third Lake. (March 25) INFO»
• Bounce on over yo Launch Gurnee! The bounce emporium is highlighted by the trampolines you know and love, a ninja course, an arcade, air track basketball, virtual reality, a dodgeball court, a full bar and a restaurant called Krave. INFO»
• The Waukegan History Museum honors the legacy of a local abolitionist’s daughter who traded Illinois for the American Southwest to capture the intimate daily rhythms of the Hopi people through her art. (March 4-28) INFO»
• Get your "spirit fingers" ready for a night of Y2K nostalgia at Romney Brown, where fans can craft glitter-topped candles while cheering along to the ultimate cinematic cheerleading battle. (March 28) INFO»
• Master the art of the blowpipe at Peter Patterson Glassworks, where participants can transform molten glass into delicate, hand-sculpted spring treasures. (March 21-29) INFO»
• Midweek blues vanish behind a cloud of hickory smoke during a lively night of competitive bingo, savory ribs, and family-friendly prizes in Third Lake. (March 25) INFO»
• The Lake County Fairgrounds transforms into a massive creative marketplace, with nearly 300 makers from across the country showcasing everything from hand-stitched textiles to artisanal home decor. (March 27-29) INFO»
• Arcades, eats and libations for the adults - who could ask for more? Visit Dave & Buster's for a memorable and exciting visit at the Vernon HIlls mall. INFO»
• "Through the Eyes of Piping Plovers," a multidisciplinary exhibition at the College of Lake County, celebrates the fragile beauty of the shoreline and the triumphant return of a tiny, endangered bird to Waukegan’s beaches. (Through March 31) INFO»
• The arrival of the floppy-eared guest of honor marks the start of a month-long tradition of springtime portraits and childhood wonder at one of Lake County’s premier shopping destination. (Through April 5) INFO»
• Foodies can escape the chill at this curated market, which stocks its shelves with locally sourced farm eggs, specialty pantry staples and elegant home decor for a sophisticated farm-to-table experience at Elawa Farms. (Sunday's through April 26) INFO»
• Families can trade their winter coats for swimsuits in a perpetual 84-degree paradise featuring indoor yoga, character parades and enough water park thrills to outlast the spring rain at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois. (Through April 26) INFO»
• This immersive blend of art and science sheds light on the tiny, unsung heroes of our ecosystem, proving that the health of our natural world often rests on the wings of native bees. (Through May 31) INFO»
• Saturday mornings get a high-octane upgrade at Lago in Lake Zurich, where the roar of exotic engines meets the aroma of fresh espresso and a lavish Italian brunch buffet. (Saturday's through September 5) INFO»
• The Grayslake Heritage Center invites visitors to step back in time to the era of corner pharmacies and house-call doctors with an exhibition exploring the evolution of community wellness. (Through June 13) INFO»
• Laser technology replaces cages in this futuristic attraction where families can walk through holographic tunnels to stand face-to-face with life-sized elephants and dinosaurs without ever wearing a headset. (Through Dec. 31) INFO»
• The Volo Museum is a premier spring break destination because it offers a massive, climate-controlled "staycation" experience where families can explore legendary Hollywood movie cars, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs at Jurassic Gardens, and the immersive Titanic Exhibit all in one location. INFO»

For a list of additional museums in the area, visit our Museums in Lake County page INFO»

Outdoor Recreation and Action-Packed Sports

For more action or hands-on games and activities, visit one of the venues below.

• Young trackers follow a trail of "leprechaun treasure" through the Highland Park forest. Woodland clues lead to nature’s lucky charms and a hidden pot of gold. (March 14) INFO»
• Hardcore community members trade winter coats for swimsuits and leap into the numbing waters of Nippersink Lake. Raise a frozen glass and crucial funds for Special Olympics Illinois. (March 22) INFO»
• Families witness the "sweet science" of spring as sap begins to flow. Learn the art of maple tapping, then reward your hike with a taste of local syrup. (March 7-26) INFO»
• Young campers swap tablets for grooming brushes and saddles at Susanna Farms. Enjoy a week of resilience with pony rides, equine care and muddy farm exploration. (March 23-27) INFO»
• In Grayslake, Central Park’s athletic fields will be blanketed in colorful treasures, while children race to find prize-filled eggs. (March 28). INFO»
• The Fox Lake Lions Club serves up community spirit with a hearty morning breakfast. Afterward, enjoy a dash for eggs across the Lakefront Park lawn. (March 28) INFO»
• The Easter Bunny takes over Lake Zurich for a prompt noon-time scramble, with a race to find surprises and golden-ticket rewards. (March 28) INFO»
• At Hartmann Park, participants—with two legs or four—can sniff out treat-filled eggs. Join this dual-species morning sprint for fun rewards. (March 28) INFO»
• The 1950s come alive in Ingleside as carhops serve up homemade root beer and nostalgia. Enjoy frosty mugs on a tray as the 2026 season begins. (March 28) INFO»
• Public Skate at Top Shelf – Join a public skate session every day of the week at Top Shelf Ice Arena in Gurnee. INFO»
• At Whirlyball in Vernon Hills, engage in a dynamic multi-skill game merging elements of lacrosse, basketball, hockey, and bumper cars, challenging your abilities and competitive spirit, whether you're with a group or family. INFO»
• Experience a journey around the globe without leaving Illinois at Extreme Flight Simulation in Gurnee, featuring a range of aircraft simulators including a Boeing 737-8 NG and an F-18 fighter jet. Additionally, immerse yourself in their Virtual Reality (VR) lounge offering hundreds of options to transport you to different locations or adventures, whether strolling through the Louvre museum in Paris or engaging in intergalactic battles against androids. Let your imagination soar in the world of virtual reality. INFO»
• Whether you're starting your athletic journey or looking to enhance your skills, Canlan Sports facilities in Libertyville and Lake Barrington offer comprehensive amenities, including camps, clinics, tournaments, leagues for both kids and adults, and a complete fitness center, providing everything you need all under one roof. INFO»
• Experience world-class golfing amidst the picturesque landscapes of Lake County. INFO»

Theatre/Performing Arts

Sometimes art can help us unwind and fill our creative spirit.  During Spring Break, we have some delightful additions in Lake County.

• Moviegoers can get a head start on their office betting pools by catching the year’s most prestigious live-action, animated, and documentary shorts on the big screen just weeks before the Academy Awards at the Gorton Center. (March 14) INFO»
• Seymour and his bloodthirsty botanical discovery take center stage in "Little Shop of Horrors," a deviously funny musical cult classic that proves some plants are better left unwatered. (Through March 15) INFO»
• "Admissions" is a biting, timely drama explores the friction between high-minded ideals and the cutthroat world of Ivy League applications when a prep school administrator’s own son enters the race. (March 11-15) INFO»
• Student musicians and community members join forces under the direction of Michael Flack for a spirited afternoon of woodwinds and brass that celebrates the collaborative heart of Lake County. (March 15) INFO»
• The Lake Forest Public Library transforms into a stage for gravity-defying tricks and sharp-witted humor as world-class yo-yoer Mark Hayward brings his "amazement and amusement" tour to town. (March 15) INFO»
• The legendary masterminds of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, return to Waukegan to perform a comedy high-wire act where every punchline and song is conjured from thin air and audience suggestions. (March 19) INFO»
• The Genesee Theatre turns into a "fire" breathing funk palace as two iconic soul-and-R&B powerhouses bring their horn-driven grooves and Billboard-topping hits back to the stage. (March 20) INFO»
• The Waukegan Park District invites families to suspend their disbelief for an evening of Acrodazzle's high-energy illusions and surprising sleight-of-hand. (March 20) INFO»
• From finger paints to high school masterpieces, the Adler Arts Center spotlights the next generation of Lake County creators in an exhibition that celebrates the bold perspectives of young artists. (March 6-21) INFO»
• Downtown Waukegan’s monthly arts revolution continues with a sensory-rich evening of rotating gallery exhibits, live street performances, and local flavors that prove the city’s creative pulse is stronger than ever. (March 21) INFO»
• Disco fever returns to the North Shore as this world-class tribute band recreates the soaring falsettos and tight harmonies of the brothers Gibb, ensuring the audience "Should Be Dancing" all night long. (March 21) INFO»
• The Lake County Community Concert Association invites music lovers to hop in the "purple caddy" for a high-octane ride through the best of Southern rock, blues, and soul. (March 22) INFO»
• Lake County Film Festival 2026: Expanding to three venues across the county, this year’s festival offers a massive 150-film slate that ranges from a documentary on the "nuisance" of arctic predators to a world-premiere homecoming for a local director. (March 13-23) INFO»
  • The Last Dive at Gorton Center: As part of the Lake County Film Festival, this poignant documentary follows an 80-year-old veteran on one final underwater journey to say goodbye to an unlikely friend—a 22-foot oceanic manta ray. (March 20) INFO»
  • Gorton Selected Shorts & Nuisance Bear: The Lake County Film Festival continues its "Sweet 16" celebration with a curated selection of independent short films and a striking, Sundance Award-winning portrait of polar bears navigating the modern human world. (March 22) INFO»
  • All Skate: Closing Night Feature at Gorton Center: Director April Wright returns to her Lake County roots with this nostalgic documentary tracing the cultural highs and lows of the American skating scene. (March 23) INFO»
• Two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame titans, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite, bring over a century of combined blues wisdom to Grayslake for an intimate masterclass in gritty guitar riffs and soulful harmonica. (March 27) INFO»
• Las Cafeteras, a modern-day troubadours from East L.A. ignite the stage with an "Afro-Mexican" sonic explosion, blending traditional Son Jarocho with hip-hop and electronic beats to take folk music into the future. (March 28) INFO»
• The Spinners and The Miracles is a masterclass in the "MotownPhilly" sound as two of R&B’s most enduring vocal groups bring decades of gold-record harmonies and smooth soul back to Waukegan. (March 28) INFO»
• Dirty Little Secrets, an this unfiltered and interactive comedy spectacle, the audience provides the material by submitting anonymous secrets that the performers turn into an unforgettable night of "did they really just say that?" laughs. (March 28) INFO»
• The historic halls of the Lehmann Mansion echo with laughter as nationally touring headliner Alex Cureau leads a high-energy lineup of stand-up stars in Lake Villa’s most elegant setting. (March 28) INFO»
• Families can secure their own "golden ticket" for a scrumptious musical adventure through Willy Wonka’s world of pure imagination, complete with Oompa-Loompas and candy-coated wonder. (Through March 29) INFO»

For more information about events this spring, click here.