Things To Do This Weekend July 3-5, 2026

By: Stephanie Wylie 07/01/2026

Whether your idea of celebrating the nation’s birthday involves the gentle splash of a homemade cardboard boat, the nostalgic aroma of carnival popcorn or the adrenaline rush of a 200-foot roller coaster drop, Lake County is preparing to mark America’s 250th birthday with a weekend of community tradition and spectacular displays. From Antioch to Lincolnshire, communities across the region are expanding their annual Fourth of July lineups into multi-day festivals. Pack your lawn chairs, lace up your 5K running shoes and get ready for a weekend filled with parades, live music and enough fireworks to illuminate the Lake County sky from Friday through Sunday.

Let's look at Lake County's top five things to do this weekend, July 3-5, 2026.

1. Red, White and BOOM! in Lincolnshire

Two days, two parks and one very big birthday to celebrate. The village’s annual "Red, White and Boom" festival returns July 3 and 4, expanding into a massive, two-park celebration for America’s 250th birthday. The fun begins Friday at North Park from 3 to 8 p.m. with live music, a zipline, a water slide and local food trucks. Saturday starts early with an 8 a.m. 5K fundraiser, followed by a 10 a.m. parade and a decorated bicycle ride with local police officers. The afternoon action shifts to Spring Lake Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a foam party and the fan-favorite Cardboard Boat Regatta. A spectacular fireworks display caps off the weekend at 9:30 p.m., with more details available at LincolnshireIL.gov.

Friday-Saturday, July 3-4; Fri.: 3 to 8 p.m., Sat.: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free admission. Fri.: North Park, 1025 Riverwoods Rd., Lincolnshire. Sat.: Spring Lake Park, 49 Oxford Dr., Lincolnshire. 

2. 63rd Annual Deerfield Family Days

Sixty-three years in, Deerfield Family Days continues its beloved Fourth of July celebration at Jewett and Shepard Parks. The full weight of a summer tradition that has become as much a part of Deerfield's identity as the parks themselves. The weekend runs the full spectrum of Fourth of July activities: a 5K, an arts and crafts fair, carnival games, amusement rides, inflatables, a dog show, a parade, a bike parade and more. A fireworks display closes out the celebration. Live music comes from Spicy City Music, the Blooze Brothers and Totally Taylor across the two-day run. For full itinerary of events, visit Deerfield.IL.US.

Friday-Saturday, July 3-4; Fri.: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sat.: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission. Fri.: Shepard Park, 1040 Hackberry Rd, Deerfield. Sat.: Jewett Park, 836 Jewett Park Dr, Deerfield.

3. Star Spangled Nights at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee

Some people mark the Fourth of July with a lawn chair and a sparkler. Others prefer 70 miles per hour and a 208-foot drop. Six Flags Great America hosts Star-Spangled Nights, presented by M&M'S combining a full day of rides with an evening patriotic celebration. The two-day event wraps the park's usual summer lineup in red, white and blue, closing each night at 9:45 p.m. with a drone light display that sends hundreds of lights into the sky to form dazzling, patriotic scenes overhead. It is, in the best sense, a Fourth of July that earns its fireworks. Tickets are available at SixFlags.com/GreatAmerica.

Friday-Saturday, July 3-4; Showtime begins at 9:45 p.m. Free with park general admission. Six Flags Great America, 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee. 

4. Mundelein Community Days

It has earned a reputation as one of the best festivals in Lake County. The four-day celebration draws thousands of residents and visitors each year with a lineup that covers just about every register of summer fun: carnival rides, fireworks, a parade, live music, food, games, contests, demonstrations and a full slate of kids activities. The festival is family-oriented by design and community-driven. The full schedule is at Mundelein.org.

Friday-Sunday, July 3-5; Fri.: Noon to 11 p.m., Sat.: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun.: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free admission. Courtland Commons, 444 Courtland St., Mundelein.

5. Fourth of July Parade and Party in the Park in Antioch

America turns 250 this year, is Antioch intends to mark the occasion accordingly. The village hosts its Fourth of July Parade and Party in the Park, beginning with the parade at 10:30 a.m. Party in the Park picks up at 4 p.m., featuring a DJ, live music from Tennessee Whiskey and a fireworks show to close out the night. For more information, visit Antioch.IL.gov.

Saturday, July 4; 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission. Sequoit Creek Park, 845 Main St., Antioch.

6. Vernon Hills 4th of July Parade and Fireworks

The parade goes through the neighborhood. The fireworks go up over the park. Vernon Hills marks the Fourth of July with a full day of festivities, the day opens with a parade through the Deerpath neighborhood before shifting to Century Park for the evening. DJ Top Dog takes the stage at Century Park and attendees can view a fireworks display from 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. Parade map is available at VernonHills.org.

Saturday, July 4; 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free admission. Deerpath and Atrium Drive, 600 Deerpath Dr., Vernon Hills. 

For more things to do this weekend, July 3-5, 2026, click here.