Things To Do This Weekend May 2-4, 2025

By: Stephanie Wylie 05/01/2025

As Lake County ushers in warmer days, locals and visitors alike are in for a weekend packed with flavor, creativity, and community spirit. From lakeside pints and local brews at the reopening of the Beer Garden at Independence Grove in Libertyville, to live art installations in Fox Lake and family fun in Mundelein, the season is off to a lively start. Whether you're tapping into the tastes of the Lake County Libation Trail, admiring student-made murals, or catching a rising jazz star at Ravinia, there’s something brewing for everyone. Here’s a roundup of what not to miss this weekend.

1. Art in the Garden at Fox Lake’s Community Garden

The Village of Fox Lake invites residents to celebrate creativity, community and green spaces during Art in the Garden. The afternoon celebration will mark the grand opening of the Fox Lake Community Garden and highlight the talents of local students with the unveiling of new art panels created by Grant Community High School’s art department. These colorful panels will be a permanent feature in the garden space, symbolizing the collaboration between youth artists and the broader community. In addition to the art installation, attendees can experience live music performances, browse work from local and regional artists and explore a variety of family-friendly activities. Food trucks onsite will offer a range of cuisines, along with crafts, games and other entertainment. For further details, visit the Village of Fox Lake’s at FoxLake.org.

Saturday, May 3; 12-2 p.m. Free admission. Fox Lake Community Garden, 17 E. School Court, Fox Lake.

2. Beer Garden at Independence Grove Reopens for Summer in Libertyville

The Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve will reopen for the season offering visitors lakeside views, local craft brews and casual dining. The celebrated outdoor venue features a rotating selection of Lake County Libation Trail craft beers on tap, along with other beverages, packaged snacks and light meals that can be delivered directly to guests' tables. Participants of the Lake County Libation Trail at the Libertyville venue include 9th Hour Brewing Co. and Harbor Brewing Co. of Lake Villa, Mickey Finn’s Brewery of Libertyville, Tighthead Brewing Co. of Mundelein, Phase Three Brewing Co. and Roaring Table Brewery of Lake Zurich, Half Day Brewing Co. of Lincolnshire, Glunz Family Winery and Cellars of Grayslake, and Buffalo Creek Brewing of Long Grove. The Lake County Forest Preserves District venue also highlights a collaboration with Harbor Brewing CO. called Brewed XIII in honor of the cicadas arrival last year. The ongoing spring through fall event also features live music. Plenty of casual lakeside seating is available, creating a relaxed atmosphere for visitors to enjoy the warmer months. The lakeside outdoor space is open select days through September 29. For updates and a full schedule of events, visit lcfpd.org.

Friday-Sunday, May 2-4; 1-9 p.m. Free admission. Beer Garden at Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Rd., Libertyville.

3. 13th Annual GLMV Extreme Block Pary Family Expo and “Taste of the Towns”

The GLMV Chamber of Commerce will bring together local businesses, entertainment and community fun at the 13th annual Extreme Block Party Family Expo and "Taste of the Towns." Billed as the largest free local expo in the area, the DoubleTree Mundelein event will feature dozens of vendors representing a wide range of industries, including home improvement, health and wellness, financial services and more. Visitors can browse shop-local displays and can partake in entertainment and family activities. Attendees can also take advantage of raffles, giveaways, show specials and free food and beverage samples from popular local eateries. Live entertainment will add to the festivities throughout the day, beginning with a performance by Improv Playhouse of Libertyville, followed by the Famous World of Reptile Show and more. For more information, visit GLMVChamber.org.

Saturday, May 3; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. DoubleTree Hotel, 510 E. Illinois Route 83, Mundelein. 

4. Jahari Stampley at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall

Rising jazz star Jahari Stampley will take the stage at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, offering an evening of virtuosic piano performance. Stampley's performance marks a significant moment in the career of the 25-year-old Chicago native. Growing up in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, Stampley’s musical journey began only a decade ago. He quickly gained recognition, earning an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers scholarship, a Luminarts Fellowship and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra's Alumni Award — the first non-classical musician to receive the honor. His performance résumé includes appearances at major venues like Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall (both in New York) and the San Francisco Jazz Center, along with international solo tours in Europe. For his Highland Park performance, Stampley will be joined by his current trio, featuring fellow Manhattan School of Music alumnus Miguel Russell on drums and his mother, multi-instrumentalist D-Erania, on saxophone, synthesizers and more. Tickets are available through Ravinia.org.

Friday, May 2; 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. 
 

5. First Friday on MainStreet Libertyville

Downtown Libertyville will come alive with shopping, dining and community spirit during the First Friday. Residents and visitors are encouraged to support local businesses while enjoying a festive atmosphere, special discounts, refreshments and extended shopping hours. Highlights include a Chicago Cubs Ticket giveaway from O’Toole’s Libertyville, a “First Friday Funnies” performance from the Improv Playhouse, a discount at Sweet Home Gelato, live entertainment at The Joyful Gourmet and more. Visitors are also encouraged to dine at one of Libertyville’s award-winning restaurants to complete their evening. For more information, visit MainStreetLibertyville.org.

Friday, May 2; 5-9 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Libertyville, various locations along Illinois Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue). 

For the Ultimate Guide to Mother's Day in Lake County 2025, click here.

To see more things to do this weekend May 2-4, 2025, click here.