Things To Do This Weekend May 5-7, 2023
By: Jeff Randolph 05/01/2023
This weekend welcomes many Cinco de Mayo celebrations and a look ahead to the summer with great optimism. It will be soon that school is out and summer arrives. Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's enjoy spring and the month of May. Let's look at things to do this weekend, May 5-7, 2023.
If you want picture-esque views at dawn and dusk, check out Where To See A Lake County Sunrise and Sunset by clicking here.
Big-wheeled vehicles are showcased in Grayslake. They are celebrating the first Friday in Libertyville. A craft show built around Mom in Gurnee. A festival honoring based around May in Grayslake. Enjoy a beer al fresco-style in Winthrop Harbor. Here we look at the top five things to do this weekend, May 5-7, 2023.
Fuel your passion for revved-up action and taste the Chicago Monster Truck Wars at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center. The two-day Grayslake smash fest showcases large trucks bullying smaller vehicles and performing tricks, a pre-show meet and greet pit party at the kid’s zone, racing, kids power wheel races, and more. Smash enthusiasts can experience the action while marveling at the brute force of organized chaos and destruction. Visit LCFairgrounds.com for tickets.
Saturday-Sunday, May 6-7; Sat. 1-3 p.m. and Sun.: 2-4 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday. Kid Zone and Pre-Show Meet and Greet run 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets: $10-$40 per person. VIP Family Four Pack $120. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
Invest your fest feels in a festival-infested Libertyville. First Fridays on MainStreet Libertyville, highlighted by various delectable drinks, mouth-watering eats, live entertainment, and more as visitors peruse through local mom-and-pop shops offering promotional sales. Improv Playhouse features its First Friday Funnies as renowned comedians grace the stage for a knee-slapping BYOB event. The Joyful Gourmet provides countless deals, a wine bar, Cinco de Mayo complimentary appetizers, and a live performance by Jazz Soup. Lake County Libation Trail partner Mickey Finn’s Brewery delivers tasty suds, its “Cinco de Jason” fest (birthday party of the bar’s master brewer Jason Martens), and two live bands: The Guilties and Isn’t it Strange. The brewery also releases its Cerveza beer. Sweet Home Gelato offers 10% off of your order. Visit MainStreetLibertyville.org for more information.
Friday, May 5; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Various locations in downtown Libertyville on Milwaukee Avenue.
Mothers are the backbone of our lives. Mothers provide unconditional love among the millions or billions of other things they do as our biggest superheroes and supporters. So, treat your biggest fan to the fifth annual Gurnee Mills Mother’s Day Craft Show. The pop-up exposé features over 30 crafters, artisans, and handmade items. These vendors will be set up all weekend between Bass Pro Shops and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Friday-Sunday, May 5-7; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Gurnee Mills, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
Over the summer of 2020, Harbor Brewing Co., in partnership with North Point Marina, opened the Land of Lakes’ first lakeside beer garden. The Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Biergarten and Taproom have reopened for the season, highlighted by scenic views of Lake Michigan, outdoor live tunes, and their renowned adult beverages. The Lake County Libation Trail partner also serves to carry out four packs and sixers to brew lovers. The Lake Michigan bordering brewhouse offers 12 adventurous potables on tap for individuals ages 21 and older. The Winthrop Harbor brewpub hosts its ongoing festival, “Food for the People,” on Friday night. Visit its Facebook page for more information. The Biergarten remains open on select days through mid-October.
Friday-Sunday, May 5-7. Fri.: noon-11 p.m., Sat.: noon-midnight, and Sun.: noon-7 p.m. Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Biergarten and Taproom, 701 Nort Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor.
The Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum celebrates the arts and culture of the century-and-a-quarter-old-plus area with its annual May Fest celebration. The spring festival features new artwork, live tunes, refreshments, and more. Live performances by Ashley & Simpson, C.T. Thieme, Lisa Medina, Blind Hills, Jim Fine, and more provide a splendid aura. The Grayslake Farmers Market will be running alongside the event, and there is an abundance of eats to dine on in the downtown area, like The Vine Martini and Wine Bar, Light the Lamp Brewery, Somethings Brewing, and more.
Saturday, May 6; noon-4 p.m. Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake.
For the Ultimate Guide to Mother's Day in Lake County 2023, click here.
To see more things to do this weekend May 5-7, 2023, click here.
