Things To Do This Weekend May 9-11, 2025

By: Sam Ornig 05/08/2025

It's Mother's Day weekend and there are plenty of activities to do in Lake County to treat mom to a fantastic time. With promises of laughter and nostalgia, enjoy a live performance of "A Jukebox for the Algonquin" at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest. Celebrate Illinois Craft Beer Week and taste exclusive brews at our Libation Trail partners. Be blown away at a Circus Vazquez show, with acrobats and daredevils performing incredible thrills. Explore the wares from local artists and makers at the Mother Earth Market at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods. 

Here we look at the top five things to do this weekend, May 9-11, 2025. See our Mother's Day Guide for more ways to treat mom in Lake County. 

1. Illinois Craft Beer Week

Calling all craft beer enthusiasts! Get ready to celebrate Lake County's delicious craft suds and join in on festive activities planned for the annual Illinois Craft Beer Week May 9-16. Join the Illinois Craft Brewers guild to support local breweries and #IllinoisBeer and celebrate the lasting impact these businesses have had on local economies. The week kicks off on Friday, May 9, at the Beer Under Glass event in Chicago, where over 80 Illinois brewers will offer over 200 craft beer samples to try. Lake County Libation Trail partners participating in the suds festivities include 9th Hour Brewing Co. and Harbor Brewing Co. of Lake Villa, Buffalo Creek Brewing of Long Grove, Mickey Finn’s Brewery of Libertyville, Nightshade and Darks Pandemonium Brewing of Waukegan, Roaring Table Brewing of Lake Zurich, Steep Ravine Brewing Co. of Highland Park, Tangled Roots Brewing Co. of Vernon Hills, Tighthead Brewing Co. of Mundelein. Make sure you get your Summer Passport so you can start collecting your Visa Stickers at participating breweries for a chance to win gift cards to your favorite Illinois craft brewery. And don't forget to get your 2025 Illinois Craft Beer Week pint glass! Check out our Libation Trail partners to see what exclusive brews and special events are planned for this highly anticipated week. Illinois Craft Beer Week runs through May 16. For more information, visit IllinoisBeer.org. 

Friday-Sunday, May 9-11. Various establishments in Lake County. 

2. "A Jukebox at the algonquin" at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest

Citadel Theatre proudly presents the comedy production, "A Jukebox for the Algonquin." Written by Chicago-based playwright Paul Stroili, the Lake Forest theatre tells the story of a group of residents at Placid Pine Senior Care Center as they plot to acquire a jukebox for the recreation area, despite their fixed incomes and limited funds. With "sex, drugs and rocking chairs," this play offers side-splitting mischief and heartwarming nostalgia. Get tickets and learn more about this and other performances at CitadelTheatre.org.

Friday-Sunday, May 9-11; Fri-Sat: 7 p.m., Sun: 3 p.m. Tickets cost $45 per person (plus tax). Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest.

3. #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest

Photo credit: David Yamada, Waukegan Harbor and Marina

While you're off having fun in Lake County this weekend, capture your adventures for the #LetsSnapLakeCounty photo contest! Showcase your best videos and images of Lake County for a chance to win exclusive prizes and have your work featured in future Visit Lake County tourism marketing materials. Send us up to five of the best snaps you've taken in Lake County. We accept all submissions, but are especially interested in the following six categories: Outdoor Photos, Family/People Imagery, Dining/Libations, Lake County Events, Video and Other Travel Culture (like architecture, downtown areas, drone, etc.).  With a Grand Prize Winner and a winner for each category, you have seven chances to win awesome prizes. The #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest runs through June 30. For more information, head to VisitLakeCounty.org/lets-snap-lake-county-photo-contest.

Friday-Sunday, May 9-11. Various locations around Lake County.

4. Circus Vazquez at Hawthorn in Vernon Hills

The circus is coming to Lake County! Spend the weekend under the big top at Circus Vazquez at Hawthorn in Vernon Hills. This high-energy, family friendly show features daring stunts performed by acrobats and aerialists who push the limits of physics to give the audience a thrilling performance. With adventurous daredevils performing alongside live music and a hilarious clown, Circus Vazquez is a world-class show you and your family will never forget. With multiple showtimes every day, there’s plenty of opportunity to experience the thrill and magic of Circuz Vazquez. Before or after the show, peruse over 70 various shops inside the mall. The Vernon Hills circus runs through Monday, May 12. Get tickets and learn more at CircusVazquez.com.

Friday-Sunday, May 9-11; Various performance times. Tickets $15-$65. Hawthorn, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. 

5. Mother Earth Market at the Brushwood Center

The Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is gearing up to host its annual Mother Earth Market, a celebration of local artists, makers, vendors and organizations inspired by “Gaea” and dedicated to creating a more sustainable future. The Riverwoods market is an event held every spring for Mother’s Day, offering an array of activities, presentations, performances, drop-in art activities, classes and more. This year's market promises to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family highlighted by a family bird walk, haiku reading and forest bathing. For further details, visit BrushwoodCenter.org.

Saturday-Sunday, May 10-11; Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.: noon-5 p.m. Free admission. Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. 

Read our Ultimate Guide to Mother's Day in Lake County 2025.

See more things to do in Lake County this weekend May 9-11, 2025.