Things To Do This Weekend September 1-4, 2023
By: Jeff Randolph 08/29/2023
We are kicking off September with an extended weekend. The unofficial ending of summer only means we are making room for all the fall events happening in the northern burbs. It's not too early to drink a pumpkin spice latte or to look at Halloween decorations. We promise not to judge you. Let's look at this list of things to do this weekend, September 1-4, 2023.
The entire month of September has numerous activities you want to partake in. Continue here to learn more about the top 10 things to do in September in Lake County.
We've created a guide to Six Flags Great America. To check it out, click here.
Let's look at Lake County's top things to do this weekend, September 1-4.
Ravinia Festival is winding down for the season but with a bang. Country superstar Carrie Underwood visits the Highland Park staple for two performances. Underwood emerged from the promise of her 2005 American Idol win to become a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, and film. An eight-time Grammy Award winner, she has sold over 66 million records worldwide and recorded 20 No. 1 singles, 13 of which she co-wrote. The Oklahoma native is known for hits such as "Before He Cheats," "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Blown Away and more. Ravinia Festival runs on select days through September 10. For tickets, visit Ravinia.org.
Friday-Saturday, September 1-2; 8 p.m. both nights. Tickets: $82-$215. Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park.
Take a dip in the drink, recline, relax, and experience all the thrills one last time at Hurricane Harbor Chicago. The Gurnee water park closes its doors to the general public this weekend. The H2O haven is equipped with numerous waterslides: the main swimming area called Monsoon Lagoon, a kid zone play area that utterly soaks attendees, an interactive surf area, the world's tallest water coaster, Tsunami Surge, and so much more. So have a splashing good time this Labor Day weekend. If you want to splash and ride, take a trip next door to Six Flags Great America and experience the 17-coaster thrill zone. Hurricane Harbor Chicago is open through Labor Day. For tickets, visit SixFlags.com/HurricaneHarborChicago.
Saturday-Monday, May 27-29; 11 a.m. 6 p.m. Tickets: starting at $39.99. Hurricane Harbor Chicago, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
Cheers to the extended weekend. Visit Grayslake for The Vine's 14th annual Bourbon and Beer Festival. The adult beverage box social is highlighted by over 80 different whiskeys, 40 craft brews, choice stogeys, delectable eats, and live bands to officially kick off the autumn festival season. The live music lineup includes performances from local bands like Timeless Ideals, The Complex, and Lake Effect WI. The downtown Grayslake fest also features members of the Lake County Libation Trail, like Tighthead Brewing Co. of Mundelein, Black Lung Brewing Co. of Round Lake Beach, Harbor Brewing Co. and 9th Hour Brewing Co. of Lake Villa, and more. VIP is sold out, but regular admission is still available. To purchase tickets, visit BnBFest.com.
Saturday, September 2; 6-10 p.m. Tickets: $25-$50. The Vine Wine and Martini Bar, 101 Center St., Grayslake.
Ready to celebrate Long Grove's Irish Days, American-style? Join Long Grove as they celebrate heritage by featuring authentic Irish cuisine, traditional Irish brews, live entertainment that features musicians and dancers, the men's kilt contest, bagpipers, a best-dressed dog competition, kiddie festivities, and more. Of course, everyone's a little bit Irish in September, too. Performing live at the Gaelic holiday include U2 Tribute Band "Without U2," The Joyce Boys, The Chancers, Shannon Rovers Pipe Band, the McNulty Dancers, and more. The Historic Downtown Long Grove event is free of admission.
Saturday-Monday, September 2-4. Long Grove Fountain Square, 228 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove.
Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling, and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies and blooms at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Butterflies & Blooms exhibition highlights species native to Africa, Asia, North America, and South America. The butterflies are housed in a 2,800-square-foot mesh enclosure on the Regenstein Learning Campus. Visitors can see the cocooned caterpillars transform into butterflies through a window in the pupa emergence room. The exhibition is open daily through September 4 (weather permitting).
Saturday-Monday, September 1-4; 10-4:30 p.m. Admission: $6-$8. Free admission for children ages two and under. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
Turn back time and travel north of Lake County to the 16th century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. The festival's final weekend is highlighted by delectable food, a marketplace with unique handcrafted wares, an interactive theatrical gaming experience, and a slew of other 1500s festivities. There is plenty of excitement for youngsters as the Bristol Renaissance Faire has been voted one of the top 10 family-friendly festivals for nearly a decade. However, adult shenanigans can commence if you're visiting without kiddies, as adults 21 and older can take a tour of the Kenosha, WI facility that hosts their legendary pub crawl. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Renaissance-era attire while enjoying the sights and sounds of Medieval Europe. The Olde English fest runs through Labor Day weekend.
Friday-Sunday, September 1-4; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tickets: $15-$40. Children age four and younger are free. Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha.
For more things to do this weekend, September 1-4, 2023, click here.
