Mother's Day 2026 in Lake County

By: Stephanie Wylie 04/24/2026

Mothers deserve more than a card and a hastily wrapped gift — they deserve a day that matches their boundless energy, unwavering support and ability to make everything feel just a little bit brighter. This Mother's Day, Lake County is rolling out the red carpet for the leading ladies in our lives with everything from sunrise yoga on the beach to dinosaur encounters, vintage treasure hunts and bottomless mimosas. Whether your mom craves adventure, relaxation, culture or just a few hours where someone else does the dishes, the region's packed calendar of celebrations ensures she won't have to settle for ordinary.

Gift Ideas for Mom

If you are struggling to find the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, Lake County offers a diverse selection of local boutiques and retailers to simplify your holiday shopping. Our curated shopping guide highlights the best spots across the region to discover unique presents for every type of mom. 

For those seeking a more hands-on experience, the Mother's Day Craft & Vendor Market at Gurnee Mills (Friday-Sunday, May 1-3). Shoppers can also find a wide array of premium brands and gift options at Hawthorn in Vernon Hills and Deer Park Town Center.

For the moms with green thumbs, pick up student-grown annuals and enjoying sheep shearing at the Liberty Prairie Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival (Saturday, May 9). The following weekend, those with a passion for plants can head to Independence Grove to find native perennials and expert advice to help Mom’s garden flourish all season long.

We're Just Brunchin'

Families looking to toast the leading ladies in their lives can find no shortage of spreads and bottomless mimosas across Lake County this Mother’s Day, May 10. Pull out all the stops to ensure Mom doesn't have to lift a finger on her special Sunday:

• Mother's Day Brunch at Wild Onion Brewery in Barrington
• Mother's Day Brunch at Brunch Cafe in Deerfield
• Mother's Day Brunch at Hyatt Deerfield 
• Mother's Day Brunch at Chicago Botanic Garden 
• Mother's Day Brunch Buffett at Primo in Gurnee
• Mother's Day Brunch at The Ten Hotel Gurnee 
• Mother's Day Brunch at Lago in Lake Zurich
• Mother's Day Brunch at Egg Harbor Cafe in Libertyville
• Mother's Day Brunch at Lambs Farm in Libertyville
• Mother's Day Brunch Buffet at O'Toole's in Libertyville 
• Mother's Day Brunch Buffet at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe in Libertyville 
• Mother's Day Brunch at Three Embers Restaurant in Lincolnshire
• Mother's Day Brunch at Sorelle in Long Grove
• Mother's Day Brunch and Dinner Buffet at Lindy's Landing in Wauconda
• Mother's Day Brunch at Bonnie Brook Golf Course in Waukegan
• Mother's Day Brunch at Nolan's Restaurant in Zion

Other Mother's Day Events in Lake County

If a Mother's Day Brunch doesn't seem suit your mom's fancy, the land of lakes is packed with other great events to celebrate mom this Mother's Day. With fun activities like mini-golf, cooking classes, live performances and festive meals, there's no shortage of ways to have fun with the mothers in your life in Lake County.

• Mothers and daughters can enjoy treats and crafts at a tea party at the Jane Addams Center in Waukegan (May 2).
• Kick off Mother's Day month early at Romney Brown Candle Company in downtown Grayslake, where moms, daughters and friends can pour custom candles, decorate themed cookies and sip from a build-your-own mimosa bar in a cozy, creative setting. (May 3)
• A dark comedic gem for the mom who loves musical theater, "Ruthless!" follows an 8-year-old's hilariously sinister quest for stardom alongside her scene-stealing stage mother at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest. (May 7-10)
• Treat mom to a morning of wings and wonder at the Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods, where families can explore World Migratory Bird Day together through guided walks and hands-on learning stations — no registration or binoculars required. (May 9)
• Moms with a love of nature and a soft spot for pollinators will delight in a guided tour of the For the Love of Pollinators exhibit at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, where a history educator leads guests through the buzzing, blooming world that keeps our gardens alive. (May 9)
• Give mom the gift of bloom at the Fox Lake Community Garden Party, a free, festive celebration marking the community garden's 10th anniversary and grand opening at 17 E. School Court in Fox Lake. (May 9)
• Moms and kids alike can explore spring's smallest wonders at the Blossoms and Bugs Family Fest at Heller Nature Center in Highland Park, where live animals, pollinator encounters and nature crafts make for the perfect pre-Mother's Day outing. (May 9)
• Serve up something unexpected for mom this Mother's Day weekend with a pickleball and padel social at Club Pickle & Padel in Highland Park, where all skill levels are welcome for rotating games, open play and festive Mother's Day surprises. (May 9)
• Skip the crowded brunch and treat mom to a night of pampering, creativity and craft beer at Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, where vendors offer custom keepsakes, personalized skincare kits and sweet treats in a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere the evening before Mother's Day. (May 9)
• Disney-loving moms will want to save a seat for the Waukegan Concert Chorus' Happily Ever After: A Disney Celebration, a one-hour concert of beloved film favorites at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Waukegan. (May 9)
• From vintage jewelry to mid-century furniture, the Grayslake Antique Vintage Market at the Lake County Fairgrounds offers the perfect hunting ground for one-of-a-kind Mother's Day gifts — or a nostalgic outing mom will love. (May 9-10)
• Country music royalty LeAnn Rimes brings more than 48 million records' worth of heart and soul to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, making for an unforgettable Mother's Day weekend night out for the mom who still knows every word to "Blue." (May 8)
• Lace up and celebrate mom the active way at Barrington's Mother's Day 5K Run/Walk, a family-friendly race through the streets of downtown Barrington that turns a Sunday morning into a moving tribute to the moms who keep everyone going. (May 10)
• Honor the mom who centers you with a lakeside yoga class and mimosas at Rosewood Beach in Highland Park, a 90-minute celebration of everything mothers are and all they do — just don't forget your mat. (May 10)
• Volo Museum and Jurassic Gardens pulls out all the stops for Mother's Day, treating moms to a free gold pass, a double-decker bus ride and mom-osas for a celebration as one-of-a-kind as she is. (May 10)
• Toast to mom with "Pink Champagne" at Lynfred Winery. 
• For the thrill-seeking mom in your life, spend the day at Six Flags Great America riding the most adventurous coasters the park has to offer during their 50th season! 
• Trade the reservation scramble for a splashing good time at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, where mom can drift along the lazy river, conquer the indoor waterpark and soak in a full resort experience made for the whole family. 
• Forget the flower bouquet and bring mom somewhere she can walk through it instead — Richardson Adventure Farm's Tulip Festival surrounds visitors with more than one million tulips, daffodils and spring blooms in full color. 
• Make Mother's Day dinner the main event this year with special menus crafted just for the occasion at Oaken Bistro and Bar in Lake Forest, Moretti's in Fox Lake, Wadsworth Inn in Wadsworth and Francesca's Intimo in Lake Forest. (May 10) 

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  The possibilities of celebrating mom this year are endless in Lake County! Plan the perfect day for her – find more upcoming events in Lake County.