With the departure of winter's frost and the arrival of nature's colorful resurgence, Lake County anticipates the season of rejuvenation. We invite you to explore the captivating events that characterize this vibrant period. From blossoming landscapes to cultural gatherings, Lake County offers a wealth of enchanting experiences.
Forget the groundhog's predictions; instead, revel in the burgeoning season with our detailed guide to the spring festivals unfolding across Lake County.
Note stay tuned for our Ravinia Festival 2026 schedule blog!
Spring is almost in full bloom in Spring Grove. The 2026 Tulip Festival at Adventure Farm is inching closer to opening, with 350,000 bulbs across 40 new varieties — plus 50,000 freshly planted daffodils — painting the shores of a private 36-acre lake. Peak bloom is expected sometime between mid-late April and mid-May, with live music, food trucks, fresh donuts and wine tasting rounding out the lakeside festival experience. Stay tuned for more details!
While the rest of Illinois waits for spring to arrive outside, Great Wolf Lodge has been running its own version since March. Spring SplashFest offers families a warm-weather escape without the weather gamble, the indoor water park holds serves as the centerpiece of a broader slate of themed activities included with a lodge stay. The lineup leans into the season: a SplashFest Family Dance Party, morning Yoga Tails sessions, spring-inspired arts and crafts and character meet-and-greets round out the daily offerings.
Lake County is joining Illinois' statewide celebration of a milestone two and a half centuries in the making. Illinois America 250 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and communities across Lake County are gearing up to be part of it. The commemoration is drawing travelers to explore the people, places and moments that shaped not just Illinois, but the nation — and Lake County has plenty of its own stories to tell. A free Illinois passport is available to download, offering a curated guide to the state's most compelling historic and cultural destinations. Check the page for a variety of events leading up to the celebration, culminating on July 4.
Deer Park Town Center is going green and doing it in style. BLOOM: Celebration of Sustainability, Spring and Community is a multi-week series of events that weaves together eco-conscious initiatives and classic spring fun, from clothing and shoe recycling drives to free bunny photos and an Earth Day tree sapling giveaway. The center is partnering with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County to collect gently used clothing, textiles and shoes through the end of April. All events are free and open to the public.
More than 270 artisans from 11 states will descend on the Lake County Fairgrounds this weekend for the Festival of Arts and Crafts, a three-day indoor showcase featuring exclusively handmade American goods. The show as a balanced mix of craft styles with something for shoppers of all tastes. All participating vendors are juried and required to sell only products they have made themselves.
Downtown Grayslake is trading egg hunts for bar hops this Easter season. The Bunny Bar Hop invites adults to bounce between eight local bars and restaurants — including 129 Center Cut, First Draft, The Vine, Blacklung Brewing Co. and Beer Bazzar — while collecting passport stamps and dropping off Easter basket donations like crayons, coloring books and bubbles along the way. Completed passports earn participants a shot at prizes, but the real reward goes further: all donated items will be assembled into Easter baskets for children at A Safe Place Women's Shelter.
Fresh from the field to your tote bag — Lake County's farmers markets are back. From Libertyville to Grayslake to Highland Park, weekly outdoor markets connect residents with local growers, bakers, artisans and makers throughout the summer and into the fall. Whether you're hunting for heirloom tomatoes, handmade soap or a fresh-baked loaf of sourdough, there's a market waiting for you. Find your favorites below:
Every spring, thousands of American White Pelicans make a pit stop in Fox Lake on their annual trek north. Fox Lake's Pelican Palooza returns April 1-17, a nearly three-week community celebration built around one of the region's wildlife spectacles. The American White Pelican migration through the Chain O' Lakes area has become a beloved local tradition, and the village marks the occasion each year with a slate of activities for all ages. This year's lineup includes a photo contest, a scavenger hunt, kids crafts at the Fox Lake Public Library and a photo exhibit showcasing standout entries from past migrations.
Experience the electrifying energy of Libertyville’s festival scene, where weekends brim with excitement and entertainment. Kick off the fun with First Fridays on MainStreet Libertyville, a highly anticipated event featuring delectable food, refreshing drinks, live music and special promotions from local shops. Over at Improv Playhouse, comedy takes center stage with First Friday Funnies, a laugh-out-loud, BYOB showcase of top-tier comedians. Indulge in exquisite cuisine and smooth jazz at The Joyful Gourmet or explore craft brews and vibrant DJ sets with Lake County Libation Trail partners. By day, savor crowd-favorite bites at O'Toole’s Libertyville, which transforms into a high-energy Weekend Vibes Dance Party after dark. Don’t miss out—visit MainStreetLibertyville.org for more details and be part of the celebration!
Siblings take center stage at Rosewood Beach in Highland Park, as the city marks National Sibling Day with a lakeside party built around friendly competition and campfires. Teams of two or more will go head-to-head in games and activities designed specifically for siblings, before gathering around the fire for campfire treats. Bring your best teammate and expect a night worth bragging about.
Wine, walkable storefronts and a good cause: Grayslake's beloved Shop'n'Swirl is back. The popular adults-only wine walk returns Saturday, April 11, giving participants a self-guided tour of local small businesses with a glass, or 15, in hand. Ticket holders receive 15 drink tickets, each redeemable for a 1-ounce wine pour at any participating Grayslake merchant, turning an afternoon of local shopping into something more festive. Proceeds benefit the Grayslake Heritage Center Foundation, the nonprofit that supports the village's history museum. The event is open to adults 21 and older.
From reptiles to rock climbing, the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce is pulling out all the stops for its annual community showcase. Everything EXPO offers a free, family-friendly morning packed with local flavor. More than 60 businesses and community organizations will set up shop under this year's theme, "Local Roots: Where History & Community Grow." The lineup leans toward the eclectic: Dave DeNiso's Traveling World of Reptiles, a Lake County Sheriff K-9 demonstration and a hands-on Home Depot workshop share the floor with rock climbing, free goodie bags and food trucks.
Whether you're chasing a mid-century modern side table, a box of vintage comics or the perfect piece of estate jewelry, chances are it's waiting for you at the Grayslake Antique Vintage Market. Dealers will fill the space with an eclectic mix of antiques, collectibles and curated vintage goods spanning decades and categories: shabby chic furniture and decorative arts to vintage clothing, old toys, coins, advertising memorabilia and TV and movie collectibles. It's the kind of event where seasoned collectors and casual browsers alike tend to lose track of time.
Your very own prom is coming to Gurnee this spring! 95 WIIL Rock Morning Show hosts Tom and Leah will preside over Super Senior Prom at The Ten Hotel & Convention Center, kicking off at 7 p.m. with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres before '80s cover band Breakfast Club takes the stage. The 21-and-older event wraps at midnight, but the night doesn't have to end there — an exclusive after-party runs until 2 a.m. at Twyla's Lounge.
Cold beer, wagging tails and a chance to bring home something handmade, or a new best friend, are all under one roof. The dog-friendly spring market blends a local artisan vendor showcase with craft brews, adoptable pets and a little friendly canine competition. Dog owners can enter their pups in the Mutt Strut, a contest for prizes, while shoppers browse vendor booths stocked with goods for both people and their four-legged companions. Furever Dog Sanctuary and For Good Rescue will also be on hand with adoptable dogs available for meet-and-greets.
Downtown Waukegan comes alive on the third Saturday of every month. ArtWauk transforms the streets, galleries and spaces of downtown Waukegan and the Belvidere Mall into a sprawling celebration of the arts. The monthly event draws together visual artists, live musicians and performers for an evening that shifts in character from month to month, making no two ArtWauks quite the same. So, grab dinner downtown and settle in for what they call "the tactical application of the arts," a night where the city itself becomes the venue.
The Gurnee Mills Dining Pavilion South will transform into a community gathering place as local families come together to celebrate the bonds between neighbors and those who protect them. The free event brings together the Gurnee Police Department and the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center's Blue Kids Program for an afternoon of arts and crafts, giveaways and sweet treats. Gurnee Blue Heroes: Stronger Together is designed with kids and families in mind, pairing fun with a deeper message about community safety and support.
Part science fair, part art show, part neighborhood garage tinkerer's dream, Lake County's Maker Faire is back for its sixth year. Billed as the biggest show-and-tell in Lake County, the annual gathering brings together engineers, artists, scientists, crafters and everyone in between to share the projects, experiments and hobbies. The event is open to the public at no charge, welcoming curious minds of all ages to wander, ask questions and maybe walk away inspired to build something themselves.
Experience raw, emerging talent taking the stage at the annual Fear No Art Festival at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County. The two-day celebration throws open the doors to a wide-ranging roster of emerging choreographers, dancers, musicians, singers, actors, photographers and more — a deliberately eclectic lineup that resists easy categorization. The festival serves a purpose beyond entertainment, playing an active role in nurturing the artistic development of both college students and community artists who might not yet have a stage of their own.
Historic downtown Long Grove has always been a destination, but every April, it becomes a destination with a cold beer in hand. The adults-only afternoon draws area craft breweries together for an afternoon of unlimited sampling, live music and the kind of unhurried, small-town atmosphere that's hard to manufacture.
Tickets include a taster glass, unlimited craft beer samples and a set from live performance from Sunflower Headlights. Food vendors will also be on-site, with participants to be announced.
Look up over Century Park, the skies are about to get a little more colorful. The Century Park Arboretum will host a Family Kite Fly supporting the Illinois Association of Park Districts' "Flying 4 Kids" program, which funds after-school programming through the sale of kite-themed state license plates. Bring your own kite or grab one on-site for $10 while supplies last, and Snowie the food truck will be on hand serving snow cones to keep the afternoon sweet.
Man's best friend is getting into the art world one lick at a time. Lambs Farm's Dogwood Garden & Pet Center will host a Puppy Painting Party where dogs create their own canvas masterpieces — with a little help from a stencil, some chosen colors and a smear of peanut butter. Each painting costs $5, with all proceeds benefiting rescue dogs through a partnership with Wright Way Rescue. Just bring your pup, pick a stencil and let the artist do their thing.
Lake Zurich is putting down roots this April at Paulus Park with its annual Arbor Day celebration. Attendees can experience a tree-planting ceremony, free saplings, a community park cleanup and a scavenger hunt open to all ages. SWALCO will offer a free compost giveaway while supplies last. Bring your own bucket and shovel and Do Art Productions will lead a community painting project throughout the morning. Over coffee and cocoa at the Paulus Park Barn, village representatives will be on hand to discuss Lake Zurich's natural areas and green initiatives. The event reflects the village's long-standing commitment as a Tree City USA, a designation shared by more than 3,400 communities nationwide that meet rigorous urban forestry standards.
There is no summer soundtrack quite like Ravinia. The historic outdoor music venue in Highland Park returns for another season of world-class performances spanning classical, jazz, pop and everything in between, set against the backdrop of one of the North Shore's most beloved green spaces. Pack a blanket, a picnic basket and good company, and let the music do the rest.
Six decades of dedication to arts and education will take center stage, as Focus on the Arts raises a glass to its next chapter. The nonprofit, known for its biennial arts festival at Highland Park High School, will host "Come Back Into Focus" honoring the volunteer chairwomen who have kept the organization thriving for 60 years. Guests can expect wine, cocktails, light bites and a silent auction featuring works from local artists, alongside live music and performances. Proceeds will support the organization's 30th biennial festival.
One of Lake County's most scenic spots is cracking open a cold one again. The Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve reopens for the season Friday, May 1, from 1 to 9 p.m., with a mariachi performance from 6 to 7:30 p.m. kicking off an early Cinco de Mayo celebration. Guests can settle into casual lakeside seating with a rotating selection of Lake County craft brews on tap.
Homebrewers, fire up your kettles. Perfect Brewing Supply will host homebrewing enthusiasts in celebrating National Homebrew Day. Enjoy Big Brew 2026, an all-day gathering built around camaraderie, craft and three official gold medal recipes from the National Homebrew Competition — a Pre-Prohibition Porter, a Trappist-Style Single and an Imperial Stout. The event welcomes brewers of all experience levels to swap techniques and raise a glass to the hobby that started it all.
Gurnee is lighting up the night at Viking Park as they host Bonfire and Brews: Food Truck Frenzy. This adults-only evening of local food trucks, craft brews, live music and backyard-style games set against the glow of an open bonfire. The event, co-hosted by the Village of Gurnee and the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce, is free — just bring an appetite and something to wash it down with.
The biggest free block party in the area is back for its 14th year. The GLMV Extreme Block Party Family Expo and Taste of the Towns will pack the day with local vendors, live entertainment, family activities, raffles, giveaways and free food and beverage samples. The entertainment lineup runs throughout the day, with an Improv Playhouse performance, the Famous World of Reptile Show and a School of Rock performance.
Downtown Highland Park's spirited celebration of female entrepreneurship is back for a second run. The Whistle Stop Trolley Tour will wind through more than 35 participating locations across the district, shining a spotlight on the women-owned businesses. With more than 140 women-owned businesses calling Downtown Highland Park home, the evening is as much an economic statement as it is a party — one designed to inspire the next generation of changemakers while celebrating the female leaders already driving the community forward.
Ten years of roots, growth and community are worth celebrating. The Fox Lake Community Garden will mark its 10th anniversary with a Garden Party, doubling as the official grand opening celebration for the season. The free event invites the community to gather, connect and revel in a decade of homegrown creativity at one of Fox Lake's most beloved green spaces. Bring your love of the outdoors and your green thumb.
Lake County's summer car show circuit draws classic car enthusiasts, curious families and casual admirers alike to parking lots, downtowns and fairgrounds across the region, where chrome-polished classics, custom builds and vintage rarities line up for a season of friendly competition and nosized nostalgia.
The 26th Annual Chocolate Fest returns to Historic Downtown Long Grove transforming the village's cobblestone streets into a three-day celebration of chocolate treats, live music and old-world charm. Kids can comb the village on a Chocolate Scavenger Hunt while parents duck in and out of boutiques hunting treasures of their own — all while local vendors serve up chocolate-infused creations.
As the sun dips below the horizon over Paulus Park, something quietly magical happens. Lake Zurich will host the Water Lantern Festival inviting residents of all ages to gather at the water's edge for an evening of reflection, live music, food trucks and a community scavenger hunt before the night's main event — the release of hundreds of glowing, personalized lanterns onto the water. It's equal parts celebration and meditation, a rare moment where an entire community pauses together to mark what matters.
For 27 years running, Gurnee Mills has turned its parking lot into a celebration of the men and women who show up when it matters most. Gurnee Mills will host the 27th Annual First Responders Expo, bringing together more than 45 police and fire departments for a free, family-friendly afternoon of safety education and community connection. Kids can get up close with the vehicles, gear and faces behind the badge and the helmet.
Chrome, horsepower and community come together at Gurnee Mills this May. Experience Rods for Remembrance, a classic car show in honor of first responders, their families and veterans, with all donations and proceeds benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. It's a morning worth rolling down the windows for.
A century of fairways, putts and community is worth celebrating in style. Bonnie Brook Golf Course will mark its 100th anniversary with a free, public celebration. The clubhouse will featuring live music on the patio, putting green and driving range games for all ages, light refreshments and centennial merchandise available in the pro shop.
The Lake County Fairgrounds is trading carnival rides for culinary adventures. Now in its fourth year, the Lake County Food Truck Festival returns with a wide-ranging lineup of local food trucks serving everything from savory meals to sweet treats, alongside live music, a beer garden and family-friendly entertainment. Come hungry, bring friends and plan to stay a while.
Whether you're chasing a first edition or just love the smell of old comics, this one's for you. The Gurnee Comic Book and Collectibles Show rolls into The Ten Hotel & Convention Center with more than 50 vendor tables packed with comics, collectibles and curiosities.
There's been a murder on the high seas and everyone's a suspect. Guests can step aboard King Kyle's pirate ship for an interactive murder mystery set in 1650, where a body discovered mid-celebration turns a victorious crew against itself. Guests arrive at 6:30 p.m. for pizza, beer, wine and soda before the mystery kicks off at 7 p.m. and every conversation is a clue, every crewmate a potential culprit. Prizes will be awarded to those sharp enough to crack the case.
Lake County's Pride festivals light up the summer calendar with color, community and celebration. Each event offering live entertainment, local vendors, food and a welcoming space for all.
Fox Lake is throwing open the gates to summer and rolling out the welcome mat on two wheels. The Village of Fox Lake Parks & Recreation Team and the Fox Lake Police Department will co-host a Lakefront Beach Party & Bike Rodeo at Lakefront Park, celebrating both the beach's seasonal opening and National Bike Safety Month with DJ entertainment, a caricature artist, beach games, a bicycle obstacle course and free bike helmet giveaways. Local food trucks will be on hand to fuel the festivities, and attendees can enter a raffle for a $300 Meijer gift card.
Beginning in June and running select Fridays through August, the Village of Fox Lake is bringing back Friday Night Live at the newly renovated Lakefront Park — a weekly ritual of artisan markets, free live music and a rotating cast of local food trucks and vendors to keep things fresh all season long. The series will also feature themed market days and partnerships with local nonprofits.
Thursday nights just got a whole lot tastier in Highland Park. Running every Thursday from June 4 through Sept. 3, Food Truck Thursdays takes over Jens Jensen Park, 467 Roger Williams Ave., in the Ravinia District from 4:30 p.m. to dusk, pairing a rotating lineup of food trucks and local Highland Park vendors with live music every single week.Show up, grab a bite and let the music carry you into the night.
The Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center will host Family Fun Fridays every Friday this summer beginning June 5, with free interactive, educational and entertaining programs kicking off at 1 p.m. The lineup runs the imaginative gamut — from Dinosaurs Wild and JG's Reptile Show to Glowby the Bubbler and A Zoo to You — before wrapping up the season with a Day of the Dead Celebration on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. It's a great reason to make Fridays a family tradition all summer long.
Twenty years in, the Bitter Jester Music Festival shows no signs of slowing down. The nation's oldest and largest professional multi-state music competition for emerging artists returns for its milestone 20th anniversary, kicking off with Opening Night preliminaries on June 5 and Night Two on June 6. Free and open to the public, the nonprofit festival draws entries from artists across nearly half the country.
Early risers and young anglers, mark your calendars! The Waukegan Park District will host its 2026 Fishing Derby with prizes awarded for the largest catch in five age categories spanning from 4 years old through adult. Fees range from $3 to $7 depending on age and residency, and participants are limited to one pole per person. Tight lines and good luck.
A golden afternoon of craft brews, live music and good company is headed to Mundelein. The Craft Beer Festival brings together dozens of Chicagoland breweries for an afternoon of tastings, local vendors and outdoor entertainment in a laid-back setting that's as much about the community as the beer. Proceeds support local programs and downtown vitality — which means every pint pulled is doing a little good.
Antioch's biggest party of the year is back! The Taste of Summer Festival, the village's largest annual event, returns to Downtown Antioch for four days of live music, food vendors, carnival rides, unique exhibitors and shopping. It's the kind of festival that turns a long summer weekend into a reason to stick around.
Summer is officially open for business in Highwood. The Metra Station parking lot in Downtown Highwood will transform into a full-blown carnival, complete with rides, games and food to kick off the season in style.
Treasure hunters, this one's for you. More than 50 local dealers will fill the parking lot at Reclaimed Artisans Inc. for an outdoor market packed with reclaimed goods, vintage finds and one-of-a-kind pieces. Live music runs from noon to 3 p.m., and food and drinks will be available to keep the browsing going all day long.
The humble burger gets a serious upgrade this June in Long Grove. Buffalo Creek Brewing will host the Culinary Fight Club's Bougie Burger Battle, challenging 10 to 20 competitors to craft a burger worthy of a $50 price tag using limited ingredients and limited time. Judges will crown the 2026 Bougie Burger Champion, while attendees cast their own votes for the Taster's Choice award. Come hungry and come ready to have an opinion.
Downtown Highland Park's premier food and music festival is back and better than ever. The Taste of Highland Park returns to Port Clinton Square With more than a dozen local vendors showcasing the North Shore's diverse culinary scene. This year's event comes with a few welcome upgrades — air-conditioned dining areas and a new photography exhibit featuring winners from the "Capture the Heart of Highland Park." Saturday's lineup opens with children's programming before transitioning into a special 20th-anniversary showcase from the Bitter Jester Music Festival.
Zion is turning back the clock this June at Nostalgia Days, as each day fills the streets with classic, custom and vintage vehicles as part of a sprawling car show that doubles as a love letter to the city's past. Live entertainment, food vendors, unique shopping, family activities and community awards round out a weekend that's equal parts reunion and celebration.
Twelve years of great beer and even greater community impact — Grayslake's Craft Beer Festival is back. Sips for Scholarships returns to Historic Downtown Grayslake pouring a wide selection of craft beers, ales, lagers and stouts while raising funds that go directly toward scholarships for local students. Every pint poured is putting a Grayslake student closer to their future.
Waukegan will ring in Juneteenth with one of Lake County's most vibrant community celebrations. the African American Museum at the England Manor presents Black Outside, the Juneteenth Lake County Parade and Festival, beginning with a parade from Waukegan High School's Washington Campus before the festivities spill onto Genesee Street with live music, DJs, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone and raffles. Enjoy a full day of culture, community and celebration.
One of Lake County's most anticipated summer festivals is back with a patriotic twist. Libertyville Days, themed "Stars, Stripes, and Libertyville Nights," returns to Downtown Libertyville, packing four days with carnival rides, live music, an arts and crafts fair, kids' activities, Church Street Eats food vendors and a beer garden. The weekend's marquee moment comes Saturday morning, when the parade begins at 10 a.m. It's four days of small-town summer at its finest.
Waukegan's lakefront becomes a window to the world with The Little Fort Film Festival. Spanning across three venues in Waukegan, including the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie, for a two-day international showcase of films centered on climate change, environmental justice, plastic pollution, invasive species, drinking water access and agricultural pollution. The festival is open and inclusive to all who care about the planet's most pressing challenges.
For more festivals in the land of lakes, click here. To get into the spring spirit, continue here
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