Things To Do This Weekend September 18-20, 2026

By: Stephanie Stang 09/16/2026

The scent of woodsmoke and fall leaves is drifting across Lake County this weekend as autumn arrives in full force.

From morning farmers markets and classic car show to the low-and-slow aroma of pitmasters, the local lineup offers a rich palette of seasonal traditions. Art aficionados can drift through the juried booths, while craft beer purists test their grip. For those who prefer their fall sweater season with a spike of adrenaline, the haunted mazes and night-flight roller coasters of Six Flags Great America are ready to scream back to life. Lake County’s weekend calendar has a destination tailored for every speed.

Here are the top five things to do this weekend September 18-20, 2026.

1. Deerfield Harvest Fest

Deerfield's downtown will be buzzing from sunrise to fireworks this Saturday as the city rolls out its annual Harvest Fest, one of the most beloved autumn traditions around. Expect a little bit of everything: fresh produce, classic cars, live bands and a pyrotechnics show to close it all out. The day starts early and easy, with the farmers market setting up shop, then kids can enjoy a Touch-a-Truck exhibition. As the market wraps up, the “Cruise into Harvest Fest Car Show” rolls in for the afternoon. The celebration shifts gears, moving over to Shepard Park where food trucks fire up, a bag tournament takes place and rock band Roger That takes the stage. Not long after, the sky lights up with fireworks, and once the smoke clears, '90s Pop Nation takes over to send the night off with a burst of nostalgia. Information about the event and registration for the bags tournament can be found at Deerfield.IL.US.

Saturday, Sept. 19; 5 to 10:45 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Deerfield, Robert York and Park Avenues, Deerfield.

2. Small Town Smokeout in Antioch 

The BBQ, the boots, the mechanical bull and four hours of country music is a perfect way to spend a Saturday in Antioch. The music is divided into four groups during the evening. Jimmy Nick, followed by Lil' Timber, The Good Stuff - a Kenny Chesney tribute act, takes the stage and Icons of Country, the Zac Brown and Miranda Lambert tribute, brings the night to a close. Details are at Antioch.IL.Gov.

Saturday, Sept. 19; 3 p.m. Free admission. William E. Brook Entertainment Center (Antioch Bandshell), 900 Skidmore Drive, Antioch.

3. Fright Fest Opens at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee

Six Flags Great America is marking the 35th anniversary of Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® with five haunted mazes, seven scare zones, two new live shows and the return of a fan-favorite scare zone. The main attraction is Blair Witch: No Signal, a new maze set in "The Blair Witch Project" universe. Another new maze, Nightmares, leads visitors through unsettling dreamscapes filled with twisted clowns, crawling spiders and deranged doctors. Topping the scare zone lineup is Necropolis, back for the park's 50th anniversary season after a 12-year absence. Two new live shows round out the entertainment: "Masquer-RAVE" continues Witchie's story from "Love at First Fright," and "The Velvet Quarter" offers a quieter, acoustic set that reworks pop, rock and hip-hop into jazz, blues and swing. Returning shows include "The Uprising: Nightly Call of the Dead," "The Ringmaster's Cabaret" and "Love at First Fright." Rides like Wrath of Rakshasa, Goliath and Raging Bull stay open throughout Fright Fest, adding an extra edge to the coaster lineup. Tickets are available at SixFlags.com/GreatAmerica. The festivities run on select days through Nov. 1.

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 19-20; Sat.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sun.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $45. Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee.  

4. 15th Annual Mundelein Fine Arts Festival

The Mundelein Fine Arts Festival, which is entering its 15th year, is a juried festival featuring 50 fine artists working in a range of media, along with live music, food vendors and artwork produced by students from Carmel Catholic and Mundelein High Schools. The two-day fest features eats from Mr. Cilantro’s Birria and Shely’s Delights, while tunes will be provided by Frank Bagot, Lili Sanner, Maggie & Mark and Drew Wiegman. Cash prizes for “Best of Show” and “Best in Category” will be given out by a panel of judges in six groupings. Carmel Catholic and Mundelein High School will award scholarships to select art students.For more information visit, MundeleinCommunityConnection.org.

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 19-20; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Courtland Commons, E. Courtland St. and Seymour Ave., Mundelein.

5. Oktoberfest at Phase Three Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich

At most Oktoberfest events beer and bratwurst are available, and Phase Three Brewing is also giving people a route to winning the state championship. The Lake County Libation Trail partner holds its Oktoberfest celebration corresponding to the festival's traditional dates in Germany. The Lake Zurich event will include Oktoberfest-themed food specials, live music, a Best Dressed competition and a limited-run range of merchandise. This year, Phase Three will serve as an official qualifying site for the 2026 Illinois Steinholding State Tournament; the traditional Bavarian endurance event, in which competitors hold a full one-liter beer stein at arm's length for as long as possible. Winners will advance to the state finals Oct. 3. Details are at PhaseThreeBrewing.com.

Saturday, Sept. 19; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free admission. Phase Three Brewing Co., 932 Donata Court, Lake Zurich.

For more things to do this weekend, September 18-20, 2026 click here.