Top 10 Things To Do In July 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 06/28/2022
Happy July, Lake County! Summer is in full swing and the experiences that you can partake in are just as hot as the weather.With the July weather, it's prime time to hit Hurricane Harbor Chicago, catch a concert at Ravinia Festival, or take a (metaphorical) hike on the Lake County Libation Trail for chilled-out refreshments.
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Make sure to take water with you when you go hiking in the Lake County Forest Preserves District. Farmers Markets are in full swing right now too, so go shop local and cook up something delicious at home. Make sure to check out our comprehensive list of events here in the area to be up-to-date on the latest happenings in the area.
Make the most of the month with these top ten things to do in July 2022.
1. Live Life Like it's a Beach (All Summer)
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We put together a simple guide together to make finding sun, water and sand simple. Bring the kids and family for a day of fun. Grab a book and a beach chair for a quiet read. Do some yoga at one of the many Lake Michigan harbors up and down the shoreline in Lake County. This list makes it easy to find a prime spot that will fit your unique needs.
- North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor INFO»
- Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park in Zion INFO»
- Waukegan Municipal Beach and North Beach INFO»
- Diamond Lake Beach and Recreational Center in Mundelein INFO»
- Turtle Beach Marina in Antioch on the Chain O'Lakes State Park INFO»
- Paulus Park and Sprayground in Lake Zurich INFO»
- Sunset Pavilion at Breezewald Park in Lake Zurich INFO»
- Spring Lake Beach in Lincolnshire INFO»
- Lake Minear Beach in Libertyville INFO»
- Fish Lake Beach Resort in Volo INFO»
- Rosewood Beach and Interpretive Center in Highland Park INFO»
- Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff INFO»
- Phil's Beach on Bangs Lake in Wauconda INFO»
- Fort Sheridan Shore Line in Fort Sheridan INFO»
- Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Highland Park INFO»
2. Fourth of July Weekend in Lake County (now through July 4)
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Warm weather, cold drinks, grilled food and a healthy smattering of family and friends. That’s the popular image that comes to mind when we think of the Fourth of July. The past few years may have been (relatively) quiet, but that won’t be the case for this summer. Cities, organizations and even neighborhoods are getting ready to celebrate America’s birthday with a bang.
Fourth of July Celebrations
- Barrington Fourth of July Weekend (July 1-4) INFO»
- Mundelein Community Days (July 1-4) INFO»
- Coca-Cola July Fourth Fest at Six Flags Great America (July 2-4) INFO»
- Celebrate Fox Lake (July 2) INFO»
- Beachfest and Fireworks at Round Lake Beach (July 3) INFO»
- American Independence Parade in Waukegan (July 3) INFO»
- Antioch Fourth of July Party in the Park (July 4) INFO»
- Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks (July 4) INFO»
- Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks (July 4) INFO»
- Bitter Jester Music Festival Grand Finale and Fireworks (July 4) INFO
Fourth of July Firework Displays
- Zion Fireworks (6/30) INFO»
- Barrington Fireworks (7/1) INFO»
- Fox Lake Fireworks (7/2) INFO»
- Round Lake Beach Fireworks (7/3) INFO»
- Wauconda Fireworks (7/3) INFO»
- Deerfield Fireworks (7/3) INFO»
- Antioch Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Bitter Jester Grand Finale Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Mundelein Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Lake Forest Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Lincolnshire Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Highland Park Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Waukegan Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Vernon Hills Fireworks (7/4) INFO»
- Six Flags Great America Fireworks (July 2-4) INFO»
3. Lake County Road Trips: Let The Ride Take You (All Summer Long)
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Let the Ride Take You to Lake County, Illinois, and discover the freedom of being able to set your own pace and seek out your own experiences. Lake County Road Trips showcases five different experiences via car, bike or hoofing to create an adventure on the land of lakes' arterial highways: Illinois Route 21, U.S. Route 45, Illinois Route 83, Illinois Route 41 and U.S. Route 12. So this summer, don't just take a road trip. You can also win four free tickets to Six Flags Great America and a chance at an overnight stay at the Great Wolf Lodge.
4. Lake County Festivals in July (Select Days from July 1-31)
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Summer always means the festival season in Lake County has arrived and that it will be bringing the heat, sweets and treats. No matter your preference, there’s always an experience that the family or wary friends will love partaking in. Someone may ask, “what makes summer festivals in Lake County special?” Easy! an amazing community that doesn’t take itself too seriously and knows how to responsibly cut loose.
- Flourish: The Garden at 50 at Chicago Botanic Garden (Through September 25) INFO»
- Mundelein Community Days (July 1-4) INFO»
- Coca-Cola July Fourth Fest at Six Flags Great America (July 2-4) INFO»
- 57th annual Deerfield Family Days (July 3-4) INFO»
- Celebrate Fox Lake (July 2) INFO»
- Beachfest and Fireworks at Round Lake Beach (July 3) INFO»
- American Independence Parade in Waukegan (July 3) INFO»
- Lindy's 3rd of July Dinner and Beach Club Party (July 3) INFO»
- Antioch Fourth of July Party in the Park (July 4) INFO»
- Vernon Hills Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks (July 4) INFO»
- Bitter Jester Music Festival Grand Finale and Fireworks (July 4) INFO»
- Scoop Waukegan 2022 (July 8-9) INFO»
- Dog Days of Summer in Libertyville (July 8-10) INFO»
- Harborpalooza 2022 (July 8-10) INFO»
- Vernon Hills Days (July 14-17) INFO»
- Antioch Taste of Summer (July 14-17) INFO»
- Blarney Gras at Blarney Island (July 14-17) INFO»
- HofBrau Stein Hoist Event at Timothy O'Tooles' Gurnee (July 14) INFO»
- ArtWauk in Waukegan (July 16) INFO»
- Carmel Street Scenes Celebrates Carmel's 60th (July 16-17) INFO»
- HofBrau Stein Hoist Event at Timothy O'Tooles' Lake Villa (July 21) INFO»
- Electric Island EDM at Blarney Island (July 22-23) INFO»
- Alpine Fest at Lake Zurich Lions Club (July 24) INFO»
- 93rd Annual Lake County Fair (July 27-31) INFO»
- 90's Party at Blarney Island (July 29-31) INFO»
5. Musical Performances at Ravinia Festival (Select Days Through September 18)
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Ravinia Festival is the oldest-running outdoor festival in the United States, having been established in 1904. Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 guests each year and plays host to over 120 performances & events. This year is no different with acts. July's jam-packed schedule is highlighted by marquee performances like Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, Dwight Yoakam and Old Crow Medicine Show, Leslie Odom Jr., The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Esperanza Spalding, The Black Crowes, John Fogerty, Michael Franti and Bonnie Raitt.
6. Bristol Renaissance Faire (Select Days from July 9-September 5)
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For nine glorious weekends starting in July, each Saturday and Sunday, plus Labor Day Monday, visitors take a rollicking romp through Elizabethan England, complete with 16th Century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a spectacular cast of characters. The Faire boasts open-air stages featuring swordfighters, minstrels and jesters. All entertainment is included in the price of admission. It may be just north of the Lake County border but it's worth a visit.
- Opening Weekend at Bristol Renaissance Faire (July 9) INFO»
- RennCon at Bristol Renaissance Faire (July 16-17) INFO»
- Marketplace Weekend at Bristol Renaissance Faire (July 23-24) INFO»
- Pirate Weekend at Bristol Renaissance Faire (August 6-7) INFO»
- Steampunk Weekend at Bristol Renaissance Faire (August 13-14) INFO»
7. Citadel Theatre's Winnie the Pooh at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve (July 21-24)
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The Citadel Theatre Co. presents the world premiere of the original work, "Winnie The Pooh." This unique retelling of the classic children’s stories will be performed at the Lake Forest Open Lands. Visit the Hundred Acre Woods with Pooh and friends all while hearing original music by local musician Mark Adamczyk. This experience will be hosted by Lake Forest Open Lands at the Mellody Farm Nature Preserve.
8. Mundelein Cycling Grand Prix (July 25)
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The nationally-renowned "Intelligentsia Cup" returns to downtown Mundelein for a full day of amateur and professional bicycle racing on July 25. The Grand Prix is presented by Lake County Libation Trail partner Tighthead Brewing Company. There will be activities for the whole family including children’s games, art activities, live musical performances, a beer tent for the adults and many more. No matter if you are an avid cyclist, seasoned amateur, weekend rider or do the casual wheeling, you will get a kick from this extravaganza. The best of all of the festivities is that they are free for all to partake in. Races and biking activities begin at 9 a.m. and races run until 8:15 p.m. There will be 10 races in different rider categories ranging from juniors to professionals in both men's and women's categories. The biking series continues in the Chicagoland area on a various dates including a second appearance in the land of lakes. The Lake Bluff installment of the Grand Prix returns to our fair county on July 30.
9. The 93rd Annual Lake County Fair
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Returning for 93 years, generations of families have gathered at the Lake County Fair to revel in their love for the place they call home. There are numerous activities to take part in, watch from the stands and just absorb the experience. Have a funnel cake while you watch a demolition derby, eat some cotton candy at the livestock judging competitions or sip on a soda while you watch to see who gets the crown for Miss, Junior Miss and Little Miss Lake County Queen. With a bevy of competitions, beer gardens, endless options of food and carnival rides, the Lake County Fair is the place to be every year to see family and friends and make new connections. Don’t miss this year’s festival when it takes place July 27-31 at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake.
10. Enjoy Illinois Chicago Bears Training Camp
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The "Monsters of the Midway's" training camp has returned for its second year at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. The training camp sponsored by the Illinois Office of Tourism will be open on select days to the public between July 28-August 20. The NFL organization will allow fans to enter the Lake Forest facility to view practice for 11 days between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are free, but must be secured online and will be made available on Thursday, July 7. Bears fans can select up to four training camp tickets for each event. Camp visitors will park at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills and will be shuttled to and from Halas Hall.
For more things to do in July, continue here. To see all the cool happenings at Volo Auto Museum, click here to read more. For a chance to win an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge or four free tickets to Six Flags Great America, click here.
