Top 10 Things To Do In September 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 08/26/2022
We're close to entering the fall season here in Lake County! We picked out our top 10 things to do in September 2022.
That means switching from the grill to the oven, breathing in crisp autumn air and celebrating the seasons with festivals galore.
Take in the bright colors of the leaves with a hike on the Lake County Forest Preserves trails. Stretch and limber up for running events throughout the area. Find a corn maze and test your geolocation skills. Eat some apples and a slice of pumpkin pie.
Here are the top 10 things to do in September 2022.
Lake County has ample opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature. Run, power walk or bike along the multiple trails of the Lake County Forest Preserves.
- Century Park in Vernon Hills INFO»
- Chain O' Lakes in Spring Grove INFO»
- Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe INFO»
- Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway in Wadsworth INFO»
- Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Areas in Riverwoods INFO»
- Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in Ft. Sheridan INFO»
- Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago INFO»
- Heller Nature Center in Highland Park INFO»
- Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville INFO»
- Illinois Beach State Park in Zion INFO»
- North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor INFO»
- Paulus Park in Lake Zurich INFO»
- Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside INFO»
Labor Day in Lake County usually means that summer will officially close. Make use of our beautiful beaches before they close. Launch and splash at Six Flags Great America or Hurricane Harbor Chicago. Bring the family to Great Wolf Lodge Illinois for a stay-cation. Explore the tasty craft beer, concoctions and cocktails of the Lake County Libation Trail. Take in the local arts and history of our home. Attend one of the many festivals making the most of the last days of summer. Hit the fairway and see how sharp the golf game is. Everyone can find an experience for the summer's finale.
Ravinia Festival wraps up in September and has a jam-packed schedule for their last month month. of September. This is also the last month of the festival until next year. highlighted by marquee performances.
- Yacht Rock Revue (September 1) INFO»
- Emmylou Harris and Mary Chapin Carpenter (September 2) INFO»
- Geneva Lewis and Audrey Vardanega: Suite Sonatas (September 3) INFO»
- Music for the Royal Fireworks with Music of the Baroque (September 3) INFO»
- Diana Ross with special guest Naturally 7 (September 4) INFO»
- The Australian Pink Floyd Show (September 7) INFO»
- Too Many Zooz with Grace Kelly (September 9) INFO»
- Inna Faliks: Reimagine Beethoven and Ravel (September 10) INFO»
- Erykah Badu (September 11) INFO»
- Lincoln Trio: Chicago and Chopin at Ravinia Festival (September 11) INFO»
- The Kreutzer Project with The Knights (September 13) INFO»
- Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Evolution (September 16) INFO»
- Einav Yarden: Suites and Fantasies (September 17) INFO»
- Queen! featuring Derrick Carter, Michael Serafini and Garrett David (September 17) INFO»
- Fiesta Ravinia: Kumbia Kings and Dos Santos (September 18) INFO»
Fall is a fun time for those who like to push their endurance and test athleticism. Staying active is a good feeling, whether you're walking, running or biking it. Outdoor athletic events are always a fun way to get out, be social and stay active. Take a look below to find an experience you can see yourself participating in.
- Twilight Shuffle 5K in Libertyville (September 4) INFO»
- GLASA Twilight Run in Lake Forest (September 10) INFO»
- 2022 George Bridges 5K Run in Waukegan (September 10) INFO»
- Vernon Hills World Wide Day of Play (September 10) INFO»
- Willow House Run to Remember at Independence Grove Forest Preserve (September 11) INFO»
- 2022 Epic Dads and Kids Challenge at Quentin Baptist Church (September 11) INFO»
- Walk with Mini Therapy Horses at Deer Park Town Center (September 11) INFO»
- Oakwood Cemetery Walk at Waukegan History Museum (September 17) INFO»
- Making Strides for Special Kids 5K at Independence Grove Forest Preserve (September 17) INFO»
- Community Bike Ride in Libertyville (September 18) INFO»
- Woodland Middle School ROAR Run in Gurnee (September 23) INFO»
"Take a picture, it'll last longer!" Visit Lake County invites you to share your most impressive imagery in our #LetsSnapLakeCounty photo contest. We want to showcase from the best sources available: you! There are five categories to compete:
- Outdoor Photos
- Family/People Imagery
- Dining/Libations
- Lake County Events
- Video
- Other Travel Culture (architecture, downtown areas, photo manipulation, shopping, drone, etc.)
Festivals in Lake County are an excellent way to celebrate the season. You can eat, drink and dance to a variety of different themes. There is a festival that will meet anyone's preferences.
- SeptOber Fest at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve (September 1-October 30) INFO»
- Lindy's Labor Day Weekend in Wauconda (September 1-5) INFO»
- Phase Three Oktoberfest (September 3-4) INFO»
- Irish Days 2022 at Historic Downtown Long Grove (September 3-5) INFO»
- Festival Fiestas Patrias en Mundelein (September 3-5) INFO»
- North Shore Gages Lake Centennial Celebration (September 3) INFO»
- Lou Con 2022 at Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago-Deerfield INFO»
- Bitter Jester Music Festival Grand Finale (September 4) INFO»
- Mumpkin Fest at Patty Turner Center (September 10) INFO»
- Ravinia Festival in Highland Park (Through September 18) INFO»
- Main Street Rock the Block in Lake Zurich (September 10) INFO»
- Mundelein Arts Festival (September 10-11) INFO»
- Unplugged Fest at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich (September 11) INFO»
- Fright Fest by Snickers at Six Flags Great America (September 16-October 31) INFO»
- Oktoberfest at O'toole's of Libertyville (September 16-25) INFO»
- Brewgrass Festival at Black Lung Brewing Company (September 17) INFO»
- ArtWauk in Waukegan (September 17) INFO»
- Deerfield's Harvest Fest (September 17) INFO»
- Oktoberfest at Knights of Columbus Lake Zurich (September 17) INFO»
- Grayslake Craft Beer Festival (September 17) INFO»
- Didier Farms Pumpkinfest (September 17-October 31) INFO»
- Lake County Fiestas at Lake County Fairgrounds (September 16-18) INFO»
- Fox Lake Bloody Mary Fest (September 18) INFO»
- Fiesta Ravinia at Ravinia Festival (September 18) INFO»
- Oktoberfest Party and Stein Holding Contest at Mickey Finn's (September 23-24) INFO»
- WIIL Rock Fest 2022 at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center (September 24) INFO»
- Legions of Craft Beer Festival at Gurnee American Legion Post 771 (September 24) INFO»
- Hoptoberfest at Tighthead Brewing Company (September 24) INFO»
- Long Grove Apple Fest (September 23-25) INFO»
- Fall on the Farm at Lambs Farm in Libertyville (September 24-25) INFO»
- Bushel of Apples Fall Fest at Paulus Park (September 30 - October 2) INFO»
- Oktoberfest Celebration at Buffalo Creek Brewing (September 30 - October 2) INFO»
- Step by Step Productions Festival of Arts and Crafts at Lake County Fairgrounds (September 30 - October 2) INFO»
- Richardson Adventure Farm Sunflower Festival (September 10 - October 16) INFO»
- Jack-O-Lantern World in Lake Zurich (September 29-October 30) INFO»
From mid-September to Halloween, visit Lake County for its annual Spooks & Spirits Autumn Celebration. There’s something for everyone: fall festivals and costume parades; haunted houses; corn mazes and pumpkin patches; Six Flags Great America's renowned Fright Fest; and “supernatural” attractions. And for the adults, don’t miss our scary-good locally made brews, wines and spirits on the Lake County Libation Trail. Check out the latest Halloween events and travel packages. Be sure to drink responsibly and coordinate transportation via ride-share or car-pool. Stay tuned for more details.
Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® at Six Flags Great America offers thrills by day and frights by night. The adventure park is totally transformed for eight weeks to become one of the spookiest places in Lake County. There are haunted houses and entertaining street shows. Don't forget that you can ride coasters and amusements at night! As Halloween draws closer, kids can take on the trick-or-treat trail. While the park may be spooky at night, it's still kid-friendly during the day. Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® at Six Flags Great America runs through the end of October.
There's something about farms and the fall. Orange, brown and yellow hues are comforting. Maybe it's the smell of the air and the cool temperatures. It could be that pumpkin cider donuts are delicious. There are unique options in Lake County for fun on the farm. You can get lost in the corn maze that Richardson Adventure Farm arranges every year in Spring Grove. There are some downright adorable animals at Lambs Farm in Libertyville that can always use a scratch. Didier Farms in Lincolnshire has a huge assortment of delicious food and drink perfect for the fall season.
Spooks & Spirits is right around the corner. Be sure to see what the Lake County Libation Trail has in store!
Break out the camera for our #LetsSnapLakeCounty.
These are the top 10 things to do in September 2022. For more autumn fun, check out our events.
