The Little Lake County Summer Festival Guide is presented by St. John Lutheran School in Libertyville. Visit them during Libertyville Days for their huge rummage sale.
We’ve barbecued and paraded and now it’s time to get summer into full swing. Nothing is more quintessential summer than a festival. We’ve gathered up the Festivals and Fairs in Lake County that are great for families and put them all in one place. Check back often as we will update as we find more!
Festivals and Fairs in Lake County
Festivals and Fairs are listed in chronological order under each month and category. Please click on links for full information — events are subject to change and cancellation at any time. Little Lake County does it’s best to confirm dates, times and locations but is not responsible for changes or errors. If festivals span multiple days, links are provided for the first day only.
June Festivals | June Art Fairs | July Festivals | July Art Fairs | August Festivals | August Art Fairs
June Festivals and Fairs in Lake County
8 June Celebration of Summer, Lake Villa
Celebrate Summer in Lehmann park with inflatables, music, and fireworks.
13-16 June Libertyville Days Festival, Libertyville
Bring out the family and enjoy carnival rides, food, beer tent, arts and crafts, a parade, live entertainment, and much, much more.
22 June Beach Bash, Mundelein
Mundelein is kicking up the fun for all ages and a chance to connect with the community at the sandy beach on Diamond Lake. The day-long event includes beach fitness classes, games, sand castle showcase, Youth Ninja Warrior Competition, Cardboard Boat Regatta, and Wonder Lake Ski Team Show.
15 & 16 June Wizards Weekend, Antioch
Wizards, Witches and Muggles alike will gather in Downtown Antioch, IL for their Annual Wizards Weekend. The event will feature Kids Hogwarts School of Magic, Magical Attire Contests, Wizard & Muggle Craft Fair, TriWizards Chess Tournament, Scavenger Hunt and Horcruz Search and more.
21-23 June 23 -25 Long Grove Strawberry Festival, Historic Long Grove
Long Grove Strawberry Fest, which includes a broad array of bands, art, shopping, family activities, food and yes, strawberries too! Admission is $5 per person per day, children 12 and younger are free.
23 June Green Fair, Buffalo Grove
This free event for the whole family will provide information and activities to help residents learn about the small steps they can take at home, work and in the community to improve our environment and make Buffalo Grove a greener and healthier place to live.
26 June Inferno Fest, Highwood
Inferno Fest will test the taste buds of the most daring food enthusiasts with the hottest and spiciest foods and beverages.
27-30 June 21-24 Wauconda Fest, Wauconda
Admission button is $3 and good for the whole weekend. Enjoy carnival ride specials, wine tasting tent, Annual Car Show, Craft Show, 5k/10k Race & more.
28-30 June BeachFest, Round Lake Beach
BeachFest is a free community event that is held during the month of July and, is promoted to the residents of Round Lake Beach and regional communities.
29 June Celebrate Fox Lake
The parade starts at 4:00 p.m. and goes down Grand Avenue. Festivities at Lakefront Park immediately following the parade, where there will be food, activities, and music! Fireworks start at dusk.
29 June Annual Family Picnic and Fireworks, Grayslake
Head to Central Park for a community picnic featuring Taste of Grayslake, business booths, kids rides, games, music and more.
June Art Fairs in Lake County
15 June 16 Summer Arts & Crafts Faire, Antioch
Enjoy Antioch’s largest Arts & Crafts Faire of the year! You’ll find numerous treasures from some of the county’s finest Artisans. We have added lots of free, children’s fun, so bring the kids and enjoy the weekend!
15-16 June Artists on the Bluff Festival, Lake Bluff
Work from over 30 local artists will be featured, along with entertainment including music, theater and dance and art activities for all ages.
15 June ArtWauk, Waukegan
ArtWauk is a monthly celebration of arts in the Arts and Entertainment District in Waukegan. Each month this event showcases different art and artists at over 20 venues, offering free access to each site and a chance to meet the artists.
22 June Arts Festival & Wine Tasting, Grayslake
Festival features student art as well as 60 juried artists, food vendors, kids area, entertainment and wine tasting of “Wines around the World”
Before you head to an art fair grab our Art Fair Scavenger Hunt below – click the image or the link for the printable version.
July Festivals and Fairs in Lake County*
4-7 July 28 Mundelein Community Days, Mundelein
The festival includes premier musical performances, food, drinks, a car show, a carnival, a parade, fireworks, activities for kids and adults, and much more. Read Cheryl’s Mundelein Community Days experience.
18-21 July Vernon Hills Summer Celebration, Vernon Hills
This annual summer celebration will take place in Century Park with food, carnival rides, and entertainment.
18-21 July North Shore Taco Fest & Highwood Days, Highwood
Highwood’s oldest festival complete with carnival rides, live music, and tons of food from local vendors, this is the most traditional festival that does not disappoint. North Shore Taco Fest will bring together the region’s best taco-centric restaurants, caterers and food trucks to offer a wide range of mouth-watering taco creations.
18-21 July Antioch’s Taste of Summer, Antioch
Days of fun in downtown Antioch are a must for summer pleasure. Carnival rides and games add up to fun for the whole family.
19-21 July Alpine Fest, Lake Zurich
For three days of carnival rides, games, food, family events, and entertainment. The final day of the festival includes the Alpine Fest™ Parade down Main Street, which is the largest parade in Lake County.
24-28 July 91st Annual Lake County Fair, Grayslake
Summers best fest with motocross, demo derby, rodeo, concerts, rides, games, agriculture, tractors, animals and more. Admission for Adults (age 13 and older) is $10 per day, children and seniors are $5 per day and children 5 and younger are free (rides require additional purchases). Read our 10 tips for tackling the fair with kids!
31 July – 4 August Northbrook Days, Northbrook
The fest includes rides, games, live music, food, beer & wine, and much more! It’s been a summer tradition at the beautiful Village Green Park in downtown Northbrook for decades.
*Watch for a full Independence Day Guide coming soon!
July Art Fairs in Lake County
6 & 7 July Art Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden
Stroll and shop among the 90 juried artists on the Esplanade. Admission is free standard parking rates apply.
20 July ArtWauk, Waukegan
ArtWauk is a monthly celebration of arts in the Arts and Entertainment District in Waukegan. Join the throngs exposed to art, music, performances, theatres, shops, and restaurants!
August Festivals and Fairs in Lake County
2-4 August North Chicago CommUNITY Days, North Chicago
Event is held in Foss park and includes a parade, car show, food, entertainment, kids zone, fireworks, and more.
6 & 7 August 1 Lake Forest Day, Lake Forest
Lake Forest day has been held in West Park since 1908 and includes a 5K, parade, and carnival.
8-11 August, Gurnee Days, Gurnee
The events will be packed with concerts, entertainment, food, contests, open houses, fireworks, a parade, and more.
8-11 August, Lindenfest, Lindenhurst
This four-day festival includes carnival rides, a parade, games, bingo, food, live entertainment, Battle of the Bands, Mayor’s Auction and pageant.
10 & 11 August Kite Festival, Glencoe
Chicago Botanic Gardens hosts this kite-flying performance and kite-making event on the meadows of Evening Island. Festival is free but standard parking rates apply.
16 & 17 August Little Bear Ribfest, Vernon Hills
The Annual Little Bear Ribfest will bring another amazing line-up of award-winning blues music and of course ribs.
16 & 17 August Grayslake Summer Days, Grayslake
Family music festival with activities for the entire family. Enjoy music, carnival games, food vendors, and a business booth area.
17 & 18 August Vintage Days, Long Grove
Long Grove Vintage Days is a two-day street market for all things vintage, antique, reclaimed, repurposed, upcycled and handmade.
17 August Fred Fest, Barrington
Fred Fest is an all-day music festival featuring a full lineup of local bands and activities for the whole family to benefit the Preservation Foundation. Tickets are $10 for adult and $5 for children 5 and older (f and younger are free). Family passes are $25.
17 & 18 August Malott Japanese Garden Summer Festival, Glencoe
Learn about the summer festivals (matsuri) celebrated in Japan during this special weekend of activities. Kids of all ages can make projects to celebrate summer — make fish prints (gyotaku), create a paper fan (uchiwa), design a kite, and more at family-friendly, hands-on stations.
18 August International Festival, Wheeling
Heritage Pavilion will be transformed into the United Nations as they celebrate the diversity of our community at the annual international and cultural arts festival. Enjoy and experience a wide-variety of performances and food provided by local vendors. Learn more about the many organizations in our community that promote and support our unique and diverse population.
24 August Color Aloft Balloon Festival, Grayslake
Central Park will fill with colorful hot air balloons, musical entertainment, Civil War Era Baseball game, children’s activities, storytelling, business booths, and a fox and hound balloon race. The event ends with a balloon glow at dusk.
30 August – 2 September Nashwood, Highwood
Highwood will turn Nashville for an entire weekend. Every restaurant and bar in Highwood will bring live country, southern rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, jazz, gospel and more from day into the late night hours. There will be live music everywhere. There will be no cover charge at any establishment, as tips will support the bands when you jump from place to place.
24 & 25 August Annual Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow, Zion
The Potawatomi Trails Pow-Wow, the only event of its kind in this area, is a celebration of Native-American heritage. Its purpose is not only to celebrate this heritage, but also to heighten public awareness of Native- American history, traditions, and customs. Specific activities will include demonstrations, music and dance presentations, educational sessions and a trader area.
August Art Fairs in Lake County
17 August ArtWauk, Waukegan
ArtWauk is a monthly celebration of arts in the Arts and Entertainment District in Waukegan. Each month this event showcases different art and artists at over 20 venues, offering free access to each site and a chance to meet the artists. Join the throngs exposed to art, music, performances, theatres, shops, and restaurants!
Did we miss your favorite fest? Share it in the comments so we can add it!
Find more Festivals and Fairs in McHenry County at Little McHenry County.
St. John Lutheran School has been serving Libertyville and the surrounding areas as a preschool through 8th-grade school for over 40 years. We are nationally accredited by the WELSSA and the NCPSA and are also certified by the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to host international students.
Visit them on June 14 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and June 15 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for their huge rummage sale featuring a large amount of children’s clothes and toys, furniture, household items and more. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Pregnancy & Life Resource Center of Mundelein. While there meet some of the students in Youth Group and take a tour of the school.
Stop by their booth at Libertyville Days!
Disclosure: St. John School is a paid advertising partner of this guide. All thoughts and opinions are that of the writer. Interested in having your business featured? Contact us today.
Lindenfest aug. 10-13
Waucondafest June 22-25. http://www.waucondaparks.org