The GooRoos will perform on Saturday, July 26, at the Lake County Fair, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, July 23-27, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. | Courtesy of The GooRoos
By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Friday, July 25
Lake County Fair: Friday and Saturday, July 25-26; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Rides, food, live music, motocross, monster trucks, demolition derby, bull riding and more. Music lineup: Wednesday: Operation Glow: Taylor Swift at 8 p.m.; Thursday: The Dixon Bandits at 5 p.m. and Brass From The Past at 8 p.m.; Friday: Second Hand Soul at 6 p.m. and Hi Infidelity at 9 p.m.; Saturday: GooRoos at 9 p.m. and No Limit at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Chicago Latin Groove at 5 p.m. and Classical Blast at 5:30 p.m. $15, $5 for kids 6-12 and 65 and older for one day; $55/$20 for a season pass; free for kids 5 and younger and active military, veterans and dependents with ID. lcfair.com/2025.
Fun Day In The Park: 10-11 a.m. Friday, July 25, at Fabbrini Park, 1704 Glenlake Road, Hoffman Estates. Kids’ entertainment featuring “Shrek Jr. the Musical.” Free. heparks.org
Cary Children’s Entertainment: Noon Friday, July 25, at Lions Park, Silver Lake Road, north of Three Oaks Road, Cary. Entertainment from Ben Tatar and the Tatar Tots. Free. carypark.com.
Downtown Elgin Market: 3-7 p.m. Friday, July 25, on South Riverside Drive, Elgin. Featuring farmers, makers, live music, Sip N’ Shop, kids’ activities. Dog-friendly. LINK Matching program. downtownelgin.com/market.
West Dundee French Market: 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 25, at The Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave., West Dundee. A mixed market offering fresh produce along with a variety of other goods such as honey, greens, soaps, breads, cheeses, flowers, artwork, wearables and other products. wdundee.org.
The DuPage County Fair in Wheaton runs Thursday through Sunday, July 24-27. | Sandy Bressner/Shaw Local News Network
DuPage County Fair: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 25; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Entertainment, animals, food, exhibits, carnival rides and more. Drone light shows at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, and 10:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Music lineup: Sammy and The Knights at 7 p.m. Thursday; Two Beer Tommy at 8 p.m. Friday; Michael Lynch Music at 8 p.m. Saturday; and Thankful Dead at 5 p.m. Sunday. $12 for 13 and older; $8 for 62 and older and kids 6-12; and free for kids 5 and younger and active military with ID. Enter at County Farm Road and the main entrance. dupagecountyfair.org.First Friday Summer Dances: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Schaumburg’s Towne Square, 200 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Dance lessons by Schaumburg Arthur Murray Dance Studio from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; live music and dancing from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. parkfun.com
Hawthorn Woods Concerts in the Park: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Deja Vu will perform. Free. vhw.org.
Finally Friday: 7:30-9 p.m. on Friday, July 25, at The Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave., West Dundee. Live music, food vendors and fun outdoors. Dirty Mac will perform. wdundee.org.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series — Main Stage Concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Superfly Symphony will perform. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free. palatineparks.org/sounds-of-summer
Trio de Chats Noirs: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, at First Congregational Church, 256 E. Chicago St. in Elgin. The ensemble — featuring Rachel Velvikis (horn), Mark Fry (bass trombone/euphonium), and guest pianist Christopher Powell — will perform works from Shostakovich, Brahms, Alec Wilder, J.S. Bach, Gary Kulesha and George Gershwin. Free. triodechatsnoirs.org
Saturday, July 26
Wauconda Triathlons Multisport Fest: Kids’ race at 6 a.m. Saturday, July 26, and adult race at 5 a.m. Sunday, July 27, at Cook Park, 600 N. Main St., Wauconda. Sunday includes a Post Race Fest with music, beer garden, awards and more. Registration: $42 for kids, starting at $55 for adults. waucondaparks.com/triathlon.
Christmas in July: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. Arts and crafts fair featuring 35 local artisans. Plus, Sweetest Moments food truck, photos with Santa, carols, bounce house, games and activities. Support the Friends of Springbrook Nature Center with a donation for a wineglass and enjoy a free wine tasting (cash only). Rain or shine. Free. itascaparkdistrict.com.
Find reclaimed, handmade and antique items at Long Grove Vintage Days Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, at 145 Old McHenry Road. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2018
Long Grove Vintage Days: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Features all things vintage, reclaimed, handmade, upcycled, antique and repurposed in an open-air marketplace. Free. longgrove.org/festival/vintage-days
Uncaged in the Zoo: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Lords Park Zoo, off Grand Boulevard, Elgin. Get up close and personal with live animals. Chi-Town Exotics will be on hand. Free. elginil.gov
Car Show: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. See classic cars and future classics and chat with the owners. Music from Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones. Food for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com
Lucky Duck Race Fundraiser: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Barefoot Bay, 1461 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Adopt a duck and watch them race. Participants don’t need to be present to win. Ducks are $10 each and adoptable at givebutter.com/xn2oaM.
The Streamwood Summer Celebration, which runs Friday through Sunday, July 25-27, at Hoosier Grove Park in Streamwood, will feature a parade on Saturday. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, 2017
Streamwood Summer Celebration Parade: Steps off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 26, from Bartlett Road and Streamwood Boulevard, runs west on Streamwood Boulevard to the festival grounds at Hoosier Grove Park, 700 Irving Park Road, Streamwood. Free. streamwoodsummercelebration.org.
German Beer Garden & Summer Concert: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Merkle Cabin at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Play backyard games while listening to live music. Pretzels, bratwurst, local craft beer and soda for purchase. Free. parkfun.com
Morton Arboretum walking play: 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27, starting at Thornhill Shelter at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Full-length plays, adapted exclusively for The Morton Arboretum and performed by local professional actors. A walk leader guides the audience to each scene, which takes place at several natural backdrop locations along a one- to two-mile hiking route. Bring water and portable chairs or blankets for seating. $27 for ages 18 and older, $17 for ages 2-17, $10 less for members, free for children younger than 2. mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/walking-plays.
Venetian Night Chicago: 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26, on the Chicago Riverwalk. A vibrant homage to Venice, Italy, celebrating cultural heritage through music, art and a lighted boat parade at 8:30 p.m. Free for spectators. iahrf.org/venetian-night-chicago.
Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 26; and 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Fireworks display set to popular and special occasion soundtracks. Free. navypier.org/summer-fireworks.
Sunday, July 27
Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, on the front lawn of the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Live music, kids’ activities, beverages, food trucks and more. farmersmarketatthedole.org.
Lambs Farm in Libertyville will hold a Car Show Benefit Sunday, July 27. | nDaily Herald file photo
Lambs Farm Car Show Benefit: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Variety of makes and models of cars, bikes and trucks in the main parking lot. Free for spectators. lambsfarm.org.
Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Featuring talented local bands, food from local eateries, and family activities and games for kids. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.
Wheeling’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Are You Ready For It? will perform. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Coolers are allowed; no outside alcohol permitted. Soft drinks, water, beer and seltzer for purchase. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com
Tuesday, July 29
The McHenry County Fair, which runs from Tuesday through Sunday, July 29 to Aug. 3 at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in Woodstock, includes a demolition derby, rides, music and more. | Courtesy of McHenry County Fair Association
McHenry County Fair: Noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 29; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 30-31; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. Carnival, food, music, entertainment and more. Demo Derby at 6 p.m. Sunday. $10 for ages 13-64; $5 for ages 6-12 and 65 and older and military; $30 for season passes. mchenrycountyfair.com/tickets
Arlington Heights Police Department National Night Out: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at North School Park, North Evergreen Avenue and East Eastman Street, Arlington Heights. Live entertainment, activities and more. Free. vah.com.
Concerts in the Plaza: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Soul Sacrifice will perform. $10 vehicle entrance fee starting at 4:30 p.m. lcfpd.org/things-to-do/concerts.
Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake Community Band will perform. Free. For parking locations, see crystallakeparks.org/special-events.
Dundee Township Concerts in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at Lions Park in East Dundee. Centerfold will perform. Food and drinks sold by Dundee Township Lions Club, with proceeds benefiting the community. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. dtpd.org/concerts-in-the-park
Wednesday, July 30
National Sports Collectors Convention: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 30; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 31 to Aug. 2; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Sports card and memorabilia trade show with over 600 vendors, autograph signing and authentication, card grading and more. $30, $149.99 for a five-day pass, free for ages 12 and younger. nsccshow.com.
Arbor Evenings: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Morton Arboretum’s Frost Hill, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Music, lawn games, food and drinks. Color Me Amused will perform. $15 for ages 13 and older, $5 for kids 4-12. Advance tickets required: mortonarb.org
Wickstrom Lincoln Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Bon Journeyed will perform. Food for purchase. Free. shopthearb.com.
Arbortheater Concerts: 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at the Memorial Arbortheater, 50 S. Fairway Drive, Vernon Hills. School of Rock will perform. Free. vernonhills.org.
Arlington Heights Community Concert Band: 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at North School Park, 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights. The theme is “The Greatest Show in the Park,” with circus-related music. Free. arlingtonheightsband.org.
Olivia Rodrigo, seen here performing at the Stereo Picnic music festival in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, March 30, will take the stage at Lollapalooza Friday, Aug. 1, in Grant Park. | AP, March 30, 2025
Lollapalooza: Noon to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, July 31 to Aug. 3, in Grant Park, Chicago. Scheduled performances include Tyler the Creator and Luke Combs on Thursday; Olivia Rodrigo and Korn on Friday; Rufus Du Sol and Twice on Saturday; and Sabrina Carpenter and A$AP Rocky on Sunday. Tickets start at $189 for one day, $378 for two days, $415 for four days. lollapalooza.com.
Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Cook and Station streets, Barrington. Barrington Farmers Market, classic cars, live music, family activities and more. Free. barrington-il.gov/events/thursday-night-out
Pearl Street Market + Concert in the Park: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Veterans Park, 3400 Pearl St., McHenry. Live music, local vendors and food trucks. Lara Bell Band will perform. Free. facebook.com/pearlstreetmarketmchenry.
Music in the Park: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, in Covered Bridge Park, next to 445 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. L&M Experience performs eclectic acoustic covers and originals. Free. longgrove.org/event/music-in-the-park.
Thursday Nights Live: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Wheeling Town Center, 351 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Free concerts in the plaza with food and beverage options from local restaurants. Deadfest performs. Free. thewheelingtowncenter.com/events.
Algonquin Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Libido Funk Circus performs. Food trucks at 6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. For the weekly list of food trucks, see Algonquin.org/summerconcerts.
Elgin’s Concerts in the Park: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Lords Park, 100 Oakwood Blvd., Elgin. Side Street Studio Arts Open Mic Night. Food truck. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. In case of bad weather, the event will be canceled. Free. elginil.gov or facebook.com/cityofelgin.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Billy Elton will perform. Free. vah.com/explore/sounds_of_summer_concerts.php.
Summer Sounds on the Green Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Village Green, 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Jose Valdes and The Mambo All-Stars perform. Food and beverages for sale. Free. hoffmanestatesarts.com/summer-concert-series
Palatine Outdoor Movie Night: 7:30-10 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. See “Toy Story.” Free. palatineparks.org.
Ongoing
Bristol Renaissance Faire: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 1, off I-94 at the Illinois/Wisconsin border, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha. Travel back in time for 30 acres of jousting, arts and crafts, food, music, dance, rides, games, entertainers and more. $40, $15 for kids 5-12, and free for kids 4 and younger. renfair.com/bristol.
Patterned by Nature: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Sept. 21 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Celebrates the universal attraction to patterns through playfully planted gardens and nature-inspired artistic installations. Admission: $19.95-$21.95 for adults, $13.95-$15.95 for kids 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. chicagobotanic.org/patterns.
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