Elburn Days includes a truck and tractor pull (Brian & David!) and more Friday through Sunday, Aug. 15-17, at Lions Park in Elburn. | Daily Herald File Photo, 2015
By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Friday, Aug. 15
Elburn Days: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Lions Park, 500 S. Filmore St., Elburn. Carnival rides, parade at 6 p.m. Friday, a truck and tractor pull, live music, food, a craft show, bingo, a community stage and more. Music lineup: Friday: Country tribute night at 7 p.m.; Saturday: The Wayouts at 4 p.m. and The Ron Burgundy’s at 8 p.m.; Sunday: Head Honchos at 3 p.m. and The Bare Hambones at 5:30 p.m. The beer garden has a separate family area. elburnlions.com/elburn-days.
2025 APS Great American Stamp Show: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 15-17, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. American Philatelic Society show. For information, visit greatermoundcity.org.
Cary Children’s Entertainment: Noon Friday, Aug. 15, at Lions Park, Silver Lake Road, north of Three Oaks Road, Cary. Featuring Little Miss Ann. Free. carypark.com.
Fan Expo Chicago: 4-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Comic and pop culture convention featuring celebrity guests (Ewan McGregor, Orlando Bloom, Hayden Chistensen, Josie Whittaker, Ming-Na Wen), cosplay, comics, gaming, anime, events, vendors and more. Tickets start at $40. fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago
West Dundee French Market: 4-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at The Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave., West Dundee. A mixed market offering fresh produce, honey, greens, soaps, breads, cheeses, flowers, artwork, wearables and more. wdundee.org.
Grayslake SummerFest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, and 4:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, in downtown Grayslake. Live music, food trucks, bingo, a parade at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and more. Music lineup: Friday: Simply Elton, the Battle of the Bands winner at 7 p.m. and Southern Accents at 8 p.m.; Saturday: School of Rock Libertyville at 5:30 p.m., Boy Band Review at 7 p.m. and Hairbangers Ball at 9:30 p.m. The SummerFest Den will run from 5-9 p.m. each night on Whitney Street with snacks, games, photo opportunities and more. Free. grayslakechamber.com.
Live Music at Bridges Beer Garden: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Bridges Beer Garden, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Denise Armour will perform. Food and beverages for purchase. Free. heparks.org/events/list.
Fridays Rock! & Roll in Meadows Concert Series: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Kimball Hill Park, 3266 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Big Brothers Vinyl and The Chicago Experience will perform. Free. cityrm.org
Lee Ward, owner of Smokin BBQ on 45 in Mundelein, prepares ribs during last year’s Little Bear Ribfest at Century Park in Vernon Hills. | Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com, Aug. 16, 2024
Little Bear Ribfest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, and 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, in Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Local rib vendors, beer, wine and bourbon-tasting. Music lineup: Friday: Nashville Electric Company at 7 p.m. and Tennessee Whiskey: A Tribute to Chris Stapleton at 9 p.m., and Saturday: Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames at 5 p.m., Shawn Hold & the Teardrops at 7 p.m. and John Primer & the Real Deal Blues Band at 9 p.m. $5; free for kids 5 and younger. vhparkdistrict.org/little-bear-ribfest.
Hawthorn Woods Concerts in the Park: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Out of Storage Band will perform. Free. vhw.org.
Janus Theatre Company’s “School For Lies”: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 15-31, at Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. No performance Sunday, Aug. 17; additional performance at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28. David Ive’s comedy transforms Molière’s 17th-century classic “The Misanthrope” into a groovy satire written in witty couplets with physical comedy. $25. janusplays.com
Elgin Summer Movie in the Park: Dusk Friday, Aug. 15, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. Learn salsa moves with a dance demonstration before a screening of “In The Heights” at dusk. Concessions from local nonprofits. Free. elginil.gov.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Hampshire Farmers and Outdoor Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Hampshire Commons, 113 W. Oak Knoll Drive, Hampshire. Farm-to-table goods, handmade items, packaged food, sweets, artisanal gifts and more. facebook.com/HampshireFarmersMarket.
Ray Bradbury’s 25th Annual Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 16, in Waukegan’s Bowen Park. | Courtesy of Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival
25th annual Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Music plus painters, sculptors and photographers selling their art. Free. waukeganparks.org/dandelion
BACC Family Fest: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, in Citizens Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington. Kids’ activities, giveaways, music, entertainment, booths from local businesses and community organizations, activities and demonstrations. Free. barringtonchamber.com.
World Famous Wheaton Illinois All Night Flea Market: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Dealers from across the Midwest will be selling antiques, collectibles, toys, sports collectibles, crafts, artwork, pop culture and more. Indoor and outdoor vendors and food trucks. Rain or shine. $10 at the gate; free for kids 12 and younger with an adult. Free parking. zurkopromotions.com.
Elgin Movie on the Lawn: 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, on the Hemmens south lawn, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Starting at 6 p.m., play classic 1980s arcade games, plus there will be a food truck and cash bar available before the screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at dusk. Bring chairs and blankets. The movie will include Spanish subtitles. elginil.gov/2620/Movies-on-the-Lawn.
Better Than Ezra will perform with Tonic Saturday, Aug. 16, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago as part of the Roaring Nights concert series. | Courtesy of Greg Miles
Roaring Nights: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Better Than Ezra and Tonic will perform. $70, $60 for members, $15 for kids 11 and younger. Parking fee applies. brookfieldzoo.org.
Summer Breeze Concert Series: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. The Chicago Experience will perform. Free. parkfun.com.
“The Woodstock Era” will pay tribute to the iconic music festival on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake. | Courtesy of the Raue Center For The Arts
“The Woodstock Era”: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. A tribute to the iconic Woodstock festival bringing together 11 bands playing rock, folk, blues, jazz, soul, Latin and psychedelia. Tickets start at $43. rauecenter.org.
Star Party & Family Campfire: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Nature Center at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Star-related activities, including using a telescope to view the summer constellations and planets, and roast marshmallows around a campfire. $3; $12 per family; free for kids 2 and younger. parkfun.com
Navy Pier Summer Fireworks: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Fireworks display set to music. Free. navypier.org/summer-fireworks.
Sunday, Aug. 17
Walneck’s Motorcycle Swap Meet: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. New and used motorcycle parts of all types and brands, leathers, sewing, jewelry, toys and more. Rain or shine. $10 for ages 15 and older. walneckswap.com.
Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, 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.
Honey Fest: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. Honey tastings, historic demonstrations, interactive displays, bee-inspired crafts, and honey-themed treats and beverages for purchase. Free. parkfun.com.
Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Local bands, food, family activities and kids’ games. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.
Elgin’s Shakespeare in the Park: 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Lords Park east picnic shelter, 100 Oakwood Blvd., Elgin. Goodly Creatures Theatre’s annual production features the comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Bring chairs, blankets and snacks. Rain date: 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Wing Park band shell. Free. goodlycreatures.com.
Monday, Aug. 18
Motor Monday Cruise Nights: 5 p.m. to dusk Monday, Aug. 18, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. In partnership with the Midwest Racing Preservation Association, open to cars and trucks of all makes and models. Food, drinks and music. eastdundee.net.
Tuesday, Aug. 19
Wauconda Cruise Nights: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 101 N. Main St., Wauconda. Cars on display and family-friendly activities. Free. waucondacruisenight.com.
South Elgin Cruise Nights: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Panton Mill Park parking lot, 10 N. Water St., South Elgin. Show off your cool ride. No registration is required. Food truck and Dairy Queen. southelgin.com/pantonmillpark.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Arbor Evenings: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Morton Arboretum’s Frost Hill, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Beyond the Blonde will perform, plus lawn games, food and drinks. $15 for ages 13 and older, $5 for kids 4-12. Advance tickets required: mortonarb.org
Algonquin’s Shakespeare in the Park: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St., Algonquin. Goodly Creatures Theatre’s production of the comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Bring chairs, blankets and snacks. Rain date: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27. Free. goodlycreatures.com.
Side Street Studio Arts open mic: 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Side Street Studio arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. Featuring 7-minute performances. Free to perform; sign up in advance for $5 at sidestreetstudioarts.org/live.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Barrington Thursday Night Out: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 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
Anime Night: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Discover the traditions of Japan with family-friendly activities, food trucks, live music and crafts. Included in admission. mortonarb.org
Geneva Classic Car Show: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Kane County Courthouse, off Fourth and James streets, Geneva. Music, food, and vote for your favorite make and model. To display your vehicle: Show up after 4:30 p.m. and find a spot in the lot behind the courthouse. Free. genevachamber.com/events/classic-car-show.
Pearl Street Market + Concert in the Park: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Veterans Park, 3400 Pearl St., McHenry. Goin’ Live will perform, plus local vendors and food trucks. facebook.com/pearlstreetmarketmchenry.
Thursday Nights Live: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Wheeling Town Center, 351 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. The D.B.’s will perform. Food and beverages from local restaurants. Free. thewheelingtowncenter.com/events.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Harmony Park, 7 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. The Ron Burgundy’s will perform. Free. vah.com/explore/sounds_of_summer_concerts.php.
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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