With long days and warm nights, summer weekends are made for exploring. Whether you’re staying local or venturing out, here are a few events worth adding to your calendar.
Paint the Town at Evanston Plein Air Festival
Watch Evanston transform into an open-air studio during this citywide celebration of plein air painting. Artists set up their easels across neighborhoods, capturing local streetscapes and parks in real time. Don’t miss the Friday night block party for live music and art market finds, or the grand finale on Sunday with food, drinks, and paintings straight off the easel.
Date: July 18-20
Time: Various Times
Cost: Free
Location: Various Locations, Evanston
More Info: evanstonmade.org
Have Fun at Vernon Hills Days
Carnival rides, big-name tribute bands, and festival eats come together at this family-friendly summer staple. Rock out to Switchfoot and Tommy DeCarlo, test your luck at Bingo with Big Cat, or catch the sensory-friendly Flower Hour. Don’t miss the bags tournament and local fan-favorites Modern Day Romeos closing it out.
Date: July 18-20
Time: Various Times
Cost: Free
Location: Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Pkwy, Vernon Hills
More Info: vhdays.com
Ride and Dine at Highwood Days + Taste of Highwood
Highwood’s longest-running fest pairs carnival thrills with tasty local bites from the city’s restaurants. Fuel up at the Taste of Highwood tents, catch sets from local bands like Groove X and Black Diamond Session, and vote for your favorite food vendor in the People’s Choice Awards. Early riser? Join the 5K Run, Walk & Stroll.
Date: July 18-20
Time: Various Times
Cost: Free
Location: Highwood Metra Station, 406 Sheridan Rd, Highwood
More Info: celebratehighwood.org
Discover Creativity at Glencoe Festival of Art
Glencoe’s tree-lined downtown turns into an alfresco gallery with over 100 artists showing off paintings, sculpture, and jewelry. Wander the booths, enjoy live tunes, grab a snack and a cold drink, and let the kids get messy in the Kids Art Zone.
Date: July 19-20
Time: 10AM-5PM
Cost: Free
Location: 700 Vernon Ave, Glencoe
More Info: amdurproductions.com
Learn to Brew at Root Beer Brewing Demonstration and Watercolor Drawing Workshop
Cool off with a sweet twist on craft brewing. Perfect Brewing Supply teams up with the Grayslake Arts Alliance for a live demo on how to make honey-sweetened root beer at home-samples included. After you sip, stick around for a watercolor drawing workshop where you can test your own artistic chops.
Date: July 20
Time: 10AM-1PM
Cost: $10
Location: Beer Bazaar, 107 Center St, Grayslake
More Info: grayslakevillagecenter.com
