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.
Make Memories at Frontier Days Festival
Celebrate nearly five decades of small-town summer fun at Arlington Heights’ beloved Frontier Days festival. Entirely volunteer-run, this five-day bash over the Fourth of July weekend packs the park with live music, carnival rides, a craft fair, bingo, and plenty of classic fair food. Don’t miss the daily concerts, a hometown parade, and the fireworks finale.
Date: July 4-6
Time: Fri & Sat 12PM-12AM; Sun 12PM-10PM
Cost: Free
Location: Recreation Park, 500 E Miner St, Arlington Heights
More Info: frontierdays.org
Enjoy Glencoe’s Independence Day Celebration
Glencoe goes big for the Fourth with a full morning of fun: a family-friendly Fun Run, wacky early childhood games, and a bags tournament at Kalk Park. Stick around for the Village Parade stepping off downtown, then unwind at Glencoe Beach (passholders only).
Date: July 4
Time: 8AM-7PM
Cost: Free
Location: Various Locations
More Info: glencoeparkdistrict.com
Discover Local Creativity at Lincolnshire Arts Festival
Lincolnshire’s Village Green transforms into an open-air gallery with original work by 80+ artists. After a morning coffee, browse paintings, jewelry, and sculpture, or get hands-on in the Kids Art Zone. Add face painting, selfie stations, and beer from Half Day Brewing for the perfect summer day.
Date: July 5-6
Time: 10AM-5PM
Cost: Free
Location: Village Green, 405 Village Green S, Lincolnshire
More Info: amdurproductions.com
Spend the Fourth at Deerfield Family Days
Spend the Fourth with a Rotary 5K, a pancake breakfast, and the colorful bike parade. Afterward, roam the arts and crafts fair, carnival games, and dog show. Don’t miss the pie-eating contest and the big Independence Day parade at noon, all leading up to fireworks after dark.
Date: July 4
Time: 12PM-10PM
Cost: Free
Location: Various Locations
More Info: deerfield.il.us
Light Up the Sky at the 4th of July Fireworks
Libertyville’s celebration hits the right note with the Village Band’s concert of patriotic favorites at Butler Lake. Bring a blanket and settle in as the night sky lights up with a fireworks show at dusk, the perfect star-spangled finale for Independence Day.
Date: July 4
Time: 7:30PM-10PM
Cost: Free
Location: Butler Lake, 835 W Winchester Rd, Libertyville
More Info: libertyville.com
