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Skokie’s Backlot Bash 2026 (Skokie): Free
Date: Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: Downtown Skokie, Oakton Street at Floral Avenue, Skokie, IL 60077.
Three-day end-of-summer street festival featuring 18 live music acts on two stages, carnival rides, food vendors, family activities, a 5K and Kids’ Color Fun Run, art fair, farmers market, and more. Free admission; carnival rides and some activities have separate fees.
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Summer Firework Celebration (Bloomingdale) : Free
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Venue: Former Indian Lakes Open Space (250 W. Schick Rd.), Bloomingdale, IL.
Join the community for an end-of-summer celebration featuring live musical entertainment starting at 6:30 PM, culminating in a dazzling fireworks display launched at sunset. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for open-space seating.
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4th Fridays Art Event at The Dole (Crystal Lake) : $10
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Venue: The Dole, Crystal Lake, IL.
Enjoy four curated art exhibits, including an all-media exhibition, a photography-only exhibit, a featured solo artist, and an encore showcase. The evening also includes live music on two stages, cash bars, and roving snacks.
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5th Annual Elote Festival (Round Lake Beach): Free
Date: Friday, August 28 – Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center, 2007 N Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073.
A three-day community festival celebrating elote and Mexican-inspired food, with live music, food and drinks, artisan vendors, carnival attractions, family-friendly activities, and a Musical Light Drone Show on Sunday. Admission is free, making it an easy weekend stop for families and festival fans. The festival is expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees.
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Lambs Farm Summertime Craft Fest 2026 (Elgin): $5+
Date: Saturday, August 29 - Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: Camp Big Timber, 37W955 Big Timber Road, Elgin, IL.
Two-day outdoor craft show in a park-like setting with 150+ booths of crafts and handmade goods, food trucks, music, and a beer + wine garden. A popular large vendor market supporting Lambs Farm’s mission while offering family-friendly shopping and browsing.
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All Saints Summer Fun Fest (Palatine): Free
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Venue: All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, IL 60067.
A free summer afternoon featuring games, food, and music at All Saints Lutheran Church. A simple, family-friendly community event to enjoy some summer fun close to home.
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Fox Lake Venetian Night: Lighted Boat Parade & Drone Show (Fox Lake): Free
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Venue: Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Rd, Fox Lake, IL 60020.
A free end-of-summer celebration featuring a boat show, live music, food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, and a festive lighted boat parade at 8:45 PM. The night wraps up with a spectacular drone light show over the stage at 9:30 PM.
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Lake Fest at The Landing (Mundelein): Free
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Venue: The Landing on Diamond Lake, 1016 N Diamond Lake Rd, Mundelein, IL 60060.
A free lakefront community event at The Landing on Diamond Lake, offering a chance to enjoy the waterfront and spend a summer Saturday with the local community. The event is listed for 11:00 AM, with the provided event information showing activities continuing through 4:00 PM.
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Lake County Nature FunFest (Round Lake): Free
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Venue: Rolek Community Center, 814 W. Hart Road, Round Lake, IL 60073.
A free, family-friendly celebration of the outdoors featuring pond dipping, nature crafts, live animals, scavenger hunts, plant identification, bird watching, and more. Hosted by Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, 4-H, the Lake County Nature Network, and the Round Lake Area Park District.
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Niles Founders Day Celebration 2026 (Niles): Free
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Venue: Golf Mill Park, 9101 N. Greenwood Avenue, Niles, IL 60714.
A free community celebration honoring Niles and America 250, featuring kids’ activities, pony rides, face painting, a reptile show, gaming truck, bubble show, food trucks, a beer tent, live music by Brass from the Past, and an 8:30 PM fireworks finale.
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Art in Nature Festival 2026 (Barrington): Free
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: Crabtree Nature Center (3 Stover Road, Barrington, IL)
An immersive outdoor arts festival designed to blend creative expression with the beauty of local forest preserves. The all-ages event invites community members to experience live painting demonstrations, music performances, and theatrical dance routines hidden along the nature trails. Attendees can participate in hands-on art projects across multiple mediums, connect with local environmental groups, and purchase unique work from regional nature-inspired artisans.
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55th Annual A Walk in the Park Fine Art Show 2026 (Arlington Heights): Free
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: North School Park, 410 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL.
55th annual fine art fair hosted by the Arlington Heights Art Guild, featuring ~90 artists, original works in various mediums, live music, food trucks, free admission and parking. Attracts thousands; proceeds support scholarships for District 214 art students. A longstanding, high-quality community art event under the trees in downtown.
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Tuner Evo: Chicago 2026 (Schaumburg): $25+
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: Schaumburg Convention Center (1551 Thoreau Drive North, Schaumburg, IL)
A high-octane automotive lifestyle festival and massive indoor-outdoor expo highlighting the absolute highest-tier custom vehicle builds in the region. The showcase floor pairs hundreds of customized imports, sports cars, and luxury builds with top-tier brand vendor displays, interactive manufacturing booths, and exclusive gear giveaways. The high-energy event format features professional RC drift car demonstrations, sneaker culture exhibits, builder Q&A panels, and live musical entertainment.
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2nd Annual Bark in the Park (Elk Grove Village): Free
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: Al Hattendorf Center, 225 E. Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.
A free, dog-friendly afternoon featuring agility courses, a pooch parade, dachshund races, pet caricatures, dog activities, vendors, food trucks, and adoptable pups. A fun community event for dog lovers and their four-legged friends.
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StreetFest at The Arb (South Barrington): Free
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, IL 60010.
A fun afternoon at The Arb featuring live music, patio dining, shopping specials, kids’ activities, and entertainment throughout the center. Highlights include performances by Fast Times Chicago and Nick and Adam, plus $2 kids’ train rides benefiting the Will Heidrich Foundation.
(Link)
2nd Annual Chalkwalk Festival (McHenry) Free
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Venue: McHenry Riverwalk, Miller Point, McHenry, IL.
Experience the McHenry Riverwalk come alive with colorful chalk art, live art demonstrations, live music and entertainment, face painting, food trucks, and more during the 2nd Annual Chalkwalk Festival. A fun, creative afternoon for families and all ages.
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