A Jampacked Calendar of Fun Community Events for September 2025 in Lake County

Sep 3, 2025

We’re back with a full calendar of community events for Lake County and the Chicagoland area! From cultural festivals to oktoberfests to car shows and movie nights, you’ll find a whole jampacked month of excitement and fun. Just because summer vacation is over doesn’t mean the party has to stop! So, hop in your new car from Classic and let’s hit the road and explore these great local events.

Palate to Palette Ladies First is a celebration of women in arts and industry at The Gallery in Lake Forest on September 4th from 6PM to 10PM. Enjoy an evening of art paired with food, cocktails, curated beverages, and live music.

It’s a Friday Night Food Truck event with Fork N Fry over at Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove on Friday September 5th from 5PM to 8PM, and you don’t want to miss it! Enjoy these signature loaded fry dishes paired with craft beers.

The 4th Annual Cruisin’ on Center Grayslake Car Show is heading to town on Saturday September 6th from 9Am to 3PM with a rain date of September 13th. Visitors can enjoy Live Music by Lakes Area Swing Band and Slam Funk, Raffles with Prizes, and more. This free event features hundreds of cars and benefits local food pantries, college scholarship funds and more.

Black Lung Brewing Company is hosting its grand opening festivities from 12PM to 11PM on Friday September 5th at Black Lung Brewing in Grayslake at the Village Center.

Candle-making movie night is back at Romney Brown Candle Company, this time for Ferris Bueller’s Day off from 6-9PM on Saturday September 6th in Grayslake.

The Vintage Car Show at The Lot in Highland Park promises to be a great time this weekend from Noon to 4PM on Saturday September 6th on Central Ave.

Park on Park Cruise Night in Mundelein will be hosting its last event for the season on September 10th from 4PM to 8PM in Downtown Mundelein with classic cars pre-1977 for a special show like nothing else!

Wauconda’s Latin Heritage Fest invites the whole community to celebrate Latin Heritage with authentic Mexican food, music, folk dance, games, and an Our Lady of Guadalupe Pageant and plenty of more excitement! All ages are welcome and the event takes place on September 13th.

Dog Lovers and their besties can enjoy a day of fun in the sun at Paws in the Park, a dog-friendly community event with fun and games, treats, a vendor market, dog costume contest, and more! Plus, a sniff-and-find enrichment trail. It’s all happening on September 13th from 1PM to 3PM at Larry Fink Memorial Park in Highland Park.

On Sunday September 14th in Downtown Waukegan at Butrick & Washington Street come out and celebrate Viva La Independencia in Waukegan celebrating Latin America and a traditional Independence Parade of Mexico! A portion of all funds raised during the event will go to supporting the Juntoz Cancer Patient Fund for local Waukegan residents undergoing cancer treatment.

Oktoberfest will take place on Friday September 19th and Saturday September 20th at Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville from 5PM to 10PM. On Saturday, families can enjoy Familygarten from 1PM to 4PM with children’s activities, live music, and more. The main weekend event is an admission ticket required one, but includes a plastic stein and one beer ticket.

Artwauk in Waukegan will be back this month on Saturday September 20th from 5PM to 9PM downtown, at the Belvidere Mall, and Waukegan Harbor.

Wauke-Con is powering its way into town on Saturday September 20th from 12PM to 6Pm at the Three Brothers Theater! Enter to win an autographed Bradbury Comic Book at Waukegan’s annual comic book convention.

Enjoy candle-making and a movie night with Jennifer’s Body at Romney Brown Candle Company in Grayslake on September 27th from 6Pm to 8PM and enjoy a themed topper with custom candle and custom label, pizza, and a movie with your friends. This feature is rated R.

The Highland Park Hoe Down is a family friendly, brand-new, and free fall event for everyone to enjoy from 11AM to 1Pm on Saturday September 28th at Sunset Woods Park in Highland Park.

Vernon hills Worldwide Day of Play invites families from all over the county to come out and enjoy a Day of fun and family-friendly event from 11AM to 1Pm at Century Park Pavillion in Vernon Hills on Saturday September 27th.

A special Pet Adoption Event on Saturday is presented by the James Bank Foundation on September 27th from 10AM to 5PM at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Events Center in Grayslake! Come on out and find your new best friend and family member with more than 500 adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds from the tri-state area and Chicagoland. Presented by the Chicagoland Humane Coalition.

Festival De Cultura, Comida, y Vida is taking place at Nippersink Forest Preserve in Round Lake on Sunday, September 28th from 2PM to 6PM with local food vendors, live music including a mariachi band, and a celebration of culture and love!