Your Local Community Calendar of Events for August 2025 in Lake County, IL

Aug 1, 2025

Summer may be winding down, but the fun doesn’t stop here in Lake County! This month as part of our ongoing Classic Toyota of Waukegan Community Calendar, we’ve got street festivals, arts and crafts fairs, live concerts and performances, interactive workshops, and so much more. All month long you and your family can enjoy both paid and free admission events around the county. We can’t wait to see you there!

Saturday August 2nd head out to the Main Street Dessert Walk in Libertyville! Enjoy tasting sized portions of handmade desserts at local businesses and enjoy 3 blocks of walking and light refreshments. The David Adler Music And Arts Center’s Annual Festival of the Arts is also taking place in Cook Park for a fun double header event!

Saturday August 2nd from 12PM to 4PM is the Beats in the Garden At Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe for an engaging afternoon of art and music for kids! Join in the fun with Planet Chambo and Solidarity Studios as your kids enjoy hip-hop beats inspired by nature!

Mama Mia! It’s a hands-on gnocchi making class at The Joyful Gourmet from 6PM to 9PM on Saturday August 2nd for a date night out learning handmade food and traditional Italian techniques for pasta making!

The 44th Annual Festival of the Arts at Adler Arts Center is taking place both on Saturday August 2nd and Sunday August 3rd starting at 10AM! Enjoy a wonderful festival of juried art and music with fine handmade goods and special performances celebrating Lake County.

National Night Out is hosting An Evening of Public Safety and Community Partnership on Tuesday August 5th from 3PM to 8PM in Fox Lake at Lakefront Park. Enjoy demonstrations and family friendly games and activities for kids and folks of all ages. Additional “National Night Out” events taking place in Libertyville at Adler Park and Highland Park at Hidden Creek AquaPark.

Touch a Truck and Waukegan’s Night Out event sponsored by Waukegan Park District will be held on Friday August 8th at the Waukegan Municipal Beach in Waukegan, starting at 5PM through 8PM!

The 5th Annual Unplugged Fest at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich is scheduled for 11AM to 3PM on Sunday August 10th. Come on out to this free family friendly event which encourages families to “ditch their devices” and enjoy a plethora of screen-free activities and experiences for all ages.

2025 Sangria Fest is taking place on August 9th and August 10th from 1PM to 7PM at the Glunz Family Winery and Cellars in Grayslake. Enjoy wine tastings and the Centenario Bellos Tacos Food Truck!

The Highwood Garlic Festival is an experience to remember, hosted by the Highwood Chamber of commerce on August 13th in Highwood from 4:30 to 9:30!

This month’s ArtWauk sponsored by the Waukegan Arts Council is taking place from 5Pm to 9Pm on Saturday August 16th downtown and in the Belvidere Mall! Enjoy the art and live performances and art exhibits.

AfroFest is coming to the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago from 12PM to 8Pm on Saturday August 16th! Enjoy live music, performances throughout the day, vendors, shopping, and plenty of local eats.

The 25th Annual Dandelion Wine and Arts Music Festival is returning to Bowen Park in Waukegan for Saturday August 16th from 12PM to 6PM to celebrate the life and creative legacy of Ray Bradbury, Enjoy live painters, sculptures, art vendors, photographers and more!

The Annual Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow is coming to Zion’s Shiloh Park on Friday August 22nd, Saturday August 23rd, and Sunday August 24th for this family-friendly event sharing the culture and arts of Native American heritage in our region! Enjoy art, music, dancing, drum demonstrations, raffles, silent auctions, a giveaway, and more!

The Leave a Plant Love A Plant exchange is happening at the Lake Forest Library on Friday August 22nd. Come to the library and donate your indoor houseplants and adopt a new one in this local plant swap. Succulents, cuttings, houseplants, empty pots and vases, are all acceptable! Donate your plants on the 22nd and donate/swap on August 23rd.

Port Clinton Arts Festival will be rolling into downtown Highland Park from August 23rd and 24th from 10AM to 5PM. Enjoy painting classes, demonstrations, public art projects, bubble making, food and rink and coffee, live music and performances, and an incredible variety of handmade and artisan goods by local craftsfolk.

Enjoy several screenings of the incredible “Selena” at the Wayfarer Theaters in Highland Park from Friday August 22nd through August 28th. This biographical drama of Selena Quintilla’s life and career will draw you in and capture your focus!

Labor Day weekend in Highwood from August 29th, 30th, and 31st is the Nashville in Highwood concert event! Come on out and enjoy 100 free live performances featuring country, southern blues, classic, and contemporary rock starting friday at happy hour and all day and evening on both Saturday and Sunday!