Record Roundup: Pack your summer calendar with these local events and festivals

With Memorial Day in the rearview, summer is upon us — though, the weather needs to catch up.

The North Shore knows how to act accordingly with a calendar full of outdoor music series, weekly programs, art festivals and even some big bashes. Mark your calendars for these events happening near you.

Let us know if we missed anything by emailing newsroom@therecordns.org.

(Fourth of July and Memorial Day events not included)

JUMP TO: WINNETKA | WILMETTE | HIGHLAND PARK | GLENCOE | NORTHFIELD | KENILWORTH

Winnetka

Free Puppet Shows in Crow Island Woods: 5:30-6 p.m. on June 12, July 15 and Aug. 13, Crow Island Woods Park, 1140 Willow Road 

Rouse your child’s imagination by attending any of the three puppet shows an instructor from Oak Leaf Forest Preschool is performing this summer. The free shows will feature nature-centered stories for kids ages 2-7. Sign up for Winnetka Park District’s notification tool online to get updates on schedules or cancellations for this event and others included in this roundup.

3rd Annual Lloyd Beach Bash: 6-10 p.m., June 13, Lloyd Beach, 799 Sheridan Road

Adults ages 21-and-up can kick off the summer with a party at Winnetka’s 3rd annual Lloyd Beach Bash. The event will include live music from Mike & Joe, a rock cover band; lawn games; and a bonfire. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available, as well as food from Taco Nano. Admission costs $20.

Winnetka Music Festival: June 20-21, Downtown Winnetka (Lincoln Avenue between Elm and Prospect)

With headliners like the Cold War Kids and The Revivalists, 28 total musical artists are set to perform over the course of two days and four stages during this year’s ninth annual Winnetka Music Festival. The event will also feature food vendors, a wine bar and free family programming on Saturday afternoon. Two-day general admission tickets cost just under $149. Visit Winnetka Music Fest online for more information on the lineup and day schedule.

Free Family Yoga Days in the Park: 10-10:30 a.m., June 28, Aug. 2, Aug. 15, Sept. 6 

Experienced instructors will be offering four-total morning yoga sessions suitable for all ages this summer. The first two sessions will take place on June 28 and Aug. 2 in Station Park, 754 Elm St. The next two sessions will take place on Aug. 15 and Sept. 6 in Elder Lane Park, 239 Sheridan Road. Bring a water bottle and a yoga mat. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Free Wednesday Concerts in the Woods: 7-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday from June 18-Aug. 27, Hubbard Woods Park, 939 Old Green Bay Road

Take advantage of free live music in the park every Wednesday evening this summer, starting in June. Bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the warm weather outdoors with friends and family. Visit Winnetka Park District online to see a full lineup of the musicians. 

Unplug Day at the Beach Carnival: 12-2 p.m., July 12, Tower Road Beach, 899 Sheridan Road

Children are invited to slide down a giant 25-foot inflatable water slide, play in a foam pit and drop a lifeguard in a dunk tank at Winnetka’s annual Beach Carnival. Admission costs $10 for resident beach-pass holders and $20 for residents without a pass, but only children need to register. (Ticket includes an ice cream treat.) The carnival costs $15/$30 for non-residents.

Outdoor Obstacle Course and Nerf Battles: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., August 23, Dwyer Park, 856 Elm St.

For children ages 7-14 looking for an active day outside, Dwyer Park will be transformed into a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course one Saturday-only in August. There’ll be four time slots to run the obstacle course, with admission costing $10 per child. A parent-child duo can also sign up to storm a “custom-built Fortress Battlefield” as part of a Nerf battle at $5 per child.

Free End of Summer Luau and Beach Concert: 5-8:30 p.m., Aug 27, Lloyd Beach, 799 Sheridan Road

Close out the summer in Winnetka with live entertainment on the beach from a luau show by The Barefoot Hawaiians dance group and a live concert by Winnetka’s own Steeley Dad Band. Admission is free but a pig roast dinner provided by Hofherr Meat Co. will be available at $10 per person.

Wilmette

Free Sounds of Summer Concerts: June 11-Sept. 25, in Mallinckrodt and Gillson Park

Enjoy more live music this summer with 19-different performances set to take stage in either the Mallinckrodt Park Gazebo or Wallace Bowl in Gillson Park. Artists range from the Evanston Symphony Orchestra to the “Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Experience.” The Gillson Beach parking lot will open 30 minutes prior to Wallace Bowl shows.

Back the Bowl Bash: 6 p.m., June 28, Gillson Park

Tasty food, cold drinks and live music from six different local bands will all be part of this summer’s  benefit concert hosted by the charity Ouilmette Foundation to fundraise for the Wallace Bowl in Gillson Park. Tickets cost $25 for children, $50 for those 12-18 and $100 for adults over 18 — but include food and drinks this year. All proceeds go to supporting the parks and repairs to the Wallace Bowl.

Wilmette Art Fair: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 2-3, downtown Wilmette

More than 100 original artists will be exhibiting their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and more for sale this summer in downtown Wilmette. The fair will also include drinks, food, live music, face painting and bingo at a kid-friendly art zone. Admission and parking is free.

THE Wilmette Block Party: 12-10 p.m., Sept. 6, downtown Wilmette

The Village of Wilmette is once again partnering with its park district and Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce for this year’s downtown block party. A main stage will feature three different bands starting at 3 p.m., and a kids zone for additional entertainment. Check with the Wilmette Park District online for a list of the lineup and food vendors.

Free Music on the Green Concerts: 7 p.m., June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19, 1200 Wilmette Ave.

Bring some snacks and lawn chairs out to the front lawn of Wilmette’s Village Hall to enjoy some live music outdoors as part of the community’s Music on the Green summer concert series. Three different groups — The Chris Karabas Band, The Joe Wortell Band and The Mild West — are set to perform, each on the third Tuesday of the month from June to August.

Highland Park

Bitter Jester Music Festival: 5:30-10:30 p.m., June 6, 7, 13 and 14, Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.

Get ready for a month-long series of live music in downtown Highland Park as six different bands participate in a showcase each week in June. Admission and parking is free to the public, while the winners are set to win a $2,000 prize and win a spot onstage at the Bitter Jester Music Festival’s Grand Final performance on June 28. Scorched Waves, a finalist from the 2024 festival, will also open for The Black Crowes at Ravinia on June 18, and a “Best Of” concert will take place on Sept. 1 at Navy Pier.

Taste of Highland Park: 5 p.m.-10 p.m., June 20-21, Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.

Experience both live music and your favorite cuisines at this year’s Taste of Highland Park. Three bands will perform each night in the city’s downtown square and more than seven restaurants — like Cafe Dacha, Pizza and Mil Colibris Bakery + Cafe — will participate alongside other vendors. 

Port Clinton Art Festival: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 23-24, Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.

Paintings, sculptures and other works from more than 200 artists will be on full display this summer in Highland Park’s downtown Port Clinton Art Festival. Live music, cold drinks, specialty coffee and treats will also be available just as a Kids Art Zone will provide painting classes. Visit the Port Clinton Art Festival online for a list of returning award winning artists.

Food Truck Thursdays: 4:30 p.m. to dusk, June 5-Sept. 18, Jen Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave.

An array of food trucks and performances is once again coming to Highland Park’s Ravinia District this summer. Visit Enjoy Highland Park for a full lineup of the entertainment, which will include jazz bands, bluegrass, live theater and an Elton John impersonator. For a sneak peek of each week’s menus, follow @raviniadistrict on Instagram.

Glencoe

Morning Music / Music on the Esplanade: 10-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays starting June 2, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road

The Chicago Botanic Garden provides a beautiful setting to listen to live music outdoors whether you got mornings or evenings free this summer. More than 25 artists are set to perform every Monday and Wednesday evening from June 2 to Aug. 27 on the garden’s Esplanade, where picnicking is welcome. Likewise, if you’re more of an early riser you can check out the 26 different artists who will perform in the garden’s McGinley Pavilion each Tuesday and Thursday from June 3 to Aug. 28. Parking is free and garden admission fees apply for nonmembers.

Glencoe Art Festival: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., July 19-20, 700 Vernon Ave.

Embrace your creativity at the Glencoe Festival of Art this summer, where 110 artists will be exhibiting their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and more. Beer and wine will be on hand for adults just as a kids art zone will be available for children. There’ll also be a stage with live music, snacks and live art demonstrations.

Free Glencoe Al Fresco: 5:30-7:30 p.m., July 11, 18 and 25, 325 Tudor Court

Looking for something to do with your Friday nights this July? The Writers Theatre and Village of Glencoe are partnering to hold outdoor dining from food trucks, live music from full bands and family activities. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and check out a performance at Writers Theatre. Check back in with the village website for an upcoming lineup of food trucks and bands.

Northfield

Market and Music: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 11-Aug. 6 (not July 2), 1950 Willow Road

Northfield’s marquee summer event features music, food, drinks and a community market. Each event children’s entertainment goes from 5:30-6:15 p.m. with a concert to follow. See a schedule of bands at the park district’s website.

Kenilworth

Food Truck Mondays: June-September, near Kenilworth Assembly Hall, 410 Kenilworth Ave.

Celebrate every Monday evening with your neighbors in Kenilworth. This event includes live music and guest food trucks. Last year’s trucks included Billy Bricks, Rio Bamba, Lo Cocinita, Happy Lobster, Culinary Gangster and more.

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