MUST-ATTEND EVENTS
The Northwest suburbs are a hub for families, artists, musicians, and athletes. While we are known for our amazing summers, there is something to do all year long. Here is a highlight of some of our most popular events, so take a look, mark your calendars, and join the fun!
WINTER
Christkindlmarket, Mount Prospect
Village Hall
50 S. Emerson St.
50 S. Emerson St.
Mount Prospect
Explore the Christkindlmarket in the Community Room, which welcomes an array of local vendors with creative gifts just in time for the holidays!
Jingle Jam
123 N. Plum Grove Rd., Palatine, IL
Jingle Jam Light Show Christmas Event will have something that everyone in your family can enjoy. Join in for an unforgettable Christmas experience complete with fun, games, crafts, music, hot cocoa, snacks, free family photoshoot and lights!
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
North School Park
Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is held the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Village of Arlington Heights installs and decorates an evergreen tree on the Park's fountain and lights up the streetscape trees. Our Park District craftsmen have created a number of display pieces over the years that carry out a children's toy theme. Enjoy carols after the lighting ceremony!
Jingle Mingle Holiday Market
Wheeling Town Center
At the Jingle Mingle Holiday Market, there will be jewelry, fashion accessories, home décor, clothing, toys, tasty treats and more! There will also be food samples and special offers from Wheeling Town Center restaurants! And even prizes and giveaways!
Winterfest
Willow Stream Park (south end near Old Checker Road)
Buffalo Grove, IL
Join in for a day of winter fun for the entire family. Children will have the opportunity to challenge themselves by completing winter obstacle courses, navigate through a scavenger hunt, enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, pet and take pictures with live reindeer, and participate in arts and crafts. Participants are encouraged to bring their ice skates to skate on the ice rink in the south parking lot. Be sure to dress warm, as this event is outside!
Lights around Wheeling
Friendship Park at the Northeast corner of Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue.
Featuring a procession, visits with Santa and lighting of the holiday lights. Wheeling would love for you to experience the holidays at Wheeling!
Lollipop Land
The Wheeling Historical Society presents Lollipop Lane at the Chamber Park Community Center, 131 N. Wolf Rd., Wheeling, IL. This event is sponsored by the Wheeling Historical Society, Wheeling Park District, Stasek Chevrolet, and many Wheeling businesses. Have your free picture taken with Santa!
Noon Year Celebration
Wheeling Park District
100 Community Blvd., Wheeling, IL
Celebrate the NEW year at NOON! Bring the kids and join in the festivities including games, music, balloon drop and sparkling grape-juice toast. Each participant receives a party hat and noisemaker!
Irish Fest
Arlington Heights Historical Museum is located at the corner of Fremont and Vail streets, one block south of Euclid. Irish Fest is all Irish all day for the entire family with a huge lineup of Irish entertainment, food, vendors and cultural programs. Fans of all things Irish can spend two days on the beautiful Arlington Heights Historical Museum grounds immersed in sounds, smells and tastes of Ireland.
Irish fest Mount Prospect
Downtown Mount Prospect
Chase Building Parking Lot, 111 E. Busse Ave.
Mount Prospect, IL
Chase Building Parking Lot, 111 E. Busse Ave.
Mount Prospect, IL
Celebrate all things Irish in a huge heated tent filled with Irish music, Irish food and of course Irish beer!
Irish Days
Irish dancers, Irish music, Irish-inspired food, Irish-inspired drink, Irish dog contest, and more! Join in on the fun during the Irish Days Fest in Long Grove!
SPRING
Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmers' Market
The Market is located at the East Metra commuter lot at NW Highway and Emerson Street
Get the freshest produce in town every Sunday morning from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Lots of vendors from IIlinois, Michigan and Wisconsin-area farmers, specialty crafters, unique food items and other one-of-a-kind vendors. Don’t miss out on one of the most popular markets in the area!
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Memorial Park
Fremont and Chestnut
Arlington Heights, IL
As always, Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring and remembering our nation’s fallen heroes. In Arlington Heights, they especially honor and remember Arlington’s fallen heroes with a ceremony followed by a parade!
SUMMER
Strawberry Fest, Long Grove
Strawberry Fest 2022 will include live music and family entertainment. Non-stop tunes, from solo acts to touring bands, on multiple stages. Some of the area’s most popular restaurants, chefs, and vendors will pop-up shops to serve unique strawberry-centric cuisine!
Rock N Run The Runway
This joint community fireworks event! The day will start with a 5K run in the morning, and resume with food trucks, live music, children's entertainment, and fireworks in the evening!
4th of July Parade
The Village of Mount Prospect 4th of July Parade is at the corner of Emerson Street and Prospect Avenue. Featuring favorites including carnival rides, food, beverages, live music and of course, fireworks!
Frontiers Day Festival
Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights, IL
FREE entertainment and no event fee to attend Frontier Days! Join in to hear amazing music to rock you through the night. Performers on the Main and Frontier stages won’t disappoint!
Taste of Arlington Heights
With the help of residents and businesses, downtown Arlington Heights hosts live music, family-friendly activities and plenty of food during the two-day celebration. The main area for both events is the intersection of Campbell Street and Vail Avenue!
Buffalo Grove Days
Buffalo Grove Days is held at Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 McHenry Rd.
A carnival will run and there will be musical entertainment each night along with a DJ playing before and after! Local food trucks will be serving food!
Palatine Jaycees Fourth of July Hometown Fest
Palatine Community Fest
Since 1957, the Palatine Jaycees have proudly partnered with the Village of Palatine and Palatine Park District to host Hometown Fest, Palatine’s Fourth of July Celebration. The festival includes live bands, food vendors, carnival, business expo and craft fair, bags tournament, bingo, 50/50 raffle, Family Day and many other family activities!
Sounds of Summer
Palatine Park District’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series is at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater! The complete summer package includes many Main Stage Concerts! All performances are free, so pack a picnic, pull up a lawn chair, and enjoy your summer music experience!
FALL
Mount Prospect Oktoberfest
Intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue
Pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treat candy line, activities, food and music in the downtown area. Join in the fun of celebrating Mount Prospect’s heritage with authentic German food, spirits and music!
Palatine Oktoberfest
Join in this event for live music, authentic German food, dancing, and lots of beer! There will also be a number of activities to choose from; don't miss out, and don't forget to wear your German attire!
Long Grove Apple Fest
Long Grove’s Apple Fest is known for the apple pies, donuts, caramel-dipped to candied apples, apple wine, sangria, and more! In addition to all of the delightful apple specialties, you can even try some options right off the menu at our local hometown restaurants. There is also a stage full of great rhythm and sounds showcasing all your favorite styles of music!
Scarecrow Days
The suburb’s biggest homage to scarecrow-making returns again to Historic Downtown Long Grove! Do It Yourself Scarecrow Day is an afternoon dedicated to harvesting charm and family fun. Scarecrow engineers are invited to reserve a time to build their own custom scarecrow modeled after any character or idea they can create!
Craft Beer Fest
Long Grove, IL
Featuring local and regional craft breweries and cider with live music and food carts!
Palatine Stables
Join in for some fall family fun! Activities will include pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, fall-themed make-and-take crafts, and an area for photo ops, including a visit with a live horse!