Guide To 2019 Summer Festivals, Events In Lake Forest, Lake Bluff

With school letting out and summer kicking into gear on the North Shore, we've compiled a summer-long list of upcoming events in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. There's family-friendly fun activities on offer across the area all summer long. Find schedules, events and registration deadlines below for festivals, fairs and markets set for summer 2019.

Lake Forest

Concerts in the Square
Live music, food and fun for the whole family is planned for Thursdays at Market Square in June and July, with acts performing jazz, country, rock and soul at 6:30 p.m. The full schedule of bands is available online.

Elawa Farm Garden Market
Selling produce, herbs and flowers direct from Elawa Farm and selected visiting vendors, the garden market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays until Oct. 26. Seasonal homemade and artisanal items are also available. More information is available from the Elawa Farm Foundation.

Ragdale Ring
The seventh annual Ragdale Ring Performance Series returns with a mix of live music, storytelling, art and dance at Ragdale, 1230 N. Green Bay Road. The latest ring will be unveiled June 12, followed by performances July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 14. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and free for kids up to age 11. Group tickets are available.

Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks
Headliners this year include country group Bella Cain and Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute band with members selected by George Harrison's sister. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:40 p.m. Tickets are $15 for residents of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and $20 for non-residents, with VIP passes and parking extra.

Movie at the Beach
Santa is scheduled to make a surprise midsummer's appearance at Forest Park Beach on Friday, July 19, ahead of an 8 p.m. showing of "Happy Feet."

Lake Forest Day
The 111th annual Lake Forest Day festivities are set for Tuesday, Aug. 6 and Wednesday, Aug. 7. Carnival rides, live music and food begins at West Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, a 5-kilometer fun run begins at 7 a.m. at Deerpath Community Park, a parade down Western Avenue is scheduled for 10 a.m. and the Party in the Park runs until 11 p.m. at West Park. Parade applications must be submitted by July 26 to be eligible for awards.

Art Fair on the Square/Artisan Guild Fall Fair
Sponsored by the Deer Path Art League, the 65th annual Art Fair on the Square will include about 180 juried exhibitors and is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, and Monday, Sept. 2. Meanwhile, the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Artisan Guild is holding its 14th annual fall art fair in the Lake Forest Bank and Trust parking lots, which will feature about 40 local and regional artists showcasing work across a variety of media.

Lake Bluff

Lake Bluff Farmers' Market
The farmers market runs Fridays from 7 a.m. to noon until Oct. 11 at the Village Green at Sheridan Road and Scranton Avenue. A complete list of 2019 vendors is available online.

Artist on the Bluff
The 2019 Summer Arts Festival will be held Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Village Green. The event will feature art from more than 30 local artists, plus music, dance and art activities for all ages. More information is available online.

Movies at the Pool
Screenings begin at dusk at the pool at 355 W. Washington Ave., where the Lake Bluff Park District will put up a big screen and serve popcorn. "Dumbo" will be shown June 27, "Madagascar" on July 12, "Captain Marvel" on July 26

Lake Bluff 4th Of July
Independence Day festivities in the village begin with a tennis tournament on July 1 and continue with the fireman's ball July 3 at Blair Park. A pancake breakfast kicks off July 4 events, with opening ceremonies of the 109th annual Lake Bluff parade set for 9:40 a.m. ahead of a 10 a.m. start. After the parade, a cookout and live music is planned for Village Green followed by a concert from cover band Final Say at the beach from 6 to 8 p.m.

Bluffinia Summer Concert Series
Downtown Lake Bluff's summer concert series begins begins July 7 and continues every Sunday until Aug. 18. Performances take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays. A full schedule is available online.

Shakespeare on the Green
CenterStage is presenting live Shakespeare performances on the Village Green from 4 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 31, Sept. 1, Sept. 7 and Sept. 8.

More: Complete 2019 Ravinia Schedule

Got another North Shore summer event to add? Add it to the Patch calendar.