Arts & Entertainment

Plenty of Fun (and Free) Festivals Happening This Weekend in Suburbs

We have information on GreekFest, Glendale Heights Fest, Jazz in Glen Ellyn, Windmill City Festival, Lake in the Hills Rockin' Ribfest, Taste of Chicago and more.

From nationally ranked jumping dogs leaping from docks into water to jazz in the streets to plenty of food festivals, the Chicago suburbs has a lot to offer this weekend.

Better yet, most of the festivals are free. And promise plenty of fun. 

We've picked out a couple great events that caught our eye. If we missed one, let us know in the comments section. 

Lake in the Hills Rockin' Ribfest

The Lake in the Hills Rockin’ Ribfest will be held through this Sunday at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road in Lake in the Hills. There is a $5 entrance fee for those 13 years and older. 

In addition to great music and fantastic ribs, the festival includes a car show, artisan expo and a Lip Smackin' BBQ Community Cook Off. Get more information on Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch

Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

GreekFest

The 36th Annual St. Sophia Greek Festival will be held this weekend on the church's grounds, 525 Church Road in Elgin.  

At the festival, you can taste authentic Greek food, try your foot at Greek dancing, see lively entertainment, shop in the Marketplace (indoors), and tour the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Chruch. 

Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There are also activities for kids and musical entertainment at night. The festival is open 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit the GreekFest website for more information.

Lake Co. Greek Fest

Head over to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on O'Plaine Road in Libertyville this weekend for authentic Greek cuisine and pastries, Greek dancing and live Greek music. 

There will also be games and inflatables for the kids. Menu items include Oven Roasted Leg of Lamb, Pastichio, Souvlaki, Athenian Chicken, Gyros, Saganaki, Loukaniko, Tyropita, Spanakopita and more. Get more information on Libertyville Patch.

Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer will run this weekend in Libertyville and will play host to the DockDogs Regional Finals, which will be located in the X-Treme Dog Park in the PNC Banks rear parking lot, 325 N. Milwaukee.

During the competition, dogs run down a 40-foot dock and jump into a 27,000 gallon 20-by-40-foot pool. The event features 150 nationally ranked top jumping DockDogs competing for prizes and rankings in the “Big Air Long Jump, the Xtreme Vertical High Jump, and the Speed Retrieve timed Jump and Swim.”

Cook Park in Libertyille will have plenty of dog-friendly activities including musical sits, stupid pet tricks, a pet parade, Petathalon 3K Dog Walk and a multi-faith dog blessing ceremony. Downtown Libertyville shops will be open for pets and their owners to shop at. 

Get more information and view a calendar of events on the Dogs Days of Summer website.

Glendale Heights Fest

Glendale Heights Fest kicked off on July 9 and will continue through July 13 at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Avenue. 

The festival includes a carnival and rides, entertainment and fantastic food booths. Fireworks will be held at dusk on July 9 and July 13. 

Get a look at the full schedule of events, musical acts and more on the Glendale Heights Fest website.

Jazz in Glen Ellyn

Jazz in Glen Ellyn will be held Saturday, July 12, with gates opening at 2 p.m. and performances beginning at 4:30 p.m.

This event is located on Main Street between Crescent Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue. Jazz in Glen Ellyn was created to present a unique and entertaining musical event for attendees.

Experience live jazz in a downtown festival setting featuring a line-up of top Jazz musicians, delicious food, wine, beer and other refreshments. This free event is located one block from the Glen Ellyn Metra station.

See this year’s musical line-up and get more information on Jazz in Glen Ellyn on Glen Ellyn Patch

Firin’ Up the Fox BBQ Contest and Festival

The Firin' Up the Fox BBQ Contest and Festival will return to St. Charles Friday and will continue through Sunday.

The festival will include a pig roast, BBQ vendors, BBQ demonstrations from award-winning chefs, pulled-pork tastings and more.

The festival opens at noon on Friday in the Shodeen Lot, 2036 Lincoln Highway in St. Charles. 

View a full schedule of events on the Firin' Up the Fox BBQ Contest website.

Windmill City Festival

Windmill City, also known as Batavia, will host this weekend’s Windmill City Festival. The festival will include a carnival, 5K race, pet parade, ice-cream eating contest and live entertainment. 

Local musical acts performing this year include Modern Day Romeos,  Arra and Hillbilly Rock Stars. This year’s festival will be held July 10 through July 13 at the Riverwalk in downtown Batavia and admission is free.

Visit the Windmill City Festival website for a full schedule of events and more information.

Taste of Chicago

If you feel like a trip into the city, the Taste of Chicago is going on this weekend at Grant Park. Admission is free. View vendors, a full schedule, musical acts and more on the Taste of Chicago website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here