*Full Calendar Below
Gather & Grow
2nd & 4th Saturday
Each Month
9:00 – 10:30 AM
Read Between the Lynes
Story Time
Thursdays and Saturdays
10:30 AM
Home Depot Kids Workshops
1st Saturday Each Month
9:00 AM
Looking for fun activities for the family in McHenry County, IL? Below is Northern Illinois Parents Event calendar which includes local events and festivals for children, adults, and families. So check out the calendar for things to do and start planning your week/weekend.
*Be sure to call the venue beforehand to make sure the activity is still scheduled. Northern Illinois Parents is not liable for any accidents, harm, or cancellations of events.
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 events, –  Let’s get fishing! Join us for a morning of fishing with some of our favorite local law enforcement! Bring your own rods or borrow one of ours. Prizes awarded for first fish caught, largest fish, smallest fish and most fish! Bait will be provided. Event is free but registration is required. Limited spots. Free –  Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment, live music, food trucks, and more at McHenry County College’s Community Block Party, Sunday, July 27 from Noon to 5 p.m. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Registration is not required. For more information, visit www.mchenry.edu/blockparty. Free | 0 events, | 2 events,  Celebrate the 77th McHenry County Fair July 29 – August 3 while enjoying live music, carnival rides, fair food, farm animals, and all your favorite fair entertainment! Follow along for updates on live entertainment, vendor opportunities, exhibition sign-ups, and more! GENERAL INFO- Become a 2025 McHenry County Fair Vendor: https://mchenrycountyfair.com/vendors/ NOTE: The ONLY way to become […]  Join us for a free presentation on funding to help remove lead-based paint from your home. Free | 1 event, | 1 event, | 2 events,  Hold on to your hats! Bull riding returns to the McHenry County Fair! Next Level Pro Bull Riding puts on an epic display of man vs bull. Come for authentic cowboy experience that will transport you to the Wild West. Don’t miss out on this fair favorite can’t miss event! GET TICKETS: https://mchenrycountyfair.ticketspice.com/bull-riding-2025 ***General fair admission […] $15 | 3 events,  Explore Crystal Lake after dark! Two family-friendly routes (10 & 20 miles) along neighborhood streets and bike paths. NEW THIS YEAR! • Simplified routes (Family-Friendly 10 Miles & 20 Miles) • T-shirt and entry to the Afterparty at Raue Center included with every registration! (live music, raffles, cash bar)! Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025 Location: Start – […] $21 |
| 0 events, | 12 events, –  The next Lightbulb Lab is happening Tuesday, August 5th! Join us from 10 AM – 12 PM at 405 Airport Rd, Harvard, IL for a hands-on event where kids and young adults can learn about electricity, electrical safety, and the world of skilled trades. Interactive activities, tool demos, and a whole lot of learning and […] Free – Celebrate National Night Out – an evening of Public Safety and Community Partnership at Lakefront Park, 10 Riverview Ave. Fox Lake, IL from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Come see a variety of Police, Fire, and Public Works vehicles. There will be games and activities for kids of all ages. Celebrate National Night Out – […] Free | 4 events,  See family movies all summer long on Wednesday mornings for $2 (*plus applicable tax.). Get reserved seating tickets online (no convenience fee!) or at the theatre. Doors open at 9 AM for entertainment and games. Showtime begins at 10 AM. 6/4 – The Day the Earth Blew Up: Looney Tunes 6/11 – Sonic the Hedgehog […] $2 See family movies all summer long on Wednesday mornings for $2 (*plus applicable tax.). Get reserved seating tickets online (no convenience fee!) or at the theatre. Doors open at 9 AM for entertainment and games. Showtime begins at 10 AM. 6/4 – The Day the Earth Blew Up: Looney Tunes 6/11 – Sonic the Hedgehog […] $2 | 3 events, –  Come out and celebrate National Night Out! This free, family-friendly event is all about building community and strengthening the relationship between residents and local law enforcement. Whether you are new to the neighborhood or a longtime resident, National Night Out is a great chance to connect, have fun, and promote a safer, stronger community together. […] Free – This is our 14th year hosting this event in Cary, and this year’s event will be held on Thursday August 7th, starting at 6:30pm and concluding at 9:15pm with a fireworks send off! The First Responder portion of our event will be held in the lower Police Department parking lot area of the new Cary […] Free | 2 events,  Two days of entertainment including live bands, great food, family activities, and fireworks. Celebrate the peak of summer with the Lakemoor community!  Don’t miss The Sandlot, a coming-of-age sports comedy film about a group of young boys who bond over baseball during the summer of 1962. When Scottie Smalls (Thomas Guiry) moves to a new neighborhood, he manages to make friends with a group of kids who play baseball at the sandlot. Together, they go on a series […] Free | 4 events, –  Who’s ready for the FIRST EVER OFFICIAL SKATE CONTEST at Buss Fest on Sat. 8/9?!?! Your favorite skate fest is back and better than ever (STILL with live music and free skate all day). Sign up link for the contest in comments. FREE EVENT SCHEDULE 8am-Noon: @skatemchenry Session 1pm-1:45pm: Beginner 2:30pm-3:15pm: Female 4pm-4:45pm: Intermediate 5:30pm-6:15pm: […] Free | |
| 1 event, –  *free beach admission all day* 12:30-4:30 PM Migrate to the beach for an afternoon to enjoy Monarch Mania! The Monarch Coalition will host a Monarch Fair loaded with games, activities and everything butterflies! Crystal Lake Community Band Showcase 1-4:30 pm 1-1:45 pm Knock on Wood Clarinet Ensemble 2-2:30 pm CLCB Saxophone Quartet 2:45-3:15 pm CLCB […] Free | 0 events, | 1 event, –  TUESDAYS FOR TOTS IS BACK with a special addition. Looking for FREE family fun this summer? Join us on the second Tuesday of each month for Tuesdays for Tots and Inbetweens—a playful, creative, and memory-making morning designed just for kids ages 2–12! If your kiddos are not quite a tot? Not quite a teen? Definitely […] Free | 2 events,  $3.00 admission, Mondays & Wednesdays. For more details: https://www.amctheatres.com/events/summer-movie-camp 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM Movie Times. 6/23 – Bad Guys 6/25 – Bad Guys 6/30 – Minions: The Rise of Gru 7/2 – Minions: The Rise of Gru 7/7 – Despicable Me 4 7/9 – Despicable Me 4 7/14 – Kung Fu Panda 4 […] $3 $3.00 admission, Mondays & Wednesdays. For more details: https://www.amctheatres.com/events/summer-movie-camp 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM Movie Times. 6/23 – Bad Guys 6/25 – Bad Guys 6/30 – Minions: The Rise of Gru 7/2 – Minions: The Rise of Gru 7/7 – Despicable Me 4 7/9 – Despicable Me 4 7/14 – Kung Fu Panda 4 […] $3 | 3 events, –  Leona’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, the veteran-owned Chicago favorite known for serving “Chicago’s Original Pizza,” is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a special one-day event on Thursday, Aug. 14. To honor the guests who’ve made Leona’s a staple for 75 years, the brand will serve 75-cent personal pizzas* to the first 75 VIP Rewards members at […] Free –  This year we’re turning up the volume and kicking off an unforgettable summer at the NEWLY renovated Towne Park! Join us for a season of amazing live music, delicious food trucks, and unbeatable summer vibes! Mark your calendars for Thursday evenings from June 19 – August 14 (except July 3)! Concerts start at 7PM and are FREE […] Free | 0 events, | 2 events, –  Mark your calendars! KidStuff Resale is ready for back to school! •Thousands of Fall & Winter clothes, toys, and gear for kids and babies & maternity •Clothing sizes 0-16, maternity clothes, shoes, costumes, strollers, bikes, games, puzzles, movies, books, bouncy seats, high chairs, push toys, swings, diapering accessories, cloth diapers, breast pumps, nursery décor, carriers […] $1 – June 28 – Aaron Herman & the Blues Cruisers, 50s Sock Hop, costume contest July 26 – County Music Band -Buckle, line dancing August 2 – No Limit Band, 70s Night August 16 – Big Dog Mercer, 80s Night Free |
| 1 event, | 0 events, | 1 event, –  Join the Algonquin Librarians at the Sunset Park Splashpad for storytime filled with stories, songs and dancing. Storytime will start at 10:15 a.m. Stay and play with the REC2U staff from 10:45-11:45 a.m. A special thank you to our sponsors and friends at Rockin’ the Spectrum and The Place for Children with Autism who will […] Free | 0 events, | 1 event,  Story Time & Craft with Marvin’s Toy Store at Grounds Coffee Bar & Cafe in Downtown Crystal Lake Join us the third Thursday of every month this summer at 10:00 AM for a fun Story Time and kids’ craft! June 19thJuly 17thAugust 21st Free craft supplies Perfect for ages 1–5 Free kids’ drink from Grounds with a […] Free | 1 event, –  Fridays – 7:00-8:00 PM August 8: Anchors Away Yacht Rock Band August 15: Blooze Brothers Classic Blues Hits August 22: Rolling Roses Versatile Latin Band Free | 5 events,  This all-ages event combines your two favorite trucks – big rigs and food trucks. In addition to the trucks and great food we will have live music, 21+ beverage selection, and activities for the whole family to enjoy! –  Join Katy as she teaches basic ASL vocabulary to you and your little one. Learning ASL is a great way for babies to learn to communicate their wants and needs with caregivers before gaining the ability to speak. ASL also unlocks language capabilities for babies and helps them build valuable skills that help with language […] Free –  August 23rd, 2025 – 1:00pm Start, 9:30pm Drone Light ShowBrass From The Past – 6:30 – 8:30 Venetian Night is a community event that will take place at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake on August 23, 2025. This event will be an end of the summer party showcasing Lakefront Park and Fox Lake’s access to […] Free |
| 0 events, | 0 events, | 0 events, | 1 event, –  Longest running Car Show in McHenry County! Every Wednesday Night in McHenry County! This summer, we’re thrilled to return downtown for our home location for Cary Cruise Nights. Every Wednesday Night in downtown Cary from 6:00-8:30P. *Final two weeks of the summer the shows end at 8:00P due to darkness We’re eagerly anticipating our 27th […] Free | 1 event, –  Join us for our community event at the Pearl Street Market. Enjoy the live music, shop the market of local vendors, eats from market vendors & food trucks.5pm – music in picnic pavilion, market & food trucks.7pm – main stage act in gazebo We encourage you to bring your chairs, blankets & this event is […] Free | 1 event, –  The Village of Fox Lake is thrilled to introduce Friday Night Live, a brand-new summer event series launching in June 2025. Taking place at the newly renovated Lakefront Park, this exciting weekly event will feature a farmers market (4-7 PM), free live music (7-9 PM), and a variety of food and beverage options from local […] Free | 1 event, –  Greenroom Improv SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025 | 7:00 PM Ticket Price: RaueNOW Membership Adult: $14 RaueNOW Membership Student: $9.10 Standard Adult: $20 Standard Student: $13 —– For over 20 years, GreenRoom Improv has performed nationally for a wide range of audiences and events. GreenRoom specializes in a unique blend of clean, high-energy, multi-faceted improv comedy. […] $20 |
| 1 event, –  The Summer Sunset Festival is an annual event that offers the community an opportunity to enjoy a wealth of activities, food, and entertainment as the summer season comes to a close. This three-day event will be held at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, from Friday through Sunday over Labor Day weekend. Admission is FREE, the […] Free | 0 events, | 0 events, | 0 events, | 0 events, | 0 events, | 2 events,  HEY HEY…Hootenanners!!! The Village of Huntley and the Huntley 158 Education Foundation are so excited…Hootenanny Glow 5K 2025 is officially set to GLOW!!! Mark your calendars for September 6th, 2025 & get registered for this amazing community event!! Registration is now open! Let’s Glow!!! Registration will fill up… GO!!! https://youtu.be/qJ9PY2XAk9E $10 |
