By The Lisa Wolf Team
Vernon Hills has its own events infrastructure, including a free outdoor concert series at the Memorial Arbortheater and Vernon Hills Days, the village's signature four-day summer festival. But the real picture for residents is fuller than that. The surrounding Lake County corridor includes historic downtown Long Grove with a full festival calendar from spring through fall, downtown Libertyville's long-running summer festival and juried art fair, and the Arbortheater Concert Series.
For the buyers we work with evaluating Vernon Hills against other Lake County communities, the annual events and festivals are among the genuine quality-of-life assets that come up regularly.
Key Takeaways
- Vernon Hills Days is the village's signature annual festival: A four-day summer event at Century Park typically held in mid-July and free to attend, with carnival rides, live music, a petting zoo, fireworks, a car show, kids' crafts, a baggo tournament, and a beer tent.
- The Vernon Hills Memorial Arbortheater Concert Series runs free outdoor concerts through summer: Held Wednesday evenings at 50 S. Fairway Drive from mid-June through early August, open to everyone, blanket-and-picnic format.
- Historic downtown Long Grove operates one of the most ambitious festival calendars in Lake County: Chocolate Fest in May, Strawberry Fest in late June, and Apple Fest in late September, all in a walkable historic village setting approximately 15 minutes from Vernon Hills.
- Libertyville Days runs four days in June in downtown Libertyville: Carnival rides, live music, a beer garden, an arts and crafts fair, a Saturday parade, and kids' activities.
Vernon Hills's Own Annual Events
The village runs two annual events that anchor the summer social calendar for residents.
- Vernon Hills Days is the village's flagship annual celebration, typically held over four days in mid-July at Century Park. There are carnival rides, a petting zoo, a car show, fireworks, live music on a main stage, a beer tent, free kids' crafts, a baggo tournament, and food and drink vendors. The event is free to attend.
- Vernon Hills Memorial Arbortheater Concert Series runs free outdoor concerts on Wednesday evenings from mid-June through early August at 50 S. Fairway Drive. Concerts run 7 to 9 p.m. Bring a blanket and snacks. The series is free and produced annually by the Village of Vernon Hills.
Together, these two events give Vernon Hills residents a meaningful summer social calendar without leaving the village.
Historic Downtown Long Grove: A Full Annual Festival Calendar
Long Grove is approximately 15 minutes from most Vernon Hills neighborhoods and operates one of the most consistent annual festival calendars in Lake County. All events are organized by the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association in the walkable downtown district.
- Chocolate Fest runs in mid-May in the historic downtown, featuring three stages of live music, carnival rides, lawn games, a local vendor market, and downtown restaurants offering chocolate specialty items. Admission is paid, and children 12 and under are free.
- Strawberry Fest draws close to 30,000 visitors. The festival features strawberry-infused foods and drinks, live music on multiple stages, carnival rides, family activities, and the full downtown business district operating. General admission is $7 per day, and children 12 and under are free.
- Apple Fest runs in late September. It follows the same format as Strawberry Fest and celebrates fall harvest and apple-themed foods.
All proceeds are directed toward downtown improvement projects.
Libertyville Annual Events
Libertyville is approximately 10 to 15 minutes from Vernon Hills and offers two distinct annual events that draw residents from across the north Lake County corridor.
- Libertyville Days Festival and Parade is a four-day annual summer festival in downtown Libertyville. The 2026 edition runs June 18 through 21 with carnival rides, live music, a beer garden, an arts and crafts fair, kids' activities, and food from Church Street Eats.
- Festival of the Arts is a two-day juried art and music festival in Cook Park in historic downtown Libertyville, presented by the Adler Arts Center and the GLMV Chamber of Commerce.
FAQs
What is the biggest annual event in Vernon Hills itself?
Vernon Hills Days is the village's largest annual event. It runs four days in mid-July at Century Park with free admission, live music from regional and national acts, carnival rides, fireworks, a petting zoo, a car show, a beer tent, and family activities.
How far are the Long Grove festivals from Vernon Hills?
Long Grove is approximately 12 to 15 minutes from most Vernon Hills neighborhoods via Route 45 and Route 22. The historic downtown district is compact and walkable. Parking is limited on peak festival days, and the festivals operate a free shuttle from the Golf Dome parking area.
Are the Vernon Hills Arbortheater concerts really free?
Yes. The Vernon Hills Memorial Arbortheater Concert Series is produced annually by the Village, and all concerts are free and open to the public. Blankets, picnic food, and lawn chairs are welcome.
Contact the Lisa Wolf Team Today
The annual events and festivals near Vernon Hills IL are part of the fabric of what daily life here looks like over a full year. We at the Lisa Wolf Team know which neighborhoods in Vernon Hills put families closest to Century Park and the Arbortheater, and we know this corridor well enough to have that conversation in specific terms.
When you're ready to talk about what a move to Vernon Hills looks like, reach out to us at the Lisa Wolf Team.
When you're ready to talk about what a move to Vernon Hills looks like, reach out to us at the Lisa Wolf Team.
