Things To Do This Weekend March 6-8, 2026

By: Stephanie Wylie 03/05/2026

From icy charity plunges in Lake Zurich to the soulful storytelling of John Oates in Waukegan, Lake County offers a diverse slate of community events this weekend! The weekend lineup features a blend of early St. Patrick’s Day festivities, youth art exhibitions and high-energy fundraisers, providing residents with various ways to engage with the community as the spring season approaches.

Let's look at the top five things to do this weekend, March 6-8, 2026.

1. PURPLE PLUNGE AT BREEZEWALD BEACH IN VILLAGE OF LAKE ZURICH

Participants wearing purple will again rush into the crisp waters of Lake Zurich as the annual Purple Plunge returns to Breezewald Beach, raising money for local families affected by cancer. Activities begin with registration at Scoreboard Bar & Grill, where raffle tickets and silent auction items will be available. Cheered on by spectators, participants will enter the lake in waves, a brief but bracing tradition that has become a staple of winter in Lake Zurich. The plunge, followed by a post-event party at Scoreboard Bar & Grill, features special food and drink, raffles and awards. The goal extends beyond the plunge itself, building awareness, raising funds and bringing the community together around a shared cause. For more information, visit PurplePlunge.org.

Saturday, March 7; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration is $30. Scoreboard Bar & Grill, 84 N. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.

2. Lucky Leprechaun Hunt in Village of Deerfield

Families can join the Lucky Leprechaun Hunt to add a playful twist to St. Patrick’s Day. The one-hour Deerfield Park District event invites children and their families to explore the park building in search of hidden pots of gold and four-leaf clovers, all leading to the ultimate prize: finding the Lucky Leprechaun. Designed as an interactive indoor hunt, the program is geared toward children ages five and older and emphasizes family participation. Additional details are available at DeerfieldParks.org.

Friday, March 6; 5:30-6:30 p.m. Residents: $12 and Non-Residents: $15. Adults are free with paid children. Jewett Park Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Dr., Deerfield. 

3. Shamrock Shuffle and Jam in Village of Antioch

Runners, walkers and music fans will kick off St. Patrick’s Day celebrations early when the Antioch Shamrock Shuffle and Jam, blending a morning 5K with an afternoon of live music, food and family activities. Participants are encouraged to wear festive green as they make their way through the course. Following the race, the free Shamrock Jam After Party will move to Sequoit Creek Park, where live music and community activities will fill the afternoon. Irish-inspired group The Galway Gals will perform, followed by local band Modern Day Romeos. Radio station 95 WIIL ROCK will also broadcast live on site. More information is available at Antioch.IL.gov. 

Saturday, March 7; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults: $20 and children 10 and under: $10. Race Day Registration: $25/per person. Downtown Antioch, Anita Avenue and Depot Street, Antioch. 

4. Youth Art Month Exhibit at Adler Arts Center in Village of Libertyville

The Adler Arts Center will soon be filled with local exceptional student flair for Youth Art Month. The exhibition is free and open to the public, offering families and visitors a chance to see how young artists interpret the world around them. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, March 6, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Students, families and friends are invited to attend, with live music, a candy bar and non-alcoholic refreshments. The exhibition highlights a wide range of artistic approaches and media, reflecting Adler’s commitment to inclusive and exploratory art experiences. The exhibit runs on select days through March 21. Learn more at AdlerCenter.org.

Friday-Saturday, March 6-7; Opening reception on Fri.: 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Sat.: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Adler Arts Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. 

5. John Oates and The Good Road Band at Genesee Theatre in City of Waukegan

John Oates brings a career-spanning show to the Genesee Theatre with his Good Road Band. Oates's songwriting and vocals have defined generations of pop and rock radio. As one half of Hall & Oates, he created some of the most successful music in history. Over more than four decades, the Philadelphia-born artist crafted a string of chart-topping hits, earned five Grammy nominations and secured induction into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Since stepping away from arena-sized duo work, Oates has explored his musical roots as a solo artist. He released nine solo albums, drawing heavily on the groove-driven R&B and pop influences that shaped his early career in the 1970s and 1980s. The Waukegan performance promises to balance musicianship with storytelling. Buy your tickets at GeneseeTheatre.com.

Saturday, March 7; 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $44. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. 

Click here to see more things to do this weekend March 6-8, 2026.