Top 10 Things To Do in April 2019
By: Jonathan Jones 04/01/2019
Happy April Lake County! There is a slew of things to do in April.
In the words of the late, great Robin Williams, “Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s Party’!” The party is here in Lake County, IL. Besides the apparent spike in temperature, spring marks the opening of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, boating season, sprouting of nature at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe and Lake County Forest Preserves and so many more events.
It’s also the Final Four folks. If your brackets are still breathing with this debacle of a tournament, then we commend you. Click here to see where you can watch March Madness in Lake County.
In three weeks and change, Six Flags Great America opens its doors for the season. If you’re a first-timer or even a grizzled veteran, take a look at that first visit to the Gurnee amusement park. To view the experience, continue here.
Take advantage of everything Lake County has to offer with these top 10 things to do in April.
The 2019 boating season is officially underway! Take your vessel out on the water and witness the scenic Great Lake: Lake Michigan. The full-service marina accommodates any watercraft from sailboats to luxury cruisers. The city's harbor and marina offer 700 slips. Check waukeganharbor.com for slip fees. Enjoy the aquatic journey! Boating season at Waukegan Harbor & Marino extends through November 1
Create a holiday keepsake this month at Gurnee Mills or Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills. Children of all ages can pose for a photo-op, as well as meet and greet with the Easter Bunny. Both bunnies can be found in the Macy’s wing of the respective malls. Reservations are encouraged. The Easter Bunny visit is free of admission; however, photographs require an extra fee. Here are a few other bunny events around Lake County.
- Photos with the Bunny at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills (Now-April 20) INFO»
- Easter Bunny Photo Time at Gurnee Mills (Now-April 20) INFO»
- Soothing Bunny at Hawthorn Mall (April 7) INFO»
- Caring Bunny at Gurnee Mills (April 7) INFO»
- Easter Event - Free Photo at Bass Pro Shops in Gurnee (April 13-20) INFO »
- Brunch with the Bunny at Maggianos in Vernon Hills (April 14) INFO»
- Bunny Brunch at Lambs Farm (April 19-20) INFO»
- Visit with the Easter Bunny at the Jelly Belly Visitors Center (April 20) INFO»
- Easter Brunch at Chessie's Restaurant in Barrington (April 21) INFO»
- Easter Brunch at Three Embers in Lincolnshire (April 21) INFO»
- Easter Champagne Brunch, Egg Hunts & Petting Zoo at Illinois Beach Hotel in Zion (April 21) INFO»
Spring festivals in Lake County feature the most delectable eats, eclectic live music, radiant works of art and of course,
libations. Experience the fanfare of our warming season as we provide you with the guide to spring festivals in Lake County.
- Bourbon & Bonfires at Three Embers Restaurant in Lincolnshire (April 3) INFO»
- First Fridays on MainStreet Libertyville (April 5) INFO»
- Island Fever Beach Party at Club Tiki in Waukegan (April 6) INFO»
- Fly Fishing Film Fest at Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest (April 7) INFO»
- Science After Hours at Chicago Botanic Garden (April 12) INFO»
- Zurko Antique and Flea Market at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake (April 13) INFO»
- Unearth Science Festival at Chicago Botanic Garden (April 13-14) INFO»
- Fear No Art Festival at James Lumber Center in Grayslake (April 26-27) INFO»
- Derby Hat Day with After Party in downtown Antioch (April 27) INFO»
- Arbor Day Celebration in Highland Park's Jens Jensen Park (April 27) INFO»
- Gold Eagle Beer, Bacon and Bourbon Tasting in Libertyville (April 27) INFO»
- A Celebration of Illinois Craft Beer at Mickey Finn's Brewery in Libertyville (April 27) INFO»
- Long Grove Craft Beer Festival (April 27) INFO»
- Malott Japanese Garden Spring Festival at Chicago Botanic Garden (April 27-28) INFO»
From concerts to prehistoric adventures to ar displays and more, James Lumber Center at College of Lake County has a performance for everyone to enjoy. The 600-seat facility will make you laugh, cry and just have some good old fashioned family fun. Here's what the James Lumber Center has cooking in April.
- CLC Gospel Choir Concert (April 6) INFO»
- Erth's Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure (April 7) INFO»
- Play On! A CLC Theatre Student Showcase (April 12-14, 19-20) INFO»
- Fear No Art Fest (April 26-27) INFO»
You can’t ban dancing!? “Footloose” takes place in Elmore City Oklahoma, which in American history is an actual town that forbade a good ole fashion jig. Not that the law ever took hold, but the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon (featuring the smash hit song with the movie title by Kevin Loggins) was based on these events that took place in the Sooner State. In 1998, the dancing machine movie hit center stage. The live theatre adaptation was nominated for four Tony Awards winning one in Best Choreography. Follow the story of a Chicago kid who can really cut a rug and see the impact he has on that little Oklahoma town. The show runs through June 2.
If you hear an emphatic neigh in the distance, it is coming from the lips of the majestic Tempel Lipizzans in Old Mill Creek. Invite mom to a meet and greet inside the dancing stallions’ humble abode. On this behind-the-scenes tour, attendees will learn about the Lipizzan history, the methods of classical riding and receive a full tour of the farm. The tour will end in the Old Mill Creek farm’s arena with a daily training session and a Q&A with the trainers.
Whether that wily old rabbit is hiding your ordinary plastic egg with candy in it or you’re a member of the “Ocean’s Twelve” team preparing for a Fabergé egg heist, you can enjoy the thrill of the hunt for the pursuit of more sweets. (Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids).
- Egg Hunt in Lake Zurich (April 13) INFO»
- Long Grove's Egg Hunt (April 13) INFO»
- Flashlight Egg Scramble Ages 8-12 in Mundelein(April 18) INFO»
- Nitelite Egg Hunt in Lake Zurich (April 19) INFO»
- Mundelein's Spring Egg Hunt Egg-Extravaganza (April 19) INFO»
- Easter Egg Hunt & Extravaganza at the Historical Bettendorf Castle (April 20) INFO»
- Eggstravaganza Trail in Waukegan (April 20) INFO»
- Zion's 64th Annual Easter Egg Hunt (April 20) INFO»
- Antioch's Annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt (April 20) INFO»
- Re/Max Center 22nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center (April 20) INFO»
- Easter Egg Brunch at Chicago Botanic Garden (April 21) INFO»
- Easter Champagne Brunch, Egg Hunts & Petting Zoo at Illinois Beach Hotel in Zion (April 21) INFO»
The weather is nice, and it's the perfect time to get in shape for swimming season. Lake County is home to an array of 5Ks, 10Ks and more that are USATF-certified courses that allow runners to run in much larger marathons. Be like Forrest Gump and say "Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was goin' somewhere, I was runnin'!" Here's a list of the April runs.
- Bunny Rock Hawthorn 5K Run/Walk & Egg Hunt at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills (April 13) INFO»
- Race to Zero 5K at Independence Grove in Libertyville (April 14) INFO»
- Bunny Wabbit Run and Easter Egg Hunt (April 20) INFO»
- Loop the Lakes 5K at Vernon Hill's Century Park (April 27) INFO»
- Stepping Up to Wellness 5K/Mile at Independence Grove in Libertyville (April 28) INFO»
Lambs Farm opens their doors for the season on April 15. The Libertyville farmyard features a petting area with sheep and goats and a variety of attractions like miniature golf, a mini-train ride, cow bounce house and an Old World carousel. Also visit the Dogwood Pet Shop, Magnolia Cafe & Bakery, the Cedar Chest Thrift Shop and the Sugar Maple Country Store. All the businesses at Lambs Farm benefit programs for people with developmental disabilities. Lambs Farm is open through the end of fall. The farmyards are open through October 27.
Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor is the quintessential experience for adults and children of all ages. The
Gurnee amusement park features 16 roller coasters, amazing live shows, fireworks, delicious dining options, 11-themed areas with other fantastic rides and tons more of excitement. The Gurnee theme park is home to the tallest and steepest wooden coaster in Goliath and the world's largest looping coaster in Mardi Gras Hangover. Later this season, Great America will be unveiling their new coaster MaxxForce. Six Flags Great America is open through Labor Day weekend on select days.
For more things to do in April 2019, continue here.
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