8 Family-Friendly Nights Out on the North Shore

School’s out, and so is the sun! Summer is the perfect time to make memories everyone in your family will cherish forever, and whether you’re visiting Chicago’s North Shore or planning a staycation, there’s plenty of things to do that young and old alike will love. From outdoor movies to camping on the beach, here are the best ways to take advantage of long summer days (and nights).

For more info on what to see and do on Chicago's North Shore visit our detailed Calendar of Events and follow our Facebook page. 

Starlight Concerts in the Park 
Various Locations, Evanston
Through July 30, your family can enjoy nine free outdoor concerts at parks around Evanston. Scheduled concerts range from salsa/Latin jazz and contemporary blues to classic soul and Southern rock, boogie, and blues. Plan on arriving early because family activities will take place before each concert, and save the date for special events like the Juneteenth Celebration on June 18 and the food truck festival on July 16.

Starlight Concerts in the Park, Evanston

Wednesdays on the Green 
Village Green, Skokie
Downtown Skokie is the place to be on Wednesday nights this summer. On June 26, local band Serendipity will hit the stage to perform favorite cover songs from 60's/70's/80's and pop hits (they’re known to perform hits by everyone from Aerosmith and Elvis Presley to Adele and Rihanna) as well as music from their 2017 album, Welcome to my Mind. Other highlights include Skokie Theatre's Skokie Idol winners concert on July 10 and Kaleidoscope Dance Night with Classy Clown on Aug. 14.

Wednesdays on the Green, Skokie

Sounds of Summer 
Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, Wheeling
This summer concert series in Wheeling contineus June 16 with Mellencougar, the premier John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band who also covers Tom Petty, the Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams and more . Other scheduled performers throughout the summer include EagleMania (June 23), Hokule’a-a Polynesian Revue Show (July 21), and Rosie and the Rivets (July 28). Concerts take place at Wheeling's Heritage Park Performance Pavilion. Pack a blanket or lawn chairs, and you can even bring a cooler (no outside alcohol is allowed). Or, visit concessions and purchase beer and wine when you arrive.

Thursday Night Live!  
Fountain Square Plaza, Evanston
Check out downtown Evanston's recently renovated Fountain Square at one (or more!) of 10 concerts on Thursdays from June 13 to Aug. 22. Concerts will feature everything from jazz and blues to rock and swing, and three concerts (June 27, July 25, and Aug. 22) will feature a block party as well. Plus, local restaurants like Koi Fine Asian Cuisine & Lounge, Pete Miller's, Viet Nom Nom, La Cocinita, Celtic Knot Public House, and Next of Kin Restaurant & Cafe will offer specials on concert nights.

Thursday Night Live, Evanston

Movies in the Park
Various Parks in Evanston and Wheeling
Both Evanston and Wheeling will offer outdoor cinematic fun this summer. In Evanston, the Starlight Movies in the Park series will feature films like "Avengers: Infinity War" (Aug. 6), "The Karate Kid" (Aug. 10), and "Ralph Breaks the Internet" (Aug. 24) at parks around the city. Each movie night will begin with family-friendly activities.

In Wheeling, the Heritage Park Performance Pavilion will host free showings of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (June 27), "Mary Poppins Returns" (July 18), and "Coco" (Aug. 8). Just like Wheeling's Sounds of Summer series, blankets and lawn chairs can be brought for seating, and coolers are allowed (but no outside alcohol). Beer, wine, and snacks will be available to buy.

Movies in the Park, Wheeling

Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park 
McCormick Boulevard between Touhy & Dempster Street, Skokie
If you're looking to plan a fun day out that the entire family will enjoy, visit this sculpture park on McCormick Boulevard between Dempster Street and Touhy Avenue in Skokie. Both bicycles and dogs on leashes are welcome here, and picnic areas are available so you can take a break for lunch — with four sections of more than 60 sculptures, you can easily spend a day exploring. Before you go, download the park's Family Guide to complete at-home activities that will help you make the most of your visit. And don’t forget your phone! There will be plenty of opportunities to snap the perfect pic.

Northbrook Cardboard Regatta 
Northbrook Sports Center Complex, Northbrook
Kids ages 6-16 won't want to miss out on participating in this fun event on July 20. Build a cardboard boat that will beat the competition and win one of the awards for speed, creativity, people's choice, and team spirit. Registration closes July 15. Afterward, stick around Northbrook for the Family Campout. Families will enjoy music, s'mores, games, and more before getting their tents ready for an evening under the stars. Then dig into breakfast before heading home in the morning.

Beach Camp Out 
Glencoe Beach, Glencoe
Keep the camping fun going July 28-29 with this event at Glencoe Beach. Before you fall asleep in the sand, enjoy a cookout, movie, and campfire where you can roast marshmallows. When you wake up, grab some coffee and cereal as you take in the beach at the start of the day. Register by July 24. 

Glencoe Beach Camp Out, Glencoe

This entry was posted in Events, Music, Outdoors, and tagged Beaches, Chicago Lakefront, Chicago North Shore, Chicago's North Shore, Downtown Evanston, Evanston, Glencoe Beach, Glencoe, Illinois, Kid-friendly, Kids Concerts, Lake Michigan, Lakefront, Live Music, Music, North Shore Chicago, North Shore Concerts, North Shore, Northbrook, Skokie, Summer On Chicago's North Shore, Summer, Things To Do On The North Shore, Things To Do, Wednesdays On The Green, Wheeling, .