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Best events in
Highland Park

With a packed summer calendar and a deep appreciation for the arts, Highland Park, IL offers a steady rhythm of events and things to do. The city's cultural life is anchored by major festivals and community gatherings in its distinct, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. From classical music in a park setting to bustling art fairs downtown, the local scene is both active and charming.

Start an evening in the Ravinia District, where the weekly Food Truck Thursdays and the legendary Ravinia festival create a perfect summer backdrop.
Explore the local arts scene through exhibitions at The Art Center Highland Park or attend the annual Port Clinton Art Festival downtown.
Experience community traditions like the summer-long Bitter Jester Music Festival and the annual Vintage Car Show.

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Popular in Highland Park

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The Art of Living Well - The Wellness Bathroom Edition - primary image

The Art of Living Well - The Wellness Bathroom Edition -

Thursday • 4:00 PM

ABLAZE Design Group, 259 Waukegan Avenue, Highwood, IL, USA

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Love & Theft Duo primary image

Love & Theft Duo

Friday • 7:00 PM

454 Sheridan Rd

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Grazing & Gathering: Easy Hosting for Fall primary image

Grazing & Gathering: Easy Hosting for Fall

Tue, Oct 13 • 6:00 PM

ABLAZE Design Group

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Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night primary image

Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night

Fri, Oct 23 • 7:30 PM + 1 more

Madame Zuzu's

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Favorite Poem Community Reading with HP Poet Laureate primary image

Favorite Poem Community Reading with HP Poet Laureate

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:30 PM

Secret World Books

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Almas & Agave - a modern Día de los Muertos celebration primary image

Almas & Agave - a modern Día de los Muertos celebration

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

Atelier by elliestyled

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Unfamiliar Patterns : Opening Reception primary image

Unfamiliar Patterns : Opening Reception

Fri, Nov 6 • 5:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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Five Stories That Will Stick With You primary image

Five Stories That Will Stick With You

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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The Art of Living Well - The Wellness Bathroom Edition - primary image

The Art of Living Well - The Wellness Bathroom Edition -

Thursday • 4:00 PM

ABLAZE Design Group, 259 Waukegan Avenue, Highwood, IL, USA

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Love & Theft Duo primary image

Love & Theft Duo

Friday • 7:00 PM

454 Sheridan Rd

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Grazing & Gathering: Easy Hosting for Fall primary image

Grazing & Gathering: Easy Hosting for Fall

Tue, Oct 13 • 6:00 PM

ABLAZE Design Group

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Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night primary image

Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night

Fri, Oct 23 • 7:30 PM + 1 more

Madame Zuzu's

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Favorite Poem Community Reading with HP Poet Laureate primary image

Favorite Poem Community Reading with HP Poet Laureate

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:30 PM

Secret World Books

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Almas & Agave - a modern Día de los Muertos celebration primary image

Almas & Agave - a modern Día de los Muertos celebration

Thu, Oct 29 • 6:00 PM

Atelier by elliestyled

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Unfamiliar Patterns : Opening Reception primary image

Unfamiliar Patterns : Opening Reception

Fri, Nov 6 • 5:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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Five Stories That Will Stick With You primary image

Five Stories That Will Stick With You

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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Online Events

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi primary image

How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026 primary image

Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives primary image

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi primary image

How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026 primary image

Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives primary image

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

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Love & Theft Duo primary image

Love & Theft Duo

Friday • 7:00 PM

454 Sheridan Rd

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Bad Words - In Conversation with Rioghnach Robinson primary image

Bad Words - In Conversation with Rioghnach Robinson

Saturday • 6:00 PM

Matchmaker Bookshop

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Baby & Me Yoga primary image

Baby & Me Yoga

Saturday • 10:00 AM

Pulling Down the Moon - Highland Park

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Love & Theft Duo primary image

Love & Theft Duo

Friday • 7:00 PM

454 Sheridan Rd

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Bad Words - In Conversation with Rioghnach Robinson primary image

Bad Words - In Conversation with Rioghnach Robinson

Saturday • 6:00 PM

Matchmaker Bookshop

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Baby & Me Yoga primary image

Baby & Me Yoga

Saturday • 10:00 AM

Pulling Down the Moon - Highland Park

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Performing & Visual Arts events

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Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night primary image

Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night

Fri, Oct 23 • 7:30 PM + 1 more

Madame Zuzu's

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The Chicago Red Line Presents Drunkula: From Dusk Til Last Call primary image

The Chicago Red Line Presents Drunkula: From Dusk Til Last Call

Sun, Nov 8 • 3:00 PM

28 Mile Distilling Company

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Five Stories That Will Stick With You primary image

Five Stories That Will Stick With You

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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Mary Longe Talk: Art Legacy Guidance primary image

Mary Longe Talk: Art Legacy Guidance

Thu, Nov 19 • 7:00 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night primary image

Madame ZuZu's Live Comedy Night

Fri, Oct 23 • 7:30 PM + 1 more

Madame Zuzu's

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The Chicago Red Line Presents Drunkula: From Dusk Til Last Call primary image

The Chicago Red Line Presents Drunkula: From Dusk Til Last Call

Sun, Nov 8 • 3:00 PM

28 Mile Distilling Company

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Five Stories That Will Stick With You primary image

Five Stories That Will Stick With You

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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Mary Longe Talk: Art Legacy Guidance primary image

Mary Longe Talk: Art Legacy Guidance

Thu, Nov 19 • 7:00 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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Frequently asked questions about Highland Park

Where is the best place for live music events in Highland Park?

Ravinia is the premier destination for live music, hosting a summer-long festival in a beautiful park setting. For other live music events, Downtown Highland Park hosts Friday Night Concerts, and 28 Mile Distilling Co. in nearby Highwood also features performances.

What are some family-friendly things to do in Highland Park?

The community offers many family-friendly activities, especially during the summer. Families can enjoy the weekly Ravinia Farmers Market, browse the annual Vintage Car Show, or enjoy picnicking on the lawn before a concert at Ravinia.

Are there many art events in Highland Park?

Yes, the city has a lively arts scene centered around key locations and annual events. The Art Center Highland Park hosts regular exhibitions, while the Port Clinton Art Festival is a major annual event that draws artists and crowds to Downtown.

What is the food and drink event scene like?

Highland Park's food scene comes alive with seasonal outdoor gatherings and local producers. Food Truck Thursdays in the Ravinia District is a popular weekly event, and the Ravinia Farmers Market offers goods from local artisans. The annual Oktoberfest is another local favorite.

What kind of events happen in Downtown Highland Park?

Downtown Highland Park is the hub for many of the community's signature annual events and festivals. It hosts the Port Clinton Art Festival, the Vintage Car Show, and regular Friday Night Concerts during the summer at Port Clinton Square.

Any ideas for a date night in Highland Park?

A classic Highland Park date night often involves a concert at the iconic Ravinia festival. Alternatively, couples can enjoy live music and craft cocktails at 28 Mile Distilling Co. or attend an art opening at The Art Center Highland Park.

How can I find free events to attend?

Many community gatherings in Highland Park are free to attend, offering fun without a ticket. Enjoy the atmosphere at the weekly Food Truck Thursdays, listen to live music at the Friday Night Concerts, or browse the annual Vintage Car Show.

What's special about the Ravinia District?

The Ravinia District is famous for hosting North America's oldest outdoor music festival, Ravinia. Beyond the festival grounds, the neighborhood has its own charm with weekly events like the Ravinia Farmers Market and Food Truck Thursdays creating a lively atmosphere.