Best events in
Waukegan

Waukegan's cultural life pulses from its historic downtown and scenic lakefront, offering a wide array of events and things to do. The monthly ArtWauk animates downtown with gallery tours and live music, creating a reliable community focal point. Performances range from major concerts at the grand Genesee Theatre to intimate productions at artist-run spaces like Three Brothers Theatre.

Downtown is the city's arts hub, where a night out could mean a show at the Genesee Theatre or exploring galleries during the monthly ArtWauk.
Along the lakefront, Stiner Pavilion and On The Rocks host outdoor music and gatherings in a more relaxed, seasonal setting.
Independent venues like Three Brothers Theatre and Belvidere Cinema Gallery present a steady stream of plays, indie films, and all-ages concerts.

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Popular in Waukegan

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Silent Waters

Friday • 7:30 PM + 4 more

221 N Genesee St

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Breast Health Event

Saturday • 9:30 AM

Drip and Culture

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Clases de Habilidades Básicas en Computación

Mon, Nov 2 • 2:00 PM

Waukegan Public Library

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Caliente Comedy November Edition

Fri, Nov 6 • 8:00 PM

Green Town Tavern

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La Cantina presents COMEDIAN RUBEN RAMIREZ LIVE!

Fri, Nov 6 • 7:30 PM

Toluca's Restaurant

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SOUL ON THE LAKE

Sat, Nov 7 • 7:00 PM

Waukegan Yacht Club

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Soulful supper

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:00 PM

Waukegan yacht club

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Fall into Dance with ALATS

Sat, Nov 14 • 5:30 PM

The Sign of the Dove Church

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Silent Waters

Friday • 7:30 PM + 4 more

221 N Genesee St

Check ticket price on event

Breast Health Event

Saturday • 9:30 AM

Drip and Culture

Check ticket price on event

Clases de Habilidades Básicas en Computación

Mon, Nov 2 • 2:00 PM

Waukegan Public Library

Check ticket price on event

Caliente Comedy November Edition

Fri, Nov 6 • 8:00 PM

Green Town Tavern

Check ticket price on event

La Cantina presents COMEDIAN RUBEN RAMIREZ LIVE!

Fri, Nov 6 • 7:30 PM

Toluca's Restaurant

Check ticket price on event

SOUL ON THE LAKE

Sat, Nov 7 • 7:00 PM

Waukegan Yacht Club

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Soulful supper

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:00 PM

Waukegan yacht club

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Fall into Dance with ALATS

Sat, Nov 14 • 5:30 PM

The Sign of the Dove Church

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Online Events

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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Beyond 1066: the legacy of the Norman Conquest

Friday • 2:00 PM GMT+1

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Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Saturday • 11:30 AM GMT+4

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(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM EDT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas

Sat, Dec 5 • 12:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

Beyond 1066: the legacy of the Norman Conquest

Friday • 2:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Saturday • 11:30 AM GMT+4

Check ticket price on event

(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM EDT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Sorted Live: A Food Nightmare Before Christmas

Sat, Dec 5 • 12:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Performing & Visual Arts events

La Cantina presents COMEDIAN RUBEN RAMIREZ LIVE!

Fri, Nov 6 • 7:30 PM

Toluca's Restaurant

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Caliente Comedy November Edition

Fri, Nov 6 • 8:00 PM

Green Town Tavern

Check ticket price on event

How to Start Your Nonprofit

Sun, Nov 8 • 1:00 PM

115 N Genesee St

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Fall into Dance with ALATS

Sat, Nov 14 • 5:30 PM

The Sign of the Dove Church

Check ticket price on event

La Cantina presents COMEDIAN RUBEN RAMIREZ LIVE!

Fri, Nov 6 • 7:30 PM

Toluca's Restaurant

Check ticket price on event

Caliente Comedy November Edition

Fri, Nov 6 • 8:00 PM

Green Town Tavern

Check ticket price on event

How to Start Your Nonprofit

Sun, Nov 8 • 1:00 PM

115 N Genesee St

Check ticket price on event

Fall into Dance with ALATS

Sat, Nov 14 • 5:30 PM

The Sign of the Dove Church

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From nearby cities

Camp Slayyyaway Pole Showcase at The Parched Pug

Saturday • 9:30 PM

The Parched Pug

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Singles Social Mixer Libertyville, IL Halloween Bar Crawl

Saturday • 6:30 PM

Morgan's Bar & Grill

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ACOTAR #6 Midnight Release Party

Monday • 10:00 PM

O'Toole's Libertyville

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The Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work -- Workshop for Couples

Warren Township Youth & Family Services

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Botox, Blowouts & Bubbly

Sun, Nov 8 • 12:00 PM

Sage & Ash Salon

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Five Stories That Will Stick With You

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

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11/17 - Pleasant Prairie, WI - Friendsgiving in Wine Country

Tue, Nov 17 • 7:00 PM

7530 115th Ave

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RLHS Floral Arrangement Fundraiser

Thu, Nov 19 • 6:00 PM

YHANA Boba Cafe

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Camp Slayyyaway Pole Showcase at The Parched Pug

Saturday • 9:30 PM

The Parched Pug

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Singles Social Mixer Libertyville, IL Halloween Bar Crawl

Saturday • 6:30 PM

Morgan's Bar & Grill

Check ticket price on event

ACOTAR #6 Midnight Release Party

Monday • 10:00 PM

O'Toole's Libertyville

Check ticket price on event

The Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work -- Workshop for Couples

Warren Township Youth & Family Services

Check ticket price on event

Botox, Blowouts & Bubbly

Sun, Nov 8 • 12:00 PM

Sage & Ash Salon

Check ticket price on event

Five Stories That Will Stick With You

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:30 PM

The Art Center Highland Park

Check ticket price on event

11/17 - Pleasant Prairie, WI - Friendsgiving in Wine Country

Tue, Nov 17 • 7:00 PM

7530 115th Ave

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RLHS Floral Arrangement Fundraiser

Thu, Nov 19 • 6:00 PM

YHANA Boba Cafe

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Points of Interest near Waukegan

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Frequently asked questions about Waukegan

What are some free events in Waukegan?

The Waukegan Band performs free concerts at Stiner Pavilion. These community events happen on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. Additionally, the monthly ArtWauk is a free-to-attend art walk that fills the downtown area with pop-up galleries and live music.

Where can I find live music events?

The Genesee Theatre hosts a diverse lineup of touring concerts downtown. For more casual settings, Green Town Tavern features local acts, and the lakefront's On The Rocks provides a seasonal outdoor music experience with live bands.

Which are the best spots for comedy shows?

American Place Casino regularly schedules live comedy acts. Downtown, both Green Town Tavern and Three Brothers Theatre also host comedy performances, offering different atmospheres for a night of laughs in the city's arts district.

What is the ArtWauk event?

ArtWauk is a monthly art walk that transforms downtown Waukegan into a series of galleries. Held on the monthly of each month, this community event features art exhibits, live music, and creative energy at venues like Dandelion Art Gallery.

Are there family-friendly activities in Waukegan?

The Jack Benny Center for the Arts offers community performances and classes. It hosts the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus. Outdoor concerts at Stiner Pavilion on the lakefront also provide a great outing for all ages.

Which neighborhood is best for nightlife events?

Downtown Waukegan is the center of the city's nightlife and arts events. After a show at the Genesee Theatre, places like Green Town Tavern offer live music, while the monthly ArtWauk creates a unique street-level energy.

How can I find date night ideas in Waukegan?

A classic date night could involve a performance at the historic Genesee Theatre. For something more relaxed, consider the recurring Jazz Nights at the Riverside Room or exploring the downtown galleries together during the monthly ArtWauk.

What kind of outdoor events happen near the lakefront?

Waukegan's lakefront hosts many outdoor community events. Stiner Pavilion is a key venue for live music, including the Waukegan Band's summer concert series. Nearby, On The Rocks offers a waterfront bar atmosphere with bands and DJs.