Summer in McHenry isn’t complete without the sweet sounds of live music drifting through our beautiful parks! From laid-back solo performances to multi-day festivals, there’s something for everyone across McHenry County.
Weekends and evenings are popular for these concerts, but you might find some weekday options to fit your busy schedule. Our annual concert guide is your go-to source for finding all the fantastic outdoor concert events in McHenry County.
Our concert guide has something for everyone, whether relaxing on a picnic blanket listening to one band on a nice weekday evening, or jamming out at the nearest festival to several bands over the weekend! So grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic, and get ready for spring, summer, and fall outdoor music.
McHenry County Parks Come Alive with Spring, Summer, and Fall Concerts!
Our guide includes both standalone concerts and those that are part of larger events and festivals. Many concerts are free, and many have food trucks and vendors on hand for convenient meals. For larger festivals, be sure to check the specific event listing for any admission fees.
And the one thing they all have in common is that they take place right here in McHenry County!
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Algonquin
Summer Concert Series
Dates: Thursdays, June 19 – August 14, 2025
Head to Towne Park in Old Algonquin Town on Thursday evenings for the Summer Concert Series.
Hosted by the Village of Algonquin.
Address: Towne Park, 100 Jefferson St, Algonquin, IL 60102
Phone: 847-658-2716
Information: Details
Algonquin Founders’ Days
Dates: **** Canceled for 2025 ****
Hosted by the Village of Algonquin.
Address: Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Dr, Algonquin, IL 60102
Phone: 847-242-1589
Information: Details
sponsored
Cary
Concert in the Park
Dates: Thursdays, June 12, 19, & July 10, 17, 2025
Enjoy an evening of music in the park with the Cary Park District.
Address: Lions Park Rotary Bandshell, 1200 Silver Lake Rd, Cary IL 60013
Phone: 847-639-6100
Information: Details
Stars N’ Stripes Fest
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Join the Cary Park District for music, food trucks, and fireworks! What more could you want?
Address: Cary-Grove Park, 3 Oaks Rd &, N 1st St, Cary, IL 60013
Phone: 847-639-6100


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Crystal Lake
Concerts in the Park
Dates: Tuesdays, May 27 – August 5, 2025
Pack dinner, grab a blanket, and head to Main Beach to enjoy music by the lakeside with the Crystal Lake Park District.
Address: Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-410-4475
Information: Details
Lakeside Festival at The Dole
Dates: July 3 – July 6, 2025
Head to The Dole for concerts galore, great food, drink, carnival rides and games, and lots of fun. Brought to you by the Lakeside Legacy Foundation.
Address: The Dole, 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-455-8000
Crystal Lake Fireworks & Concert
Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025
Head to Main Beach and join the Crystal Lake Park District in celebrating Independence Day with a concert and fireworks.
Address: Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680
Information: Details
Other Live Music Opportunities
In addition to Concerts in the Park, McHenry County features many other venues and opportunities for live music, from concerts to farmers markets or just dinner or a drink.

Monarchs and Music
Date: Saturday, August 10, 2025
Explore the world of monarch butterflies and enjoy a free concert at Main Beach thanks to the Monarch Coalition and the Crystal Lake Park District.
Address: Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-459-0680

Arts On The Green
Dates: No 2025 season
Note: this is a paid Raue Center for the Arts event. See details for specifics and purchasing tickets.
Address: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: 815-356-9212
Information: Details
Fox Lake
Celebrate Fox Lake
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Enjoy live music at Lakefront Park and close out the night with fireworks. Brought to you by Fox Lake Parks & Recreation.
Address: Lakefront Park, 10 Riverview Ave, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Phone: 224-225-1404
Information: Details
Fox Lake Friday Night Live
Dates: Fridays, June 6 – August 29, 2025
Kick off your weekend at Lakefront Park with the Friday Night Concert Series by the Village of Fox Lake.
Address: Lakefront Park, 10 Riverview Ave, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Phone: 224-225-1404
Information: Details
sponsored
Huntley
Summer Concert Series on the Square
Dates: Tuesdays, June 10 – August 5, 2025
Head to the Huntley Village Square for free summer concerts with the Village of Huntley.
Address: Village Square, 11700 Main St, Huntley, IL 60142
Phone: 847-515-5200
Information: Details
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Lake Fest
Dates: Tuesdays, June 10 – August 5, 2025
Three days of festival fun under the water tower brought to you by the Village of Island Lake.
Address: Water Tower Park, 407 W State Rd, Island Lake, IL 60042
Phone:
Information: Details
Village of Island Lake Oktoberfest
Dates: September 26 – 28, 2025
Brought to you by the Village of Island Lake.
Address: Water Tower Park, 407 W State Rd, Island Lake, IL 60042
Phone:
Information: Details

Lake in the Hills
Rockin’ Rib Fest
Dates: July 10 – 13, 2025
Four action-packed days to kick off your summer! Sunset Park in LITH is the place to be for ribs, music, rides, and an all-around good time! Brought to you by the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills.
Address: Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone:
Information: Details
Summer Sunset Festival
Dates: August 29 – 31, 2025
What better way to wrap up summer than heading to Summer Sunset Festival over Labor Day weekend for live music. Brought to you by the Village of Lake in the Hills.
Address: Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Phone: 847-960-7400

Lakemoor
Lakemoor Fest
Date: August 8-9, 2025
Brought to you by the Village of Lakemoor.
Address: Morrison Park, 233 Rand Rd, Lakemoor, IL 60051
Phone: 815-385-1117
Information: Details
Marengo
Day in the Park
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Enjoy live music as part of the Day in the Park event with the Marengo Park District.
Address: Indian Oaks Park, 825 Indian Oaks Trail, Marengo, IL 60152
Phone: 815-568-5126
Information: Details

McHenry
Pearl Street Market Concerts
Dates: Thursdays, May 15 – August 28, 2025
Join the Pearl Street Market to enjoy friends and good music after the weekly farmers market with these free concerts in the park.
Address: Veteran’s Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl Street, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone:
Information: Details
Fiesta Days
Dates: July 10 – 20, 2025 (check Details for specifics)
Join the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce for live music and more!
Address: Petersen Park, 4300 Peterson Park Rd, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone:
Information: Details
Ringwood
First Fridays Concerts
Dates: Fridays, June 6 – September 5, 2025
Head to the Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park for First Fridays Concerts with the McHenry County Conservation District.
Address: Glacial Park Lost Valley Visitor Center, 6705 State Rte 31, Ringwood, IL 60072
Phone: 815-338-6223
Information: Details
Woodstock Folk Festival
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Hosted by the Woodstock Folk Festival, Inc.
Address: Historic Woodstock Square, 121 West Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone:
Information: Details
Woodstock Summer Concert Series
Date: Fridays, August 8-22, 2025
Hosted by the City of Woodstock.
Address: Historic Woodstock Square, 121 West Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone:
Information: Details
Sundays on the Square
Dates: Sundays, June 29 – August 24, 2025
Spend Sunday evening around the Historic Woodstock Square with this summer concert series, brought to you by OffSquare Music & Woodstock Opera House.
Address: Historic Woodstock Square, 121 West Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone:
Information: Details
Love concerts in the park? Be sure to check out our Movies in the Park in McHenry County Guide!

Lifer:
Brian R. Brown
President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.







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