Stews & Brews (And Blues!)

November 2, 2024 | 5 PM - 9 PM
The Lot | 525 Central Ave.

Hearty comfort foods, refreshing beverages, live blues music, & cozy fire pits… This fan-favorite Midwestern festival returns to Highland Park for a third year.

Cool weather means hearty comfort foods and hot beverages; the City of Highland has the perfect event to warm your body and soul! Stews & Brews returns for a third year to Downtown Highland Park (The Lot, 525 Central Ave., enter at St. Johns and Park Avenues) on November 2 from 5 - 9 PM. Wrap up the City’s 2024 event season with savory stews and delicious brews, while grooving along to live blues music.

• 5 PM - 6:30 PM: Mississippi Heat, this world-class Chicago-based band brings traditional Mississippi blues sound and culture to kick things off!

• 7 PM – 9 PM: Chicago blues master, Wayne Baker Brooks, headlines. His liquid fire guitar playing honors his blues heritage for all to enjoy.

Stews & Brews is not your ordinary chili cook-off or craft beer fest. This free, all-ages event offers attendees an array of cold weather comfort foods like chili, pozole, lamb stew, beef stroganoff, Hungarian goulash, potpies, and a variety of soups. Attendees can pair their dish of choice with dozens of unique brews including craft beers, spiced wine, hot toddies, mulled ciders and more!

Second Street Grand Reopening

Saturday, November 2 | 3 PM - 5 PM

Second Street between Central Ave. & Elm Place

Second Street is open for business! Discover the newly opened and transformed streetscape and visit local businesses now, then celebrate with a special event on November 2.

The long-awaited day has arrived! Construction along Downtown Highland Park’s Second Street concluded in late September, and two-way traffic and street-level parking have been restored. To celebrate, the City of Highland Park will hold a special ribbon cutting ceremony and accompanying festivities celebrating the grand reopening of Second Street on Saturday, November 2, from 3 PM - 5 PM. Groove to tunes spun by a live DJ, take a photo with friends or family inside a festive giant snow globe, and enjoy a variety of entertainment including jugglers and face painting. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 3:30 PM.

More information about the event and participating businesses is forthcoming. Be sure to sign up for the Weekender to stay up-to-date on the Grand Reopening and other fun events in town.

You don’t have to wait until November 2 to visit the businesses located along Second Street or see the improvement streetscape. Businesses are currently open and have been open throughout construction. Support Second Street restaurants, boutiques, and other businesses by dining and shopping local.

Scarecrow Fest

October 19 | 12 PM - 5 PM
The Lot | 525 Central Ave.

Downtown Highland Park will transform into an autumn wonderland on October 19, complete with two dozen festive scarecrows decorated by local businesses. Start the day with a self-led, leisurely Scarecrow Walk through Downtown Highland Park, where businesses will showcase the spirit of the season with unique decorated scarecrows in front of their stores. Head back to The Lot (525 Central) to cast your vote for “Best in Show Scarecrow” and commemorate the fall season with scarecrow-themed family fun, kids’ activities, live music, food, decorations, and more, including a one-of-a-kind fall-themed photo op with Mermaid Elle.

• 12 PM - 1 PM: Ben Tatar & The Tatar Tots

• 1 PM -1:30 PM: DJ Snicholfritz

• 1:30 PM - 3 PM: Five-time Grammy nominee Justin Roberts will play music for “kids and their grownups”

• 3 PM - 3:30 PM: DJ Snicholfritz

• 3:30 PM - 5 PM: Close out the day with fan-favorite and Grammy-nominated kids’ artist Ralph’s World

Oktoberfest

Saturday, September 28 | 12 PM – 10 PM
The Lot - 525 Central Ave.

Celebrate fall and all things German with beer, bites, and Bavarian music at the third annual Oktoberfest presented by the City of Highland Park. The fun takes place at The Lot (525 Central) on Saturday, September 28 from 12 PM - 10 PM. Start the day with traditional family-friendly activities, dancing, food, live entertainment, and contests. At 5 PM, switch up the vibe with adult-centered fun and a full headlining band.

Throughout the day and in between sets, Oktoberfest will bring interactive activities and shows to the crowd! The fun begins with the CirquesExperience Wheel Show: the team will roll in with gym and Cyr wheels for a performance you are sure to remember. The show team includes National team member Casey Crowe, bronze medalist at 2022 Cyr Wheel World Championship, and US team member Karly O’Brien.

Guests can also enjoy polka dancing, a beer stein-holding contest, hammer-schlagen, axe throwing, a high striker, ring-o, corn hole, pretzel necklace making, and more!

Entertainment Lineup

• 12 PM - 2 PM: Squeezebox Heroes complete with an accordion player

• 2 PM - 2:15 PM: Cirque Wheel Performers

• 2:30 PM - 4:45 PM: Bratwurst Brothers brings their brand of “Polka Mojo”

• 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Antler Chandelier plays everything “except Bob Seger”

• 7:30 PM: Beer Stein-Holding Contest

• 8 PM - 10 PM: Infinity headlines, taking the crowd on a “Rock Journey”

Highland Park Community Fall Fest

Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 11 AM - 2 PM

Highland Park Community Early Learning Center
640 Ridge Road

Highland Park Community presents a fun, family-friendly, fundraising event featuring food trucks, pony rides, a petting zoo, music, games, crafting stations, touch-a-truck, face painting, balloon twister, and more!

Proceeds of Fall Fest directly support HPC’s scholarship fund, ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to receive excellent childcare, irrespective of financial constraints.

Tickets are available online now. Tickets are $15 for individuals and $30 for families. Proceeds directly support HPC’s scholarship fund.

Decades

We are turning back the clock and bringing the ultimate musical throwback experience to downtown Highland Park with Decades. The Lot’s newest food and music festival will feature fantastic headlining entertainers performing iconic hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s; bringing together decades of music fans!

Travel back in time to experience the groovy sounds, rad tastes, and cool trends from these three decades through a selection of live performances and food and beverage vendors. An interactive “Decades of Music” trail throughout downtown Highland Park businesses adds an element of adventure to this event. Plus, stick around after sundown for a totally tubular Decades-themed drone show!

Lineup

• 12:15 PM – 2:15 PM: Decades commences with Chicago-based Four Man Band’s rock and pop covers of iconic sounds from Aerosmith, Police, Queen, and more.

• 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM: Up next is 7th Heaven, known for their three-time #1 spot on the Midwest Billboard Charts. Their original pop, rock, and dance songs are not to be missed!

• 5:00 PM: Soul2Sole’s award-winning Phenom all-boys dance team showcases a Decades-inspired routine

• 5:30 PM - 7:15 PM: Get a groove on with funk and disco tribute band, The Disco Circus! Once this circus takes the stage, the crowd will be transported back to the 7os with hits from the Bee Gees, ABBA, Donna Summer, and more.

• 8:00 PM: Experience a Highland Park-themed drone shone

• 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM: Decades will conclude with The 1985; the ultimate 1980s music tribute experience. Performing classics from Journey, Bon Jovi, Madonna, and others, get ready to party like its 1985.

Vintage Car Show

Peruse a variety of cars ranging from vintage models to unique classics, local Highland Park commercial vehicles, muscle cars, hot rods, and more, dating from 1907 to 1981.

The iconic Batmobile, courtesy of the Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, is also back by popular demand. This classic vehicle will create a great photo opportunity for both the young and the young at heart!

Plus, enjoy a live radio broadcast with DJ Eddie “V,” bites, and beverages.

Taste of Ravinia

All-Day Farmers Market

Wednesday, August 7 | 7 AM - 8 PM
Jens Jensen Park | 450 Roger Williams Ave.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week with the second annual Taste of Ravinia Farmers Market presented by the Ravinia Farmers Market and the Ravinia Neighbors Association. This free all-day event will run from 7 AM to 8 PM on Wednesday, August 7, and will take place at Jens Jensen Park (540 Roger Williams Ave.).

The Taste of Ravinia Farmers Market brings together farmers, chefs, local businesses, and the community. Kick off the event by visiting the regularly-scheduled Farmers Market from 7 AM to 1 PM where you can shop more than 20 vendors offering produce, artisan wares, ready-to-eat food, and more. The Taste of Ravinia will follow from 2 PM to 8 PM, featuring family-friendly activities, including meet & greets with representatives of the City of Highland Park's, including first responders from the Police, and Fire departments.

Learn how easy, enjoyable, and tasty cooking with produce from local vendors can be with Chef Maya from BellaRu Catering (featured). Chef Maya will host cooking demonstrations, provide samples, and suggest shopping lists from market vendors.

Many Ravinia District businesses such as Ravinia Brewing Company and Viaggio will participate in the Taste of Ravinia Farmers Market; offering open houses, specials, and/or onsite booths in Jens Jensen Park.

Ravinia Farmers Market is held weekly on Wednesdays from 7 AM - 1 PM, June 5 through October 30 at Jens Jensen Park (540 Roger Williams Ave.).

Enjoy weekly live music sponsored by Highland Park Community Foundation and Life Rhythms, Inc.

Special thank you to market sponsors: Ravinia Neighbors Association, the Highland Park Community Foundation , Life Rhythms, Inc, Carolyn Cerf @properties, Ravinia Festival, Wayfarer Theaters, Chiro One Wellness, Keyth Security and additional contributors for their generous support.

Saturday, June 29, 2 PM - 10 PM

It’s more than a competition, it’s a destination event, complete with music, food, and beverages.12 bands showcase their virtuosity at The Lot, competing for the winner’s title. Many BJMF alumni have gone on to perform on Late Night with Seth Myers, Saturday Night Live, and American Jukebox, as well as at Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, South by Southwest, and Ravinia Festival.

Get more info on the festival here.

*This event is a privately organized festival, hosted by the City of Highland Park

Combining two Midwestern comfort foods and beverages, this event will warm the hearts of all that attend!

This cool weather event will get attendees warmed up with a variety of hardy stick—to-the-ribs stews including chili, jambalaya, Hungarian goulash, chicken pot pie and more. All kinds of brews will be available too, from craft beer, spiced ciders and wines, to hot toddies, hot chocolate and kombucha! A stellar line-up of blues artists will grace the stage as well.

Antique and vintage vendors with unique items for sale, along with seasonal bites and beverages.

Beer garden with great music and delicious, traditional bites to bring the community together! Prost!

Vintage cars with light bites and background music. Check out the cars, then head to your favorite Highland Park restaurant for dinner.

Diverse music & food bring together a multitude of tastes and experiences in a fun, festival atmosphere! Stay tuned for more information.

The Midwest's largest professional "battle-of-the-bands" style concert and competition series will feature bands and solo performers that 101.9 The Mix calls "Future Headliners!" and will be announced after the summer-long Festival culminates as part of the Taste of Highland Park weekend. The Grand Finale Concert will feature a wide variety of food and drinks vendors all day long as well as a dozen musical acts TBD from multiple states. 

This fan favorite at The Lot will showcase a variety of delicious cuisines and beverages. A fantastic weekend lineup of live music will include nationally recognized headliners and on-site fun for the entire family.

Friday will kick-off with a set by former resident DJ for Virgin Megastore Chicago, DJ Madrid, who will also spinning all night long in between sets performed by a cappella’s favorite boy band, Radius Vocals, and the nation’s #1 Yacht Rock band, Yachtley Crew. Saturday boasts the following acts including: the jam band ensemble of Marcus Rezak Band featuring Shred is Dead and Gumbo, roots singer/songwriter Joseph Huber, Grammy nominated bluegrass musicians Sister Sadie Band, The Complete Beatles Tribute Band American English, and Chicago’s own rock band The Ides of March powered by Grammy winner Jim Peterik.

This fan favorite at The Lot will showcase a variety of delicious cuisines and beverages. A fantastic weekend lineup of live music will include nationally recognized headliners and on-site fun for the entire family.

Friday will kick-off with a set by former resident DJ for Virgin Megastore Chicago, DJ Madrid, who will also spinning all night long in between sets performed by a cappella’s favorite boy band, Radius Vocals, and the nation’s #1 Yacht Rock band, Yachtley Crew. Saturday boasts the following acts including: the jam band ensemble of Marcus Rezak Band featuring Shred is Dead and Gumbo, roots singer/songwriter Joseph Huber, Grammy nominated bluegrass musicians Sister Sadie Band, The Complete Beatles Tribute Band American English, and Chicago’s own rock band The Ides of March powered by Grammy winner Jim Peterik.

Antique and vintage vendors with unique items for sale, along with seasonal bites and beverages.

Combining two Midwestern comfort foods and beverages, this event will warm the hearts of all that attend!

Antique and vintage vendors with unique items for sale, along with seasonal bites and beverages.

Beer garden with great music and delicious, traditional bites to bring the community together! Prost!

Beer garden with great music and delicious, traditional bites to bring the community together! Prost!

Featured author talk, performances, book & record dealers, scheduled readings and more!

We can’t imagine a better way to spend a summer evening than good friends, good food and of course, great music. Food Truck Thursdays are returning to the Ravinia District this summer, Thursdays from June 2 - September 8, 4:30 PM to dusk in Jens Jensen Park.

September 8:

Plotkin & Rabin Duo

The Dave Specter Band featuring Brother Kattke

We can’t imagine a better way to spend a summer evening than good friends, good food and of course, great music. Food Truck Thursdays are returning to the Ravinia District this summer, Thursdays from June 2 - September 8, 4:30 PM to dusk in Jens Jensen Park.

September 1:

Mojo 49

Railheart