special events
FREE summer sing-a-longs
FREE Concerts in the Park
Tuesdays, June-August, 7 pm
MAIN BEACH, 300 LAKESHORE DR, CL
Each week the Crystal Lake Park District hosts a regional band to perform at Main Beach. Pull out a blanket and enjoy a great night of free entertainment lakeside. Concerts are held on Tuesdays at 7 PM beginning June-August. Food and beverage (beer and wine) and small charcoal grills are allowed (no glass please.) In the event of inclement weather, decision to reschedule the concert will be made by 4 pm. Check status by calling 815.410.4475 ext 6.
FOOD TRUCKS 5/30: KISSED BY FIRE, MY FUNNEL & JULIE ANN'S CUSTARD
PARKING
Please park in the following areas for concert evenings: Main Beach parking lot, grass triangle across the street from the Lakeside Arts in the Park (Dole Mansion) and South Elementary. Please do not park at the boat gate, Dole Mansion or Seminary Park.
PARK PARTNERS
aloha summer!
FRI JUN 9, 6:30-9:30 PM
Available for purchase:
$5 DONATION PER PERSON (proceeds to benefit the Crystal Lake Parks Initiative Foundation)
FIREWORKS & CONCERT
sun jul 2
MAIN BEACH, 300 LAKESHORE DR, CL
Main Beach is the place to picnic with your family and enjoy the fireworks display! Crystal Lake Community Band teams up with Voices in Harmony for a patriotic concert at 7 pm.
9 AM-2:30 PM: Regular Beach Admission
AFTER 2:30 PM: $5 person/Children Under 3 Free
$5 WRISTBANDS ON SALE BEGINNING JUN 19 AT THE ADMIN OFFICE (no refunds)
Parking Locations: Main Beach lot, grass in front of the Dole Mansion and South Elementary. Do not park at the boat launch, Dole Mansion or Seminary Park
Picnic Tables limited. First come, first served basis. One table per family.
No firearms. No gas grills. No glass near beach. No hard alcohol. No smoking. No bikes and skateboards. No dogs.
free UNPLUG AFTER DARK
SAT JUL 15, 8-10 PM
VETERAN ACRES, 431 WALKUP RD., CL
Join us for a technology-free evening outdoors as we recognize Unplug Illinois Day!
We'll host a flashlight scavenger hunt, craft, campfires with music, Nature Center exploration, late night treat and fun bug collection.
Be sure to bring your flashlight and pick up a scavenger hunt kit at the Nature Center or Rotary Building.
Park at Veteran Acres. Alternate lots include the Nature Center and Oakwoods Lodge.
Check out rainoutline.com in case of inclement weather.
movie in the park
fri aug 11, 5:30-10 pm AGES 21+
MAIN BEACH, 300 LAKESHORE DR, CL
"Be (on) the ball" and join us as we watch the snobs take on the slobs in the hilarious blockbuster movie, Caddyshack! We'll have entertainment and games leading up to the movie which will make you feel like you're hanging at Bushwood Country Club. Wear your tackiest golf attire and get ready for an explosive good time!
5:30-8:30 pm: Live entertainment and games
8:30-10 pm: Caddyshack on the large screen
Food trucks, beer/seltzer/wine and lots of goodies available for purchase. No coolers or outside food allowed.
$15 TICKET PER PERSON
Limited tickets available. Tickets increase to $20 at door. Rain or shine. No refunds. No boats.
NO BEACH ADMISSION ALL DAY!
free Monarchs and Music
SUN AUG 13, 12:30-4:30 PM
MAIN BEACH - 300 LAKESHORE DRIVE, CL
Migrate to the beach for the afternoon to enjoy Monarch Mania and learn all about Monarchs. A Monarch extravaganza with butterfly and pollinator plants information, face painting, science table activities, art activities, a big migration route map, information on how Mexico, Canada and USA are collaborating! We will have pollinator plants available for you to purchase from our participating nurseries.
1-4:30 pm: Community Band Showcase
The Crystal Lake Community Band hosts a music showcase at the band shell featuring performances by local bands and ensembles listed below:
Hosted by the Monarch Coalition and the Crystal Lake Park District.
FREE truck or treat
SAT OCT 28, 2023 10 AM-12 PM
MAIN BEACH, 300 LAKESHORE DR, CL
Slide into your Halloween costumes and head over to Main Beach for a morning of trick or treating! Climb aboard some of the neat trucks on display! Don't forget your treat bag! Rain or shine.
LUMINARIA WALK
dec 2023 4:30-7:30 PM
VETERAN ACRES, 431 N. WALKUP
Enjoy a breathtaking stroll under the stars as we light a trail through Veteran Acres!
Thur Nov 30-Fri Dec1: walk the lit trail (no activities)
Sat Dec 2: Campfires, Hot Cocoa, Cookies, Candy Cane Forest and Mrs. Claus!
$1 per person/$5 per family donation appreciated. Donations are purposed for future Nature Center education programs.
puzzlepalooza
march 2024
GRAND OAKS REC CENTER, 1401 W. ROUTE 176, CL
10 am-12 pm (teams who have placed in previous tournaments or want to be challenged)
1:30-3:30 pm
Do you think you have what it takes to be a puzzle champ! This highly popular event will amaze the best of puzzlers! 2 and 4 person teams race against each other to finish the same 500 piece jigsaw puzzle first. The four person teams finish in about 50-70 minutes, depending on the difficulty of the puzzle. Snacks are allowed and after awards are presented, puzzlers may enjoy a sundae bar provided by our friends at Baskin Robbins Crystal Lake.
FEE: $30 PER TEAM