The Chicago Latino Film Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. and is a 2 week long festival featuring over 100 short, feature, and documentary films by Latino filmmakers or promoting the Latino culture, made in Latin America, the United States, Spain or Portugal. This event attracts over 35,000 visitors who are encouraged to participate in screenings and events with the filmmakers and directors.

The Genesee Theatre was built in 1927 to create an architectural masterpiece of a theatre that would set Waukegan apart and help it grow as a city. Today the theatre puts on live performances in music, comedy, and the performing arts, as well as film, throughout the year for all to enjoy.

The Lake County Fair is the area's regional fair featuring all your typical fair activities and food, plus some cool events like the "banana derby" where monkeys atop dogs race, a petting zoo, a flower and garden show, motorsports, Clydesdale horses and livestock, pageants, and live entertainment.

Bristol Renaissance Faire is one of the most attended renaissance fairs in the world. It runs over 9 weekends from July to September and allows visitors to step back into the year 1574 to enjoy medieval entertainment, traditions, and historical festivities. Don't miss the aerial performances, songs and melodies performed by the bards, fire shows, knife juggling, jousting, camel rides, and marketplace.

The Jack Benny Center for the Arts was named for the famous American entertainer, Jack Benny, who grew up in Waukegan. This center incorporates many different varieties of the arts, theatre, music, dance, and craft productions and lessons for the public. Also within the center are the Bowen Park Theatre and Opera Company and the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra.

The Ravinia Festival is the nation's oldest outdoor music festival that takes place at Ravinia Park over the summer. Over 600,000 attendees can choose from concerts and performances of almost any genre, grab a spot on the lawn, and sit back and enjoy.