Village of Wilmette Special E-News

The following email provides information on upcoming events in Wilmette this Summer. For more details, please visit the Village of Wilmette website.

Live Music Throughout the Village - Wilmette’s Sounds of Summer

June through September, Various Locations

The Village is partnering with the Park District to make it easier than ever to discover, plan for, and enjoy free live music throughout the community this summer. Enjoy outdoor concerts downtown on the Village Green, on the lakefront at Wallace Bowl in Gillson Park, and in our neighborhood settings at Mallinckrodt Park Gazebo and Hibbard Park Pavillion, with special Wednesday morning concerts featuring kid-centered entertainment.

So grab your picnic baskets, your friends and a to-go meal from your favorite Wilmette eatery and enjoy all the free summer music Wilmette has to offer! For the full lineup, visit wilmette.gov/SummerMusic.

President’s Cup: Fire vs. Police 

Thursday, June 18, 5:30 p.m., West Park

Will Team Fire defend their title, or will Team Police earn this year's bragging rights? Cheer on your favorite team and help Team Fire and Team Police fundraise for their selected charities. Click on the links to donate directly in support of this event.  

• Burn Camp, which offers a one-week camp experience at no cost for young burn survivors to help build self-esteem and confidence (please note Wilmette 6/18 event in additional comments to help us track fundraising!) 
  
• Special Olympics Illinois, which works to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through the power of joy and sport

The Police and Fire Departments will each be raffling off a ride to school (conditions apply), in addition to other fun prizes! Bring an item for The New Trier Township Food Pantry to receive a free raffle ticket - click here for June's priority needs list. Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase. 

Attendees can purchase beer from Double Clutch Brewing and grilled hot dogs and brats from the Lawn. Visit the police and fire tables for fun giveaways, as well as other local businesses. Don’t forget to pick up a commemorative t-shirt to support your favorite team!

All raffle and t-shirt proceeds and a portion of beer and food sales will be remitted to the selected charities. Thank you to Double Clutch and the Lawn for your donations. Please note this is a cashless event. 

Thank you to Canning & Canning LLC for their generous donation to support hosting this event. Visit wilmette.gov/PresidentsCup for the most up-to-date information!

July 3 Independence Day Celebrations

Yankee Doodle Dash 5k

8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Gillson Park

Dash the streets of Wilmette in the Park District’s dandy 5K! Registration includes a shirt, medal, and refreshments. Click here to register by June 30. 

Star Spangled Splash

1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Centennial Park

Head to Centennial for family fun geared towards ages 3-8. There will be carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, a confetti “fireworks show,” and more! Click here to learn more. 

Fun & Fireworks

5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Gillson Park

Enjoy an evening packed with Independence Day Celebrations at Gillson Park! There will be food vendors, live music, performers, and a firework show to kick off your 4th a day early. Click here for more information. 

Sidewalk Sale

Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11

Celebrate summer at the annual Sidewalk Sale sponsored by the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce! The event will include merchants and vendors on the sidewalks of downtown, plus entertainment and performances by local arts groups. Click here for more information. 

Art Fair

Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The fourth annual Wilmette Art Fair, in partnership with Amdur Productions, is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, in the heart of downtown Wilmette! The event will feature 100 juried artists showcasing and selling their unique pieces including paintings, photography, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, wood, fiber, and more. 

The event will include live music, on-site painting classes, selfie stations, and the “Kids Art Zone,” which will offer art fest bingo, spin art, sand sculpture, coloring, drawing, and more. The festival will include onsite food and local restaurants are just steps away, ensuring no one goes hungry! Click here for more information. 

Museum Events

Summer Scavenger Hunt – The Case of the Missing Fire Chief’s Helmet

June 14 – August 9

Wilmette’s former Fire Chief, Chief Zibble, has misplaced his helmet, and we need your help to find it!

Families are invited to explore the Village by visiting participating businesses and collecting stamps along the way. Once you have gathered enough stops, head to the Museum to complete your final mission and help track down the missing helmet! The more stops you make, the more prizes you can earn!

Booklets can be picked up at the Wilmette History Museum, the Wilmette Public Library, or downloaded from the Museum website starting on June 14!

The Declaration of Independence Through the Centuries

Monday, June 22, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m., Wilmette Public Library (1242 Wilmette Avenue) 

Join us to hear from Joyce Haworth as she explores the influence of the Declaration of Independence across the last 250 years. This free event is presented in partnership with the Wilmette History Museum and Wilmette Public Library. For more information, click here. 

Little Firefighters Storytime

Friday, July 10, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 

Join us for a free special fire-truck themed storytime in collaboration with the Wilmette Public Library as we celebrate our summer scavenger hunt theme! Enjoy a fun storytime led by the amazing librarians, and enjoy crafts and snacks provided by the Museum. Please click here to RSVP to ensure enough supplies. 

Save the Date - Auto Historica Vintage Car Show

Sunday, September 27, Noon – 2 p.m.

(Rain date October 4)

Our annual car show will be back again this Fall! Keep your eyes out for more details, including this year's theme!

The Wilmette Block Party

Saturday, August 29, Noon – 10 p.m., Downtown Wilmette

The Wilmette Park District, Village of Wilmette and the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce are bringing the Wilmette Block Party to Wilmette again in 2026!  

The event is scheduled to run from Noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 in Downtown Wilmette. The community will once again enjoy exciting music, food and drinks, kids’ activities, and a few new extras. More details will be announced soon! Click here for the most up to date information.