The Scene – DuPage & Cook counties

Check out these candy shops in northern Illinois that are worth visiting... this month, or any time of the year!

A major antiques show, date night options, entertainment at Morton Arboretum, vintage cars, debut of performance venue, festival fun and an arts weekend are all on tap in DuPage and Cook counties.

The 39th annual event is June 13-14 at DuPage County Fairgrounds.

Father's Day is Sunday, June 15.

The Midwest is full of beautiful national parks, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Check out these niche stays in St. Charles, Ottawa, Algonquin and more.

Your guide to some of the hottest festivals happening in communities across northern Illinois in 2025, from Joliet to Crystal Lake and Rock Falls to Geneva.

The 2025 farmers market season kicks off soon in communities across northern Illinois. Here's a list of some of the best markets in the area.

The line-up is stacked with locally and nationally acclaimed DJs and music artists like Fast Eddie, DJ Julian Jumpin Perez, DJ Mike “Hitman” Wilson, DJ Mickey Mixin Oliver, DJ Maurice “ICE” Culpepper, DJ Tim Spinnin Schommer and DJ Kickin Kenny Cahill.

Featured will be music from movie musicals including “My Fair Lady,” “Wicked,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “West Side Story,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Oliver” and “Top Hat."

The Abbey Resort has everything for a family or couples getaway this summer – golf, spa, swimming, boating and more.

The full-day event features entertainment and wine in the gardens for an exceptional Father’s Day experience in Wheaton.

Experience Cantigny in a new way through music, art, food, and nature during ‘Feast of the Senses’ this summer.

Summer concerts in Downers Grove, farmers markets, a major art exhibition and a stage comedy gem are happening this weekend.

Cream of Wheaton is June 5-8, while Taste of Glen Ellyn is Aug. 14-16.

Summer is here, and it's time to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of northern Illinois.

Works by Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige and 15 of their contemporaries from 1603-1868 in Edo — present-day Tokyo — highlight a new exhibition, “Hokusai & Ukiyo-e: The Floating World, Artworks from the Chiossone Collection.”

Northern Illinois offers a vibrant international food scene ready to tantalize your taste buds.

Here's a list of some of the most beautiful road trip ideas in the U.S.

Summer is filled with beer festivals, from Joliet to Princeton, Galena to McHenry and more.

Six Flags is launching a “Summerbration” packed with immersive events, live entertainment on the Midway and specialty food offerings.

Chicago and suburban museums have a wide variety of art exhibits on display throughout the summer.

The Arboretum’s Children’s Garden celebrates its 20th anniversary with free family-friendly programming for all ages and abilities.

The free concerts are held at Memorial Park in Wheaton.

Downers Grove launches its Friday Night Live concert lineup, while Westmont is home to the Spring Fling Festival, Darien adds a carnival to the holiday weekend, and The Forge Lemont Quarries presents the Blues, Brews & BBQ Fest. Theater lovers are offered a trio of new offerings.

The beloved taco and tequila bar opens its seventh Chicagoland location, serving up margaritas, tacos and non-stop vibes with a private event space and two expansive patios. 

Programs will also include a film screening with the Chicago Film Archives, an evening of music in the galleries and sculpture-making workshop.

The West Chicago amusement farm will host an all-ages pro rodeo in June, featuring bareback & saddle bronc riding, girls breakaway roping, steer wrestling and much more.

Northern Illinois is home to many unique distilleries that use farm fresh-to-bottle ingredients.

Kayak, sky dive, ride an ATV, rides bikes on a guided tour or take a cruise along the Illinois River during your summer adventure in Starved Rock Country.

The restaurant is located near The Hampton Social in South Barrington, and offers everything from 'elevated' bar food to unique appetizers, steak, seafood and more.

The arboretum's 'Vivid Creature' exhibit features large, colorful sculptures of a deer, dragonfly, squirrel and more.

Morton Arboretum unveils its latest whimsical sculptures, while classical orchestras and choirs along with a Taylor Swift tribute shake up the musical scene, native plants buoy the environment and a walking murder mystery takes a Japanese twist.

The lineup includes comedian Frank Caliendo and tribute concerts to Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift and Bob Seger.

Enjoy craft beer tastings from more than 15 regional breweries, live blues music and barbecue all day.

Special events range from The Morton Arboretum's Arbor Day Plant Sale and a production of "Our Town" at the MAC to live music, a showcase of jewelry artistry and an interactive exhibition on farming in DuPage County at the Elmhurst History Museum.

'Million Dollar Quartet' tells the story of the night music legends Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley held an impromptu jam session at Sun Records studio in 1956.

Harbor Inn vacation rentals at Heritage Harbor, located near Ottawa on the Illinois River, give guests a relaxing getaway.

You don't need to travel to the Big Apple to find New York-style pizza here in Illinois. Check out our list of suburban pizzerias that serve the ultra-thin-crust delicacy.

The popular Italian restaurant pizza bar will open its seventh location this summer at the Lombard shopping destination.

Check out these northern Illinois restaurants known for their burgers. From McHenry County to the Illinois Valley and everywhere in between, we've got you covered with a variety of places to try during National Burger Month.

Visit these award-winning breweries and wineries in Kane, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties and the Illinois Valley area.

Enjoy a quick weekend getaway in the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook's serene setting, spend the afternoon swimming in the pool or relaxing in the spa.

May Fest will bloom at Cantigny, while Wheaton separately plays host to a mac-and-cheese festival. Concerts will showcase folk and classical artists, while the game's afoot for "Miss Holmes Returns."

Westside Improv in downtown Wheaton offers a variety of improv classes, as well as performances on weekends.

Here are seven destinations for artisan drinks along Route 66, including stops in Plainfield, Lockport and Joliet.

Beer and wine festivals around northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin offer springtime fun in the coming months.

Go back to the Prohibition era at these speakeasy bars located in St. Charles, La Salle, Elgin, Lockport and more northern Illinois locations.

Check out these classes in the suburbs for your next girls night out, family outing or date night.

Treat mom to brunch on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11.