Chicago Area Fall Boat Show
Chicago-area boaters from the north side to the northwest suburbs have a fall boat show close to home. The Lake County Fall Boat Show runs September 26–27, 2026 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, Illinois — about 45 minutes from downtown and 30 from the north suburbs — with free admission and free parking.
Whether you keep a boat in a slip at a Chicago harbor, trailer to the Chain O'Lakes, or spend weekends on the Fox River waterway, this is the region's end-of-season event: current-year models from leading brands, closeout pricing, trade-in evaluations, and vendors covering everything from docks to lake-lifestyle gear.
Getting to the Show from Chicago Area
From Chicago's north side, take I-94/Edens or I-90 west to I-294 north, exiting at IL 120 or Washington Street west toward Grayslake. From the northwest suburbs, IL 53 and US 12 connect directly. The Lake County Fairgrounds at 1060 E Peterson Rd is roughly 40 miles from the Loop — typically 45 minutes to an hour, with free parking on site.
Boating Around Chicago Area
Chicago's boating scene is one of the largest in the country: harbor communities from Jackson Park to Montrose, the Chicago River runs, and a huge trailering population that heads north on weekends to the Chain O'Lakes, the Fox River and the Wisconsin lakes. That mix of slip boaters and trailer boaters means the market runs from big-water cruisers to family pontoons.
For city boaters, the show's value is density: in one afternoon you can compare pontoon and tritoon brands for the up-lake cottage, look at surf boats, get a trade-in evaluation on your current rig, and arrange winter storage — without spending three weekends visiting dealerships across the metro area.
What Chicago Area Boat Shoppers Will Find
Chicago-area shoppers will find 2026 pontoons and tritoons from Bennington and Bentley, Chaparral bowriders, Malibu wake boats, Crestliner fishing boats, docks, lifts and accessories, onsite financing, free winter storage offers on qualifying purchases, and free trade-in evaluations — with free admission and free parking all weekend.
Not sure which type of boat fits your water? Browse pontoon boats, tritoon boats, wake boats, fishing boats, bowrider boats at the show — or start with the full event information page for hours, parking and the exhibitor list.
Boaters From Nearby Areas
Boaters From Chicago Area Get In Free
The Lake County Fall Boat Show takes place at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, Illinois — September 26–27, 2026, with free admission, free parking, closeout deals and onsite trade-in evaluations.