Boat Show Near Gurnee, Illinois
Gurnee residents are practically next door to the Lake County Fall Boat Show. The Lake County Fairgrounds at 1060 E Peterson Rd in Grayslake is a few minutes up the road, and over September 26–27, 2026 it fills with the region's boat dealers, current-year models, closeout pricing and lakeside vendors — with free admission and free parking.
Whether you boat on the Chain O'Lakes, the Fox River, or trailer north to Wisconsin, this is the most convenient weekend of the year to compare boats, take a free trade-in evaluation, and lock in fall pricing before the winter sets in.
Getting to the Show from Gurnee
From Gurnee, take IL 41 or IL 120 toward Grayslake, or cut up IL 45/Waistcoat Road. The Lake County Fairgrounds at 1060 E Peterson Rd is roughly five to seven miles away — usually about a 10-minute drive, with free parking on site. Many Gurnee attendees stop in both days of the weekend.
Boating Around Gurnee
Gurnee sits right on the Tri-State (I-94) corridor, which makes it the natural home base for boaters who split their season between the Chain O'Lakes ten minutes to the north, Lake Michigan to the east, and the Wisconsin lakes to the north. Gurnee's boating community is big and family-heavy, with pontoon and tritoon ownership leading the way.
The show brings all those waterways' needs together: performance tritoons for the Chain, surf boats for early mornings, bowriders for family days, and fishing rigs for the Fox River — plus the docks, lifts, covers and accessories in between.
What Gurnee Boat Shoppers Will Find
Gurnee shoppers will find 2026 pontoons and tritoons from Bennington and Bentley, Chaparral bowriders, Malibu wake boats, Crestliner fishing boats, onsite financing, free winter storage offers on qualifying purchases, and free trade-in evaluations — with free admission and free parking.
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 Gurnee 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.