Lake County Fall Boat Show 2026
Northern Illinois’ end-of-season boat show — September 26–27, 2026 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, Illinois. New boats, closeout deals, trade-in evaluations and free winter storage offers, all in one weekend.
Boats at the Show
The show floor brings together current-year models from regional dealers. Explore each category to see what to expect, what to compare, and which boats fit your home water.
Compare models, pricing and trade-in options at the show.
pontoon-boatsCompare models, pricing and trade-in options at the show.
tritoon-boatsCompare models, pricing and trade-in options at the show.
wake-boatsCompare models, pricing and trade-in options at the show.
fishing-boatsCompare models, pricing and trade-in options at the show.
bowrider-boatsWhy fall is the smartest time of year to buy a boat in northern Illinois.
Learn moreParticipating Dealers & Brands
Regional dealers display current-year models on the show floor. Participating brands include Bennington, Bentley Pontoons, Chaparral, Malibu Boats, Crestliner and Sea Storm, with local dealers such as Munson Ski & Marine and Triangle Sports supporting the event. The exhibitor list grows as show weekend approaches — check the exhibitor directory for the latest additions.
View ExhibitorsShow Sponsors
The Lake County Fall Boat Show is supported by businesses from across the northern Illinois boating community — from marina-town institutions on the Chain O’Lakes to local services that keep boaters on the water. Visit the sponsor page to see who is behind this year’s show.
View SponsorsBring Your Boat to the Show
Thinking about selling or trading your current boat? Bring it to the show for a free onsite evaluation. Buyers and participating dealers are on the floor both days, and many shoppers apply their trade-in value toward a new boat the same weekend.
How boat trade-ins work at the showBuy in the Fall, Store for Free
Select exhibitors offer free winter storage with qualifying purchases — one of the real costs of boat ownership covered before spring. Ask each dealer about the details of their storage offer while you negotiate your fall deal.
See why fall is the best time to buyDriving to the Show
- From I-94/US 41: exit at IL 120 or Washington Street west, then follow signs to the Lake County Fairgrounds on E Peterson Rd.
- From the Chain O’Lakes area (Fox Lake, Antioch, Lake Marie): roughly 15–25 minutes south via IL 59 or IL 120 east.
- From McHenry County: about 30 minutes via IL 120 east through Volo.
- From southern Wisconsin (Kenosha, Lake Geneva): 30–40 minutes via I-94 south or WI 50/IL 173.
- From Chicago: 45 minutes to an hour via I-94/Edens or I-90 to I-294 north, exiting at IL 120 west.
Get Free Tickets to the Lake County Fall Boat Show
Admission and parking are free. RSVP to receive your printable pass, reminders, and exclusive show updates — and see our full FAQ for everything else you need to know.