Boat Show Near Waukegan, Illinois
Waukegan boaters have the best of both worlds: a harbor on Lake Michigan minutes from home, and the Lake County Fall Boat Show fifteen minutes inland. The show takes place at the Lake County Fairgrounds at 1060 E Peterson Rd in Grayslake on September 26–27, 2026, with free admission and free parking.
Lake Michigan families use the show differently than inland boaters — many come to price a second boat for the Chain and Wisconsin lakes, to compare watersports rigs for the calm mornings, or to take a trade-in evaluation on the boat that no longer fits the family.
Getting to the Show from Waukegan
From Waukegan, take IL 120 west or Grand Avenue (IL 132) toward Grayslake. The Lake County Fairgrounds at 1060 E Peterson Rd is roughly ten to twelve miles away — typically a 15–20 minute drive, with free parking on site.
Boating Around Waukegan
Boating in Waukegan revolves around its Lake Michigan harbor and the revitalized lakefront: salmon and trout charters, sail and power communities, and easy runs south to Chicago or north to Wisconsin. When the lake is calm, nothing beats it; when it's four-foot chop, many families wish they had a boat for the inland lakes too.
That's why the show's inland focus complements a Lake Michigan city: compare the tritoons, pontoons and surf boats that make sense for Chain and Wisconsin weekends, alongside dealers who understand big-water boats and can talk trade values all in the same conversation.
What Waukegan Boat Shoppers Will Find
Waukegan 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, 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 Waukegan 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.