At last, the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, car windows roll down so you can breathe in the fresh air, and the shorts and flip flops are dusted off and finally make their way back out after a long winter. This is the time of year when Woodstock starts to buzz again. Patios fill up, music echoes through the town, trails call for walks filled with birdsongs and crickets chirping, and the calendar quickly fills with festivals, special events, and warm nights gazing at the sunsets and stars.

After waiting all year for sunshine and warm evenings, Woodstock has no shortage of ways to get outside and enjoy every minute of it. From concerts and community celebrations to hiking trails, outdoor adventures, farmers markets, and family-friendly activities, there’s something happening around every corner all summer long. Whether you’re planning a weekend visit or rediscovering your own hometown, this is your guide to soaking up the best of summer in Woodstock outdoors.

Powered By Sunshine

If your ideal summer includes soaking up the fresh air and staying active outside, there are plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors and get moving in Woodstock. Surrounded by more than 500 acres of parkland and green space, our town allows you to immerse yourself in nature, unwind, and reconnect. 

Hit the trails at Hennen Conservation Area and Emricson Park, wander through the peaceful scenery at Ryder Woods, or spend time exploring nearby conservation areas.

Looking for something more social? Join the community for the glowing Stars and Strides Firelight Hike or sign up for Ride/Walk/Run to Leave a Light On as the Square lights up in support of local organizations. If your idea of exercise includes furry friends, don't miss Young At Heart's outdoor Dog Yoga for a fun twist on working out.

You can also jump into the action during Woodstock PrideFest with the Pride Color Run and Field Day, challenge friends to a game of pickleball or disc golf at Emricson Park or simply let the kids burn off some energy at one of the many parks and playgrounds that dot the town.
 

Classic Summer Traditions

As we celebrate 250 years of America this year, it’s hard not to think about the kind of classic summer traditions that feel straight out of a movie. Woodstock has a way of capturing that nostalgic small-town summer feeling with experiences that feel straight out of a movie.

Start your weekend strolling the Woodstock Farmers Market with fresh flowers, coffee, produce, and local finds. Then beat the heat with a dip in the pool at Woodstock Water Works Aquatic Center. Don't forget that you can pack a picnic for the park with items sourced from local restaurants, or head out for the Americana experience of picking ripe berries warmed by the sun at Heider's Berry Farm.

When evening rolls around, grab lawn chairs for Thursday night Movies in the Park, catch a Woodstock City Band performance or Concert in the Park, or spend the night listening to outdoor music at local venues around town like Niko's Red Mill and Winestock.

Woodstock’s summer calendar is also filled with longtime favorites like the Gavers Barn Dance, Woodstock Folk Festival, Hot August Nights Car Show on the Square, Shakespeare in the Park and the McHenry County Fair that bring the community together year after year.
 

Those Summer Nights

There is something special about a summer night in Woodstock. Some of the best summer memories happen after the sun goes down.

Grab dinner and drinks on patios around town and then float through glowing pool lights during Adults After Dark: Neon Nights or SummerWeen at Woodstock Water Works. And of course, no summer feels complete without Fourth of July fireworks at dusk where a fantastic light display lights up Emricson Park! 

Spend another evening wandering the Square during a festival or grabbing an after-dinner ice cream from Millie's Michocana, Dairy Queen, Pop-A-Doodle-Doo or Read Between the Lynes before taking the long way home.

Looking for a more laid back evening with the family? Gather around the bonfire during The Land Conservancy's Howl at the Wolf Oak: Summer Solstice Edition for family nature activities and a relaxing evening outdoors. 
 

Take It Easy

Not every summer day has to come  with a packed schedule. Some of the best moments are the ones where you simply take your time.

Spend a morning wandering the blooms and create a bouquet at Dented Gate Flower Farm or visit the peaceful countryside for an event at Soulful Prairies. Browse in and out of downtown boutiques with an iced coffee in hand, then wander Woodstock’s murals and public art at your own pace.

Looking for a quieter way to connect this summer? Bring your current read to Woodstock Recreation’s Pages Around Town, a drop-in silent reading club hosted at fun locations throughout the community. It’s the perfect excuse to unplug for an hour because sometimes the best summer plans involve a good story with nowhere else to be.
 

However you choose to spend it, this beloved season has a way of creating the moments you end up talking about long after it's over. So roll those windows down, stay out a little later, and make the most of everything Woodstock has to offer this summer before it's time to break out the snow boots.