Country Thunder, Elkhorn Ribfest lead a fun-packed event schedule this week
Rising country band The Red Clay Strays is one of the headlining acts at Country Thunder Wisconsin in Twin Lakes July 16 to 19.
SPECIAL NOTE: This listing was updated to include an event cancellation reported in the afternoon of July 16.
Look Ahead is the weekly event listing of The Resorter, a page for Lake Geneva area event and business news. Festivals, parades, markets — even gigs for musicians who usually play in the area, which can be found under the Local Live Music heading. Note: Information is subject to change after print. To have an event appear in the next Look Ahead, email Special Sections Coordinator Steve Targo.
Wednesday, July 15
Country Thunder 2026 — Front gate open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., 2305 Richmond Road, Twin Lakes, countrythunder.com/wi. One of Southeastern Wisconsin’s most popular music festivals technically starts Thursday, July 16. However, the campground will be open for early arrivals today. Numerous performers are scheduled to play this year’s festival, including Gavin Adcock, Riley Green and Keith Urban. Ticket prices vary, but the website states that those who live within 3 miles of the festival grounds can purchase a weekend general admission ticket for $150 plus taxes and fees. The event’s major shows are set for Thursday-Sunday, July 16-19. See below for concert schedules by day, or visit the website.
Elkhorn Ribfest — 3-11 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn, wisconsinribfest.com. The five-day national rib competition kicks off with live music, a carnival, the Artisan Vendor Alley and of course, delicious BBQ served up by professionals. Today’s live music lineup: Cherry Pie headlines at 8 p.m., while there will also be live music by Indigo Canyon at 3 p.m.; My Weekend Crush at 4:30 p.m.; and Blue Rose Band at 6 p.m. Free admission, free parking for Ribfest all days. See website for more. Also, see more Ribfest activities by day below.
Bella Cain is one of numerous area musical acts performing this week at Elkhorn Ribfest. The five-day BBQ festival is at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn.
Local Live Music: Drums & Roses — 4-7 p.m., The Bottle Shop, 617 W. Main St., Lake Geneva, thebottleshoplakegeneva.com/calendar.
The Power of Songs in Democracy — 6 p.m., Horticultural Hall, 330 Broad St., Lake Geneva. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S., Chris Valiillo will explore how music was used as political and social tools throughout history. Valiillo will play music from the Revolutionary War era to the ballads of Woody Guthrie and protest songs from the 1950s and 60s, up to today. Free admission with donation of a nonperishable food item.
Local Live Music: Lara Bell — 6-9 p.m., Maxwell Mansion, 304 S. Wells St., Lake Geneva, staymaxwell.com.
Thursday, July 16
Country Thunder 2026 — Front gate open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., countrythunder.com/wi. Today’s concert schedule includes The Wilder Blue at 3:30 p.m.; Mae Estes 5 p.m.; George Birge 6:30 p.m.; Gretchen Wilson 8 p.m.; and Gavin Adcock 10 p.m.
Keith Urban.
Elkhorn Ribfest — 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, wisconsinribfest.com. Day Two includes one of the event’s traditions, the Bike Show, 3:30-6 p.m. The show is free to enter. During the show, people ride to the middle of the festival grounds until it’s full. Bikes will be judged and winners in each category receive $200 and a trophy. The Grand Champion receives $350 and “an even better trophy,” according to the website. Today’s live music lineup: Bella Cain headlines at 8 p.m. More performances: Sonya & Geoff, noon; Drums & Roses, 1:30 p.m.; Lucky Pickers 3 p.m.; Mac O’Brien and Band 4:30 p.m.; Jonny Lyons & the Pride 6 p.m.
Local Live Music: Rick Marchione — 4-7 p.m., The Bottle Shop, thebottleshoplakegeneva.com/calendar.
Lake Geneva Concerts in the Park: Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra — 6-8 p.m., Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, visitlakegeneva.com/events/concerts-park/bands. This week’s installment of the free outdoor summer concert series features the orchestra, which has been around for over 20 years. And if you can’t get enough of the orchestra, it will also play Sunday, July 19, at the Phoenix Park Bandshell in Delavan (see below).
Busy time for the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra! First, it’s a free show in Lake Geneva’s Flat Iron Park. Then, the orchestra will play at the Phoenix Park Bandshell in Delavan.
CANCELLED — Music in the Park: Great Sax — 6-8 p.m., Reid Park Gazebo, Fontana, genevalakewest.com/fontana-music-in-the-park. Free, family-friend summer concert series, presented by the Geneva Lake West Chamber of Commerce.
Local Live Music: Duo Sonic — 8-11 p.m., Harpoon Willie’s, 8 E. Geneva St., Williams Bay, harpoonwillies.com.
Friday, July 17
Country Thunder 2026 — Front gate open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., countrythunder.com/wi. Charlie Argo performs at 2 p.m.; Hannah McFarland 3:30 p.m.; Zach John King 5 p.m.; Mark Chestnutt 6:30 p.m.; Ian Munsick 8 p.m.; and The Red Clay Strays 10 p.m.
The Red Clay Strays headline this year’s Country Thunder music festival on Friday, July 17.
Burlington’s Maxwell Street Days — 10 a.m.-5 p.m., various downtown and citywide Burlington locations, business.experienceburlingtonwi.org/community-events. The sidewalk sales event for local businesses includes the Annual Duck Dash. See more at the website or on social media accounts for Experience Burlington WI.
Elkhorn Ribfest — 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, wisconsinribfest.com. Madison County headlines the live entertainment for the day at 8:30 p.m. Other performances: Terry Byrne at noon; Dan Fester 1:30 p.m.; Breaking Cadence & Friends 2:30 p.m.; the Who’s Who 4:30 p.m.; and the Gooroos 6:30 p.m.
Local Live Music: Blues Rhythm Duo — 4-7 p.m., The Bottle Shop, thebottleshoplakegeneva.com/calendar.
Local Live Music: The BoxCrates — 5-9 p.m., Geneva Lake Distilling + Winery, 401 Sheridan Springs Road, Lake Geneva, genevalakedistilling.com/music/live-music.
Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr.: A Musical Revue — 7 p.m., Sprague Theater, 15 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn, lakeland-players.org. Elkhorn theater group Lakeland Players will perform songs from 24 Disney films, including “The Lion King,” “Toy Story” and “Encanto.” Tickets $10, plus fees. More show dates: Saturday, July 18, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 19, 2 p.m. There are also shows next week, July 24-26. Go to the website.
Crafted Laughs — 8-9:30 p.m., Topsy Turvy Brewery, 727 Geneva St., Lake Geneva, topsyturvybrewery.com/events. Free standup comedy from Chicago.
Saturday, July 18
Country Thunder 2026 — Front gate open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., countrythunder.com/wi. Jay Webb goes on at 2 p.m.; The Jack Wharff Band 3:30 p.m.; Lonestar 5 p.m.; Dasha 6:30 p.m.; Nate Smith 8 p.m.; and Riley Green 10 p.m.
Elkhorn Ribfest — 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, wisconsinribfest.com. Live music for the day: Rival 5 headlines at 8:30 p.m. Vandwellers play at noon; Lara Bell Band 1:30 p.m.; Roseland 3 p.m.; Buster Daisy 4:30 p.m.; and Kashmir 6:30 p.m.
Local Live Music: Cole Brandt — 2-5 p.m., The Bottle Shop, thebottleshoplakegeneva.com/calendar.
Local Live Music: Smooth Blues with John Gueher — 5-9 p.m., Geneva Lake Distilling + Winery, genevalakedistilling.com/music/live-music.
Sons of Chicago: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen — Doors open 7 p.m., starts 8 p.m., Geneva Stage, 244 Broad St., Lake Geneva, genevastage.com. Rock tribute to the Boss covers everything from “Born to Run” to “Glory Days.” Tickets $35-40, plus fees.
Free Concerts in the Park: The Chicago Experience — 7-9 p.m., Phoenix Park Bandshell, 111 E. Wisconsin St., Delavan, phoenixparkbandshell.com. One of two series concerts this weekend, the Chicago Experience plays the music of Chicago.
Sunday, July 19
Country Thunder 2026 — Front gate open 9 a.m.-10 p.m., countrythunder.com/wi. Annie Bosko performs at 2:30 p.m.; Tyler Nance 4 p.m.; Corey Kent 5:30 p.m.; Shaboozey 7 p.m.; and Keith Urban 9 p.m.
Local Live Music: Great Sax — 10 a.m.-1 p.m., The Bottle Shop, thebottleshoplakegeneva.com/calendar.
Elkhorn Ribfest — 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Walworth County Fairgrounds, wisconsinribfest.com. Final day of the festival has judging for the Backyard Grillers competition, 3-4:30 p.m.; and an awards presentation at 5:45 p.m. Live music: The Prince Experience headlines at 6 p.m. More music: 1703 plays at noon; Cornfield Keg Party 2 p.m.; and Ivy Ford 4 p.m.
Local Live Music: J Henry — 2-5 p.m., Topsy Turvy Brewery, topsyturvybrewery.com/events.
Local Live Music: Frank — 2-5 p.m., The Bottle Shop.
Free Concerts in the Park: Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra — 4 p.m., Phoenix Park Bandshell, Delavan, phoenixparkbandshell.com.
Monday, July 20
Local Live Music: Kenny of Sundown Crowd — 4-7 p.m., The Bottle Shop, thebottleshoplakegeneva.com/calendar.
Tuesday, July 21
Local Live Music: Bob Bero — 4-7 p.m., The Bottle Shop, thebottleshoplakegeneva.com/calendar.
