Tucked along the border of Indiana south of Chicago, is Lansing, Illinois. With its charming downtown reminiscent of Mayberry, expansive green space and the historic Ford Hangar, this village is quiet and peaceful. However, throughout the summer, Lansing’s Fox Pointe Amphitheater makes a lot of wonderful, joyous noise.
Fox Pointe Amphitheater is nestled just steps from downtown Lansing. This open-air music venue is an absolute gem of the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana. With state-of-the-art acoustics and sound system, over 2,000 concert-goers can enjoy music and dancing under the pavilion, on the lush lawn, or on the dance pad in front of the stage.
Visitors enjoy a full bar and outstanding concessions, including regional favorites such as the Dragobob, pierogi and of course, Chicago hot dogs. This family-friendly venue boasts comfortable and sparkling clean restrooms, all attended by polite and friendly staff members.
Fox Pointe at 18138 Henry Street in Lansing, Illinois hosts a free Wednesday Night Concert series. This series is a fantastic way to plug into the local music scene, discovering up-and-coming talent in the opening acts and soaking in regional bands with well-established followings as the headliner act.
The 2023 Fox Pointe free Wednesday Night Concert series schedule is:
- June 28 – Nawty with opener Kristyana Michelle
- July 12 – Hello Weekend with opener Robby Celestin Duo
- July 19 – 7th Heaven with opener Jack Adams
- August 2 – Too Much Molly with opener Michael Young
- August 9 – Elton Jeff & The Honky Cats with opener Brian Mundee
- August 16 – Visions of Santana with opener Eric Donner
- August 30 – Anthem with opener Chad Clifford
- September 6 – Party Foul with opener Aaron Harris
- September 13 – Sixteen Candles with Lauren Dukes
Fully handicapped accessible, the gates at Fox Pointe Amphitheater open at 6:00 pm and the opening act begins. After brief intermissions, when guests can take advantage of ever-changing dessert vendors, headlining acts begin at 7:30 pm.
The most exciting news of the 2023 Fox Pointe season is the new Friday Night Lights Concert Series. This concert series features two premium regional bands. The first headliner begins at 7:00 pm and the second headliner begins at 9:00 pm. This concert series features a plethora of additional attractions. The first 500 people who enter the gates will receive a free souvenir, including koozies, glow necklaces, cups and sunglasses.
At every Friday Night Lights concert at Fox Pointe, guests will enjoy a fun free digital photo booth, perfect for “doing it for the Gram.” They can also take advantage of a free body paint artist at every concert. One Trick Pony microbrewery brings a different selection of handcrafted beers at every concert, and bakeries, creameries and more will provide a wide variety of delicious sweet treats and desserts. Each concert will also have its own activities.
The Friday Night Lights Concert series and their unique activities are:
- June 23 – Mike and Joe, and Radio Gaga with Freddy Mercury Mustache contest
- July 7 – Hairbangers Ball and Ultra Beat, with Big Hair Contest and chair massages
- July 28 – Second Hand Soul and Shagadelics, with Backyard Game Nights and lighted hats
- August 25 – One of These Nights and Brothers Gibb with disco dance contest, fortune tellers and palm readers and an art show.
Tickets for the Friday Night Lights concerts are $10 per person.
For lovers of symphonic music, the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra will give a free performance on Friday, July 21. This performance also begins at 7:30. Kirk Muspratt, Music Director, has selected works from movies such as the Avengers: End Game, The Witches of Eastwick and Star Wars, patriotic compositions and classic pieces. The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra concert is the only evening in the 2023 Fox Pointe season when guests are allowed to bring in picnics and other outside food and drink.
Guests are also treated to a free concert featuring Fifty One Lincoln on Saturday, August 5th, in conjunction with Lansing, Illinois Cruise Night. This evening, gates open at 7:30 pm and the concert will be from 8 to 10 pm.
The summer season is the perfect time for barbecue, and Fox Pointe is happy to host the annual Blues, Brews and BBQ Fest on Saturday, August 19th. Tickets are $5 per adult, with kids 12 and under admitted free. Gates open at 2:00 pm and live music begins at 3:00 pm and ends at 10:30 pm.
Enjoy local and regional barbecue along with Fox Pointe Blues, Brews and BBQ fest performers:
- The Stoney Curtis Band
- Lauren Dukes Band
- Derek Caruso & the Blues Fuse
- The Steepwater Band
There are also family events and seasonal events at Fox Pointe in 2023. On Tuesday, August 1, Fox Pointe will host Lansing, Illinois Police Department’s National Night Out from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
On Sunday, September 17, the Lansing Human Relations Commission hosts Lan-Sing: Music for the Soul from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Fox Pointe. This is a gathering of local church choirs singing inspirational and spiritual music selections.
The L.A.C.E. Autumn Fest, a Lansing, Illinois tradition for decades, will be held at Fox Pointe on Friday, September 29 from 4:00 pm to 10:30 pm and Saturday, September 30 from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm. This free family favorite features a kids zone, live music, a military tribute and pancake breakfast and food vendors.
Bring the kids to Fox Pointe Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, October 28 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Kids will enjoy getting candy from a wide variety of local businesses and organizations, while viewing dozens and dozens of scarecrows decorated by local supporters.
The 2023 season wouldn’t be complete without a Holiday Tree Lighting. Enjoy hot chocolate and visits to Santa on Saturday, December 2 and watch the massive tree and other sparkling decorations twinkle into life at 5:00 pm.
Fox Pointe provides so many opportunities for friends and family to gather in a beautifully landscaped, clean and secure environment. Fox Pointe and Lansing Illinois are easily accessible by exiting I-80 at Torrence Avenue south, then turning east on Ridge Road. Within Lansing itself, you’ll find unique restaurants, wine-tasting bars, homemade candies, speciality retail stores and much more.
If you have questions about Fox Pointe, the 2023 schedule of events or free parking, click here.
