The Annual Festival of the Lakes will be held from July 15th – July 29th, 2026 in Hammond Indiana held at the Wolf Lake Memorial park. Festival includes amusement rides, food vendors, live entertainment, Polka Party, fishing derby, vendors, games and more. Admission is free, but there is $30 parking fee per car. Be prepared to walk during busy times. In addition to various headliner bands every evening, the Festival has special days listed below planned to round out the festival.
2025HEADLINER ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Senior Day (new Location this year) Special Persons Day 10am – Noon
Opening acts:
Headline act:
Thursday,
Opening act:
Headline act: Brothers Osborne
Friday, Fireworks Show,
Opening act:
Headline act: Stone Temple Pilots
Saturday, Fishing Derby, Aquatic Play for Kids, Fireworks
Opening acts:
Headline act: Lil Wayne
Sunday, Car Show, Polka Party
Opening act:
Headline act: Luis Angel El Flaco – Domingo 16 De Julio
The Polka Party will be held on Sunday, Musical guest “Taste of Polonia” will bring a traditional Polish sound to accompany an afternoon of great food and dancing. Please join the Festival in welcoming them to Indiana! Held at the Hammond Marina, 701 Casino Dr., 2pm – 6pm.
The festive celebration of the Polish heritage will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hammond Marina, 701 Casino Center Drive. Admission and parking are free, and guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Authentic Polish food from Cavalier Inn of Hammond and refreshments will be available for purchase.
The Senior Day, held on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pulaski Park (note: this is a location change) invites seniors aged 55 and older to come enjoy an afternoon of dancing, a free lunch, and music.
Special Person’s Day, held on Wednesday from 10am to Noon (note: this is a day and time change) on the Festival grounds near the carnival at Wolf Lake Memorial Park, allows those with special needs to enjoy free rides from Modern Midways and lunch. There will be no charge to park if you arrive on time.
The hot rod and custom car enthusiasts will like to join Festival of the Lakes at Wolf Lake Park on Sunday, from noon until 3 p.m. for the 16th Annual Festival of the Lakes Rod & Custom & Bike Show. Entry is $15 per vehicle; registration is from 9 a.m. – noon. There will be a DJ, dash plaques, door prizes, awards, and concessions. There are 19 class registrations this year!
The Festival of the Lakes Kids’ Day will be held at the Aquatic Play Center at Wolf Lake on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Children ages 12 and younger can enjoy free, unlimited play at the splash pad, which is located at 2100 Calumet Avenue
The Annual Festival of the Lakes Fishing Derby is scheduled for Saturday, July 20th, 2024 from 8am to noon on the shores of Wolf Lake (Indiana side). The entry fee is a $1 donation to support Wolf Lake Stocking. Children ages 15 and under will receive free fishing equipment, while supplies last. A free kids fishing seminar will be held at 10am.
There will be trophies awarded for the largest catches in two divisions: under 12 and 12 & older. The trophies will be for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for largest bass, walleye and pan fish catch! No boats, please.
On shore fishing only. Fishing poles and live bait will be available.
Call (219) 989.0575 or (219) 853.6378 for more information.
3 Day Parking Passes are available for $60.00 per vehicle. Motorcycle parking passes are $15.00 per motorcycle. Please note there is a designated motorcycle parking lot (see map here online). Motorcyclists who opt to park in any general parking lot will be assessed a $30.00 single day vehicle parking fee. No refunds will be issued.
The is no street parking allowed. Please remember that Wolf Lake Memorial Park is located in a residential neighborhood. Parking on the residential streets surrounding Wolf Lake Memorial Park is strictly prohibited.
The City of Hammond Police will issue tickets to violators. Please adhere to the signage. Vehicle and Motorcycle Parking Passes are available for purchase online or in-person at the Festival (cash only accepted at the Festival).
Held at Wolf Lake Memorial Park, the park is located at 2324 Calumet Avenue in Hammond, Indiana. Visit www.festivalofthelakes.com or call 219.853.6378 for more information.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
