Skokie Backlot Bash 2025: What To Know Before You Go

SKOKIE, IL — Hundreds will flood downtown Skokie for the 2025 Backlot Bash this weekend, featuring live music, a carnival and a 5k run.

The 2025 Backlot Bash will be the 18th edition of the event, which is organized by the Skokie Park District in partnership with the village, the public library, the local high school district and chamber of commerce.

The name "Backlot Bash" is a reference to Skokie's pre-Depression history as an often-used location for shooting silent films produced by Chicago-based Essanay Film Manufacturing Co., because the
downtown of the village, then known as Niles Centre, resembled a town in the popular consciousness of the Old West.

Here are three things you need to know about the festival in order to enjoy it to the fullest:

Who Is Performing?

The three-day event will feature 18 acts performing on two stages.

On Friday, headliners Elements, the definitive Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band, will take the main stage at 8:45 p.m. The Meadowlark Lemons will perform before them on the main stage at 7:15 p.m. and Shelley Miller will perform at 6 p.m. on the beer tent stage.

Saturday, Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience will close out the night on the main stage and Evanston School of Rock will open at 12 p.m. followed by Nikki O'Neill Band at 2 p.m., Valius
at 4 p.m., Penthouse Sweets at 6 p.m. and jimmy Tin & The Rough Cuts at 7:15 p.m. On the beer tent stage, Measuring Marigolds will start at 1 p.m. followed by Colby Maddox at 3 p.m. and Scott & Sara at 5 p.m.

On Sunday, Tributosaurus becomes Van Halen will headline the main stage at 6:30 p.m. and The Mosquitos will open at 1 p.m. followed by Buds & shoots at 3 p.m. and Cisco Pike at 5 p.m. On the beer tent stage, Sunday Drive will start at 2 p.m. followed by Sanctified Grumblers at 4 p.m.

The carnival opens on Friday at 5:30 p.m.and unlimited ride wristbands, which give you access until 9:30 p.m., will cost $35.

Gates open earlier on Saturday at 1 p.m. and unlimited ride wristbands are split into two time slots:

1 to 5 p.m. for $30 and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.for $35.

On Sunday, the carnival opens at the same time, but closes early at 8 p.m., with unlimited ride wristbands available for 1 to 5 p.m. at $30.

The Backlot Dash 5K

On Saturday, Skokie's Backlot dash 5K and Kids' Half Mile Color Fun Run will be held in Downtown Skokie in and around the event grounds.

Registration on race day will start at 6:30 a.m., but can also be done online in advance. The 5K will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and costs $40 to participate. The kids' fun run kicks off at 8 a.m. and costs $20.

Participants of the 5K Run will receive Chip timing, a t-shirt and one free beer. For more information about race participation, visit the Backlot Bash website.