Best bets: Hurricane Harbor opens & Judas Priest plays Rosemont
Splash zone
Dust off your swimsuits for the summer season since it's the Opening Weekend of the water park Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. $57.99-$79.99. (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. Open weekends 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 25, to Monday, Sept. 2; daily from Monday, June 11, through Friday, Aug. 16
Racecourse specials
Arlington International Racecourse has a full roster of events to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend. College Day & the Miller Lite Party in the Park is on Friday, the All American Affair (with food trucks and a barbecue) is on Saturday, the Underwater Utopia Family Day featuring Arlington Heights Community Day (family activities and rides) is on Sunday and Memorial Day Racing & Entertainment is on Monday at 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $8-$10; $4 youth (specialty discounts on select days). (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. Gates open at 2 p.m. (May 24) and at noon (May 25 to 27)
A comedy king
Catch up with comedian D.L. Hughley ("The Original Kings of Comedy," "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News") when he performs a series of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $38 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, May 24; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 25; 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26
Arts in the park
More than 130 artists display and sell their work as part of the 32nd annual Prairie Arts Festival Fine Art & Fine Craft Exhibition and Sale this weekend on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Free admission. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26
Evening pop
The Grayslake Late Night Flea Market combines with the superhero-themed County Pop Culture Con for plenty of evening entertainment and sales on Saturday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake. $7; Free admission for kids ages 12 and under with paid guardian. (847) 680-7200 or (715) 526-9769 or lcfair.com or countypopculturecon.com. 3 to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, May 25
Metal men
Die-hard fans of classic heavy metal music won't want to miss seeing Judas Priest and the "Firepower 2019 Tour" at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $37.75-$97.75. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25
Symphonic cirque
The Chicago Philharmonic combines once again with Cirque de la Symphonie for a classical music concert combined with amazing circus acts on Sunday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 201 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $35-$125. (312) 334-7777 or chicagophilharmonic.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26
Family fun
Bring the family along for concerts, carnival rides, games and more at Gilberts Community Days starting on Thursday at Town Square Park, 195 Jackson St., Gilberts. Free admission, but rides require tickets. (847) 428-2861 or gilbertscommunitydays.com. 6 to 10 p.m. preview Thursday, May 30; 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 31; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 2