Illinois is a hub for an array of vibrant and engaging festivals, celebrating everything from music and art to food and culture.

Cities like Chicago, Decatur, Peoria, and Rockford host numerous events that draw crowds from all around the state and beyond. These festivals, varying from bustling street parties to intimate art gatherings, showcase the rich diversity and spirit of Illinois.

A bustling Illinois festival with colorful tents, food stalls, and lively music. People stroll among the attractions, enjoying the festive atmosphere

The state’s festival scene features an extensive range of events including wine and beer festivals, cultural celebrations, and even unique events like Oktoberfests. Whether visitors are looking for a lively music festival in the greater Chicago area or a local food festival in smaller towns, Illinois offers something for everyone.

2024 Illinois Festival Guide

Illinois offers a vibrant lineup of festivals throughout the year catering to a wide range of interests. Below is a guide to some of the notable festivals taking place across the state in August and September 2024.

AUGUST

  • 8/28-8/31 – Pittsfield Fall Festival – Celebrations in Pittsfield.
  • 8/29-9/1 – Chicago Jazz Festival – Experience jazz in Chicago’s parks.
  • 8/29-9/2 – Milan Harvest Festival – Family-friendly activities in Milan.
  • 8/29-9/2 – The National Sweetcorn Festival – A corn-themed festival in Hoopeston.
  • 8/29-9/2 – Colchester Labor Day Celebration – Labor Day festivities in Colchester.
  • 8/29-9/2 – Buffalo Grove Days – Diverse events in Buffalo Grove.
  • 8/29-9/2 – Central States Threshermen’s Reunion – Antique farming in Pontiac.
  • 8/30-8/31 – Peoria Blues and Heritage Music Festival – Blues music in Peoria.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Weekend at the Cave – Outdoor adventures in Murphysboro.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Yorkville Hometown Days Festival – Community fun in Yorkville.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Shoe Fest Music and Camping – Music and camping in Manteno.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Summer Sunset Festival – End-of-summer celebration in Lake in the Hills.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Orion Fall Festival – Festivities in Orion.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Lebanese Festival at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church – Cultural celebration in Lombard.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Manito Popcorn Festival – Popcorn-themed activities in Manito.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Nauvoo Grape Festival – Grape-themed festival in Nauvoo.
  • 8/30-9/1 – North Coast Music Festival – Music festival in Chicago.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Nashwood – Music and food in Highwood.
  • 8/30-9/1 – ARC Music Festival – Electronic music in Chicago.
  • 8/30-9/1 – Paw Paw Lions Club Labor Day Celebration – Labor Day fun in Paw Paw.
  • 8/30-9/2 – Casey Popcorn Festival – Popcorn festivities in Casey.
  • 8/30-9/2 – Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana of Altavilla Milicia – Religious festival in Niles.
  • 8/30-9/2 – African Festival of the Arts – Celebration of African culture in Chicago.
  • 8/30-9/2 – Kewanee Hog Days – Hog-themed activities in Kewanee.
  • 8/30-9/2 – Last Fling – End-of-summer celebration in Naperville.
  • 8/30-9/2 – Taste of Polonia Festival – Polish culture in Chicago.
  • 8/30-9/2 – Edinburg Labor Day Festival – Community fun in Edinburg.
  • 8/30-9/2 – Westville Labor Day Celebration – Labor Day events in Westville.
  • 8/31 – Alley Art Festival – Art in the alleys of Aurora.
  • 8/31 – Roamer Cruise Night and Car Show – Car show in Streator.
  • 8/31 – Villapalooza – Community festival in Chicago.
  • 8/31 – SOB (Springfield Oyster and Beer) Festival – Food and drink in Springfield.
  • 8/31 – Alton Jazz and Wine Festival – Jazz and wine in Alton.
  • 8/31-9/1 – West Loop Art Fest – Art in the West Loop of Chicago.
  • 8/31-9/1 – Taste of Serbia Festival – Serbian culture in Lake Forest.
  • 8/31-9/1 – Maple Park Fun Fest – Family fun in Maple Park.
  • 8/31-9/1 – Homer’s Taste of Greece – Greek culture in Homer Glen.
  • 8/31-9/2 – Schaumburg Septemberfest – Festivities in Schaumburg.
  • 8/31-9/2 – Frankfort Fall Festival – Fall celebration in Frankfort.
  • 8/31-9/2 – Long Grove’s Irish Days – Irish culture in Long Grove.
  • 8/31-9/2 – Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival – Cheese festival in Arthur.

SEPTEMBER

  • 9/1 – Old Times Family Picnic – Family gathering in Oak Forest.
  • 9/1 – Batavia Block Party and Taste of Batavia – Block party in Batavia.
  • 9/1 – Brothers’ Field Burger Fest – Burger-themed festival in Long Grove.
  • 9/1 – Maxwell Street Market IV – Market in Chicago.
  • 9/1 – Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival – Harvest festival in Mackinaw.
  • 9/1-9/2 – Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival – Folk music in Geneva.
  • 9/1-9/2 – Deer Path Art Fair on the Square – Art fair in Lake Forest.
  • 9/2 – South Holland Heritage Fest – Heritage festival in South Holland.
  • 9/4-9/8 – The Sandwich Fair – Classic fair in Sandwich.
  • 9/4-9/8 – Pekin Marigold Festival – Marigold-themed festival in Pekin.
  • 9/5 – Downtown Evanston Thursday Night Market IV – Market in Evanston.
  • 9/5 – Kits, Cats and Kids Block Party – Block party in Evanston.
  • 9/5-9/7 – McLeansboro Fall Festival – Fall celebrations in McLeansboro.
  • 9/5-9/7 – El Paso Corn Festival – Corn-themed festival in El Paso.
  • 9/5-9/7 – Willow Springs Luminous Festival – Light festival in Tamms.
  • 9/5-9/7 – Cairo Heritage Blues/Gospel Festival – Blues and gospel in Cairo.
  • 9/5-9/8 – Cache River Days – Outdoor activities in Ullin.
  • 9/6-9/7 – Carterville Lions Club Free Fair – Free fair in Carterville.
  • 9/6-9/7 – Lena Lions Fall Festival – Fall festival in Lena.
  • 9/6-9/7 – Art, Wind and Fire Festival – Art festival in Macomb.
  • 9/6-9/7 – Itasca Oktoberfest – Oktoberfest in Itasca.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Taste of Chicago – Food festival in Chicago.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Homestead Festival – Community festival in Princeton.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Roscoe Lions Fall Festival – Fall fun in Roscoe.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Festival of the Vine – Wine festival in Geneva.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Taste of Greektown – Greek food in Chicago.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Broomcorn Festival – Broomcorn-themed festival in Arcola.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Our Big Fat Greek Festival – Greek culture in Rock Island.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Winfield Good Old Days – Community celebration in Winfield.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Village of Monee Fall Fest – Fall activities in Monee.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Throwback Music Fest – Retro music in Chicago.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Bengtson’s Pumpkin Fest I – Pumpkin-themed activities in Homer Glen.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Oak Lawn Fall Music Festival – Music in Oak Lawn.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Cedarhurst Art and Craft Fair – Art in Mt. Vernon.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Havana Oktoberfest – Oktoberfest in Havana.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Chicago German-American Oktoberfest – German culture in Chicago.
  • 9/6-9/8 – Golden IL Fall Festival – Fall celebrations in Golden.
  • 9/7 – Tamale Fest – Tamale-themed activities in Rockford.
  • 9/7 – Outlaw Music Festival – Country music in Tinley Park.
  • 9/7 – When I’m 64 Beatles Music Festival – Beatles music in Prairietown.
  • 9/7 – VolksFest Craft Beer and Wine Festival – Beer and wine in Genoa.
  • 9/7 – Traditional Music Festival – Traditional music in Petersburg.
  • 9/7 – 79th Street Renaissance Festival – Cultural celebrations in Chicago.
  • 9/7 – East Moline Harmony Fest – Community fest in East Moline.
  • 9/7 – Bloomingdale Septemberfest – Community fun in Bloomingdale.
  • 9/7 – Screw City Beer Fest – Beer-themed activities in Rockford.
  • 9/7 – Alto Vineyards Harvest Festival – Vineyard activities in Alto Pass.
  • 9/7 – Diamond Fall Fest – Fall fun in Coal City.
  • 9/7 – Dement Town Music Fest – Music in Dixon.
  • 9/7 – Taste of Fiesta – Cultural celebration in Rock Falls.
  • 9/7 – Naperville Food Truck Fall Festival – Food trucks in Naperville.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Military History Weekend (formerly WWII Days) – Historical reenactments in Lockport.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Evanston Folk Festival – Folk music in Evanston.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Lakeview Taco Fest – Taco-themed festival in Chicago.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Printer’s Row Lit Fest – Literary events in Chicago.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Thirsty Ears Festival – Music in Chicago.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Goebbert’s Farm Fall Festival I – Fall fun in South Barrington.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Revolutionary War Reenactment and Grand Encampment – Historical reenactments in Wheaton.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Mundelein Fine Arts Festival – Art festival in Mundelein.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Mum Fest – Fall festivities in Clinton.
  • 9/7-9/8 – The Miracle in Mundelein – Community event in Mundelein.
  • 9/7-9/8 – Renegade Craft Fair – Craft fair in Chicago.
  • 9/8 – Scandinavian Day Festival – Scandinavian culture in South Elgin.
  • 9/8 – Ela Township History Day and Antique and Artisan Market – History day in Lake Zurich.
  • 9/8 – DeKalb Kite Fest – Kite flying in DeKalb.
  • 9/8 – Grand Detour Arts Festival – Art in Dixon.
  • 9/13-9/15 – Bengtson’s Pumpkin Fest II – Pumpkin activities in Homer Glen.
  • 9/9-9/15 – Goebbert’s Farm Fall Festival II – Fall celebrations in South Barrington.
  • 9/11-9/14 – Canton Friendship Festival – Community festival in Canton.