Festival

Fireworks, a parade, a historical trolley tour and a carnival are just some of the attractions at Polo’s Town & Country Days from June 25-29.

Highlights include Yorkville's River Fest, Batavia's Windmill City Fest and many more.

The event kicks off Thursday, July 10 with Cask & Barrel Night, followed by Music Fest Weekend through July 13. The event continues the following weekend with arts and crafts, parade and more.

The Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Splash did its best to cool down visitors Saturday, June 21, 2025.

The Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance hosted a Juneteenth celebration Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Grandon Civic Center in Sterling.

Expect traffic delays around Joliet Memorial Stadium, 3000 W. Jefferson St., Saturday and Sunday because of the Taste of Joliet.

Day two of the Taste of Joliet celebrated country music and big crowds came out to hear performers including the headliner Brett Eldredge. The city's largest summer festival, which features more than 20 food vendors, carnival, music and other live entertainment, runs through Sunday,

The Taste of Joliet drew big crowds on its second full day on Saturday, the longest day of the year and the warmest for far. The city's largest summer festival, which features more than 20 food vendors, carnival, music and other live entertainment, runs through Sunday,

Billy Corgan and the Machines of God was a top draw on opening night of the Taste of Joliet at Memorial Stadium on Friday, June 20, 2025.

The annual Taste of Joliet, the city's biggest summer festival, opened Friday, June 20. The event features food vendors, multiple music acts across many genres, other live entertainment and a carnival. Runs through Sunday, June 22 at Memorial Stadium.

Check out photos by photo editor Scott Anderson from Summerfest on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in downtown Spring Valley. The festival features a carnival, live entertainment, food vendors and fireworks on Saturday at dusk. The festival wraps up on Sunday.

The biggest summer festival in Joliet starts at 3 p.m. Friday and runs through the weekend featuring more than 20 food vendors, just about as many music acts, and a carnival.

Area book enthusiasts and wordsmiths of all ages are invited to make their way to the third annual Grayslake AuthorFest on June 21 in downtown Grayslake.

Rock bands take the stage as festivals and concert series unfold across the suburbs, complemented by cruise nights, Wheaton Drama's new show, a spotlight on rarely seen artworks and an antiques sale fundraiser.

Looking for something fun to do in DeKalb County this summer? Check out this list of family-friendly events.

The yearly schedule of outdoor festivals in DeKalb County will ramp up over the coming weeks. Here is your guide to every large festival and event planned in DeKalb County through September:

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., attendees can enjoy a 5K, music, food trucks, kids games, craft vendors, contests, a dog pageant show, dance party and costume parade.

Downers Grove’s annual Rotary Grove Fest kicks off on Thursday in the downtown area

Swedish Days is June 18-22 in downtown Geneva.

Council members on Tuesday said they are looking for a new director of cultural affairs and special events who can create events on an almost daily basis in Joliet.

This year’s event will feature over 170 diverse vehicles, two live shows and 11 hours of non-stop, free family entertainment.

Event starts at 1:15 p.m. at Town & Country Days festival tent

The Joliet City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to create a new position for director of cultural affairs and special events.

Bob Steinke is the chairman of the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival. He has been since 2006.

Put on by the Oswegoland Park District, PrairieFest is Kendall County’s largest festival, attracting upwards of 75,000 people every year. Admission to PrairieFest is free.

The McHenry Music Festival is set for Friday, Sept. 12- Sunday, Sept. 14 at Petersen Park. Performers include country singer Sam Hunt, Flo Rida, Bryan Martin and a yet-to-be-named country star.

Your guide to some of the hottest festivals happening in communities across northern Illinois in 2025, from Joliet to Crystal Lake and Dixon to Geneva.

The Ottawa Lions Club will host its annual carnival Wednesday through Saturday, June 11-14, at Lincoln-Douglas Park, 600 E. Norris Drive.

The third annual Herbal Roots CannaFest is inviting the public to grab a bud and bring a friend to its new location at the WhoElse Land social club and venue on Saturday, June 28.

Makes, models and modified versions of trucks and tractors took part in the 14th annual Forreston FFA Alumni Tractor and Truck Pull held during Leaf River Daze on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

A quick downpour didn’t stop the Leaf River Daze Parade from stepping off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The parade capped off the 3-day festival in Leaf River which included fireworks, a car show, and the FFA Alumni Tractor and Truck Pull.

Mostly good weekend weather allowed for those gathered to listen to a wide variety of music at the second Bradley 315 Music Fest this weekend.

Lockport is hosting its 52nd Old Canal Days festival this weekend featuring a carnival, food court, artisan vendors, beer garden, entertainment and special events. The festival runs through Sunday. The event is held at 303 W. Second St.

The annual Star Wars Day returned to downtown Joliet on Saturday, June 7, 2025. This year's event was held at the Joliet Slammers stadium. The Joliet Public Library presents Star Wars Day with support from the city of Joliet, Joliet Township, Friends of the Joliet Public Library, Joliet City Center Partnership, Heritage Corridor Destinations, Old National Bank, D’Arcy Buick GMC and Shales McNutt Construction.

From live music and food vendors to car shows and carnivals, here is a list of local places to celebrate the holiday.

Woodstock's Food Truck Festival takes place 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 7 on Woodstock Square.

Party for a purpose during the B4 Summer Festival from 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove.

Drivers be aware of Lockport street closures for the Old Canal Days parade on Friday evening.

A major antiques show, date night options, entertainment at Morton Arboretum, vintage cars, debut of performance venue, festival fun and an arts weekend are all on tap in DuPage and Cook counties.

Discounted tickets are on sale now for June 7 event at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove.

Yorkville's Riverfest is July 19 and Montgomery Fest is set for Aug. 15-17.

Blind Melon and The Smoking Popes will perform on the Main Stage Thursday, July 3.

Summer is in full swing with festivals lined up in Woodstock, Spring Grove and Harvard this weekend in McHenry County.

The 39th annual event is June 13-14 at DuPage County Fairgrounds.

Uncle Kracker's hits include "Follow Me," "Smile" and "Drift Away." He will perform Aug. 7.

Lockport's annual Old Canal Days festival will take place from June 4-8, 2025 with a carnival, parade, fireworks, food, and live entertainment.

The second Bradley 315 Music Fest takes to the stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the east area of the Northfield Square mall parking lot.

The dedication will take place during the Bellson Music Fest at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7.

Lockport held its first downtown car show and Concert in the Square of the 2025 summer season on Monday, June 2, 2025. Cars lined State Street and 10th Street and food trucks set up at Central Square where the Neverly Brothers performed at the bandshell.

The Village of Mundelein’s Beautification Committee is proud to present the third annual Spring Into Summer Festival at Tighthead Brewery from noon to 4 p.m. May 31.