Festival

Whether soaring through the air or trying to remain afloat in a cardboard boat, the key phrase for Yorkville’s River Fest 2025, is "defying gravity." Events range from live country music performances, “Wicked”-themed family activities and cardboard boat races.

Yorkville's Riverfest is July 19 at Bicentennial Riverfront Park.

McHenry's Fiesta Days continues this weekend with the Art & Street Fair, July 17-20. The parade is set for Sunday, July 20.

Hidden within hills and away from highways in southeast Jo Daviess County is a tiny community best known for its annual music festival and large antique barn – attracting social butterflies and lovers of bluegrass, gospel and country music.

The Festival presents local national, and international musicians who perform in a variety of styles.

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

More than 30 food trucks will line up in the heart of downtown Aurora, serving a variety of cuisines.

Highlights include Taste of Glen Ellyn, Woodstock Truck 'N Food Show, DeKalb Corn Fest and Geneva's Festival of the Vine.

The White Oak Library will host its one-day comic convention, Comicopolis, in downtown Lockport on July 19.

Classic cruisers were just some of the 100-plus vehicles that were on display at the 34th annual Hib Reber Memorial Car Show in Byron on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

People enjoy the Lake in the Hills Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Lake in the Hills.

Enjoy live music, carnival, golf challenge, scavenger hunt and much more. The festival runs from July 11-13.

Ribfest in Lake in the Hills was evacuated Thursday evening, according to an alert from the Lake in the Hills Police Department.

Pungent smells and sour tastes often are what one thinks of when it comes to sauerkraut, but Forreston makes a big deal about it – with plenty of fun and entertainment in a four-day festival that is pleasant and appetizing.

The 19th annual Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest runs Thursday through Sunday at Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills.

The smell of fresh-roasted sweet corn will fill downtown Herscher on Friday as the 49th annual Corn Bowl returns to South Main Street from 5-11 p.m.

The 52nd Annual German Valley Days Festival will Kick-0ff at 5 p.m. Friday, July 18.

Chalk the Walk is set for 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, at Grandon Civic Center.

Thirty four kids took part in the Let Freedom Ring Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 5, 2024 in Mt. Morris.

A parade, live music, food and fun were all part of the Let Freedom Ring festival in Mt. Morris on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Fun continues Saturday with car show, kiddie parade, and live music

Two pancake breakfasts started a day full of events on Friday, July 4, 2025 at the Let Freedom Ring festival.

Baja Band and Evergreen provided the music, food trucks the snacks and the Sterling-Rock Falls Jaycees the fireworks Thursday, July 3, 2025, as Rock Falls Tourism put on a celebration of America’s independence at RB&W Park.

One of McHenry County's signature events The Lakeside Festival, got underway Thursday, July 3, 2025, on the grounds of the historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake. The fest runs through Sunday. Crystal Lake's Independence Day Parade takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday down Dole Avenue to the festival, and the fireworks display over the lake off Main Beach takes place at dusk Sunday.

Music, food and fireworks celebrate America's independence Thursday, July 3, 2025, during a party at RB&W Park in Rock Falls.

The Gurnee Days Committee is proud to announce longtime Gurnee resident, Martha Welton-Schmidt, as the 2025 Gurnee Days honoree.

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

Lakeside Festival at The Dole will bring bands, a carnival, Cornhole tournament and more fun to Crystal Lake July 3-6.

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

The much-anticipated summer event will feature live bands, a carnival, parade, fireworks and more.

Veggie Fest celebrates vegetarian food and features an international food court, food demonstrations, guest speakers and live music. Admission is free.

A total of five contestants took part in Let Freedom Ring's Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest on the Warren Reckmeyer bandshell on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in downtown Mt. Morris.

Block party, live music and fireworks all set for Friday, July 4.

Donation is 100% of the proceeds received at the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris' food concession on June 13.

Polo homeowner battles back with a hose of her own during annual parade.

Polo hosted its annual Town & Country Days June 26-29, 2025.

All things bud were put on display Saturday, June 28, 2025, for Herbal Roots' third annual CannaFest in Nelson.

Fourth of July-adjacent festivities kicked. off with the weekend's Stars N’ Stripes Fest in Cary.

Asked questions such as “What’s your favorite dinosaur” and “What’s the best thing about being a kid,” the 4- and 5-year-olds did their best to give insightful answers.

As Sunday’s grand parade finished rolling down South Main Street, the village of Bourbonnais and dozens of dedicated volunteers basked in a bittersweet moment. The 50th anniversary celebration of the Friendship Festival had come to an end.

All things bud were on display Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Who Else Land in Nelson.

Over 170 vehicles were put on display Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Rock Falls for one of the largest Touch-a-Truck events in the region.

Frog and toad races were just two of the family-fun events held during Hooppole Fun Days on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

The village of Plainfield welcomed residents and visitors from all over to its downtown area for the annual Plainfield Fest held Friday through Sunday. The event is organized by the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation.

Visitors came from near and far to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival over the June 27-29, 2025 weekend. Check out today's edition of the Daily Journal for the story.

Festivalgoers enjoyed the second night of the 50th anniversary of the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The festivities continue through Sunday at Bourbonnais' community campus, The Grove.

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

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:

Summer is filled with beer festivals, from Joliet to Princeton, Galena to McHenry and more.

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.