Find a calendar of May events in Illinois, including strawberry festivals, art fairs, yard sales and more.
Rend Lake Water Festival
April 29-May 2, 2026, Benton
The Rend Lake Water Festival returns to Benton for its 52nd year in 2025 with a weeklong lineup of family-friendly activities. The communitywide celebration of Rend Lake includes everything from a carnival and parade to live music, a vintage car show, a 5K run, a vendor fair and more. For more information and the complete schedule of festivities, visit bentonwestcitychamber.com or call 618-438-2121.
Midwest Tulip Fest
Select dates April through May (dependent on blooms), Maple Park
Kuipers Family Farm in Maple Park hosts its annual Midwest Tulip Fest for three weeks each spring when the farm’s 7 acres of colorful tulip fields burst into bloom. Visit the farm to walk through the beautiful fields featuring 500,000 tulips in 31 varieties, then cut and purchase your own to take home from the U-pick fields. The festival also includes family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and shopping for tasty spring treats and seasonal decor at The Farmstand. Be sure to check out the farm’s online “bloom-o-meter” to see what percentage of the tulips have bloomed before planning your trip. For more details, including festival dates and admission pricing, visit kuipersfamilyfarm.com or call 815-827-5200.
Dutch Days Festival
May 1-2, 2026, Fulton
Fulton hosts its annual Dutch Days Festival this May with two days of family-friendly events and activities. This celebration of Fulton’s Dutch heritage includes live music, traditional Dutch dancing, films, windmill tours, wooden shoe-making demonstrations, a 5K race, children’s games, and arts and crafts vendors. Come hungry and enjoy plenty of delicious food options, from authentic Dutch fare to pizza, pretzels, lemonade and more. For more information and a full schedule of events and activities, visit facebook.com/FultonDutchDays.
21+ Nights at Lincoln Park Zoo
May 2, June 13, Aug. 1 and Sept. 19, 2026, Chicago
Experience the Lincoln Park Zoo after hours at this adults-only block party event taking place four times throughout the season. Tickets include exclusive access to the zoo without kids or summertime crowds, live music and DJ performances, karaoke, a photo booth, lawn games, and more. There will also be concession stands and pop-up bars located throughout the zoo serving snacks and adult beverages for purchase. For tickets and more information, visit rivernorthfests.com.
Art in Wilder Park
May 2, 2026, Elmhurst
The annual Art in Wilder Park art show features more than 100 independent artists and makers from across the Midwest. Visit the marketplace to browse the artist booths while enjoying live music, food from local vendors and children’s art activities. The event takes place rain or shine at 175 S. Prospect Ave. in Elmhurst from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Find more information and a list of this year’s attending artists at rglmarketingforthearts.com/art-in-wilder-park.php.
22nd Annual Village-Wide Yard Sale
May 2, 2026, Millstadt
Hunting for a good deal on baby clothes, sports equipment, furniture, plants or antiques? Don’t miss this mother of all yard sales sponsored by the Millstadt Historical Society. Look for yellow markers in yards designating participating residents and businesses or download a map of vendors online. Visit the Millstadt Community Center for free coffee, homemade baked goods, and other breakfast and lunch foods available for purchase to benefit the historical society. To learn more, visit millstadthistoricalsociety.org or call 618-477-4030.
Shawnee Hills Pottery Trail
May 2-3, 2026, Alto Pass
This shared pottery experience is held in Union and Jackson counties during the first weekend in May each year. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, participants are invited to explore the landscape of southern Illinois while visiting local potters’ studios along the way. Potters will be available to show their work and answer questions, and some will offer studio tours or have special activities or demonstrations planned. Collect stamps at all studios along the way to enter a drawing for the chance to win a piece of pottery. For more information, a trail map and a list of participating potters, visit potterstrail.wixsite.com/pottery-trail.
Lilac Time
May 2-17, 2026, Lombard
Famous for its beautiful blooming lilacs in the springtime, the town of Lombard celebrates the flowering shrub each year with the two-week Lilac Time festival. Taking place in the 8.5-acre Lilacia Park, home to 700 lilacs and 25,000 tulips, the event includes everything from plant sales and heritage tours to concerts, wine tastings, an arts and crafts fair, and a parade. Other special events include the coronation of the 2024 Lilac Queen, the Mutt Strut 5K and 1-mile races, and the elegant Lilac Ball. For more information and a full schedule of Lilac Time events and activities, visit lombardlilactime.com or call 630-620-7322.
Spring at the Dickson-Murst Farm
2026 dates TBD, Montgomery
Celebrate spring with a visit to the farm! The Dickson-Murst Farm in Montgomery will host a Spring at the Farm event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Owned by the Conservation Foundation, the farm will host family-friendly activities that include hayrides, farm demonstrations, farm animals and food at The Country Kitchen. Members of local 4-H clubs will be on hand to assist with activities for the children. Visitors can also purchase plants from a local FFA chapter.
The free event will go on rain or shine. Find more information at theconservationfoundation.org, or call 630-816-0604 or 630-272-0686.
Old King Coal Festival
2026 dates TBD, West Frankfort
Since 1941, the town of West Frankfort has been celebrating the coal mining industry with the Old King Coal Festival each May. The annual tradition includes a downtown festival with rides, food vendors, games and free nightly entertainment, as well as a parade and the crowning of Old King Coal, Princess Flame and her court. The festival also hosts a coal miners’ memorial service honoring all the miners who have sacrificed personal safety on the job, including the more than 100 who lost their lives in the tragic New Orient Coal Mine Disaster that occurred in West Frankfort in December 1951.
For more information about the festival’s history or a full lineup of events and activities, visit oldkingcoalfestival.com or call 618-923-0797.
Chicago Pickle Festival
May 9, 2026, Chicago
Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood welcomes pickle lovers in early May for a day of food and fun at the Chicago Pickle Festival. Taking place from noon to 6 p.m., this street festival features live bands and DJs, giveaways, pickle photo ops, pickle beer, pickle cocktails, and plenty of special pickle-themed food items. Sample everything from fried pickles and dill pickle potato chips to pickle-stuffed quesadillas, pickle pizza, pickle doughnuts and much more. All guests must be 21 or over. For more information, visit chicagopicklefest.weebly.com.
Toledo Spring Festival
May 14-17, 2026, Toledo
Head to Toledo during the third weekend in May for the family-friendly Toledo Spring Festival on the Cumberland County Courthouse Square. The four-day event includes carnival rides on the midway, pageants, a vendor fair, live music performances, a car show, raffles and more. Find more details and a full schedule at facebook.com/toledospringfestival.
Chocolate Fest
May 15-17, 2026, Long Grove
Celebrating all things chocolate with chocolate vendors and unique, chocolate-themed experiences, this event includes a carnival, family activities, live music, kids’ games and more. The festival takes place Friday from noon to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $5 per day and free for children 12 and under. All proceeds go to projects to improve Historic Downtown Long Grove. For more information, visit longgrove.org/festival/chocolatefest or call 847-634-0888.
Family Forestry Field Day
May 16, 2026, Kampsville
Join Illinois Tree Farm, the Illinois Chapter of Walnut Council and Illinois Forestry Association for a forestry field day at the McCully Heritage Project! Our Family Forestry Field Day is a hands-on, educational event designed for nature enthusiasts and landowners alike. Enjoy a day in the great outdoors as experts guide you through engaging sessions on Shiitake mushroom cultivation, plant and tree identification, invasive plant management, and more. Witness live demonstrations, including a portable sawmill in action and an aerial drone spraying display. Plus, gain valuable insights on prescribed grazing and burn techniques to enhance your land management skills.
Dress appropriately for this outdoor event and bring essentials like a hat, sunscreen, snacks, and a folding lawn chair for comfort. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to expand your forestry knowledge—register today at iltreefarm.org/events. A delicious lunch is included with registration.
Wright Plus Housewalk
May 16, 2026, Oak Park
See the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and other talented architects during this tour of private homes and buildings that are not always open to the public. The event celebrates the vision and talent of Wright and his contemporaries, with proceeds supporting programs maintained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. The Trust conducts ongoing historic preservation and operates public tours, programs and events at major Wright sites in five Chicago-area locations.
For more information about this tour and other opportunities to see the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, visit flwright.org or call 312-994-4000.
Old Capitol Art Fair
May 16-17, 2026, Springfield
Set outside the Illinois Old State Capitol building, the two-day Old Capitol Art Fair has been welcoming talented artists from across the country for more than 60 years. The 2023 event, slated for May 18-19, takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors to this popular juried art show and sale can browse dozens of booths showcasing everything from jewelry, pottery and glassware to sculptures, metalwork, paintings and more. There will also be entertainment, food vendors, a student art contest, and a children’s tent where kids can browse and purchase art for prices ranging from $4 to $6.
Learn more about the fair at springfieldoldcapitolartfair.org.
Rhubarb Festival
May 17, 2026, Kankakee
Get a chance to taste rhubarb in a variety of ways at the annual Rhubarb Festival hosted by the Kankakee County Museum.
The free festival will begin at 10 a.m. and last until 4 p.m., inviting guests to learn about the so-called pie plant, purchase rhubarb pies and preserves from vendors, and participate in baking contests. The festival will also feature tours of the memorial home of Dr. A.L. Small and Lennington Small, governor of Illinois from 1921 to 1929, and period classroom teachings at the Taylor School House.
Visit kankakeecountymuseum.com to learn more about the Rhubarb Festival, or call 815-932-5279.
St. Jacob UCC Strawberry Festival
2026 dates TBD, St. Jacob
Who doesn’t love strawberries? The Strawberry Festival, hosted by St. Jacob United Church of Christ, celebrates the delicious fruit by bringing members of the community together in this annual spring festival. Enjoy delicious food, such as hot dogs, burgers, brats and, of course, sweet strawberry desserts. There will also be plenty of fun activities and entertainment, including music, crafters and kid-friendly attractions. Cyclists won’t want to miss out on the famous Berry Bike Ride that also takes place in conjunction with the festival. To learn more, visit stjacobucc.org/strawberry.
Stained Glass Stories Tour
May 17, 2026, Decatur
Visit central Illinois churches this spring to see and learn about their beautiful stained glass on the History of the Heartland’s fifth annual Stained Glass Stories Tour from 1:30 to 4 p.m. There will be at least four churches on the tour this year, and each will have a tour guide with information available about the history of the church and its stained glass. Among the featured churches will be St. James Catholic Church in Decatur, built in 1911, with windows done by Emil Frei & Associates from St. Louis. Visitors will be amazed at the size and detail of the windows depicting the Sermon on the Mount and the heavenly kingdom. The other windows depict the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. The tour is free, and participants are encouraged to take photos along the way. For more information, visit facebook.com/historyoftheheartland or call 217-791-1385.
Pick-Your-Own Asparagus and Strawberries
Select dates April through May, Belleville
Pick-your-own Asparagus season kicks off mid-April and is followed shortly after by pick-your-own strawberries in May. Eckert’s farms have a strict reservation-only system in place for socially distanced fun and time slots must be purchased in advance online. The farm requires guests to wear masks, provides handwashing stations before entering the fields, and sets dividers between families who ride the wagon to the fields. The adapted pick-your-own experiences allow guests to enjoy time in the outdoors and make family memories while remaining safe and socially distanced. Learn more at eckerts.com.
Peoria Bach Festival
May 31-June 5, 2026, Peoria
Since 2003, the Peoria Bach Festival has celebrated the music, life and faith of composer Johann Sebastian Bach during the first full week of June. Held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria, the festival welcomes musicians from all over central Illinois and surrounding regions for community concerts throughout the week. Musical events include a young musicians’ concert, an organ concert and the annual festival concert featuring the Peoria Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra with soloists. For more information about this year’s event, visit peoriabachfestival.org or call 309-673-8501.
Share Your Illinois Event
Are we missing your favorite August events in Illinois? Send the details to ilfbpartners@jnlcom.com, and we may feature them on this website and in a future issue of Illinois Partners magazine.
