Check out this listing of July events and festivals in Illinois.
Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
June 29, 2024, Carlyle
This year, celebrate Independence Day weekend with family-friendly activities and an impressive fireworks display at the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on beautiful Carlyle Lake. The event also includes a Dam Jam featuring a full day of live music before the fireworks, as well as a Beach Blast featuring activities throughout the day, including volleyball tournaments, a sandcastle-building contest, games and more. The celebration wraps up with the spectacular fireworks show, which can be viewed by boat on the lake or from the shore at recreation areas.
For more details, visit carlylelake.com/4th-of-july-dam-jam or call (618) 594-2484.
Patriotic Freedom Festival
July 1, 2024, Elizabeth
Come dressed in your patriotic best to Elizabeth, where there will be an award for the most patriotic outfit plus army displays, live music, and tasty food and beverages. Kids can enjoy face painting and endless fun on the bounce house. The highlight of the event is an U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute jump into Terrapin Park at 7 p.m., and the night concludes with a spectacular firework display.
To learn more, visit visitgalena.org/event/elizabeth-freedom-fest.
Fourth of July Festival
July 4, 2024, Durand
This community has mapped its future through the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. Its festival starts with a street dance, kid’s fun fair, bottle flip championship and more. On July 4, you can participate in a 5K run or walk, chicken barbecue, ice cream social, duck races and even an outhouse race! Of course, fireworks too. For the latest go to facebook.com/Durand4thfestival.
Goreville Freedom Fest
July 4, 2024, Goreville
Celebrate Independence Day at the annual Goreville Freedom Fest featuring a full day of festivities for all ages. The Fourth of July celebration kicks off with a parade and continues at Goreville Village Park throughout the day with food vendors, a cornhole tournament, a kids’ fun zone and live music. Stick around for one of the largest fireworks shows in southern Illinois to end the festival at 9 p.m.
For more event details, visit gorevillefreedomfest.com or call (618) 995-2157.
History Comes Alive
May 31 through Aug. 4, 2024, Springfield
Travel back in time as Abraham and Mary Lincoln escort visitors to various historical sites throughout the city. This summerlong event is a Springfield tradition. Historical reenactments will be held at the Old State Capitol, the Lincoln Home Historical Site, Lincoln’s New Salem and the Lincoln Tomb. Guests will be able to listen to some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches or enjoy an ice cream social at Edwards Place, where the Lincolns would often visit with friends. Live music from various performers will be held at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, one of the biggest carillons in the world. For more information, head to visitspringfieldillinois.com or call (800) 545-7300.
St. Sophia Greek Fest
July 7-9, 2024, Elgin
Let the delicious flavors of the authentic Greek food of the St. Sophia Greek Fest transport you to the Mediterranean. Sample foods you may never have tasted before, such as loukoumades and saganaki, or indulge in popular favorites, such as gyros and baklava. These delicacies are cooked by the parishioners of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, where the festival takes place. Inside, you’ll find a marketplace featuring unique crafts and vendors selling their wares. And of course, the event wouldn’t be complete without traditional Greek dancing – observe the fabulous Agape dancers or join in the fun yourself. Learn more at stsophiagreekfest.com.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Select dates July through August 2024, Bloomington
The 2022 Illinois Shakespeare Festival will showcase two of the Bard’s most famous productions, as well as a play featuring William Shakespeare himself.
Presented each year by the Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois State University, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival has been a staple in Bloomington since 1978.
Guests can purchase single tickets to performances for as little as $20 a seat, and season ticket packages begin at $40.
For more information concerning what shows will be performed this year, as well as show times and tickets, visit illinoisshakes.com or call (309) 438-2535.
Pure Country Antique Show
2024 dates TBD, Edgar County
Bloomfield Barn, a 7,000-square-foot event venue on family farmland, welcomes visitors and antique dealers from across the country. The dealers represent close to 20 states and offer true early Americana and original country antiques. They are known by country collectors nationwide as destination shows to find the best of the best. Live music, ice cream and food trucks add to the shoppers’ enjoyment of a day spent antiquing in the country.
Visit purecountryantiqueshow.com for the latest updates and additional events.
McHenry Fiesta Days
July 11-22, 2024, McHenry
It’s a midsummer blowout party. McHenry’s annual Fiesta Days is one of the oldest and largest summer festivals in the Chicago area.
Held in Petersen and Veterans parks and throughout downtown McHenry, this celebration includes carnival rides, sports tournaments, canoe races, a 5K run, an ice cream social, bingo, puppeteers, jugglers, magicians, comedians and live music by popular tribute bands. An arts and crafts show, motorcycle show and sidewalk sale also take place throughout the week.
Balloons Over Vermilion
July 12-13, 2024, Danville
Head to the Danville Regional Airport and set your eyes on the sky at this fifth annual event. Each year, more than 30 colorful hot air balloons delight with nightly balloon glows and fly outs. The 2022 festival will feature tethered hot air balloon rides, a kids’ zone, airplane rides, live music, a Firemen’s Olympics and more. For a schedule and ticketing information, visit balloonsoververmilion.com or call (800) 383-4386.
Photo by Nicole Morrison
EffingHAM-JAM
July 12, 2024, Effingham
Put some pork on your fork in downtown Effingham this summer at the annual EffingHAM-JAM. Festivities kick off a with Hometown Throwdown, the amateur barbecue competition and tasting. In addition to plenty of delicious barbecue, the festival includes live music performances by local band The Troubadours and Nashville’s Loose Lips. Visitors will also enjoy food trucks, beverages and shopping from local artisans. Visit effinghamjam.com or call (217) 342-4147 to learn more.
Farm Fun Day at Shenandoah Riding Center
July 13, 2024, Galena
This family-friendly event at Shenandoah Riding Center in Galena provides a unique and interactive opportunity to learn about life on the farm. Sponsored by the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau, the activity-packed experience includes everything from cow milking demonstrations to a petting zoo, cream and butter making activities, and more. Farm Fun Day runs from 10 a.m. to noon and is free to attend, although donations are appreciated. Visit thegalenaterritory.com or call (815) 777-9550 to learn more.
Historic Farm Days
July 14, 2024, Penfield
Held for more than 25 years, the History Farm Days showcases tractor exhibitors from near and far.
Events include tractor parades, field demonstrations, fireworks, food vendors, flea markets, a museum of farm living and equipment, and so much more.
Click here to get all the details.
Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival
July 19-20, 2024, Chatham
Get a taste of summer at the Chatham Jaycees Sweet Corn Festival on the third weekend of July. Festivities kick off Thursday at 5 p.m. with the Community Corn Shucking and continue with the Sweet Corn Festival on Friday and Saturday featuring live music, vendors, a kids’ area, a pageant, a 5K, volleyball and cornhole tournaments, and, of course, plenty of delicious sweet corn to enjoy. The festival runs from 5 to 11:30 p.m. on Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. Find more details at chathamjaycees.net and facebook.com/ChathamJayceesSweetCornFestival.
Roscoe Village Burger Fest
July 19-21,2024, Chicago
Burger lovers won’t want to miss the chance to vote for Chicago’s best burger this July at the 17th annual Roscoe Village Burger Fest. The three-day festival hosts several local eateries competing for the coveted title in addition to two stages of live music, arts and crafts vendors, and an action-packed kids’ zone. The event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2000 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. While free to attend, a $10 suggested festival donation benefiting the programs and services of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is appreciated. For more details, visit chicagoevents.com/roscoe-village-burger-fest or call (773) 868-3010.
Effingham Artisan Fair
July 19-20, 2024, Effingham
Effingham invites locals and visitors to celebrate the arts at the annual Effingham Artisan Fair this summer. The two-day festival welcomes more than 50 artisans and makers from around the region to display their artwork and crafts for purchase. One-of-a-kind items for sale include sculptures, metal works, woodworking pieces, pottery, jewelry, cosmetics, food and more. The fair also features artist demonstrations, food vendors and live music. Visit effinghamartisanfair.org, to learn more.
Taste of Chicago
July 27, 2024, Chicago
Head to Grant Park this summer for some of the best eats in the Windy City.
The annual Taste of Chicago event represents one of the nation’s premier food festivals, showcasing Chicago’s diverse dining options. From all-American to a range of ethnic foods, we guarantee you won’t go hungry at the city’s largest festival.
While you chow down on some of Chicago’s finest, enjoy great music and exciting activities perfect for the entire family.
Learn more about this year’s festival at chicago.gov.
Archeology Day
2024 dates TBD, Kampsville
You’re invited to the Center for American Archeology to spend a day exploring the fascinating 12,000-year history of west central Illinois through fun, hands-on activities, informational exhibits, and presentations about the current research being done by CAA archaeologists. For more information about the event, visit wcaa-archeology.org/archeology-day, call (618) 653-4316 or email caa@caa-archeology.org.
Mattoon Bagelfest
2024 dates TBD, Mattoon
The small breakfast item known as the bagel is recognized in a huge way each July at Bagelfest in Mattoon. Since 1986, Lender’s Bagels factory has been attracting thousands of people to its bagel celebration, and the host likes to throw a good party.
Bagelfest hosts the World’s Largest Bagel Breakfast, which hands out tens of thousands of bagels, complete with cream cheese, honey, butter and jelly. Also among the event’s activities are a parade, a beauty pageant, concerts, vendors and a carnival. There’s even a Beautiful Bagel Baby contest for kids up to age 5.
Bagelfest used to boast the world’s biggest bagel, which weighed 563 pounds, according to the 1997 Guinness Book of World Records. Find out more about the event at facebook.com/mattoonIL.bagelfest or exploremattoon.org.
Fiesta del Sol
2024 dates TBD, Chicago
Family fun joins with Mexican culture for four days each summer at Fiesta del Sol in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The annual fundraising event organized by the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council draws more than 1 million visitors each year with live entertainment, children’s activities, carnival rides, local art and, of course, authentic Mexican food, such as tacos, tamales and tostadas.
The free festival, which began in 1973, also features well-known artists and talented musical acts as it highlights the Latino culture and heritage of the Pilsen neighborhood while raising funds that support year-round community organizing efforts. Join in the fun at the largest Latino festival in the Midwest. Find more information at fiestadelsol.org.
Geneva Arts Fair
July 27, 2024, Geneva
The Geneva Arts Fair returns to historic downtown Geneva in 2022 for its annual juried fine arts show. The popular event showcases more than 150 artists and artisans from across the country from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Featured art includes drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, glass, textiles and more.
For more information about this year’s fair, visit genevachamber.com or call (630) 232-6060.
Share Your Illinois Event
Are we missing your favorite July events in Illinois? Send the details to ilfbpartners@farmflavormedia.com, and we may feature them on this website and in a future issue of Illinois Partners magazine.
See more: August Events in Illinois
