See Illinois events happening this June.
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.
Aledo Rhubarb Festival
June 5-6, 2026, Aledo
The annual Aledo Rhubarb Festival is celebrating its 34th year in 2026 with two days of rhubarb-themed festivities. The historic town of 3,600, named the “Rhubarb Capital of Illinois” by the Illinois General Assembly in 2007, is hosting a variety of fun activities for the occasion. Visitors can check out the Rhubarb Baked Goods Market, which offers more than 3,000 rhubarb pies and other rhubarb treats, then grab some free seeds to grow rhubarb at home, enjoy live music, and browse the antique, craft and flea market vendors. Other highlights include children’s activities, a variety of food vendors from local restaurants and free historic trolley tours of the town. The festival takes place in historic downtown Aledo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. For more details, visit aledorhubarbfest.com.
International Horseradish Festival
June 5-6, 2026, Collinsville
Visit the “Horseradish Capital of the World” of Collinsville for this unique annual event centered around the spicy root vegetable. During the first weekend in June, Main Street in Uptown Collinsville celebrates all things horseradish with contests, root grinding classes, a root toss, a car show, live music, a cornhole tournament and more fun activities. The festival also offers a Craft Village, food vendors and a large family area with children’s activities on Center Street. The festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days, and admission and parking are free. For more details, visit internationalhorseradishfestival.com or call 618-344-2884.
St. Sophia Greek Fest
June 5-7, 2026, 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.
Harvard Milk Days
June 5-7, 2026, Harvard
Raise your glass – of milk, that is – to the annual Harvard Milk Days, happening in the northeastern Illinois town of Harvard.
An area favorite, the event offers carnival rides, games, delicious food, fireworks, a petting zoo, antique tractor show, junior cattle show and parade that lasts for more than two hours.
What began in 1942 as a tribute to the region’s dairy farmers has grown into one of the longest-running hometown festivals in Illinois. Don’t miss Harmilda, the fiberglass cow that sits at the Five Points, perhaps the most iconic part of the festival.
For more information on Harvard Milk Days, visit milkdays.com or call 815-943-4614.
Ribfest
June 5-7, 2026, Wheaton
Get those napkins ready for this year’s Ribfest. The finger lickin’ festival features some of the best barbecue ribs, pulled pork, barbecue chicken and signature sauces from vendors around the country.
Raising money and awareness for child abuse and domestic violence, the event features a variety of live music plus fun activities such as carnival rides, a petting zoo and inflatables.
The annual rib competition includes winners in Best Ribs, Best Sauce and Kids’ Choice categories. Craving something beyond barbecue? Don’t worry. Lots of other food vendors will be on site with offerings such as pizza, ice cream, fried veggies, sweet corn on the cob and more.
For more information, visit ribfest.net or call 630-259-1129.
Elmwood Strawberry Festival
June 6, 2026, Elmwood
Head to Peoria County on the first Saturday in June for the annual Elmwood Strawberry Festival. Held in Central Park, the family-friendly festival features local crafters and vendors, live entertainment, and naturally, lots of strawberry desserts. Guests can also enjoy a classic car show.
The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, visit facebook.com/elmwoodstrawberryfest.
Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival
June 6, 2026, Mt. Vernon
Celebrate the art of making great beer at the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival. This one-day event showcases the hard work of local home brewers in Jefferson County and southern Illinois as they compete for the best brew. The festival also hosts a few local professional breweries and features beer tasting, live music and local food. The event takes place in downtown Mt. Vernon from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets include admission, a commemorative beer tasting glass, and all beer sampling and entertainment at the festival. Guests must be age 21 or over to attend. For more information, visit facebook.com/mtvernonbrewersfestival.
Quincy Germanfest
2026 dates TBD, Quincy
Enjoy all things German this summer at the annual Quincy Germanfest event. Hosted by Quincy Sister City, an organization established to create a greater mutual understanding and friendship between Quincy and its sister city of Herford, Germany, the event celebrates German heritage with two days of activities and entertainment. Attendees will enjoy traditional German foods, live music, children’s activities, a beer and wine garden, and more.
The event takes place the first weekend in June at South Park in Quincy.
For more information, visit facebook.com/QGermanfest or call 217-228-4500.
Superman Celebration
June 12-14, 2026, Metropolis
Visit the town of Metropolis – known as the official home of Superman – in June for the annual Superman Celebration. The event welcomes fans from around the globe for three days of Superman-themed activities, contests, celebrity guest appearances and autograph sessions, an Artist Alley featuring renowned comic book artists and writers, and vendor booths offering collectibles and memorabilia. The festival also includes live music, food vendors and a family fun zone with games and children’s activities. Visit supermancelebration.com or call 618-524-2714 for more details about this year’s event.
Tremont Turkey Festival
June 12-14, 2026, Tremont
This summer, visit Tazewell County for the annual Tremont Turkey Festival. Contrary to what its name suggests, this festival offers so much more than just turkey – although you can find plenty of that, too. Festivities include live music, a car show, a strawberry shortcake-eating contest, a carnival, a parade and much more. The event will also feature several local vendors selling antiques, crafts and a wide variety of foods, including the festival’s famous grilled turkey, strawberry shortcakes and turkey hot wings.
For more information about the festival and a full schedule of events, visit turkeyfestival.com.
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.
Mahomet Soda Fest
June 13, 2026, Mahomet
Quench your thirst at the Mahomet Soda Fest, which takes place in the historic downtown on from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Showcasing soda from family-owned bottlers across the country, the festival offers the chance to sample creative soda flavors ranging from Bulldog Root Beer to Zombie Brain Juice and many more. The event also includes inflatables, a trackless ride-on train, games, live music, and local food and craft vendors.
Admission to the Soda Fest and the children’s activities is free. Tasting tickets and unlimited tasting wristbands will be available for purchase at the event or online.
For more information, go to visitmahomet.com or facebook.com/mahometsodafest or call 217-840-2700.
Downtown Plaza Car Show & Summer Car Cruise
June 13, 2026, Jacksonville
The Morton Avenue Misfits’ annual car show and cruise return to downtown Jacksonville this June. Located in Central Park Plaza, the event includes a judged car show featuring more than 20 car classes around the square from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. followed by the car cruise along Morton Avenue from 5 to 9 p.m. Attendees will also enjoy live music, food vendors, crafts, door prizes, raffles, giveaways and more. Visit mortonavemisfits.com or facebook.com/JacksonvilleCruiseNite to learn more.
Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Festival
June 13-14, 2026, Morris
Don’t miss this year’s Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Festival, which takes place the second weekend of June.
This music-filled event celebrates the traditional dulcimer in both its forms, the hammered dulcimer and the mountain or lap dulcimer, a stringed musical instrument that spans cultures, and countries, and dates back hundreds of years. Visitors can enjoy all-day concerts and workshops featuring different instruments led by musicians considered among the best in the country. A children’s craft area accommodates children of most ages, where they can make music-related arts and crafts. Saturday’s Old-Time Dance will have attendants experiencing the joy of contra-dancing to live music and an old-time caller. Food will be available on-site, and instrument builders will be selling handcrafted instruments and musical accessories.
For more information and a schedule of this year’s festival, please visit gebharddulcimer.org.
History Comes Alive
2026 dates TBD, Springfield
History Comes Alive returns to Springfield for its 16th year this summer. Taking place at participating sites throughout the city, the event welcomes visitors to immerse themselves in the home and life of Abraham Lincoln. A free trolley service takes participants to historic sites, including the Lincoln Home, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site and the Lincoln Tomb. The event also features live performances and daily demonstrations, reenactments of Lincoln’s most famous speeches, a weekly flag-lowering ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb, a Civil War Union infantry march, soldier musket firing and more. History Cooks will also return to the Lincoln Home Historic Site, where visitors can enjoy live cooking demonstrations by local chefs each week. Find more details at visitspringfieldillinois.com or by calling 217-789-2360.
Lincoln Days Civil War Reenactment
2026 dates TBD, Lake Pittsfield
Take a step back in time to the Civil War battle as the Union and Confederate armies battle on this 480-acre site along the shores of Lake Pittsfield. Visitors can explore the encampments surrounding the battlefield for a glimpse into the life of the soldiers, officers, doctors and others who served on the frontlines. Reenactors conduct various formations, commands and firing as they would have at the time. You’ll even find President Lincoln, General Grant and General Lee to talk with. Enjoy a ladies’ fashion show, children’s games and crafts, musical entertainment, demonstrations, a Sunday morning period church service and more.
To learn more, visit pikelincoln.com/lincoln-days.
Libertyville Days Festival
June 18-21, 2026, Libertyville
Kick off the summer at the annual Libertyville Days Festival this June. The exciting four-day event features activities and attractions for the whole family, including a carnival, rides, an arts and crafts fair, a parade, food vendors, live music, a beer garden and much more.
The annual festival, which takes place in downtown Libertyville, serves as a fundraising event to support the Libertyville Civic Center Foundation, funded solely through festival proceeds, contributions, grants and rental fees. To learn more or view a complete lineup of festival activities, visit libciviccenter.org/libertyville-days or call 847-918-8880.
Taste of Randolph Street
June 19-21, 2026, Chicago
Now in its second decade, this street festival features a manageable number of opportunities to sample area restaurants and listen to bands and DJs. Visit tasteofrandolph.org, for the latest updates.
Great Galena Balloon Race
June 19-21, 2026, Galena
Be a part of the action as hot-air balloons fill the skies at the annual Great Galena Balloon Race. Held the third weekend of June, this spectacular three-day event in northwestern Illinois features more than 20 hot-air balloons, races, night glows, tethered rides, live music and more, all benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Admission costs $5 per person at the gate, and please note this is a cash-only event, no credit or debit cards may be used. For more information, visit greatgalenaballoonrace.com.
Funfest for Air-Cooled VW
June 20, 2026, Effingham
Volkswagen owners can rev their engines for the annual Funfest for Air-Cooled VW in Effingham.
What started out as a laid-back show at Mid America Motorworks to show VW owners their appreciation has turned into one of the biggest VW shows in the Midwest, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Car lovers can get installations and tune-ups for their vehicles, browse the grounds to see other VWs, and then head to the nearby MY Garage Museum.
For more information and a schedule, visit funfestacvw.com.
Swedish Days
June 24-28, 2026, Geneva
Dubbed the “Granddaddy of Illinois Festivals,” this celebration of Swedish culture and classic festival fun has been recognized as a “West Suburban Living” magazine’s “Best of the West” winner. Visit genevachamber.com/events/swedish-days for this year’s schedule of events.
Bourbonnais Friendship Festival
June 24-28, 2026, Bourbonnais
The annual Bourbonnais Friendship Festival returns this June with a five-day lineup of entertainment and activities for the whole family. Festivities include everything from live music and parades to a carnival featuring rides and food vendors. For more details and a schedule of events, visit bourbonnaisfriendshipfestival.com or call 815-933-4444.
Galesburg Railroad Days
June 25-28, 2026, Galesburg
Celebrate Galesburg’s rich railroad history at this 48th annual summer festival featuring family fun and railroad-themed events throughout downtown. The festival includes a family carnival, tours of the Galesburg Railroad Museum and BNSF rail yards, live music with NEON NOVA under the Main Street tent Saturday night, food trucks, vendors, trolley rides, cookouts and activities for children. The Galesburg Scale Train Show will also be held on Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall on East Fremont Street. For more details and a full schedule of free and ticketed events and activities, visit galesburgrailroaddays.net.
Arts in the Park
June 27-28, 2026, Danville
Danville’s historic Lincoln Park serves as the setting for Arts in the Park. The two-day festival features all kinds of art, including performances from local dance companies, singing groups, up-and-coming musicians and theater troupes from across the Midwest. The premier artist destination includes the Artist Promenade, a one-stop shopping location filled with artists as well as the Art of Food and Beverage, as well as a children’s art tent and the Art on Wheels car show. For more information, visit facebook.com/aitpdanville.
Farm, Barn & Ag Tour
2026 dates TBD, La Salle
Come see the workings of agricultural sites in the I&M Canal National Heritage Area while discovering the rich history of the region! On Saturday, hop in the car for this self-guided driving tour to explore our area’s barns, livestock, silos and curiosities through this unique, family-friendly event.
On this one-day tour of agricultural and historic sites around La Salle, Utica, Ottawa and Seneca, participants will have rare, behind-the-scenes access to an alpaca farm, a centennial barn, a working grain elevator, historical museums and more. They will also have opportunities to view historical farm implements, see live demonstrations and browse ag-related craft products for sale while discovering the area’s agricultural history, architectural elements of the properties, and what it means to be a farmer in the 21st century.
Tickets are $25 for adults and free for kids (age 17 and younger). For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit iandmcanal.org/agtour. Tickets include exclusive access to nine locations open throughout the day.
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.
