See Illinois events happening this June:

Harvard Milk Days

Harvard Milk Days

June 2-4, 2023, 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.


Reen​actors pose for a photo at Lincoln Days
Photo by Lincoln Days

Lincoln Days Civil War Reenactment

June 3-4, 2023, 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. Re​enact​ors 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.


Man dressed in German attire at Quincy Germanfest
Photo by Quincy Germanfest

Quincy Germanfest

June 2-3, 2023, 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 quincysistercity.com/germanfest or call (217) 228-4500.


Photo by Springfield Convention & Visitor

History Comes Alive

June 2 through August 6, 2023, Springfield

Travel back in time as Abraham and Mary Lincoln escort visitors to various historical sites throughout the city. Celebrating 12 seasons this year, 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.


Strawberry Festival

Elmwood Strawberry Festival

June 3, 2023, 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.


Rhubarb Festival

June 2-3, 2022 Aledo

It’s all about the rhubarb for residents of Aledo, the official Rhubarb Capital of Illinois. For more than 30 years, the community has come together to celebrate the colorful vegetable with a festival delivering delicious eats and live entertainment. More than 3,000 homemade rhubarb pies will be available for purchase, plus free rhubarb seeds will be given away. Besides the delicious food and live music, there will also be crafts and local vendors. Aledo’s historic downtown makes for an idyllic backdrop for this special event. Visit aledorhubarbfest.com for more information.


People in Superman attire standing in front of the large Superman statue
Photo by Metropolis Chamber of Commerce

Superman Celebration

June 9-11, 2023, Metropolis

Metropolis, Illinois, the official home of Superman, welcomes visitors during the second weekend of June for the annual Superman Celebration featuring special guests, a costume parade, contests, and vendors offering novelty art, delicious food and comic memorabilia. For more information, visit supermancelebration.net or call (618) 524-2714.


Tremont Turkey Festival

June 9-11, 2023, 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.


Sodas at Mohamet Soda Fest
Photo by Heaterography

Mahomet Soda Fest

June 10, 2023, Mahomet

Quench your thirst at the Mahomet Soda Fest, which takes place in the historic downtown on June 4 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 call (217) 840-2700.


Cars lined up with their hoods up
Photo by Morton Ave Misfits

Downtown Plaza Car Show & Summer Car Cruise

June 10, 2023, 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 Festival

Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Festival

June 10-11, 2023, 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.


Hot air balloons
Photo by Great Galena Balloon Race

Great Galena Balloon Race

June 16-18, 2023, 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.


Photo by StarEvents

Taste of Randolph Street

June 16-18, 2023, 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 their Instagram page for the latest updates.


Fun Fest for Air-Cooled VWs
Photo by Mid American Motorworks

Funfest for Air-Cooled VW

June 16-17, 2023, Effingham

Volkswagen owners can rev their engines for the annual Funfest for Air-Cooled VW in Effingham, happening June 16-17.

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.


Libertyville Days Festival rides
Photo by Libertyville Days Festival

Libertyville Days Festival

June 15-18, 2023, 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.


Ribfest

Ribfest

2023 dates TBD, 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.


Swedish Days

June 21-25, 2023, 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.


Arts in the Park

Arts in the Park

June 23-25, 2023, 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 a children’s art tent and the Art on Wheels car show. The Artist Promenade, where you can also find the Art of Food and Beverage, is open Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/AITPDanville.

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