The Illinois event desk
What is pulling people together next.
A compact, sourced calendar for the next stretch of Illinois. Every listing opens to its official source and shows when we checked it.
events match
Aug 12026Galena Country
Galena Brew Fest
Chestnut Mountain ResortTicketed
Galena Country
Galena Brew Fest
Chestnut Mountain ResortA 21+ regional beer, wine, and spirits afternoon in the hills outside Galena.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Aug 4–92026Illinois Quad Cities
Mississippi Valley Fair
Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, DavenportTicketed
Illinois Quad Cities
Mississippi Valley Fair
Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, DavenportThe bi-state metro’s big fair week, with grandstand music, competitions, and family attractions.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Aug 62026Starved Rock & Illinois River Valley
Illinois River Sunset Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge / Ottawa riverfrontReservation
Starved Rock & Illinois River Valley
Illinois River Sunset Cruise
Starved Rock Lodge / Ottawa riverfrontA reservation-required trolley-and-riverboat evening on the Illinois River.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Aug 72026Rockford
Rockford City Market
Downtown RockfordFree
Rockford
Rockford City Market
Downtown RockfordA free Friday market with 40+ local vendors, live music, food, and family activity.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Aug 13–232026Springfield
Illinois State Fair
Illinois State FairgroundsAdmission varies
Springfield
Illinois State Fair
Illinois State FairgroundsEleven days of agriculture, competitions, rides, food, and grandstand entertainment in the capital.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Aug 15–162026Chicago
Chicago Air and Water Show
North Avenue Beach and the lakefrontFree
Chicago
Chicago Air and Water Show
North Avenue Beach and the lakefrontThe free lakefront air-and-water program returns, with a rehearsal scheduled for Friday.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Aug 28–302026Peoria
Peoria Irish Fest
Peoria RiverFrontTicketed
Peoria
Peoria Irish Fest
Peoria RiverFrontThree days of music, dance, cultural programs, and riverfront gathering.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Aug 28–Sep 72026Shawnee Hills & Southern Illinois
Du Quoin State Fair
Du Quoin State FairgroundsFree gate
Shawnee Hills & Southern Illinois
Du Quoin State Fair
Du Quoin State FairgroundsSouthern Illinois’ fair season closes summer with agriculture, entertainment, and free gate admission.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Sep 24–272026Champaign–Urbana
Pygmalion
Venues across UrbanaTicketed
Champaign–Urbana
Pygmalion
Venues across UrbanaA multi-venue festival connecting music, ideas, arts, and the university-city ecosystem.
Last verified 2026-07-24. Details can change. Confirm before traveling.Dates, admission, weather, and access can change. Reopen the official event source before purchasing tickets or traveling.
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