Summer
Lakefront Festivals
Music, food and air & water shows light up Chicago's lakefront.
Events & Festivals
Illinois Festivals & Events, Season by Season
There's always something happening — from summer lakefront festivals to crisp fall game days and cozy winter markets.
Highlight seasonality
Plan around the seasons
Illinois shines all year. Here's what to catch and when.
Fall
Harvest & Game Days
Pumpkin festivals, fall colors and Big Ten football weekends.
Winter
Holiday Markets
Christkindlmarket, ice rinks and twinkling downtowns.
Spring
Bloom & River Towns
Tulip days, eagle watching wraps up and river-town fairs begin.
Don't miss
Signature Illinois events
Summer · Chicago
Lakefront Music Festivals
Grant Park comes alive with multi-day music celebrations and skyline views.
Plan a visit →Fall · Campus Towns
College Homecomings
Parades, tailgates and stadium energy in Champaign, Evanston & Normal.
Campus guide →Winter · Chicago
Christkindlmarket
A beloved German-style holiday market in the heart of the Loop.
Explore Chicago →Autumn · Statewide
Harvest & Wine Festivals
Vineyard celebrations along the Shawnee Wine Trail and beyond.
Food & drink →Year-round · Springfield
Lincoln Heritage Events
History reenactments and museum programs in the capital.
Land of Lincoln →Summer · Route 66
Route 66 Festivals
Classic car shows and small-town celebrations along the Mother Road.
Road trip →Event dates and details change year to year — always confirm with official organizers before you travel.
Time your campus trip to an event
Catch a homecoming, a performing-arts show or a festival to make your visit unforgettable.
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