Illinois Family Fairs & Festivals
19 family events across Illinois for 2026.
RecurringIn 2 daysChicago Gospel Music Festival
A free weekend festival in Millennium Park celebrating the gospel tradition born in Chicago more than 80 years ago, featuring top national gospel artists from traditional choirs to contemporary urban gospel.
RecurringIn 8 daysLollapalooza
Four days of major-label music in historic Grant Park on the Lake Michigan shore, with more than 170 artists across eight stages, Chicago restaurant food vendors, and one of the world's premier city-based music festivals.
4.4(152)In 13 daysMcHenry County Fair
This fair will feature open class exhibits, livestock shows and sale, entertainment, draft horse pull, professional championship bull riders, monster trucks, demolition derby, queen contest, talent show, lumber jack show, mother daughter contest, father son contest, petting zoo, hay bale throwing contest, commercial vendors, beer garden, delicious food, and more.
Recurring4.6(294)Illinois State Fair
One of the country's oldest state fairs, drawing more than 1.5 million visitors to Springfield each August for eleven days of livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand concerts, and agricultural competitions on 360 acres of fairgrounds.
RecurringChicago Air and Water Show
The largest free show of its kind in the United States, with military and civilian aircraft, parachute teams, and water stunts along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, centered on North Avenue Beach.
RecurringDu Quoin State Fair
Southern Illinois' annual state fair on 1,600 acres near Du Quoin, founded in 1923 and known for harness racing, livestock exhibits, carnival rides, and a major country-music grandstand series running eleven days through Labor Day.
RecurringPeoria Irish Fest
A 40-year tradition on the Peoria riverfront, built around Irish music with international and regional acts, step dancing, cultural exhibits, food, and family entertainment along the Illinois River.
RecurringChicago Jazz Festival
A free Labor Day weekend tradition since 1979 showcasing Chicago's vast jazz talent alongside national and international artists, with performances across Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center.
Recurring4.4(295)Morton Pumpkin Festival
The 60th annual celebration in the self-proclaimed Pumpkin Capital of the World, a four-day community festival with parades, pumpkin-themed food, carnival rides, and events that raise funds for local charities.
RecurringWorld Music Festival Chicago
A free citywide passport to global music, with the 26th annual festival presenting artists from around the world at venues including Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center, and Navy Pier.
Recurring4(12)Galena Country Fair
Northwest Illinois' premier juried fine-art and craft fair in historic Galena, with more than 120 hand-selected vendors, live music, food, and a wine garden in Grant Park each Columbus Day weekend.
5(1)Crystal Lake Country Christmas Arts and Craft Show
It will host an array of artisans showcasing and selling their handcrafted items.
4.4(237)Effingham Christmas Craft and Vendor Show
There will be over 80 vendors selling a wide variety of unique items and holiday gifts.
4.7(308)East Moline Holiday Craft and Vendor Show
A craft fair in East Moline.
Great Midwest Holiday Train Show
Come explore vendor tables featuring a wide range of new and used model trains, accessories, parts, and more.
The Midwest Holiday Market days
This wholesale merchandise and closeout tradeshow will feature thousands of closeout and direct import general merchandise items across a wide variety of product categories.
4.3(66)West Suburban Holiday Coin Show
Come explore and buy coins, paper money, and precious metals.
4.4(359)Peoria Holiday Flea Market
It will be featuring a wide variety of pickers, junkers, crafters, furniture makers, jewelry makers, farmer marketers, collectors, and many more.
RecurringBelleville Oktoberfest
Metro-east Illinois' lively German heritage celebration on the Public Square, with traditional food and beer, live music, craft vendors, and family entertainment each fall in one of the state's oldest cities.
Frequently asked questions
How many family events & festivals are there in Illinois?
Our directory lists 26 family events & festivals across Illinois for the 2026 season, including East Moline Holiday Craft and Vendor Show, Illinois State Fair and Peoria Holiday Flea Market.
When is the best time for family events & festivals in Illinois?
Illinois's family events & festivals cluster in July and August — that's when you'll find the most to choose from.
What are the most popular family events & festivals in Illinois?
By Google review score, East Moline Holiday Craft and Vendor Show in East Moline ranks among the most popular, with a 4.7-star rating from 308 reviews.