Illinois Events Calendar: How to Find What Matters

Illinois hosts thousands of events annually—from world-famous festivals to intimate neighborhood gatherings. This guide helps you discover events that match your interests, wherever you are in the state.

Major Annual Events by Season

Spring (March-May)

March

• Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade & River Dyeing: The river turns green, downtown celebrates. One of Chicago's biggest parties.

• Illinois Marathon (Champaign-Urbana): Late April. Great community event even for spectators.

April

• Starved Rock Wildflower Pilgrimage: Guided hikes during peak bloom. Limited spots, book early.

• Chicago Auto Show: McCormick Place hosts the nation's largest auto show.

May

• Cinco de Mayo (Pilsen, Chicago): Authentic celebration in one of the largest Mexican-American neighborhoods.

• Lilac Festival (Lombard): 200+ varieties at Lilacia Park. Peak bloom varies by year.

• Memorial Day Parades: Nearly every town hosts one.

Summer (June-August)

June

• Taste of Chicago: Iconic food festival in Grant Park. Usually early July but sometimes late June.

• Chicago Blues Festival: Free world-class blues in Grant Park.

• Ravinia Festival Opens: Highland Park's iconic outdoor venue kicks off summer season.

• Pride Parade (Chicago): One of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the nation.

July

• Independence Day: Navy Pier fireworks draw 500,000+. Every town has celebrations.

• Lollapalooza: Grant Park's massive four-day music festival.

• Pitchfork Music Festival: Indie music in Union Park.

• State fairs begin: County fairs across Illinois showcase agricultural heritage.

August

• Illinois State Fair (Springfield): Two weeks of agricultural exhibitions, concerts, and classic fair food.

• Chicago Air and Water Show: Free lakefront spectacular. Millions attend.

• Bud Billiken Parade (Chicago): Historic African-American parade, second-largest parade in the nation.

Fall (September-November)

September

• Oktoberfest celebrations: German heritage festivals across the state, especially in Chicago's Lincoln Square.

• Apple orchards open: Curtis Orchard (Champaign), Edwards (Poplar Grove), County Line (Hobart) among favorites.

• Chicago Jazz Festival: Free world-class jazz in Millennium Park.

October

• Chicago Marathon: 45,000 runners, great spectator event.

• Pumpkin patches and corn mazes: Peak season statewide.

• Halloween events: Zoo Boo, Great Pumpkin Patch, neighborhood festivities everywhere.

November

• Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: Kickoff to Chicago's holiday season.

• Tree lighting ceremonies: Downtown Chicago, Springfield, and most communities.

Winter (December-February)

December

• Christkindlmarket (Chicago): German-style holiday market at Daley Plaza.

• ZooLights (Lincoln Park Zoo): Free holiday lights display.

• New Year's Eve: Major celebrations in Chicago, Springfield, and beyond.

January-February

• Chicago Restaurant Week: Prix fixe menus at hundreds of restaurants.

• Auto shows and boat shows: Indoor escapes from winter.

• Valentine's events: Special dinners, concerts, and gatherings statewide.

Finding Local Events

Best Resources by Area

Chicagoland

• Choose Chicago (choosechicago.com): Official tourism events calendar

• Time Out Chicago: Curated picks with reviews

• Chicago Reader: Alternative events, music, arts

• Block Club Chicago: Neighborhood-specific events

Suburbs

• Daily Herald events calendar: Covers all collar counties

• Park district websites: Every suburb has one with extensive programming

• Library events: Often overlooked, always free, usually excellent

Downstate

• Illinois Office of Tourism (enjoyillinois.com): Statewide coverage

• University events: UI, ISU, SIU all have public programming

• Local newspapers: Often the best source for small-town events

Using Social Media Effectively

Facebook

• Join Illinois Community for member-shared events

• Follow venue pages directly

• Use Facebook Events search by location

• Local "What's Happening in [City]" groups

Instagram

• Follow local venues and promoters

• Check location tags for your area

• Stories often announce last-minute events

Nextdoor

• Best for hyperlocal neighborhood events

• Garage sales, block parties, community meetings

Types of Events Worth Seeking Out

Food & Drink

• Farmers markets: Nearly 300 across Illinois, peak season June-October

• Food festivals: Taste of Chicago, Ribfest, Taco Fest, and dozens of neighborhood versions

• Restaurant weeks: Chicago, suburbs, and downstate cities all host them

• Brewery events: Illinois has 300+ craft breweries with regular events

Music & Arts

• Free concerts: Millennium Park, Ravinia lawn seats, park district series

• Gallery walks: First Fridays in Chicago neighborhoods, monthly in many cities

• Community theater: Surprisingly high quality in suburbs and downstate

• Street fairs: Art fairs in every season and region

Sports

• Professional: Cubs, Sox, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Fire, Sky

• College: Big Ten football and basketball are cultural events

• Marathons and runs: Chicago Marathon, Hot Chocolate Run, countless 5Ks

• Minor leagues: Affordable family-friendly alternatives

Community

• Neighborhood festivals: Every Chicago neighborhood has at least one

• Parades: Holiday, cultural, and celebration parades year-round

• Volunteer events: Community clean-ups, charity runs, service days

• Town meetings: Stay informed, meet neighbors

Planning Tips

For Popular Events

• Book accommodations months ahead for Lollapalooza, marathon, major festivals

• Arrive early—parking and transit get challenging

• Check for free days at museums and attractions

• Follow official accounts for schedule changes

For Local Discovery

• Pick one new event monthly—step outside your routine

• Bring cash to street festivals (many vendors are cash-only)

• Check weather and dress appropriately (Illinois weather is unpredictable)

• Talk to vendors and volunteers—they know the best hidden gems

With Kids

• Park districts publish seasonal guides—request them

• Libraries host free family events weekly

• Look for "kids' days" at festivals (often early in the day)

• Children's museums have ongoing programming

Creating Your Own Events

Illinois Community members regularly organize:

• Meetups by interest (hiking, photography, books)

• Neighborhood gatherings

• Newcomer welcome events

• Professional networking

If you don't see an event you want, create it. Post in the Illinois Community Facebook group to find others who share your interests.

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Illinois has something happening every weekend, in every season, across every region. The challenge isn't finding events—it's choosing among them. Use the resources in this guide to discover what matters to you, and remember: the best events are often the ones your neighbors told you about.

What event are you looking forward to? Share it in the Illinois Community group!