Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Fairs and Festivals

Savor the summer with Champaign-Urbana area fairs and festivals

Whether you love the food, the carnival rides or the music and entertainment, nothing beats a summer fair or festival in the Champaign-Urbana area. And there are so many to choose from!

Fair season is coming and we have made sure you know where all the fairs are happening this summer. Within about a 90-minute drive, there are dozens of summer fairs and outdoor festivals happening and we are going to list them all for you, all season long. Be sure to bookmark this and check back often.

Chambanamoms thanks Read.Talk.Play.Every Day! with United Way of Champaign County for presenting this list.

Read. Talk. Play. Every Day! is a community-wide initiative to provide preschool-aged children (0-5) and their families with opportunities and resources for reading, talking, and playing, every day so they can enter kindergarten ready for success. Here, you’ll find resources and tools to help engage your child in the three key areas each day. Reading, talking, and playing are essential skills that young children should practice every day – and you are their best teacher!

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We’ve included Champaign-Urbana area fairs happening now through Labor Day. We will keep adding details and events as they become available. One exception: find everything related to Champaign-Urbana area Fourth of July happenings here.

From county fairs, to special event festivals that feature music, art, food, and more — we’ve got it covered. So break out your calendar and be sure to load up your schedule.

If you’re looking for Fairs and Festivals outside of Champaign-Urbana, we have a list of seven great Central Illinois Summer Festivals. Want detailed info on the Champaign County Fair? We have a post all about it here.

Want to get info about featuring your fair or festival in this post? Email us now.

Click on the individual date of the fair or festival to find more detailed info.

Want a quicker view of what’s planned? Check out this list.

FARMER CITY HERITAGE DAYS

Thursday, May 30 – Saturday, June 1
Great music and activities all weekend long. Admission to the music festival and Main Street Fair is free. There is a free Kids Zone on Saturday.

05/30/2024 details here —> Farmer City Heritage Days

05/31/2024 details here —> Farmer City Heritage Days

06/01/2024 details here —> Farmer City Heritage Days

CATLIN STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Saturday, June 1
Old fashioned family friendly fun with games, contests, and food. Pack swimsuits to play in the splash pad. Cost: Admission is free (food available by donation).

06/01/2024 details here —> Catlin Strawberry Festival

HORIZON HOBBY RC FEST

Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8
RC Fest celebrates the radio-control hobby with free fresh-air activities for all ages, including “try me” tents and LED-lighted aircraft at night. Free admission, food for sale.

06/07/2024 RC Fest celebrates the radio-control hobby with FREE fresh-air activities for all ages, including "try me" tents and LED-lighted aircraft at night. Cost: Free admission, $10 parking pass, food for sale. more details here —> Horizon RC Fest

06/08/2024 RC Fest celebrates the radio-control hobby with FREE fresh-air activities for all ages, including "try me" tents and LED-lighted aircraft at night. Cost: $10 parking, Free admission, food for sale. more details here —> Horizon RC Fest

MAHOMET SODA FEST

Saturday, June 8
Make your way to historic downtown Mahomet to enjoy soda from classic, family-owned bottlers from all over the country, along with family friendly games, local food and live music.

06/08/2024 details here —> Mahomet Soda Fest

PIATT COUNTY FAIR

Thursday, June 13 – Sunday, June 16
Tractor pulls, bands and more are going to be at this year’s fair, along with vendors offering favorite fair foods. Fireworks on Friday, too!

06/13/2024 details here —> Piatt County Fair

06/14/2024 details here —> Piatt County Fair

06/15/2024 details here —> Piatt County Fair

06/16/2024 details here —> Piatt County Fair

PIATT COUNTY TRAIL BLAZERS RODEO

Thursday, June 20 – Saturday, June 22
Gates open at 5 p.m. and rodeo begins at 7 p.m. each night. Get a pass for one night or the whole weekend.

06/20/2024 details here —> Piatt County Trail Blazers 69th Annual Rodeo | Tickets Required

06/21/2024 details here —> Piatt County Trail Blazers 69th Annual Rodeo | Tickets Required

06/22/2024 details here —> Piatt County Trail Blazers 69th Annual Rodeo | Tickets Required

FORD COUNTY FAIR

Sunday, June 23 – Saturday, June 29
Highlights include a petting zoo and of course, carnival rides and favorite fair foods.

06/23/2024 details here —> Ford County Fair

06/24/2024 details here —> Ford County Fair

06/25/2024 details here —> Ford County Fair

06/26/2024 details here —> Ford County Fair

06/27/2024 details here —> Ford County Fair

06/28/2024 details here —> Ford County Fair

06/29/2024 details here —> Ford County Fair

VERMILION COUNTY FAIR

Wednesday, June 26 – Saturday, June 30
$7 gate admission that includes unlimited carnival rides. Also a queen pageant, demo derby, rodeo, and more. Family four-pack bundle of tickets available.

06/26/2024 details here —> Vermillion County Fair

06/27/2024 details here —> Vermillion County Fair

06/28/2024 details here —> Vermillion County Fair

06/29/2024 details here —> Vermillion County Fair

06/30/2024 details here —> Vermillion County Fair

RIGGS-FEST

Thursday, June 27 – Sunday, June 30
Food trucks, music, helicopter flights and more.

06/27/2024 details here —> Riggs-Fest

06/28/2024 details here —> Riggs-Fest

06/29/2024 details here —> Riggs-Fest

06/30/2024 details here —> Riggs-Fest

TOLONO FUN DAYS

Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29
Events in years past have included a lighted golf cart parade and outdoor family movie night.

06/28/2024 details here —> Tolono Fun Days

06/29/2024 details here —> Tolono Fun Days

GIFFORD COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Saturday, June 29
Highlights include a 5K and kids fun run, parade, fireworks and all-day fun.

06/29/2024 details here —> Gifford Community Celebration

Looking for 4th of July events and activities? View the list here.

MOULTRIE-DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIR

Sunday, July 7 – Sunday, July 14

Special performances (like dueling pianos!) along with all kinds of usual fair food and fun make this two-county fair a special event.

07/07/2024 details here —> Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

07/08/2024 details here —> Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

07/09/2024 details here —> Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

07/10/2024 details here —> Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

07/11/2024 details here —> Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

07/13/2024 details here —> Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

07/14/2024 details here —> Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

BALLOONS OVER VERMILION

Friday, July 12 – Saturday, July 13

Balloons Over Vermilion will feature hot air balloons launching and tethering, as well as mass ascents, fly ins and balloon glows at the Vermilion County Regional Airport.

07/12/2024 details here —> Balloons Over Vermilion

07/13/2024 details here —> Balloons Over Vermilion

GEORGETOWN FAIR

Saturday, July 6 – Saturday, July 13
Horse show, queen pageant, talent contest, tractor pulls, rodeo and demo derby — plus the carnival will be there all week long.

07/06/2024 details here —> Georgetown Fair

07/07/2024 details here —> Georgetown Fair

07/08/2024 details here —> Georgetown Fair

07/10/2024 details here —> Georgetown Fair

07/11/2024 details here —> Georgetown Fair

07/12/2024 details here —> Georgetown Fair

07/13/2024 details here —> Georgetown Fair

FISHER FAIR

Sunday, July 7 – Saturday, July 13
Queen pageant, carnival, pedal tractor pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby and more, along with food vendors including Kona Ice.

07/07/2024 details here —> Fisher Fair

07/08/2024 details here —> Fisher Fair

07/09/2024 details here —> Fisher Fair

07/10/2024 details here —> Fisher Fair

07/11/2024 details here —> Fisher Fair

07/12/2024 details here —> Fisher Fair

07/13/2024 details here —> Fisher Fair

HISTORIC FARM DAYS (PENFIELD)

Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14

Annual activities include blacksmith shop, corn crib filling and shelling, potato digging, tractor parades, a tractor pull and an extensive tractor/truck display.

07/11/2024 details here —> Historic Farm Days in Penfield

07/12/2024 details here —> Historic Farm Days in Penfield

07/13/2024 details here —> Historic Farm Days in Penfield

07/14/2024 details here —> Historic Farm Days in Penfield

FARMER CITY & DEWITT COUNTY FAIR

Dates coming soon
Evening entertainment, Queen and Little Miss pageants and talent show, harness racing, livestock judging and floriculture displays.

07/15/2024 details here —> Farmer City/DeWitt County Fair

07/16/2024 details here —> Farmer City/DeWitt County Fair

07/17/2024 details here —> Farmer City/DeWitt County Fair

07/18/2024 details here —> Farmer City/DeWitt County Fair

07/19/2024 details here —> Farmer City/DeWitt County Fair

07/20/2024 details here —> Farmer City/DeWitt County Fair-Kids Day

MATTOON BAGELFEST

Wednesday, July 17 – Saturday, July 20
Queen pageant, carnival, pedal tractor pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby and more, along with food vendors including Kona Ice this year.

07/17/2024 details here —> Mattoon Bagelfest

07/18/2024 details here —> Mattoon Bagelfest

07/19/2024 details here —> Mattoon Bagelfest

07/20/2024 details here —> Mattoon Bagelfest

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FAIR

Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 27
Carnival rides, games, food and more at our community’s very own county fair.

07/19/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/20/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/21/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/22/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/23/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/24/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/25/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/26/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

07/27/2024 details here —> Champaign County Fair

MCLEAN COUNTY FAIR

Wednesday, July 24 – Sunday, July 28
Visit the Food and Farm Fun Zone with free activities daily, carnival, demo derby, tractor pull and more.

07/24/2024 details here —> McLean County Fair

07/25/2024 details here —> McLean County Fair

07/26/2024 details here —> McLean County Fair

07/27/2024 details here —> McLean County Fair

SIDNEY FUN DAZE

Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27
Sidney Fun Daze features a kiddie tractor pull, inflatables, a parade and live music.

07/26/2024 details here —> Sidney Fun Daze

07/27/2024 details here —> Sidney Fun Daze

COLES COUNTY FAIR

Sunday, July 28 – Sunday, Aug. 4
Activities in years past have included bull riding, demo derby, dirt drag racing, harness racing, K-9 demo, queen pageants, tractor pull, carnival, music and more.

07/29/2024 details here —> Coles County Fair

07/30/2024 details here —> Coles County Fair

07/31/2024 details here —> Coles County Fair

08/01/2024 details here —> Coles County Fair

08/02/2024 details here —> Coles County Fair

08/03/2024 details here —> Coles County Fair

08/04/2024 details here —> Coles County Fair

ROYAL DAYS

Thursday, Aug. 1 – Sunday, Aug. 4
Activities in years past have included music, food trucks, kiddie tractor pull, golf cart parade and Kids Zone.

08/02/2024 details here —> Royal Days

08/03/2024 details here —> Royal Days

08/04/2024 details here —> Royal Days

VILLA GROVE AG DAYS

Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3

Fun for kids of all ages, including vendors, local merchant giveaways and sidewalk sales, a parade and display of modern and vintage farm and garden tractors, garden tractor pulling and racing, corn hole tourney, 5K race, corn-eating contest, demo derby, live music, and more.

08/02/2024 details here —> Villa Grove Ag Days

08/03/2024 details here —> Villa Grove Ag Days

ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

Dates coming soon
Fun small-town festival including a daily fish fry, carnival, and kids’ games.

08/08/2024 details here —> St. Joseph Community Festival

08/09/2024 details here —> St. Joseph Community Festival

08/10/2024 details here —> St. Joseph Community Festival

MANSFIELD HOMECOMING

Friday, Aug. 16 – Sunday, Aug. 18
Carnival, kids games, tractor pull, car/motorcycle show and more. Free entertainment!

08/16/2024 details here —> Mansfield Homecoming

08/17/2024 details here —> Mansfield Homecoming

08/18/2024 details here —> Mansfield Homecoming

LEROY FALL FESTIVAL

Tuesday, Aug.20 – Saturday, Aug. 24
Food, carnival and games-live entertainment nightly.

08/20/2024 details here —> Le Roy Fall Festival

08/21/2024 details here —> Le Roy Fall Festival

08/22/2024 details here —> Le Roy Fall Festival

08/23/2024 details here —> Le Roy Fall Festival

08/24/2024 details here —> Le Roy Fall Festival

MAHOMET MUSIC FESTIVAL

Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24
Enjoy free admission, free live music, parade, carnival rides (for a cost), street vendors, bags tournament, and more up and down Main Street.

08/23/2024 details here —> Mahomet Music Festival

08/24/2024 details here —> Mahomet Music Festival

OGDEN STREET FEST

Date coming soon
Fun for all ages including a car show, rock climbing wall, laser tag, face painting, food vendors and more.

08/24/2024 details here —> Ogden Street Fest

HOOPESTON NATIONAL SWEETCORN FESTIVAL

Thursday, Aug. 29 – Monday, Sept. 2
Besides the normal carnival, demolition derby, Grand Parade and other events, the festival cooks approximately 50 tons of sweetcorn with an antique steam engine and distributes the corn free.

08/29/2024 details here —> Hoopeston National Sweet Corn Festival

08/30/2024 details here —> Hoopeston National Sweet Corn Festival

08/31/2024 details here —> Hoopeston National Sweet Corn Festival

09/01/2024 details here —> Hoopeston National Sweet Corn Festival

09/02/2024 details here —> Hoopeston National Sweet Corn Festival

ARTHUR AMISH COUNTRY CHEESE FESTIVAL

Saturday, Aug. 31 – Monday, Sept. 2
This festival is full of family fun with a parade, tractor pull, music, inflatables, pony rides, face-painting and more.

broomcorn festival arcola

ARCOLA BROOMCORN FESTIVAL

Friday, Sept. 6 – Sunday, Sept. 8
This unique festival has three days of fun, including the “National Broom Sweeping Contest” and a huge parade!

09/06/2024 Rides open at 12 p.m. and the National Broom Sweeping Contest is held at 4 p.m. more details here —> Arcola Broomcorn Festival

09/07/2024 5K/10K in the morning, rides open at 10 a.m. and the HUGE parade is at 3 p.m. more details here —> Arcola Broomcorn Festival

09/08/2024 Kiddie tractor pull. rides open at 12 p.m. and the final hours of the festival. more details here —> Arcola Broomcorn Festival