Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Fairs and Festivals

SAVOR THE SUMMER with Champaign-Urbana Area Summer 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! Mark your calendars now because fair season is officially underway.

Thanks to CIBM Bank for sponsoring our 2019 Champaign-Urbana area Summer Fairs and Festivals Guide. At CIBM Bank you’ll find that we have a strong commitment of collaboration in providing financial services that help you achieve your financial goals. We understand you want a bank you can trust to deliver the best solution for your needs – not the best solution for the bank. It is your career, your family, your home, your business, your retirement – your life! You have worked hard to get where you are – we are just here to help – whatever your financial goals!

We’ve included Champaign-Urbana area fairs happening in May-August. We will keep adding details and events as they become available. One exception: You can find Champaign-Urbana area Fourth of July Events in separate guides coming later this summer!

If you’re looking for Fairs and Festivals outside of Champaign-Urbana, we’ve put together a list of nine great Central Illinois Summer Festivals.

Want to send us more detailed information about your Champaign-Urbana area fair or festival? Email us (events@chambanamoms.com).

Click on the title of the fair or festival to find more detailed info for each one.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Farmer City Heritage Days

Downtown Farmer City, Time: 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Great music and activities all weekend long. Admission to the music festival and Main Street Fair is FREE. Carnival rides are ticketed, Thursday armband special from 6-10pm.

Friday, May 31, 2019

Arthur Strawberry Jam Festival

Downtown Arthur, Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Old fashioned family friendly fun with games, contests, and food (ALL the strawberries). Admission is free, food available by donation.

Farmer City Heritage Days

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Arthur Strawberry Jam Festival

Downtown Arthur, Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Old fashioned family friendly fun with games, contests, and food (ALL the strawberries). Admission is free, food available by donation.

Farmer City Heritage Days

Downtown Farmer City, Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Great music and activities all weekend long. Admission to the music festival and Main Street Fair is FREE. Carnival rides are ticketed, Saturday armband specials from 1-5pm and 6-10pm. Don't miss the Saturday Kids Zone for FREE kids activities, including bubbles, face painting, barrel train rides and more.

Catlin Strawberry Festival

Catlin Park, Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Old fashioned family friendly fun with games, contests, and food. Pack swimsuits to play in the splash pad, too! Cost: Admission is free (food available by donation).

Middle of America Craft Brew Fest

Effing Brew Company, Time: 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Enjoy the “Middle of America Craft Brew Fest” sponsored by Effing Brew Company on Saturday, June 1st in downtown Effingham! You’ll be able to sample over 35 craft breweries outdoors, next to Effing Brew Company.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Farmer City Heritage Days

Downtown Farmer City, Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Great music and activities all weekend long. Admission to the music festival and Main Street Fair is FREE. Carnival rides are ticketed, Sunday armband special from 12-4pm. Don't miss family games beginning at 1:30pm on Sunday!

Friday, June 7, 2019

Horizon RC Fest

Eli Field, Time: All Day
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, food for sale.

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Horizon RC Fest

Mattoon ARTworks Festival

Heritage Park, Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Activities for the whole family, food vendors, chalk artist all day, art exhibits, music and more!

Sunday, June 9, 2019

Horizon RC Fest

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Piatt County Fair

The Piatt County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Tractor pulls, bands, inflatables, fair pageant, and much more! Admission to the fair is FREE!

Friday, June 14, 2019

Piatt County Fair

The Piatt County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Tractor pulls, bands, inflatables, fair pageant, and much more! Admission to the fair is FREE!

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Piatt County Fair

The Piatt County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Tractor pulls, bands, inflatables, fair pageant, and much more! Admission to the fair is FREE!

Strawberry Jam

Meadowbrook Park, Southwest End, Time: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
It's an Urbana tradition. There’s no better way to celebrate that summer feeling than with live music and your favorite frozen treat! Enjoy musical performances and taste fresh strawberries over ice cream (while supplies last).

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Piatt County Fair

The Piatt County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Tractor pulls, bands, inflatables, fair pageant, and much more! Admission to the fair is FREE!

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Vermillion County Fair

Vermillion County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
The Vermillion County Fair features $6 gate admission that includes unlimited carnival rides. Also a queen pageant, demo derby, truck and tractor pull, motocross, and more.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Vermillion County Fair

Friday, June 21, 2019

Vermillion County Fair

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Vermillion County Fair

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Ford County Fair

Ford County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Horse show, queen pageant, talent show, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, concerts and much more! Sunday has free gate admission and the highlight is the horse show.

Vermillion County Fair

Monday, June 24, 2019

Ford County Fair

Ford County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Horse show, queen pageant, talent show, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, concerts and much more! $5 gate admission and Monday's highlight is the queen pageant.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Ford County Fair

Ford County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Horse show, queen pageant, talent show, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, concerts and much more! $5 gate admission and Tuesday's highlights are the talent show and lumberjack show.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Ford County Fair

Ford County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Horse show, queen pageant, talent show, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, concerts and much more! $5 gate admission and Wednesday's highlight is "Supercross" xtreme racing.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Ford County Fair

Ford County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Horse show, queen pageant, talent show, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, concerts and much more! $5 gate admission and Thursday's highlight is the tractor and truck pull.

Friday, June 28, 2019

Ford County Fair

Ford County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Horse show, queen pageant, talent show, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, concerts and much more! Friday is $30 admission and includes carnival rides. Ages 10 and under are $10.

Tolono Fun Day

West Side Park, Time: All Day
Friday features a 5K fun run followed by the second annual golf cart parade!

Gifford Community Celebration

Werner Roessler Park, Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday features Country & Gospel Music in the Park followed by a Movie in the Park.

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Ford County Fair

Ford County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Horse show, queen pageant, talent show, carnival rides, rodeo, demolition derby, concerts and much more! Saturday pricing varies from $5-10 and the highlight is the lawn mower and demolition derby.

Gifford Community Celebration

Emord Park, Time: All Day
Saturday features a 5K and 1K kids run, a parade, pageant, inflatables and more. The event culminates with fireworks at dusk!

Tolono Fun Day

West Side Park, Time: All Day
Saturday features the #FamilyStrong parade and family-friendly activities happening all day long! Fireworks at dusk!

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Fisher Fair

Fisher Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Visitors can count on favorites such as the Demolition Derby, 5K run/walk, live music, and queen pageant plus a parade and donkey races! Bring food donations to the Fisher Food Pantry for free admission to the fair on Tuesday only.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Fisher Fair

Fisher Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Visitors can count on favorites such as the Demolition Derby, 5K run/walk, live music, and queen pageant plus a parade and donkey races!

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Fisher Fair

Fisher Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Visitors can count on favorites such as the Demolition Derby, 5K run/walk, live music, and queen pageant plus a parade and donkey races!

Historic Farm Days

I&I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club Showgrounds, Time: All Day
In the past, activities have included blacksmith shop, corn crib filling and shelling, potato digging, extensive tractor/truck display as all antique tractors or vehicles are welcome. Thursday features a tractor pull.

Friday, July 12, 2019

Fisher Fair

Fisher Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Visitors can count on favorites such as the Demolition Derby, 5K run/walk, live music, and queen pageant plus a parade and donkey races!

Historic Farm Days

Balloons Over Vermilion

Vermilion Regional Airport, Time: 3:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Dozens of hot air balloons launching and tethering along with balloon glows and more! Kids Zone will be open with activities! $5 per person, 10 and under free with each paid adult. Parking $5 per vehicle. CASH ONLY for admission and parking!

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Balloons Over Vermilion

Vermilion Regional Airport, Time: All Day
Dozens of hot air balloons launching and tethering along with balloon glows and more! Kids Zone will be open with activities! $5 per person, 10 and under free with each paid adult. Parking $5 per vehicle. CASH ONLY for admission and parking!

Fisher Fair

Fisher Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Visitors can count on favorites such as the Demolition Derby, 5K run/walk, live music, and queen pageant plus a parade and donkey races!

Historic Farm Days

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Historic Farm Days

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Mattoon Bagelfest

Peterson Park, Time: All Day
Mainstage music, Run for the Bagel with a free bagel breakfast, parade, carnival, Bagel Baby contest, Miss Bagelfest, and food vendors. Many free activities, with ticket purchase required for mainstage concerts and some other events.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Mattoon Bagelfest

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Mattoon Bagelfest

Friday, July 19, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Mattoon Bagelfest

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Champaign County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Children 12 and under are free; adult admission is $5 and includes parking. Country music shows, demolition derby, queen pageant ... plus all of your fair food favorites and carnival rides! Saturday highlight includes the Military Appreciation Parade at 2pm and FREE music by the Crazy Johnny Band from 12-4pm.

Mattoon Bagelfest

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Monday, July 22, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Champaign County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Children 12 and under are free; adult admission is $5 and includes parking. Country music shows, demolition derby, queen pageant ... plus all of your fair food favorites and carnival rides! Monday is Kids Day! A FREE booklet for a limited number of rides will be given out to preschoolers between 10am and 12pm and the Cincinnatti Circus Co's The BIG Show! is happening at at 12pm, 5pm and 7pm; tickets for the circus are between $2 and $4.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Champaign County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Children 12 and under are free; adult admission is $5 and includes parking. Country music shows, demolition derby, queen pageant ... plus all of your fair food favorites and carnival rides! Tuesday highlights include harness racing at 7pm (free with fair admission), $25 unlimited ride bracelet at the carnival from 5-10:30pm and a free karaoke contest at 7:30pm.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Champaign County Fairgrounds, Time: All Day
Children 12 and under are free; adult admission is $5 and includes parking. Country music shows, demolition derby, queen pageant ... plus all of your fair food favorites and carnival rides! Thursday's highlights include the 4-H shows throughout the day, booklets given out for FREE carnival rides (limited rides available) between 1-4pm and FREE Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull at 3pm.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Champaign County Fair

Friday, August 2, 2019

Decatur Celebration

Downtown Decatur, Time: All Day
6 show stages, carnival, "Kids Block" full of FREE kids activities, and the Razzle Dazzle Goodtimes Parade.

Royal Days

Downtown Royal, Time: All Day
Cost varies for activities. In the years past, activities have included kids fun run, golf cart parade, inflatables and a Friday night 5K run/walk!

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Decatur Celebration

Downtown Decatur, Time: All Day
6 show stages, carnival, "Kids Block" full of FREE kids activities, and the Razzle Dazzle Goodtimes Parade.

Royal Days

Downtown Royal, Time: All Day
Cost varies for activities. In the years past, activities have included kids fun run, golf cart parade, inflatables and a Friday night 5K run/walk!

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Decatur Celebration

Downtown Decatur, Time: All Day
6 show stages, carnival, "Kids Block" full of FREE kids activities, and the Razzle Dazzle Goodtimes Parade.

Thursday, August 8, 2019

St. Joseph Community Fall Festival

Downtown St. Joseph, Time: All Day
Parade, street dance, live music, carnival. Most events free; carnival ticketed, food for purchase.

Friday, August 9, 2019

St. Joseph Community Fall Festival

Downtown St. Joseph, Time: All Day
Parade, street dance, live music, carnival. Most events free; carnival ticketed, food for purchase.

Champaign-Urbana Days

Douglass Park, Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Celebrate the “Chambana” Community at Champaign-Urbana Days! Enjoy live music, sports competitions, senior activities, food trucks, and more! Free admission; food and merchandise will be for sale

Saturday, August 10, 2019

St. Joseph Community Fall Festival

Downtown St. Joseph, Time: All Day
Parade, street dance, live music, carnival. Most events free; carnival ticketed, food for purchase.

Champaign-Urbana Days

Douglass Park, Time: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Celebrate the “Chambana” Community at Champaign-Urbana Days! Enjoy live music, sports competitions, senior activities, food trucks, and more! Free admission; food and merchandise will be for sale

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Homer Krazee Daze

Homer Caboose, Time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Krazee Daze features food vendors, unique vendors, live music and carnival rides. Many events free; ticketed rides; food for purchase.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Homer Krazee Daze

Homer Caboose, Time: 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Krazee Daze features food vendors, unique vendors, live music and carnival rides. Many events free; ticketed rides; food for purchase.

Taste of Champaign-Urbana

West Side Park, Time: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Taste of C-U is the area’s premiere outdoor summer festival featuring delicious menu items from C-U’s best restaurants, frosty beer, diverse arts and crafts from local artists, the 3.14 mile Pie Run, and high-quality music and entertainment for the whole family in Champaign’s beautiful West Side Park. Cost: Free admission; food for sale; some kids amenities ticketed; merchandise for sale.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Philo Kids Festival

Hale Park, Time: All Day
Last year, there were a DJ, live music, car show, bounce houses (for a small fee) and more to be added! Free admission, fee for some activities (like bounce houses).

Homer Krazee Daze

Homer Caboose, Time: 7:00 am - 11:30 pm
Krazee Daze features food vendors, unique vendors, live music and carnival rides. Many events free; ticketed rides; food for purchase.

Taste of Champaign-Urbana

West Side Park, Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Taste of C-U is the area’s premiere outdoor summer festival featuring delicious menu items from C-U’s best restaurants, frosty beer, diverse arts and crafts from local artists, the 3.14 mile Pie Run, and high-quality music and entertainment for the whole family in Champaign’s beautiful West Side Park. Cost: Free admission; food for sale; some kids amenities ticketed; merchandise for sale.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Mahomet Music Festival

Downtown Mahomet, Time: All Day
Enjoy FREE live music, parade, carnival rides, street vendors, crafters, bags tournament, and more up and down Main Street. Admission to the fest is FREE; some activities and carnival rides have a cost.

Urbana Sweetcorn Festival

Downtown Urbana, Time: 5:00 pm - 11:59 pm
Free admission; music, children's activities may have extra fees. Food, merchandise for sale. Oh and the best-tasting sweet corn the fine state of Illinois has to offer!

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Mahomet Music Festival

Urbana Sweetcorn Festival

Downtown Urbana, Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Free admission; music, children's activities may have extra fees. Food, merchandise for sale. Oh and the best-tasting sweet corn the fine state of Illinois has to offer!