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!
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.com thanks the Champaign County Fair for presenting this guide.
The Champaign County Fair has been a tradition since the early 1850’s. At the fair you can see 4-H, Open, and Junior Open livestock and non-livestock shows, educational displays revolving around conservation and agriculture, various vendors from different businesses and organizations across the county, a carnival, and a variety of ground and grandstand entertainment. It is an event for families to come to create summertime memories that last a lifetime!
For more information: website or Facebook
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 will have a list of nine great Central Illinois Summer Festivals coming soon, too. Want detailed info on the Champaign County Fair? We will have a post just for that fair coming in July.
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, June 2 – Saturday, June 4
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!
06/02/2022 – click here for details…
06/03/2022 – click here for details…
06/04/2022 – click here for details…
ARTHUR STRAWBERRY JAM FESTIVAL
Friday, June 3 – Saturday, June 4
Old fashioned family friendly fun with games, contests, pony rides and food (ALL the strawberries). Admission is free.
06/03/2022 – click here for details…
06/04/2022 – click here for details…
CATLIN STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 4
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).
06/04/2022 – click here for details…
MAHOMET SODA FEST
Saturday, June 4
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. Entry to the festival is FREE and tasting tickets and wristbands are available for purchase.
06/04/2022 – Enjoy live music, delicious local food and events for the whole family. read more…
HORIZON HOBBY RC FEST
Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11
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.
06/10/2022 – 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. read more…
06/11/2022 – 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. read more…
FORD COUNTY FAIR
Sunday, June 12 – Saturday, June 18
Highlights include a petting zoo and of course, carnival rides and favorite fair foods.
06/12/2022 – click here for details…
06/13/2022 – click here for details…
06/14/2022 – click here for details…
06/15/2022 – click here for details…
06/16/2022 – click here for details…
06/17/2022 – click here for details…
06/18/2022 – click here for details…
PIATT COUNTY FAIR
Thursday, June 16 – Sunday, June 19
Tractor pulls, bands and even a zipline (!) are going to be at this year’s fair, along with vendors offering favorite fair foods.
06/16/2022 – click here for details…
06/17/2022 – click here for details…
06/18/2022 – click here for details…
06/19/2022 – click here for details…
VERMILION COUNTY FAIR
Wednesday, June 22 – Sunday, June 26
$7 gate admission that includes unlimited carnival rides. Also a queen pageant, demo derby, rodeo, and more. Family 4-pack bundle of tickets available, too.
06/22/2022 – click here for details…
06/23/2022 – click here for details…
06/24/2022 – click here for details…
06/25/2022 – click here for details…
06/26/2022 – click here for details…
PIATT COUNTY TRAIL BLAZERS RODEO
Thursday, June 23 – Saturday, June 25
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.
06/23/2022 – click here for details…
06/24/2022 – click here for details…
06/25/2022 – click here for details…
RIGGS-FEST
Thursday, June 23 – Sunday, June 26
Food trucks, music, helicopter flights and more.
06/23/2022 – click here for details…
06/24/2022 – click here for details…
06/25/2022 – click here for details…
06/26/2022 – click here for details…
TOLONO FUN DAYS
Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25
Events in years past have included a lighted golf cart parade and outdoor, fun family movie night.
06/24/2022 – click here for details…
06/25/2022 – click here for details…
Looking for 4th of July events and activities? View the list here.
HISTORIC FARM DAYS (PENFIELD)
Thursday, July 7 – Sunday, July 10
Annual activities include blacksmith shop, corn crib filling and shelling, potato digging, tractor parades, a tractor pull and an extensive tractor/truck display.
07/07/2022 – click here for details…
07/08/2022 – click here for details…
07/09/2022 – click here for details…
07/10/2022 – click here for details…
BALLOONS OVER VERMILION
Friday, July 8- Saturday, July 9
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.
07/08/2022 – click here for details…
07/09/2022 – click here for details…
FARMER CITY & DEWITT COUNTY FAIR
Dates TBA for 2022
Evening entertainment, Queen and Little Miss pageants and talent show, livestock judging and floriculture displays.
FISHER FAIR
Tuesday, July 12 – Saturday, July 16
Queen pageant, carnival, pedal tractor pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby and more, along with food vendors including Kona Ice this year.
07/12/2022 – click here for details…
07/13/2022 – click here for details…
07/14/2022 – click here for details…
07/15/2022 – click here for details…
07/16/2022 – click here for details…
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FAIR
Friday, July 22 – Sunday, July 30
Carnival rides, games, food and more at our community’s very own county fair.
07/22/2022 – Preview night! Carnival opens at 5 p.m., 4-H horse show is happening and get your tickets for Cole Swindell at the Grandstand! read more…
07/23/2022 – Military Day activities from 12 - 4 p.m., demo derby at the Grandstand and carnival opens at 1 p.m. read more…
07/24/2022 – Western Day. $25 carnival ride bracelet from 12-5 p.m., free circus sideshows and draft horse pull and show. read more…
07/25/2022 – Kids Day! Preschool rides in Kiddie Land from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Cincinnati Circus shows throughout the day and carnival opens at 5 p.m. read more…
07/26/2022 – Senior Citizen Day. Harness racing at the Grandstand, $25 carnival ride bracelet from 5 -10:30 p.m. and karaoke contest. read more…
07/27/2022 – Livestock Day. Junior beef, swine and sheep shows, motorcycle races and carnival opens at 5 p.m. read more…
07/28/2022 – 4H Day. Limited ride booklets from 1-4 p.m., carnival opens at 5 p.m. and monster trucks at the Grandstand. read more…
07/29/2022 – Carnival opens at 5 p.m. and dirt track racing at the Grandstand. read more…
07/30/2022 – First Responder Day. Touch-a-Truck from 1-4 p.m., $25 carnival ride bracelets from 12-5 p.m. and IPA Tractor and Semi-Truck Pull. read more…
SIDNEY FUN DAZE
Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30
Sidney Fun Daze features a kiddie tractor pull, inflatables, a parade and live music.
07/29/2022 – click here for details…
07/30/2022 – click here for details…
COLES COUNTY FAIR
Sunday, July 31 – Sunday, August 7
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.
07/31/2022 – click here for details…
08/01/2022 – click here for details…
08/02/2022 – click here for details…
08/03/2022 – click here for details…
08/04/2022 – click here for details…
08/05/2022 – click here for details…
08/06/2022 – click here for details…
08/07/2022 – click here for details…
MCLEAN COUNTY FAIR
Wednesday, Aug. 3 – Sunday, Aug. 7
Visit the Food and Farm Fun Zone with free activities daily, carnival, demo derby, tractor pull and more.
08/03/2022 – click here for details…
08/04/2022 – click here for details…
08/05/2022 – click here for details…
08/06/2022 – click here for details…
08/07/2022 – click here for details…
ROYAL DAYS
Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6
Activities in years past have included music, food trucks, kiddie tractor pull, golf cart parade and Kids Zone.
08/05/2022 – click here for details…
08/06/2022 – click here for details…
VILLA GROVE AG DAYS
Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6
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.
08/05/2022 – click here for details…
08/06/2022 – click here for details…
GEORGETOWN FAIR
Saturday, Aug. 6 – Saturday, Aug. 13
Horse show, queen pageant, talent contest, tractor pulls, rodeo and demo derby — plus the carnival will be there all week long.
08/06/2022 – click here for details…
08/07/2022 – click here for details…
08/08/2022 – click here for details…
08/09/2022 – click here for details…
08/10/2022 – click here for details…
08/11/2022 – click here for details…
08/12/2022 – click here for details…
08/13/2022 – click here for details…
ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
Thursday, Aug. 11 – Saturday, Aug. 13
Fun small-town festival including a daily fish fry, carnival, and kids’ games.
08/11/2022 – click here for details…
08/12/2022 – click here for details…
08/13/2022 – click here for details…
MANSFIELD HOMECOMING
Friday, Aug. 19 – Sunday, Aug. 21
Carnival, kids games, tractor pull, car/motorcycle show and more. Free entertainment!
08/19/2022 – click here for details…
08/20/2022 – click here for details…
08/21/2022 – click here for details…
LEROY FALL FESTIVAL
Tuesday, Aug.23 – Saturday, Aug. 27
Food, carnival and games-live entertainment nightly.
08/23/2022 – click here for details…
08/24/2022 – click here for details…
08/25/2022 – click here for details…
08/26/2022 – click here for details…
08/27/2022 – click here for details…
MAHOMET MUSIC FESTIVAL
Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27
Enjoy free admission, free live music, parade, carnival rides (for a cost), street vendors, bags tournament, and more up and down Main Street.
08/26/2022 – click here for details…
08/27/2022 – click here for details…
OGDEN STREET FEST
Fun for all ages including a car show, rock climbing wall, laser tag, face painting, food vendors and so much more!
08/27/2022 – click here for details…
HOOPESTON NATIONAL SWEETCORN FESTIVAL
Thursday, Sept. 1 – Monday, Sept. 5
Besides the normal carnival, demolition derby, Grand Parade and other events, they cook approximately 50 tons of sweetcorn with an antique steam engine and distribute the corn free.
09/01/2022 – click here for details…
09/02/2022 – click here for details…
09/03/2022 – click here for details…
09/04/2022 – click here for details…
09/05/2022 – click here for details…
ARTHUR AMISH COUNTRY CHEESE FESTIVAL
Saturday, Sept. 3 – Monday, Sept. 5
This festival is full of family fun with a parade, tractor pull, music, inflatables, pony rides, face-painting and more.
09/03/2022 – click here for details…
09/04/2022 – click here for details…
09/05/2022 – click here for details…
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS THAT WILL NOT BE HAPPENING IN 2022
- Gifford Community Celebration
Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana:
- End of Summer Pool Closings and Hour Changes
- Champaign County Fair Fun for Families: Preview, Highlights, Tips and Ways to Save
- Blueberry Picking Near Champaign-Urbana
- Summer Parades in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Best Midwest Summer Road Trips for Champaign-Urbana Families
- Beaches Within a Short Driving Distance of Champaign-Urbana
- How to Celebrate Juneteenth Around Champaign-Urbana
- 8 Great Summer Festivals in Central Illinois
- Champaign-Urbana Area Fourth of July FIREWORKS!
- 50+ Ways to Have Summer Fun on a Budget In and Around Champaign-Urbana
- Summer Fun in Chicago: Free Days at the Best Museums
- Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Fairs and Festivals
- Splash Pads Around Champaign-Urbana
- Strawberry Picking Near Champaign-Urbana
- How to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Champaign-Urbana
- Champaign-Urbana Area Outdoor Swimming Pools
- Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Reading Programs
- Where to Go Boating with Your Family Near Champaign-Urbana
- Free and Cheap Outdoor Movies in Champaign-Urbana
- Have the Ultimate Outdoor Summer with Kids in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Summer Fun for Families in Champaign-Urbana
- Farmers Markets in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Outdoor Concerts in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Free Summer Kids Movies Return to Savoy
- Where to See a Baseball Game Near Champaign-Urbana
- Visiting Champaign-Urbana Area Parks and Playgrounds with your Family
- Things to Do for Teens (and Tweens) This Summer in Champaign-Urbana
- Fishing Fun for Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Swim Teams in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Where to Take Swim Lessons in Champaign-Urbana
- Champaign-Urbana Summer Camps for Kids
