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.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 coming here soon.
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 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 1 – Saturday, June 3
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.
06/01/2023 – click here for details…
06/02/2023 – click here for details…
06/03/2023 – click here for details…
ARTHUR STRAWBERRY JAM FESTIVAL
Friday, June 2 – Saturday, June 3
Old fashioned family friendly fun with games, contests, pony rides and food (ALL the strawberries). Admission is free.
06/02/2023 – click here for details…
06/03/2023 – click here for details…
CATLIN STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 3
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).
06/03/2023 – click here for details…
VERMILION COUNTY FAIR
Tuesday, June 6 – Saturday, June 10
$7 gate admission that includes unlimited carnival rides. Also a queen pageant, demo derby, rodeo, and more. Family 4-pack bundle of tickets available.
06/06/2023 – click here for details…
06/07/2023 – click here for details…
06/08/2023 – click here for details…
06/09/2023 – click here for details…
06/10/2023 – click here for details…
MAHOMET SODA FEST
Saturday, June 10
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.
06/10/2023 – click here for details…
HORIZON HOBBY RC FEST
Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10
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.
06/09/2023 – click here for details…
06/10/2023 – click here for details…
PIATT COUNTY FAIR
Thursday, June 15 – Sunday, June 18
Tractor pulls, bands and even a zipline (!) are going to be at this year’s fair, along with vendors offering favorite fair foods.
06/15/2023 – click here for details…
06/16/2023 – click here for details…
06/17/2023 – click here for details…
06/18/2023 – click here for details…
PIATT COUNTY TRAIL BLAZERS RODEO
Thursday, June 22 – Saturday, June 24
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.
06/22/2023 – click here for details…
06/23/2023 – click here for details…
06/24/2023 – click here for details…
RIGGS-FEST
Thursday, June 22 – Sunday, June 25
Food trucks, music, helicopter flights and more.
06/22/2023 – click here for details…
06/23/2023 – click here for details…
06/24/2023 – click here for details…
06/25/2023 – click here for details…
TOLONO FUN DAYS
Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24
Events in years past have included a lighted golf cart parade and outdoor, fun family movie night.
06/23/2023 – click here for details…
06/24/2023 – click here for details…
FORD COUNTY FAIR
Sunday, June 25 – Saturday, July 1
Highlights include a petting zoo and of course, carnival rides and favorite fair foods.
06/25/2023 – click here for details…
06/26/2023 – click here for details…
06/27/2023 – click here for details…
06/28/2023 – click here for details…
06/29/2023 – click here for details…
06/30/2023 – click here for details…
07/01/2023 – click here for details…
GIFFORD COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Saturday, July 1
Highlights include a 5K and kids fun run, parade, fireworks and all-day fun.
07/01/2023 – click here for details…
Looking for 4th of July events and activities? View the list here soon.
BALLOONS OVER VERMILION
Friday, July 7 – Saturday, July 8
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.
07/07/2023 – click here for details…
07/08/2023 – click here for details…
FISHER FAIR
Sunday, July 9 – Saturday, July 15
Queen pageant, carnival, pedal tractor pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby and more, along with food vendors including Kona Ice.
07/09/2023 – click here for details…
07/10/2023 – click here for details…
07/11/2023 – click here for details…
07/12/2023 – click here for details…
07/13/2023 – click here for details…
07/14/2023 – click here for details…
07/15/2023 – click here for details…
HISTORIC FARM DAYS (PENFIELD)
Thursday, July 13 – Sunday, July 16
Annual activities include blacksmith shop, corn crib filling and shelling, potato digging, tractor parades, a tractor pull and an extensive tractor/truck display.
07/13/2023 – click here for details…
07/14/2023 – click here for details…
07/15/2023 – click here for details…
07/16/2023 – click here for details…
FARMER CITY & DEWITT COUNTY FAIR
Dates TBA for 2023
Evening entertainment, Queen and Little Miss pageants and talent show, livestock judging and floriculture displays.
MATTOON BAGELFEST
Wednesday, July 19 – Sunday, July 23
Queen pageant, carnival, pedal tractor pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby and more, along with food vendors including Kona Ice this year.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FAIR
Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 29
Carnival rides, games, food and more at our community’s very own county fair.
07/21/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
07/22/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
07/23/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
07/24/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 read more…
07/25/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
07/26/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
07/27/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
07/28/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
07/29/2023 – The 2023 Champaign County Fair will be held July 21-29, 2023 Friday, July 22 • Preview Night 9:00 am – 4-H Horse Show 4:00 pm – Gates Open 5:00 pm – Carnival Opens 6:30 pm – Dirt Track Racing, 6:30pm 7:00 pm – New Twang City, Beer Pavilion Saturday, July 23… read more…
MCLEAN COUNTY FAIR
Wednesday, July 26 – Sunday, July 30
Visit the Food and Farm Fun Zone with free activities daily, carnival, demo derby, tractor pull and more.
07/26/2023 – click here for details…
07/27/2023 – click here for details…
07/28/2023 – click here for details…
07/29/2023 – click here for details…
07/30/2023 – click here for details…
SIDNEY FUN DAZE
Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29
Sidney Fun Daze features a kiddie tractor pull, inflatables, a parade and live music.
07/28/2023 – click here for details…
07/29/2023 – click here for details…
COLES COUNTY FAIR
Dates TBA for 2023
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.
07/30/2023 – click here for details…
07/31/2023 – click here for details…
08/01/2023 – click here for details…
08/02/2023 – click here for details…
08/03/2023 – click here for details…
08/04/2023 – click here for details…
08/05/2023 – click here for details…
08/06/2023 – click here for details…
ROYAL DAYS
Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5
Activities in years past have included music, food trucks, kiddie tractor pull, golf cart parade and Kids Zone.
08/04/2023 – click here for details…
08/05/2023 – click here for details…
VILLA GROVE AG DAYS
Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5
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.
08/04/2023 – click here for details…
08/05/2023 – click here for details…
GEORGETOWN FAIR
Saturday, Aug. 8 – Saturday, Aug. 15
Horse show, queen pageant, talent contest, tractor pulls, rodeo and demo derby — plus the carnival will be there all week long.
ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
Dates TBA for 2023
Fun small-town festival including a daily fish fry, carnival, and kids’ games.
MANSFIELD HOMECOMING
Friday, Aug. 18 – Sunday, Aug. 20
Carnival, kids games, tractor pull, car/motorcycle show and more. Free entertainment!
08/18/2023 – click here for details…
08/19/2023 – click here for details…
08/20/2023 – click here for details…
LEROY FALL FESTIVAL
Tuesday, Aug.22 – Saturday, Aug. 26
Food, carnival and games-live entertainment nightly.
08/22/2023 – click here for details…
08/23/2023 – click here for details…
08/24/2023 – click here for details…
08/25/2023 – click here for details…
08/26/2023 – click here for details…
MAHOMET MUSIC FESTIVAL
Friday, Aug. 25 and Saturday, Aug. 26
Enjoy free admission, free live music, parade, carnival rides (for a cost), street vendors, bags tournament, and more up and down Main Street.
08/25/2023 – click here for details…
08/26/2023 – click here for details…
OGDEN STREET FEST
Dates TBA for 2023
Fun for all ages including a car show, rock climbing wall, laser tag, face painting, food vendors and more.
HOOPESTON NATIONAL SWEETCORN FESTIVAL
Thursday, Aug. 31 – Monday, Sept. 4
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 distribute the corn free.
08/31/2023 – click here for details…
09/01/2023 – click here for details…
09/02/2023 – click here for details…
ARTHUR AMISH COUNTRY CHEESE FESTIVAL
Saturday, Sept. 2 – Monday, Sept. 4
This festival is full of family fun with a parade, tractor pull, music, inflatables, pony rides, face-painting and more.
09/02/2023 – click here for details…
09/03/2023 – click here for details…
09/04/2023 – click here for details…
ARCOLA BROOMCORN FESTIVAL
Friday, Sept. 8 – Sunday, Sept. 10
This unique festival has three days of fun, including the “National Broom Sweeping Contest” and a huge parade!
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