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 – click here for details…
05/31/2024 – click here for details…
06/01/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
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. read more…
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. read more…
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 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
06/14/2024 – click here for details…
06/15/2024 – click here for details…
06/16/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
06/21/2024 – click here for details…
06/22/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
06/24/2024 – click here for details…
06/25/2024 – click here for details…
06/26/2024 – click here for details…
06/27/2024 – click here for details…
06/28/2024 – click here for details…
06/29/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
06/27/2024 – click here for details…
06/28/2024 – click here for details…
06/29/2024 – click here for details…
06/30/2024 – click here for details…
RIGGS-FEST
Thursday, June 27 – Sunday, June 30
Food trucks, music, helicopter flights and more.
06/27/2024 – click here for details…
06/28/2024 – click here for details…
06/29/2024 – click here for details…
06/30/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
06/29/2024 – click here for details…
GIFFORD COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Saturday, June 29
Highlights include a 5K and kids fun run, parade, fireworks and all-day fun.
06/29/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/08/2024 – click here for details…
07/09/2024 – click here for details…
07/10/2024 – click here for details…
07/11/2024 – click here for details…
07/13/2024 – click here for details…
07/14/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/13/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/07/2024 – click here for details…
07/08/2024 – click here for details…
07/09/2024 – click here for details…
07/10/2024 – click here for details…
07/11/2024 – click here for details…
07/12/2024 – click here for details…
07/13/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/08/2024 – click here for details…
07/09/2024 – click here for details…
07/10/2024 – click here for details…
07/11/2024 – click here for details…
07/12/2024 – click here for details…
07/13/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/12/2024 – click here for details…
07/13/2024 – click here for details…
07/14/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/16/2024 – click here for details…
07/17/2024 – click here for details…
07/18/2024 – click here for details…
07/19/2024 – click here for details…
07/20/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/18/2024 – click here for details…
07/19/2024 – click here for details…
07/20/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/20/2024 – click here for details…
07/21/2024 – click here for details…
07/22/2024 – click here for details…
07/23/2024 – click here for details…
07/24/2024 – click here for details…
07/25/2024 – click here for details…
07/26/2024 – click here for details…
07/27/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/25/2024 – click here for details…
07/26/2024 – click here for details…
07/27/2024 – click here for details…
07/28/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
07/27/2024 – click here for details…
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.
07/28/2024 – click here for details…
07/29/2024 – click here for details…
07/30/2024 – click here for details…
07/31/2024 – click here for details…
08/01/2024 – click here for details…
08/02/2024 – click here for details…
08/03/2024 – click here for details…
08/04/2024 – click here for details…
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.
08/01/2024 – click here for details…
08/02/2024 – click here for details…
08/03/2024 – click here for details…
08/04/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
08/03/2024 – click here for details…
ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
Dates coming soon
Fun small-town festival including a daily fish fry, carnival, and kids’ games.
MANSFIELD HOMECOMING
Friday, Aug. 16 – Sunday, Aug. 18
Carnival, kids games, tractor pull, car/motorcycle show and more. Free entertainment!
08/16/2024 – click here for details…
08/17/2024 – click here for details…
08/18/2024 – click here for details…
LEROY FALL FESTIVAL
Tuesday, Aug.20 – Saturday, Aug. 24
Food, carnival and games-live entertainment nightly.
08/20/2024 – click here for details…
08/21/2024 – click here for details…
08/22/2024 – click here for details…
08/23/2024 – click here for details…
08/24/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
08/24/2024 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
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 – click here for details…
08/30/2024 – click here for details…
08/31/2024 – click here for details…
09/01/2024 – click here for details…
09/02/2024 – click here for details…
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.
08/31/2024 – click here for details…
09/01/2024 – click here for details…
09/02/2024 – click here for details…
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 – Arcola celebrates its rich heritage each year with the Broomcorn Festival. The “Broomcorn Capital of the World” hosts this 3 day festival in historic downtown Arcola. While in town, check out all the craft and food vendors, Broom Tent with live broom making demonstrations, 5k/10k annual race, and a huge… read more…
09/07/2024 – Arcola celebrates its rich heritage each year with the Broomcorn Festival. The “Broomcorn Capital of the World” hosts this 3 day festival in historic downtown Arcola. While in town, check out all the craft and food vendors, Broom Tent with live broom making demonstrations, 5k/10k annual race, and a huge… read more…
09/08/2024 – Sunday features a Kiddie Tractor pull, Dog Show Performances and live outdoor music. read more…
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