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 the Rose Bowl Tavern for presenting this comprehensive list. 

The Rose Bowl Tavern is the hotspot for live music in Champaign-Urbana, all summer long. You will find live music everyday (rain or shine), as they keep music and celebration going all summer long out under their tent. Enjoy draft beer, fine bourbon, specialty and tiki cocktails, and many non-alcoholic options!

For more information: Website, Facebook and Instagram

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, coming 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 an article on that, too.

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.

LATIN FUSION FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 23
A brand NEW festival of Latin fusion vibes. Listen to the sounds of Grupo Latido Musical at 3 p.m. and enjoy Cuban fusion cuisine, four sangria flavors, a piñata for the kids and more!

FARMER CITY HERITAGE DAYS

Thursday, May 28 – Saturday, May 30
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.

ARTHUR STRAWBERRY JAM

Friday, June 5 – Saturday, June 6
Arthur continues the tradition of an old fashioned, small town, early summer special weekend. Food vendors, lots of strawberry games for the whole family, and a block full of inflatable’s for the kids.

BALLOONS OVER VERMILION

Friday, June 5 – Saturday, June 6
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.

CATLIN STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Saturday, June 6
Old fashioned family friendly fun with games, contests, and food. Pack swimsuits to play in the splash pad. Admission is free (food available by donation).

MAHOMET SODA FEST

Saturday, June 13
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.

PIATT COUNTY FAIR

Thursday, June 18 – Sunday, June 21
Tractor pulls, bands and more are going to be at this year’s fair, along with vendors offering favorite fair foods. This year, featuring a carnival!

PIATT COUNTY TRAIL BLAZERS RODEO

Thursday, June 25 – Saturday, June 27
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.

FORD COUNTY FAIR

Saturday, June 13 – Saturday, June 20
This year is the 100th anniversary of the Ford County Fair. Highlights include a petting zoo and of course, carnival rides and favorite fair foods.

VERMILION COUNTY FAIR

Wednesday, June 24 – Saturday, June 28
Gate admission that includes unlimited carnival rides. Also a queen pageant, demo derby, rodeo, and more. Family four-pack bundle of tickets usually available.

RIGGS-FEST

Thursday, June 25 – Sunday, June 28
Celebrating Riggs’ 10th anniversary with food trucks, music and more.

TOLONO FUN DAYS

Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27
Events in years past have included a lighted golf cart parade and outdoor family movie night.

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

FISHER FAIR

Sunday, July 5 – Saturday, July 11
Queen pageant, carnival, pedal tractor pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby and more, along with food vendors including Kona Ice.

HISTORIC FARM DAYS (PENFIELD)

Thursday, July 9 – Sunday, July 12
Annual activities include blacksmith shop, corn crib filling and shelling, potato digging, tractor parades, a tractor pull and an extensive tractor/truck display.

GEORGETOWN FAIR

Saturday, July 11 – Saturday, July 18
Horse show, queen pageant, talent contest, tractor pulls, rodeo and demo derby — plus the carnival will be there all week long.

MATTOON BAGELFEST

Wednesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 18
Queen pageant, carnival, pedal tractor pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby and more, along with food vendors.

FARMER CITY & DEWITT COUNTY FAIR

Monday, July 20 – Saturday, July 25
Evening entertainment, Queen and Little Miss pageants and talent show, harness racing, livestock judging and floriculture displays.

SIDNEY FUN DAZE

Friday, July 24 – Saturday, July 25
Sidney Fun Daze features a kiddie tractor pull, inflatables, a parade and live music.

SUMMER SPLASH

Saturday, July 25 
Fishing, canoeing, live fish, live music and food trucks, too!

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FAIR

Saturday, July 25 – Saturday, Aug. 1
Carnival rides, games, food and more at our community’s very own county fair.

MCLEAN COUNTY FAIR

Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, Aug. 2
Visit the Food and Farm Fun Zone with free activities daily, carnival, demo derby, tractor pull and more.

MOULTRIE-DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIR

Monday, July 27 – Sunday, Aug. 2
Special performances along with all kinds of usual fair food and fun make this two-county fair a special event.

COLES COUNTY FAIR

Sunday, July 26 – Sunday, Aug. 2
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.

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA DAYS

Friday, Aug. 7 – Sunday, Aug. 9

This event offers an amazing variety of activities, such as live music, local cuisine and more. Kids can have a blast with inflatables, face painting, caricatures, balloon animals, and a variety of other exciting activities all day long.

MAHOMET MUSIC FESTIVAL

Friday, Aug. 28 and Saturday, Aug. 29
Enjoy free admission, free live music, parade, carnival rides (for a cost), street vendors, bags tournament, and more up and down Main Street.

HOOPESTON NATIONAL SWEETCORN FESTIVAL

Thursday, Sept. 3 – Monday, Sept. 7
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.

ARTHUR AMISH COUNTRY CHEESE FESTIVAL

Friday, Sept. 4 – Saturday, Sept. 5
This festival is full of family fun with a parade, tractor pull, music, inflatables, pony rides, face-painting and more.

ARCOLA BROOMCORN FESTIVAL

Friday, Sept. 11 – Sunday, Sept. 13
This unique festival has three days of fun, including the “National Broom Sweeping Contest” and a huge parade.

Waiting on confirmation for 2026

ROYAL DAYS

Dates coming soon
Activities in years past have included music, food trucks, kiddie tractor pull, golf cart parade and Kids Zone.

ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

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

MANSFIELD HOMECOMING

Dates coming soon
Carnival, kids games, tractor pull, car/motorcycle show and more. Free entertainment!

LEROY FALL FESTIVAL

Dates coming soon
Food, carnival and games-live entertainment nightly.

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.

Events canceled for 2026

VILLA GROVE AG DAYS

Canceling for 2026, searching for a new carnival in 2027.

Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana:

• Summer Fun for Families in Champaign-Urbana
• Champaign-Urbana Area Swimming Pools
• Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Reading Programs
• Where to Watch Free and Cheap Outdoor Movies in Champaign-Urbana
• Visiting Champaign-Urbana Area Parks and Playgrounds with Families
• Strawberry Picking Near Champaign-Urbana
• Summer Fun in Chicago: Free Days at the Best Museums
• Champaign County Fair Preview
• Farmers Markets near Champaign-Urbana
• Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Fairs and Festivals
• Swim Teams in Champaign-Urbana
• Outdoor Concerts in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
• Season Pool Passes On Sale in Champaign-Urbana
• Where to Take Swim Lessons in Champaign-Urbana
• Champaign-Urbana Summer Camps for Kids