Festival

Chalk the Walk is set for 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, at Grandon Civic Center.

Thirty four kids took part in the Let Freedom Ring Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 5, 2024 in Mt. Morris.

A parade, live music, food and fun were all part of the Let Freedom Ring festival in Mt. Morris on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Fun continues Saturday with car show, kiddie parade, and live music

Two pancake breakfasts started a day full of events on Friday, July 4, 2025 at the Let Freedom Ring festival.

Baja Band and Evergreen provided the music, food trucks the snacks and the Sterling-Rock Falls Jaycees the fireworks Thursday, July 3, 2025, as Rock Falls Tourism put on a celebration of America’s independence at RB&W Park.

One of McHenry County's signature events The Lakeside Festival, got underway Thursday, July 3, 2025, on the grounds of the historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake. The fest runs through Sunday. Crystal Lake's Independence Day Parade takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday down Dole Avenue to the festival, and the fireworks display over the lake off Main Beach takes place at dusk Sunday.

Pungent smells and sour tastes often are what one thinks of when it comes to sauerkraut, but Forreston makes a big deal about it – with plenty of fun and entertainment in a four-day festival that is pleasant and appetizing.

Music, food and fireworks celebrate America's independence Thursday, July 3, 2025, during a party at RB&W Park in Rock Falls.

The Gurnee Days Committee is proud to announce longtime Gurnee resident, Martha Welton-Schmidt, as the 2025 Gurnee Days honoree.

From live music and food vendors to car shows and carnivals, here is a list of local places to celebrate the holiday.

Lakeside Festival at The Dole will bring bands, a carnival, Cornhole tournament and more fun to Crystal Lake July 3-6.

Looking for something fun to do in DeKalb County this summer? Check out this list of family-friendly events.

The much-anticipated summer event will feature live bands, a carnival, parade, fireworks and more.

Veggie Fest celebrates vegetarian food and features an international food court, food demonstrations, guest speakers and live music. Admission is free.

A total of five contestants took part in Let Freedom Ring's Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest on the Warren Reckmeyer bandshell on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in downtown Mt. Morris.

Block party, live music and fireworks all set for Friday, July 4.

Donation is 100% of the proceeds received at the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris' food concession on June 13.

Polo homeowner battles back with a hose of her own during annual parade.

Polo hosted its annual Town & Country Days June 26-29, 2025.

All things bud were put on display Saturday, June 28, 2025, for Herbal Roots' third annual CannaFest in Nelson.

Fourth of July-adjacent festivities kicked. off with the weekend's Stars N’ Stripes Fest in Cary.

Asked questions such as “What’s your favorite dinosaur” and “What’s the best thing about being a kid,” the 4- and 5-year-olds did their best to give insightful answers.

As Sunday’s grand parade finished rolling down South Main Street, the village of Bourbonnais and dozens of dedicated volunteers basked in a bittersweet moment. The 50th anniversary celebration of the Friendship Festival had come to an end.

All things bud were on display Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Who Else Land in Nelson.

Over 170 vehicles were put on display Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Rock Falls for one of the largest Touch-a-Truck events in the region.

Frog and toad races were just two of the family-fun events held during Hooppole Fun Days on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

The village of Plainfield welcomed residents and visitors from all over to its downtown area for the annual Plainfield Fest held Friday through Sunday. The event is organized by the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation.

Visitors came from near and far to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival over the June 27-29, 2025 weekend. Check out today's edition of the Daily Journal for the story.

Festivalgoers enjoyed the second night of the 50th anniversary of the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The festivities continue through Sunday at Bourbonnais' community campus, The Grove.

Highlights include Yorkville's River Fest, Batavia's Windmill City Fest and many more.

The yearly schedule of outdoor festivals in DeKalb County will ramp up over the coming weeks. Here is your guide to every large festival and event planned in DeKalb County through September:

The event kicks off Thursday, July 10 with Cask & Barrel Night, followed by Music Fest Weekend through July 13. The event continues the following weekend with arts and crafts, parade and more.

Summer is filled with beer festivals, from Joliet to Princeton, Galena to McHenry and more.

Fireworks, a parade, a historical trolley tour and a carnival are just some of the attractions at Polo’s Town & Country Days from June 25-29.

The Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Splash did its best to cool down visitors Saturday, June 21, 2025.

The Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance hosted a Juneteenth celebration Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Grandon Civic Center in Sterling.

Expect traffic delays around Joliet Memorial Stadium, 3000 W. Jefferson St., Saturday and Sunday because of the Taste of Joliet.

Day two of the Taste of Joliet celebrated country music and big crowds came out to hear performers including the headliner Brett Eldredge. The city's largest summer festival, which features more than 20 food vendors, carnival, music and other live entertainment, runs through Sunday,

The Taste of Joliet drew big crowds on its second full day on Saturday, the longest day of the year and the warmest for far. The city's largest summer festival, which features more than 20 food vendors, carnival, music and other live entertainment, runs through Sunday,

Billy Corgan and the Machines of God was a top draw on opening night of the Taste of Joliet at Memorial Stadium on Friday, June 20, 2025.

The annual Taste of Joliet, the city's biggest summer festival, opened Friday, June 20. The event features food vendors, multiple music acts across many genres, other live entertainment and a carnival. Runs through Sunday, June 22 at Memorial Stadium.

Check out photos by photo editor Scott Anderson from Summerfest on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in downtown Spring Valley. The festival features a carnival, live entertainment, food vendors and fireworks on Saturday at dusk. The festival wraps up on Sunday.

The biggest summer festival in Joliet starts at 3 p.m. Friday and runs through the weekend featuring more than 20 food vendors, just about as many music acts, and a carnival.

Area book enthusiasts and wordsmiths of all ages are invited to make their way to the third annual Grayslake AuthorFest on June 21 in downtown Grayslake.

Rock bands take the stage as festivals and concert series unfold across the suburbs, complemented by cruise nights, Wheaton Drama's new show, a spotlight on rarely seen artworks and an antiques sale fundraiser.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., attendees can enjoy a 5K, music, food trucks, kids games, craft vendors, contests, a dog pageant show, dance party and costume parade.

Downers Grove’s annual Rotary Grove Fest kicks off on Thursday in the downtown area

Swedish Days is June 18-22 in downtown Geneva.

Council members on Tuesday said they are looking for a new director of cultural affairs and special events who can create events on an almost daily basis in Joliet.