With a packed weekend of vendors, live music, races, a parade, kids activities, food and family traditions, organizers of a long running Lanark festival hope this year’s fun helps create memories for a new generation while honoring America’s 250th.

The Plainfield Village Board voted to allow open carry during the Plainfield Cruise Nights, which are held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 18.

The free events included a bike parade for kids, presentations at two museums, speeches, and a special, brief appearance by “Paul Revere” on a motorcycle.

High-powered heavy metal roared into Rock Falls on Monday, June 15, 2026, as the Sick Summer 2026 racing tour made its annual stop in the city.

When summer heats up out outside, pet owners need to remember to keep their dogs, cats and any other beloved pets cool.

The Kids Bike Parade and Tug of War were two of the activities held Friday, June 12, 2026, as part of Oregon's three-day celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

Dixon Pride held its festival Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Page Park in Dixon. Photos by Jennifer Lubbs - Shaw Local News Network

The free community art event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grandon Civic Center. Participants of all ages are encouraged to come out and transform the park’s sidewalks into colorful works of art.

Lockport kicked off its annual Old Canal Days festival on Friday, June 12, 2026 after storms on Thursday postponed opening day. The festival runs through Sunday.

PrairieFest will take place Father’s Day weekend, June 18-21, at PrairieFest Park, 91 Plank Drive in Oswego.

Hops and Harmony is an annual event in Sublette and features craft breweries from northern Illinois and Chicago, as well as a lineup of musical entertainment. The Sublette Village Board cannot agree when it comes to voting on a donation to the Sept. 12 event.

The parade will close State Street between Thornton Street and Division Street in Lockport starting at 5 p.m. on Friday before the parade begins at 6 p.m.

From 1 to 9 p.m., in the park in front of Dixon High School, attendees can show their support for the LGBTQ+ community, jam out to live music, watch drag show performances, explore over 125 merchant vendors and enjoy food and drinks from over 12 vendors.

It’s almost time for the kickoff event to fest season, the B4 Summer Festival, which takes place Saturday, June 13, at the renowned Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, join the Community Arts Council of Kankakee County for a jazzy, strawberry-filled day at the return of the annual Strawberry Jazz Festival.

The fourth annual festival will features craft beer, wine and bourbon tasting, live music, family games and much more.

The Lockport Chamber of Commerce said the decision was made due to the forecast for severe weather and unfavorable conditions on Thursday.

The annual festival brought together residents, visitors, volunteers, businesses and community organizations for three days of family-friendly entertainment and hometown tradition.

PrairieFest is Kendall County’s largest festival, attracting upwards of 75,000 people every year. Oswegoland Park District has been organizing PrairieFest since 1989.

Rain showers failed to stop the fun in Leaf River on Saturday, June 6, 2026, during the village's annual Leaf River Daze. Saturday's events included the FFA Alumni Tractor and Truck Pull and a K9 demonstration by the Ogle County Sheriff's Department.

The third annual Bradley 315 Music Fest returned with three evenings of music on the grounds of the village-owned Northfield Square mall over the weekend, with Warrant headlining on Friday, June 5, 2026.

The annual Star Wars Day in Joliet continues to draw people throughout the Chicago region.

After talking about the proposal during the June 1 Plainfield Village Board meeting, village trustees voted to table the matter until Monday’s Committee of the Whole workshop for further discussion.

Event organizers said Yorkville's inaugural Pride Festival is dedicated to “honoring diversity and fostering a deep sense of belonging.”

Due to forecasted extreme heat and possible thunderstorms Saturday, organizers are moving the fifth annual Bellson Music Fest and Drum Clinic indoors.

The City of Lockport will once again host its Old Canal Days summer festival from June 11-14. The drone show will kick off the festival on Thursday night at 10 p.m.

Hosted by Rock Falls Tourism in collaboration with Bellson’s widow Francine Bellson and music director Josh Duffee, the festival will feature four bands performing music that honors Bellson’s legacy.

The popular summer festival opens Wednesday, June 24 and runs through Sunday, June 28 in downtown Geneva.

Summer is almost here, and that means it's festival season across northern Illinois.

The year's Reagan Run 5K will feature a new route incorporating the recently completed pedestrian bridge over the Rock River.

The festival will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 12, in Montgomery's downtown area along Fox River.

The third Bradley 315 Fest, a weekend of live music, food and entertainment, is set to begin Thursday at the Northfield Square mall property.

Here’s when and where to catch cruise nights in the Joliet area

Coming together to represent the vibrancy of the community, children, students and parents alike dabbled in street painting to help bring a local high school student’s vision to life.

The 90th Annual Genoa Days is underway and runs from May 27-30 in downtown Genoa. The event, which is sponsored by the Genoa-Kingston Fire Department, includes live entertainment, a carnival, bingo and much more.

The fourth annual Dement Town Music Fest will take place May 30 along Dixon's Depot Avenue, bringing a full day of live music, food, art and community to help kick off the summer season.

Max Happy Fest organizers are planning their street festival in Woodstock Saturday, featuring local music and art while benefitting the community’s must vulnerable – and stocking the shelves at their new depot.

Over 50 items were put in the time capsule, which is buried at the Mills & Petrie Community Building on state Route 38.

Communities in Kendall and DeKalb counties will be opening their farmers markets for the season.

The Reagan Run welcomes runners and walkers of all experience levels and continues to draw participants from throughout the Sauk Valley and beyond each Independence Day.

Building off last month’s turnout, Riverfront Park in downtown Yorkville is once again transforming into the epicenter of artisan craft goods and support for local small businesses.

Summer is almost here, and that means it's festival season across northern Illinois.

Behind some of St. Charles' most popular events, like the St. Patrick's Parade and the Electric Christmas Parade, the St. Charles Business Alliance is entering an $850,000 annual agreement with the city.

The first phase of brick replacement work is focusing on the area around Riverfront Park’s main shelter. Each phase is expected to take several weeks.

The Streator Food Truck Festival was held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Streator City Park. The festival started in 2017 as a fundraiser for the Streator Walldogs Murals. The event continues to raise funds for murals and public art in Streator.

The different cultures represented in the food offerings is reflective of Plainfield’s diversity.

Lilac Time in Lombard is connected to village's identity, and the celebration culminates with a parade on Sunday

Festivals are blooming across northern Illinois this month.

Organizers promise 'a new experience' when Race Fan Rally returns to downtown Joliet in July along with NASCAR races at Chicagoland Speedway.

The city of Yorkville is displaying 25 students' artworks on downtown light poles to increase foot-traffic and to celebrate the unique character of the town.