FEATURED EVENTS
Throughout the year, you’ll find an ever changing variety of festivals and events around Illinois. From fine dining and wine tastings to music festivals and classic cars, there’s always something to experience in Illinois.

January

Bald Eagle Trolley Tours at Starved Rock (Utica)
Get an up-close look at the eagles that make their winter home in Illinois. The Starved Rock Lodge offers a Bald Eagle Trolley Tour to observe thousands of wintering bald eagles. Vist Website >
Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette State Park (Grafton)
Learn about America’s national bird with informational programmes and observance trips to see wintering bald eagles. Vist Website >

February

Woodstock Groundhog Days (Woodstock)
Celebrate the classic American movie, “Groundhog Day”, with a weekend-long party featuring free movie screenings, walking tours of the film’s sites, food and a visit from the groundhog who will foretell the arrival of spring by whether or not he sees his shadow. Vist Website >
Chicago Restaurant Week (Chicago)
Savour some of Chicago’s finest cuisine during this 10-day event when restaurants show off some of their finest dishes while giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy prix fixe menus. Vist Website >

March

Sock Monkey Madness at Midway Village Museum (Rockford)
This two-day festival, held in the hometown of the famous stuffed doll, features a sock monkey clinic to repair broken monkeys, a homemade sock monkey contest and a sock monkey accessory table. Vist Website >
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Chicago)
One of the largest in the country, the annual downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade honours Chicago’s Irish heritage. Vist Website >
Wine Lovers’ Weekend (Galena)
Enjoy a weekend of wine tastings, winemakers’ dinners, winery tours and a Grand Tasting, where you can sample more than 300 different wines and spirits under one roof. Vist Website >

April

Waterfall & Canyon Tour (Utica)
Mondays and Saturdays in April and May, visitors are invited to take a guided walk to three spectacular waterfalls and canyons in Starved Rock State Park. The tour includes lunch and a historical trolley tour. Vist Website >
President U.S. Grant’s Birthday Celebration (Galena)
Experience many events commemorating the birthday of Galena’s favourite son, Ulysses S. Grant. Step back into the 1820s with living history demonstrations, a period church service and more. Vist Website >

May

Dutch Days Festival (Fulton)
Fulton celebrates its Dutch heritage with a festival including windmill tours and a parade featuring traditional costumes, dancing and street scrubbing. Vist Website >
Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival (Joliet to Towanda)
Visit towns along the Mother Road, each celebrating Route 66 with its own event, during this 90-mile, self-guided driving tour. Vist Website >
Frank Lloyd Wright Plus Housewalk (Oak Park)
Experience a rare chance to go inside the remarkable homes of Frank Lloyd Wright, a legendary American architect. Vist Website >

June

Chicago Blues Festival (Chicago)
Experience the largest free admission blues festival in the world—featuring the best in national, international and local musicians playing on six stages. Vist Website >
Chicago Pride Fest (Chicago)
Each year, over three quarters of a million people gather to celebrate Chicago’s thriving gay community for this two-day festival and world-famous parade. Vist Website >
Superman Celebration (Metropolis)
Metropolis, home of Superman, hosts a superhero-themed festival weekend including superhero costumes, fan films, crafts and a carnival. Vist Website >
Blues on the Fox (Aurora)
Aurora’s annual blues celebration is held along the riverfront and offers a weekend of music, food and drinks. Vist Website >

July

Taste of Chicago (Chicago)
Taste of Chicago is the nation's premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago's dining community. The delicious array of food served at Taste of Chicago is complemented by music and exciting activities for the entire family. Vist Website >
World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival (Collinsville)
Celebrate one of Illinois’ greatest roadside attractions at the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival. Vist Website >

August

TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2013 (Chicago)
TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2013 celebrates the 200th anniversary of the major military events of the War of 1812 that took place on the Great Lakes. The series will sail to all five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. There will be point-to-point races, more than 10 ports, wonderful hospitality, and millions of visitors. Vist Website >
Illinois State Fair (Springfield)
Just three hours south of Chicago in the state capital of Springfield, explore more than 350 acres of exhibits, Illinois artisans, top-notch live music and don't forget to visit the famous Butter Cow! Vist Website >
Lollapalooza (Chicago)
One of the biggest events of the summer and unique to Chicago, this three-day, eight-stage music festival boasts a diverse collection of bands ranging from hip-hop, electronica, reggae, indie, rock, modern roots and many more. Vist Website >
In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival (Chicago)
This shopping mecca hosts district-wide sales, celebrations and activities. Check out fashion shows, celebrity chef events, designer appearances, entertainment and more. Vist Website >
Chicago Air & Water Show (Chicago)
More than 2 million people line Chicago’s lakefront to watch the largest free show of its kind in the country. Vist Website >
Chicago Jazz Festival (Chicago)
Local talent plays alongside some of the biggest names in jazz at this annual free Labor Day weekend lakefront festival. Vist Website >

September

Chicago Gourmet (Chicago)
Gourmands from around the world come to Millennium Park for live cooking demonstrations, gourmet tastings, wine seminars and book signings from top Chicago chefs and restaurants. Vist Website >
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival (Springfield)
Held during the last weekend of every September, the festival features a world-class classic car show, 50s and 60s music, great food, celebrities, workshops and more. Vist Website >
Morton Pumpkin Festival (Morton)
Celebrate the pumpkin harvest in Morton, the "Pumpkin Capital of the World". Enjoy pumpkin-themed food, music, crafts, pageants and sporting events. Vist Website >
NASCAR Sprint Cup Weekend at Chicagoland Speedway (Joliet)
Chequered flags fly in Joliet during auto racing’s exhilarating kick-off weekend featuring the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Vist Website >

October

Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Chicago)
One million spectators will line the 26.2-mile course to cheer on runners from around the world, who will be competing in this world-class marathon through the heart of Chicago. Vist Website >
Chicago International Film Festival
Discover the world through the eyes of many of the top international filmmakers at the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. Vist Website >

November

Nouveau Wine Weekends (Galena)
Take part in the French tradition of Nouveau and sample an autumn harvest vintage. Downtown restaurants pair the wine with a traditional French stew, host wine and cheese parties, and participate in a parade of horse-drawn wagon wine deliveries. Vist Website >
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Chicago)
Celebrate the start of the city’s official holiday season with shopping, concerts, an evening parade illuminating one million lights along Michigan Avenue and a grand finale fireworks show. Vist Website >
East Peoria Festival of Lights (East Peoria)
East Peoria’s holiday spectacular features a festival of floats lit up by a mesmerizing two million lights. Vist Website >

December

Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
Festive ornaments, wooden toys, nutcrackers and glassware from Germany and other parts of Europe are sold from charming timber cabins and tents in Daley Plaza. Vist Website >
Night of Luminaria (Galena)
One of the most beautiful and romantic visions of the year, the streets, steps and sidewalks of the charming town of Galena will be lined with nearly 5,000 candlelit luminaries. Vist Website >
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