Champaign County

  • Champaign County Fair (July 18–26): A classic county fair packed with carnival rides, games, food—and a Grandstand concert featuring Travis Tritt with opener Tyler Braden on July 25. Gates open at 6 PM, show starts at 7:30 PM.
  • Ebertfest (April 23–26): An annual film festival celebrating Roger Ebert’s cinematic legacy at the Virginia Theatre.
  • Insect Fear Film Festival (February 22): The 42nd edition featuring themed clips and a screening of Arachnophobia at Foellinger Auditorium.
  • Pygmalion Music Festival (September): Champaign-Urbana’s multi-venue indie music showcase featuring local and national artists.

Ford County

  • Ford County Fair (June 22–28): Expect petting zoos, carnival rides, fair food, and more fun throughout the week.

Vermilion County

  • Vermilion County Fair (June 25–29): Unlimited carnival rides, a queen pageant, rodeo, demolition derby, and family ticket bundles available.
  • Balloons Over Vermilion (July 11–12): Hot air balloon launches, balloon glows, kids’ games, and food vendors at the regional airport.

Iroquois County

  • Harvest Daze (October 4–5): A fall craft show at the Old Courthouse Museum in Watseka featuring antiques, crafts, a car and tractor show, fish fry, pumpkin contest, and kids’ activities.

Additional Noteworthy Events in the Region (Bonus)

(Located nearby and may appeal to local attendees.)

Arcola Broomcorn Festival (September 5–7): National Broom Sweeping Contest, massive parade, and three days of festivities.

Riggs‑Fest (June 26–29): Food trucks, music, and general festivities.

Tolono Fun Days (June 27–28): Lighted golf cart parade, family movie night, and more.

Georgetown Fair (July 5–12): Horse shows, queen pageant, rodeo, demo derby, and carnival.

Fisher Fair (July 6–12): Carnival, queen pageant, pedal pull, ax throwing, rodeo, demo derby, and food vendors like Kona Ice.

Historic Farm Days in Penfield (July 10–13): Tractor pull, blacksmith demos, corn crib activities, and vintage machinery displays.

Mattoon Bagelfest (July 16–19): Bagel-themed events including a parade, 5K run, carnival, and entertainment.

Philo Sesquicentennial (July 17–20): Tractor displays, 5K, talent show, helicopter exhibit, inflatables, and fireworks.

Sidney Fun Daze (July 25–26): Kiddie tractor pull, inflatables, parade, and live music.

RC FEST (Finale) (July 26–27): Remote-control events including crawling, boating competitions, and bash activities.

St. Joseph Community Festival (August 7–9): Fish fries, carnival, kids’ games, and community fun.

Champaign‑Urbana Days (August 8–9): Live music, food, marketplace, inflatables, face painting, and more.

Villa Grove Ag Days (August 8–9): Tractor displays and pulls, races, demo derby, corn-eating contest, 5K, live music, and vendor activities.

Mansfield Homecoming (August 15–17): Carnival, kids’ games, tractor pull, car/motorcycle show, free entertainment.

Le Roy Fall Festival (August 19–23): Food, carnival rides, games, nightly entertainment, and a “Special Person’s Day.”

Mahomet Music Festival (August 22–23): Free admission, live music, street vendors, carnival rides, parade, and cornhole tournament.

Hoopeston National Sweetcorn Festival (August 28–September 1): Carnival, demolition derby, grand parade, and free sweetcorn cooked on-site.

Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival (August 30–September 1): Parade, pony rides, inflatables, tractor pull, music, and face-painting.

Tuscola Fun Day (August 30) Downtown Tuscola will be the place to be on Saturday, August 30, as the city hosts its 2nd Annual Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The all-day event promises free family-friendly entertainment, live music, games, and much more.

With free entry, visitors can enjoy a packed schedule of activities including a golf cart parade, vendors, inflatables, face painting, live music, and kids crafts and contests. Other highlights include photo ops, shopping, and plenty of yummy food and drinks to go around.

The event will also feature balloons, games, and other surprises for kids and adults alike, making it a great way to celebrate the end of summer with the whole community.