This list is not all-inclusive
June 1
St. Charles/Batavia
Mid-American Canoe & Kayak Race
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Find a favorite spot along the Fox River to watch paddlers of all ages as they race from St. Charles and Batavia to Aurora. Join paddlers for a post race party at McCullough Park, 140 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora. foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
June 6-8
St. Charles
Pride of the Fox Riverfest
Times TBD
Enjoy some of the area’s best musicians, see the annual dragon boat racing and witness a 40-ton Fantasy Sand Sculpture. There will be water ski shows, a carnival, a petting zoo and food. Most events accessible from downtown St. Charles along Main Street. prideofthefox.com
June 7
Wheaton
Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals
7:30 a.m.
Lace up those running shoes and help raise funds for the development and renovation of exhibits at Cosley Zoo at this 5K/10K CARA registered run. There is a half-mile Zippity Zoo Children’s Run as well. Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton. Register at active.com; cosleyzoo.org
June 7-8
Bolingbrook
Cavalcade of Planes
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visit Bolingbrook’s Clow International Airport for the 15th annual festival of aircrafts. Enjoy a close look at historic planes and helicopters on the ground and enjoy the special demonstrations in the air. 130 S. Clow International Parkway. cavalcadeofplanes.com
June 7-8
Hinsdale
Fine Arts Festival
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Celebrate the annual art festival located in Burlington Park. View and shop for art, enjoy food and musical entertainment and children’s activities. Downtown Hinsdale. hinsdalechamber.com
June 11-15
Woodridge
Woodridge Jubilee
June 11 & 12, 6 to 10 p.m.; June 13, 6 to 10:30 p.m.; June 14, 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; June 15, noon- 5 p.m.
This family-friendly event includes a carnival, food and entertainment. Catch some fun at the fishing derby in the morning June 14 and later that night watch the fireworks. Located at the corner of Woodridge and Center drives. woodridgeparks.org
June 12-Aug. 14
Hinsdale
Uniquely Thursdays
6-9 p.m.
This weekly event features entertainment, food and family activities each Thursday through mid-August. Admission is free. Burlington Park, downtown Hinsdale. hinsdalechamber.com
June 14
Romeoville
Island Rendezvous
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This event brings history to life with re-enactors of the French and Indian War/Eastern Fur Trade era in the Great Lakes region. Admission is free. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 135th St., Romeoville. reconnectwithnature.org
June 15
Aurora
Illinois Paddle Sports Festival and Art in the Park
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Enjoy demonstrations and lessons. There will be a kids area, art show, art sale, live music, food and wine tasting. West end of Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, aurora-il.org
June 17-22
Geneva
Swedish Days Festival
Times TBD
Each day of this six-day celebration is filled with food, entertainment, special events and offers from Geneva merchants. The annual parade winds through downtown Geneva Sunday at 1 p.m. genevachamber.com/swedishdays.html
June 18
Wheaton
Wheaton Smooth Jazz Fest
3-10 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of jazz featuring top artists from the industry at this concert in the park. There will be food and wine available as well. Memorial Park. wheatonparkdistrict.com/gospeljazz
June 19-22
Downers Grove
Rotary Grove Fest
Times vary
Enjoy a carnival, entertainment and food at this annual event located in downtown Downers Grove. There will be a craft show Saturday and Sunday at Fischel Park, located off Grove Street and a car show on Sunday. rotarygrovefest.com
June 20-21
Itasca
Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Times TBD
Everyone will feel Scottish at this annual festival featuring entertainment, food, exhibits and contests. Hamilton Lakes, 1 Pierce Place, Itasca. chicagoscots.org
June 26-29
Homer Glen
Homer Community Fest and Independence Day Parade
Times TBD
Take part in the annual celebration with food, entertainment, fireworks and a parade. The festival grounds are located at the northeast corner of 151st Street and Creme Road. homerglenil.org
June 26-28
Lisle
CSO at the Morton Arboretum
7:30 p.m.
The Morton Arboretum will host a series of open-air concerts featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Visit the website for concert details and to purchase advance tickets. 4100 Route 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org
June 28-29
Bartlett
Bartlett Festival of the Arts
Shady Bartlett Park offers a cool spot to visit with artists at this juried art and craft show. Enjoy entertainment and food throughout the day. artsinbartlett.org
July 2-6
Lisle
Lisle Eyes to the Skies Festival
Times vary
Beautiful balloons are the highlight of this festival that includes a carnival, craft show, food, entertainment and fireworks. Weather permitting there will be balloon launches at 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. three of the festival’s days. Admission to the festival is $7 per person and children ages 7 and younger are admitted for free. Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. 630-541-6095 eyestotheskies.org
July 3-4
Warrenville
Independence Celebration
The Warrenville community begins its Independence Celebration with a parade. Visit Cerny Park July 4 as the celebration continues with a children’s parade, food, music and magicians. The day concludes with a fireworks show at dusk. warrenville.il.us
July 3-6
Naperville
Naperville Ribfest
There is family fun each of the days surrounding this festival and carnival typically held around the Fourth of July. There will be a variety of food vendors including some of the best barbecue chefs around. Tickets are $15 at the gate, $12 online. Children ages 11 and younger are admitted free. Knoch Knolls Park. ribfest.net
July 4
Downers Grove
July 4th Parade and Fireworks
12:45 p.m.
Spectators will line up along Main and Grant streets for the parade. Follow the last float for a post parade party. Enjoy the fireworks display, near 75th Street and Lemont Road in Downers Grove. Fireworks scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. events.downers.us/independence-day
July 4
Elgin
Fourth of July Parade
9 a.m.
Downtown Elgin will host the annual Fourth of July Parade featuring floats, music and much more. elginartscentral.com
July 4
South Elgin
4th of July Parade
10 a.m.
Join the community for this traditional parade featuring marching bands, floats, local organizations and businesses. southelgin.com
July 4
St. Charles
July 4 Celebration
All day
Enjoy a picnic, mini-golf and swimming during the day. There will be a special concert from 6-9:15 p.m. followed by a fireworks show at dusk. Pottawatomie Park. stcparks.org
July 9-13
Glendale Heights
Glendale Heights Fest
July 9-10, 6-11 p.m.; July 11, 6 p.m.-midnight; July 12, 3 p.m.-midnight; July 13, 3-11 p.m.
Take a ride at the carnival, check out the entertainment and food and enjoy fireworks displays at dusk. Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave. glendaleheights.org
July 10-14
Batavia
Windmill City Festival
Times vary
Visitors can participate in an ice cream eating contest, watch babies compete in a diaper derby or stroll the craft fair and flea market along the Riverwalk. Runners will lace up for a 5k to start the day while people and their pets will march in the popular pet parade. Admission is free. windmillcityfest.org
July 11-13
St. Charles
Firin’ Up the Fox BBQ Contest
July 11, noon-10 p.m.; July 12-13, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Taste some of the best barbecue around as grill masters compete for top prizes. There will be Kansas City Barbeque
Society sanctioned contests as well as amateur and kids contests. Charlestown Mall. firinupthefox.com
July 12
Glen Ellyn
Jazz in Glen Ellyn
Times TBD
Grab a chair and sit back for an evening of music in downtown Glen Ellyn. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. jazzinglenellyn.org
July 12-13
La Grange
La Grange Craft Fair
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
This fair features vendors selling original paintings, garden items, handmade clothing home décor and more. The fair runs along LaGrange Road, from Cossitt to Burlington avenues and west on Harris Street to Ashland Avenue. Admission is free. lgba.com
July 18-20
Plainfield
Plainfield Fest
Times vary
Find music, food, and family entertainment at this annual festival. Enjoy the carnival open each day. Visit the craft show and business expo along Lockport Street. This fest also boasts one of the largest bags tournaments. Downtown Plainfield. plainfieldfest.org
July 19
Naperville
Naperville Ale Fest
This festival invites visitors to sample their favorite brews. Enjoy food from local restaurants and catering companies as well as entertainment. Tickets are $45 for those 21 and over; $15 designated driver. Naper Settlement is closed for the festival. Naperville Settlement. napersettlement.museum
July 19
Wheaton
Rockin’ for the Troops Concert
noon-11 p.m.
This annual outdoor concert in conjunction with Operation Support Our Troops brings the crowds to enjoy great music and raise money. Tickets are $25 per person. Parking is $10. Cantigny Park. cantigny.org
July 23-27
Wheaton
DuPage County Fair
The traditions of a county fair come to life at this annual event. Check out the pie-eating contests, husband calling contests, talent show. There will be a horse show, a reptile show as well as agriculture and home economic exhibits. Find food and entertainment. DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road. dupagecountyfair.org
July 25
Lisle
Family Fun Fest
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Fun fair games and prizes, inflatable to bounce on, face painting, spin art and snacks. Community Park Band Shell. lisleparkdistrict.org
July 26-27
Geneva
Geneva Arts Fair
Times TBD
More than 150 artists from across the country will showcase their work at this juried outdoor art gallery. The show features several mediums and includes emerging artists. There will be hands-on activities for children, South Third Street Downtown Geneva. genevachamber.com
Aug. 1-3
North Aurora
North Aurora Days
Times TBD
This three-day event is packed full of activities from the car/truck/bike show to the fishing derby, Baggo Classic and much more. Locations throughout North Aurora vary by event. northauroradays.com
Aug. 1-3
Roselle
Taste of Roselle
Times TBD
This annual festival features food, entertainment and a craft show. Downtown Roselle. roselle.il.us.
Aug. 2
Wheaton
Wheaton Brew Fest
1-4:30 p.m.
Select samples from more than 100 different local and national craft brews. General admission tickets are $35. There will be food and entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online. Memorial Park. wheatonparkdistrict.com.
Aug. 2-3
Elgin
Art and Soul on the Fox
Aug. 2, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Aug. 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Artists will showcase work in several mediums at this juried art show. Downtown Elgin. cityofelgin.org
Aug. 3
Addison
Touch-a-Truck and Kids Toys and Outdoor Garage Sale
Times TBD
Get up close and even inside some big vehicles including a fire truck, a police car, tractor and a school bus. At the Kids Toys and Outdoor Garage Sale bargain hunters will find great deals and more. Centennial Park. addisonparks.org
Aug. 7-10
Wood Dale
Prairie Fest
Aug. 7, 1-10:30 p.m.; Aug. 8 & 9, 1-11 p.m.; Aug. 10, 1-10 p.m.
This event includes a carnival, food, a craft show and more. Join a game of bingo or enjoy fireworks. Town Square, Wood Dale Road and Commercial Street. wooddale.com
Aug. 7-11
Romeoville
RomeoFest
Times TBD
This annual festival features a carnival, music, contests, food, bingo and plenty of activities for all ages. Deer Crossing Park, 1050 Romeo Road. romeoville.org
Aug. 14-17
South Elgin
River Fest Express
Times TBD
This summer festival includes a carnival, entertainment and fireworks. Enjoy the craft show and small business expo or see classic and custom cars at the car show. Panton Mill Park. Riverfestexpress.net
August Dates/Times TBD
Wheaton
All-Night Flea Market
This overnight flea market features hundreds of flea market vendors, food stalls, and live entertainment. DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road. zurkopromotions.com
Aug. 22-23
Naperville
Naperville Wine Festival
Aug. 22, 4-10 p.m.; Aug. 23, 3-9 p.m.
Interactive seminars, cooking demonstrations and more will show you how to taste, judge and pair wine. CityGateCentre, 2020 Calamos Court. napervillewinefestival.com
Aug. 30-31
Oak Brook
Civil War Encampment
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Members of the 10th Illinois Regiment and their families will spend the weekend camping at the Graue Mill, recreating the time period. Take a peek into the past. grauemill.org
Aug. 29-Sept. 1
Naperville
Naperville Jaycees Last Fling
Times TBD
Celebrate the end of summer with this traditional event that includes a carnival, games, a business expo, children’s activities and entertainment. Watch the Labor Day Parade as it travels from Naperville North High School to Naperville Central High School Downtown Naperville. lastfling.org
