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Must-See Events in Illinois

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Events in Illinois: Top Destinations

These Events Are a Must-See in Illinois

Haul your friends into the Mississippi River, eat your weight in corn, or Dress as Superman for a day – Must-see events in Illinois are as eclectic as they are popular. From the world's oldest distance freshwater boat race to a cow created solely from butter, Illinois is a state packed with surprises.

Events in Illinois: Top Accommodations

Cabin Goreville
Feb 3 - Feb 10
$171 per night
Cabin ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
Cabin in Goreville with Yard & Grill
5.0
"Excellent" (202 ratings)
Goreville, Johnson County, Illinois
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Cabin Unionville
Jul 22 - Jul 29
$179 per night
Cabin ∙ 4 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms
Cabin in Unionville with Grill
5.0
"Excellent" (118 ratings)
Unionville, Jackson Precinct, Illinois
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House Des Plaines
Nov 11 - Nov 18
$203 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms
House in Des Plaines with Yard & Grill
4.9
"Excellent" (93 ratings)
Des Plaines, Maine Township, Illinois
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The Best Family-Friendly Events in Illinois

The Best Family-Friendly Events in Illinois

With live rodeo demonstrations and festivals attended by thousands of superheroes, Illinois's events for children make a lasting impression. Travel back in time or give yourself a milk mustache.

  • 1. Illinois State Fair

    More than 700,000 visitors can't be wrong. The strong agricultural heritage is palpable at the fair's purebred shows and competitions. Watch modern cowboys and cowgirls try their skills at a live rodeo. Car and motorcycle races fuel these pastoral proceedings. Cavort around the fairground, jig about at country music concerts, and keep your eyes peeled for roving entertainers and the famous butter cow – a cow carved entirely from butter.

  • 2. Superman Celebration

    June is also when America's favorite superhero takes over Metropolis, on the Kentucky border. Fans from around the world travel to this small Illinois town to celebrate the man of steel. Celebrity guests, comics, and competitions are just the beginning of a family festival that packs a punch.

  • 3. Harvard Milk Days

    Each June, Illinois's longest-running local festival pays homage to the dairy farmers that rule the state. Stretching back to 1942, this tradition once saw more than 500 gallons of milk consumed. Today, milkshakes, fireworks, parades, and bed races feature at this uniquely entertaining, family-friendly event.

  • 4. Fort Massac Grand Encampment

    Fort Massac State Park was founded by a party of French scouts who explored the area in 1757. Looking out on the gushing Ohio River, the fort marks the southern edge of Illinois. History comes rushing to life at the state park every October, when cannonfire echoes once again and traditional crafts and foods recreate the frontier past of the state. Actors in period costume show you and your family what life was like at the encampment in the 1700s and 1800s. Kids will be wowed by the annual reenactment of the Battle of Drouillard Creek.

Best Places to Stay for Events in Illinois

Apartment Roscoe Village
Sep 9 - Sep 16
$182 per night
Apartment ∙ 4 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms
Family Friendly Rental Apartment in Roscoe Village with Grill & Yard
5.0
"Excellent" (152 ratings)
Roscoe Village, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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Aparthotel Near North
Mar 9 - Mar 16
-35%
$429
$279 per night
Aparthotel ∙ 4 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Aparthotel in Near North with Grill & Pool, Close to John Hancock Center
5.0
"Excellent" (185 ratings)
Near North, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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House Hollywood Park
Dec 16 - Dec 23
$262 per night
House ∙ 5 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms
Entire House in Hollywood Park with Free Parking
5.0
"Excellent" (10 ratings)
Hollywood Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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The Best Outdoor Events in Illinois

The Best Outdoor Events in Illinois

Get out into the stunning scenery that makes Illinois so special at these unique events. From feasting on free sweetcorn to hauling your friends into the river, Illinois' outdoor events are different from anything you've experienced before.

  • 1. Mendota Sweet Corn Festival

    What could be sweeter than a festival devoted to delicious, butter-lashed sweetcorn? Some 50 tons of juicy, ripe corn is consumed at this 70-year farming festival. For this free event, Del Monte Foods donates the corn, which cooked in a historic steam engine constructed at LaSalle's processing plant back in the forties.

  • 2. Great River Tug Fest

    Come August, get thee to the Mississippi River, where you can take part in the biggest tug-of-war you've ever seen. Nearly 3,000 meters of rope is hauled between Port Byron and Le Claire, halting boat passages for the duration of the event. The late summer happening dates back to 1987 and is still going strong.

  • 3. Chicago Yachting Club Race to Mackinac

    For more than a century, sailboats have set off on a sprint from Chicago across oceanic Lake Michigan to Mackinac Island. Watch the spectacle as more than 3,000 sailors fill their sails and set off on their 333-mile journey. The event is the oldest freshwater race in the world and draws sailors from near and far. Bystanders can expect plenty of sailing yarns told over warming beverages on the mainland.

Recommended Accommodations for Events in Illinois

House Springfield
Jul 8 - Jul 15
$98 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
Vacation Home in Springfield with Grill & Yard
4.7
"Outstanding" (132 ratings)
Springfield, Capital Township, Illinois, United States
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Condo Downtown
Mar 24 - Mar 31
-36%
$117
$75 per night
Condo ∙ 4 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms
Condo in Downtown
Downtown, Springfield, Illinois, United States
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House Historic West-Side
Jul 1 - Jul 8
$200 per night
House ∙ 12 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms
House in Historic West-Side with Yard
5.0
"Excellent" (31 ratings)
Historic West-Side, Springfield, Illinois, United States
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The Best Music Events in Illinois

The Best Music Events in Illinois

Take the state's pulse at Illinois' biggest and best-known music festivals. From family-friendly Lollapalooza to the world's biggest dance music acts, these Illinois music festivals are unforgettable.

  • 1. Lollapalooza

    Nothing says "summer in Illinois" like Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago. For more than 20 years, this festival has drawn the world's top musical acts in alternative rock, metal, hip-hop, and electro. You'll also see comedy, dance acts, craft booths, and art installations, which make for perfect between-set Instagram fodder at this international event.

  • 2. Summer Camp Festival

    Each Memorial Day, Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe welcomes some 20,000 music fans. Over the course of four days, attendees can hear an eclectic mix of musical acts. Previous headliners have included Willie Nelson, The Flaming Lips, Tom Petty, and Skrillex. Growing every year, Summer Camp understandably enjoys a loyal following of fans.

  • 3. Spring Awakening

    Fans of electronic and dance music flood into Chicago every June to boogie all weekend long. Previous performers have included Tiesto, Diplo, and Calvin Harris, to name just a few. Expect the biggest acts in the genre, glorious sunshine and a suitably electric atmosphere.

Top Offers for Events in Illinois

Cabin Waterloo
Jun 24 - Jul 1
$79 per night
Cabin ∙ 3 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Cabin in Waterloo with Grill & Yard
5.0
"Excellent" (117 ratings)
Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois
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Mobile home Creal Springs
Jul 15 - Jul 22
$167 per night
Mobile home ∙ 6 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms
Mobile Home in Creal Springs with Grill
4.9
"Excellent" (162 ratings)
Creal Springs, Williamson County, Illinois
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House Goreville
May 3 - May 10
$241 per night
House ∙ 10 guests ∙ 4 bedrooms
Vacation Home in Goreville with Yard & Grill + Lake Views
5.0
"Excellent" (76 ratings)
Goreville, Johnson County, Illinois
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Frequently Asked Questions

Must-See Events in Illinois: What is the vacation rental cost in Illinois?

You can get a great vacation rental from $220 and get discounts up to 38%!

Can I find a vacation home for a group for Must-See Events in Illinois?

House rental in Illinois typically fits 8 people.

What types of vacation homes are available for Must-See Events in Illinois?

You can browse 3,535 House rental and 2,995 Apartment rental for Must-See Events in Illinois on HomeToGo.

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Average Nightly Rental Prices in Illinois

Vacation Rental Price Information in Illinois

Vacation Rental Availability in Illinois

Rental Availability Information in Illinois

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