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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

House Morton
Dec 2 - Dec 9
$251 per night
House ∙ 18 guests ∙ 5 bedrooms
Vacation Home in Morton with Grill, Pool & Yard
4.0
Very good (137 ratings)
Morton, Tazewell County, Illinois
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House The Galena Territory
Nov 11 - Nov 18
-62%
$282
$107 per night
House ∙ 4 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Beautiful House in The Galena Territory with Outdoor Pool
4.9
Outstanding (35 ratings)
The Galena Territory, Guilford Township, Illinois
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House Ottawa
Dec 2 - Dec 9
$223 per night
House ∙ 10 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
Vacation Home in Ottawa with Pool + Waterfront Views
4.6
Excellent (38 ratings)
Ottawa, Dayton 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

House Washington Park
Jan 13 - Jan 20
-58%
$730
$306 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
House in Washington Park with Yard
Washington Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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House West Town
Mar 2 - Mar 9
$175 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
Nice House in West Town
4.5
Excellent (14 ratings)
West Town, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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Condo The Gap
Jan 6 - Jan 13
-24%
$124
$95 per night
Condo ∙ 5 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms
Condo in The Gap
3.6
Good (27 ratings)
The Gap, 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 Old Aristocracy Hill
Jan 5 - Jan 12
-56%
$299
$132 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
House in Old Aristocracy Hill with Yard
5.0
Outstanding (20 ratings)
Old Aristocracy Hill, Springfield, Illinois, United States
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House Springfield
Jun 29 - Jul 6
$107 per night
House ∙ 8 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
Vacation Home in Springfield with Grill & Yard
4.6
Excellent (171 ratings)
Springfield, Capital Township, Illinois, United States
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Condo Downtown
Jan 6 - Jan 13
-30%
$117
$82 per night
Condo ∙ 4 guests ∙ 2 bedrooms
Condo in Downtown
4.7
Excellent (6 ratings)
Downtown, 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 Makanda
Jan 20 - Jan 27
-89%
$583
$65 per night
Cabin ∙ 4 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Wonderful Cabin in Makanda with Yard & Grill
5.0
Outstanding (36 ratings)
Makanda, Jackson County, Illinois
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Cabin Ellsworth
Apr 6 - Apr 13
-15%
$90
$76 per night
Cabin ∙ 5 guests ∙ 1 bedroom
Cabin in Ellsworth with Grill & Yard
4.8
Outstanding (223 ratings)
Ellsworth, Dawson Township, Illinois
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House Kankakee
Jul 13 - Jul 20
-21%
$306
$242 per night
House ∙ 6 guests ∙ 3 bedrooms
House in Kankakee with Grill & Yard
4.9
Outstanding (34 ratings)
Kankakee, Limestone Township, Illinois
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Information about Must-See Events in Illinois

📏 Average home size 84 m²
😎 Least busy month September
🛏️ Popular home types House rental and Apartment rental
🌡️ Hottest months July and August
❄️ Coldest months January and February
🌧️ Rainiest months January and May

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of vacation rentals can I find for Must-See Events in Illinois?

You can choose from 2,436 House rental and 2,524 Apartment rental for Must-See Events in Illinois on HomeToGo.

Must-See Events in Illinois: How much does it cost to rent a vacation home in Illinois?

The average rate for a rental in Illinois is between $223 and $343 per night.

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

Apartment rental in Illinois typically fits 4 people.

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Average Nightly Rental Prices in Illinois

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Vacation Rental Price Information in Illinois

Vacation Rental Availability in Illinois

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Must-See Events in Illinois Inspiration

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