Inaugural Algonquin Fest offers live music, family fun and fireworks

Posted July 21, 2026 5:23 pm

Submitted by Lana Simon

With just a few days to go, excitement is building for Algonquin Fest, a new signature event celebrating the heart, heritage and vibrant spirit of the Algonquin community.

Taking place July 24-26, the three-day festival will feature live entertainment, family-friendly activities, great food and plenty of hometown fun.

Algonquin Fest brings together everything that makes the village special, offering a lively mix of live music, arts and crafts vendors, and a wide variety of local food vendors, crafters, and community organizations.

Be sure to check out these top Midwest tribute bands. Headliners include Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute, Maggie Speaks, and 7th Heaven.

Families will enjoy the carnival, which features a dedicated kids’ area with activities designed for all ages. Carnival wristbands are $35 for Friday and Saturday or $30 on Sunday; cash pricing, valid all day and credit card purchases are available for an additional fee at the event.

Festival hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday at Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Drive. Admission is free.

The music stage will open on Friday with Hello Weekend at 5:30 p.m. followed by Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute at 8 p.m.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., the four-piece band Kreative Minds will offer a creative acoustic journey into songs of yesteryear. Second Hand Soul Band will be bringing the Motown, funk and soul sound at 2:30 p.m.

Fletcher Rockwell, a Chicago-based Americana folk/rock group with a blue-collar charm, will entertain festivalgoers at 4:30 p.m.

The modern rock band Maggie Speaks will be the opening act at 6 p.m., followed by Mike & Joe playing a mix of rock hits from the 1990s through today at 8 p.m. The spectacular fireworks show will light up the sky at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, July 25, Mike & Joe, a four-piece modern rock cover band, mixes in tunes from the 1970s and '80s into their setlist of popular rock from the 1990s to today. Courtesy of Mike & Joe

On Sunday at 1 p.m., Focal Point Band will open the stage with classic rock hits and dance covers from the 1970s to today. Journey 2 Jovi will be re-creating the Bon Jovi and Journey experience at 3 p.m.

The three-day festival will close out with festival favorite 7th Heaven at 5 p.m.

Food vendors include: Barone’s Pizza, Blackhawk BBQ, Brothers BBQ Food Truck, Frank’s Greek Delights, Frozen Dreamz, Knights (fest food), Slice Factory and Zhel’s Kitchen & Catering (Filipino cuisine).

Free parking is available at several nearby lots: District 300 administration building, 2550 Harnish Drive; Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive; and Target, 720 S. Randall Road. Parking on streets near the festival may be limited to one side of the roadway. Visitors should follow all posted temporary parking signage.

A complimentary shuttle will operate Saturday only from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. between the Target parking lot at 720 S. Randall Road and the festival grounds. Visitors attending the Saturday evening fireworks are encouraged to park in that public lot and use the shuttle.

For information, including a parking map, visit chicagoevents.com/event/algonquin-fest/ or algonquin.org.