Prairie Fest brings music, wrestling and fireworks to Wood Dale

Posted June 14, 2026 11:42 pm

Submitted by Wood Dale Prairie Fest

Round up the family for a weekend of fun at Wood Dale’s annual Prairie Fest on June 18-21. With live music, children’s entertainment, food, drinks and a carnival, there’s something for every member of the family. There will be fireworks on Saturday night and a wrestling match on Sunday.

Festival hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, 12:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday at Community Park, 655 N. Wood Dale Road. Admission and free are parking. There are two gates: at Mittel and Wood Dale roads and at Sivert Drive, near the tennis courts of the park next to Wood Dale Junior High, 655 N. Wood Dale Road.

Resident Appreciation Night

Prairie Fest kicks off Thursday with Resident Appreciation Night. Every Wood Dale resident gets a free $7 food voucher; valid at any festival food truck or food booth on the grounds. The vouches must be used that night. One per person; must show proof of residency. Children must be with their parents to receive the voucher.

Main stage

The festival kicks off on Thursday with a tribute to Billy Joel as Simply Billy opens up the main stage from 6 to 7:15 p.m., performing songs like “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl” and “New York State of Mind.”

Sing your heart out to all your favorite classic and modern country hits during “Country Night” featuring Icons of Country Music Tribute Shows from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday. Whether you are a seasoned pro or have two left feet, come hit the dance floor and learn some line dancing moves with the community at 8 p.m.

Friday night at Prairie Fest is officially rock night, and they are kicking things off with a tribute to the decade of grunge, flannel, and alternative anthems with Alt 101 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Rock out to all your favorite 1990s alternative hits from bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Green Day, and Smashing Pumpkins.

The 1980s hair rock tribute, Hairbanger's Ball will bring soaring guitar solos and hits from bands like Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Rick Lindy & The Wild Ones will open the third day of the festival with classic rock & roll from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Journey through the greatest eras of rock 'n' roll with Generation performing music from 1960s to ’80s from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Heart to HeartBreaker captures the sights and sounds of Heart and Pat Benatar, the women who changed the rock & roll status quo, from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m.

Headliner Radio Gaga will perform the hits of Queen and Lady Gaga in a Vegas-style production show from 9:30 to 11 p.m.

On Sunday, Heartache Tonight will bring the timeless, harmony-rich catalog of The Eagles to life from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. American English will take you on a musical journey, from the Beatles’ mop-top days through the psychedelic era of Sgt. Pepper, right up to the spectacular rock of Abbey Road from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks

On Saturday, bring your lawn chairs to witness the fireworks display that will light up the summer sky at 9:15 p.m.

Wrestling event

Wrestlers with ZOWA Live, a pro wrestling company based in Rock Falls, Illinois, are returning to Prairie Fest with their intense rivalries and high-flying, hard-hitting action. Secure a spot ringside for this family-friendly showdown and find out who will walk out of the ring victorious from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

It will feature the first Empress Championship match of the summer featuring Bombshelly, Davina Thorne and Tori Fox. For the fight card, go to facebook.com/zowalive/.

Wood Dale’s Prairie Fest returns to Community Park on June 18-21 with four days of live music and carnival rides, as well as fireworks on Saturday and a wrestling show on Sunday. Courtesy of Karly Tearney Photography

Fun for little fest-goers

Bring the kids to Prairie Fest where they can enjoy free family entertainment in the entertainment areas throughout the weekend. Watch ordinary bubbles turn into mind-blowing creations with “Bubble Art.”

Get up close and personal with some scales and tails at the Reptile Show, an educational, hands-on experience. The kids also can enjoy face painting and balloon artists.

Carnival

Get unlimited ride wristbands with Fantasy Amusements for $25 per day through midnight Wednesday, June 17.

Unlimited wristband costs $30 for Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.; $35 for Friday from 6 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m.; or $40 for Saturday, June 20, from 1 to 11 p.m. Purchase tickets via wooddale.com.

Shuttle bus and free parking

Heading to Prairie Fest? Free parking is available at 300 Bauman Court, with a shuttle bus running regularly to and from the festival grounds. The shuttle runs approximately every 10 minutes from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

The city also received permission from several local businesses to use their lots, with over 500 spaces available in the industrial park (165 Mittel Drive, 610 Pond Drive, 180 Hansen Court #100, 989 AEC Drive, and 650 N. Wood Dale Road (except Thursday). Accessible parking is located near the tennis courts off Wood Dale Road and Sivert Drive. There is a designated Ride Share drop-off location at Wood Dale Road and Sivert rive.

Visit wooddale.com.