Festivals and Fairs
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New Villa Fest brings big rigs, live music and family fun to Villa ParkAug 19, 2026 12:12 pm - Villa Park is launching Villa Fest, a reimagined version of their former Summer Festival, featuring local food vendors, kids' activities like Big Rigs & Kids display, bingo, a dunk tank with local officials, and a competitive bags tournament with cash prizes.
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Best bets: Rosemont History Museum debuts, The MAC celebrates 40 yearsAug 18, 2026 11:39 am - This week: Rosemont debuts its $3 million Donald E. Stephens Rosemont History Museum; DuPage County’s bustling McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage celebrates its 40th anniversary and several Chicago museums introduce new exhibitions.
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Geneva’s annual Concours d’Elegance returns Aug. 23 with 200 vintage carsAug 17, 2026 10:58 am - Concours d'Elegance returns Sunday, Aug. 23, featuring over 200 rare and award-winning vintage automobiles along Third Street in downtown Geneva. The 2026 showcase includes Phaeton body style vehicles, Whizzer motorbikes, and Audi marques.
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Just 16 years old, teen organizes Ragtime Festival at Fox River Trolley Museum
Aug 17, 2026 9:05 am - Musicians from around the country will be playing songs from more than 100 years ago at the Fox River Trolley Museum’s inaugural Ragtime Festival Aug. 22-23 thanks to the efforts of a 16-year-old who’s passionate about both trains and ragtime.
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Buzzworthy celebration of honey in SchaumburgAug 16, 2026 3:00 pm - Bees were all the buzz Sunday as the Schaumburg Park District’s Heritage Farm hosted Honey Fest.
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SummerFest to take over downtown Grayslake SaturdayAug 14, 2026 5:50 am - Enjoy music, food trucks, games and more in Historic Downtown Grayslake Village Center with Grayslake SummerFest on Saturday, Aug. 15.
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Finger lickin’ fun: Little Bear Ribfest is back in Vernon Hills with music, BBQ, funAug 13, 2026 5:46 am - Music, barbecue and fun return to Vernon Hills when the 15th annual Little Bear Ribfest gets cooking Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15, in the Century Park Arboretum.
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How to join Palatine’s 19th annual Scarecrows on ParadeAug 12, 2026 11:40 am - The Palatine Beautification Commission is hosting the 19th annual Scarecrows on Parade contest as part of the Rotary Club of Palatine's Oktoberfest, set for Sept. 18-20 in the village’s downtown.
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Things to do Aug. 14-20: Little Bear Ribfest, Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days and moreAug 11, 2026 7:27 pm - Mark your calendar for Fan Expo Chicago, Little Bear Ribfest, Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days and more.
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Best Bets: ‘Lord of the Rings’ reunion in Rosemont for Fan Expo ChicagoAug 11, 2026 2:16 pm - This week in the suburbs: dozens of celebrities converge in Rosemont for the annual Fan Expo Chicago; seminal post-punk band The Violent Femmes play Waukegan’s Genesee Theatre and St. Charles hosts its annual plein air art fair.