Whether you’re looking for live music, a festival, marathon, or something family-friendly to bring the kids to, Downstate Illinois has something for everyone! Each week we highlight a few fun events within southwest, south central and southeast Illinois.  Our region hosts over 900 events each year, and we pride ourselves on providing the most accurate event information so that you don’t miss a thing. For even more events, be sure to visit the Downstate Illinois Calendar of Events page here!

 

Monday

Monroe County Fair

Monroe County Fairgrounds, Waterloo, IL

Monday, July 25, 2022 - Sunday, July 31, 2022 @ 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Visit the Monroe County Fair for tons of summer fun this year! Ride carnival rides, play games, and eat and drink delicious food from local organizations!

 

Tuesday

Madison County Fair

Madison County Fairgrounds, Highland, IL

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 – Sunday, July 31, 2022 @ 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Each year, exciting events at the Madison County Fair draw over 216,000 exhibitors, vendors and visitors from all over the Metro East! There's truly something for everyone at the Madison County Fair! Stop by with your friends and family to enjoy a fun-filled day. View the official fair website for a full schedule of events.

 

Wednesday

Annual Healing Novena

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 – Thursday, August 4, 2022 @ 7:30 p.m.

A wonderful annual Healing Novena at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, all are welcome!

 

Friday

Farm Heritage Days

American Farm Heritage Museum, Greenville, IL

Friday, July 29, 2022 – Sunday, July 31, 2022 @ 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

This living history event near Greenville, IL is a crowd-pleaser for young and old alike! There will be music, tractor pulls, flea market vendors, threshing, bailing, sawmill demonstrations, rock crushing, kiddie pedal pulls, tractors and gas engines displays, steam engines, 1-mile train rides, a Sunday car show cruise and so much more! Come enjoy the entire weekend with us! Only $7 per person each day or $10 for a weekend armband. Kids under 12 are free. International is the featured tractor, engine, and vehicle for 2019 but all makes/models are always welcome. Sponsored in part by City of Greenville Tourism.

AIM Grand National Youth Trapshooting Championships

World Shooting & Recreational Complex, Sparta, IL

Friday, July 29, 2022 – Tuesday, August 2, 2022 @ 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information on this event, please visit the website or Facebook page.

 

Saturday

Joe Zolper’s Builders Brawl

World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, IL

Saturday, July 30, 2022 @ 9 a.m.

Joe Zolper has put together this Builder’s Brawl 2022, a race for the regular guy.  The guy who is in his garage on Friday night putting his car together so he can compete at the track on Saturday. The guy who starts with nothing but a pile of tubes on the floor of his shop and builds a race car from it. At the Builder’s Brawl 2022, if you built it you drive it. There will be several classes in this no prep event.

Uncorked Festival

Red Hills State Park, Sumner, IL

Saturday, July 30, 2022 @ 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Uncorked Festival, held at Red Hills State Park, includes wine vendors, LIVE music throughout the day, food trucks and handmade crafts. Visit Lawrence County's Uncorked Festival with family and friends this year!

A Wizard’s Birthday

Downtown District, O’Fallon, IL

Saturday, July 30, 2022 @ 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Come join the businesses of the Downtown District as we celebrate our favorite wizard’s birthday in an immersive, fun experience! During this event, you will be able to shop from our exclusive vendors within Diagon Alley, and stop at the restaurants and shops for some fun themed treats (chocolate frogs anyone!?!). Once you’ve completed your syllabus, you can come check out the Ministry of Magic where the trivia will be held. Now the important question, what house are YOU going to be in, as we CELEBRATE at (our very own downtown) Hogwarts?

Elvis Tribute with Bill Cherry

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Belleville, IL

Saturday, July 30, 2022 @ 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Enjoy the impressive sounds of Elvis from one of the top Elvis tribute artists around, Bill Cherry!

3rd Annual Jeepin’ for the Paws

Ambraw River Eagles, Newton, IL

Saturday, July 30, 2022 @ Noon – 3 p.m.

For more information on this fundraising event, please visit the Facebook page.

 

 

*To submit an event to be published on the Downstate Illinois website, click here!