Find a calendar of May events in Illinois, including strawberry festivals, art fairs, yard sales and more.
Dutch Days Festival
May 3-4, 2024, Fulton
Fulton hosts its 49th annual Dutch Days Festival this May with two days of family-friendly events and activities. This celebration of Fulton’s Dutch heritage includes live music, traditional Dutch dancing, films, windmill tours, wooden shoe-making demonstrations, a 5K race, children’s games, and arts and crafts vendors. Come hungry and enjoy plenty of delicious food options, from authentic Dutch fare to pizza, pretzels, lemonade and more. For more information and a full schedule of events and activities, visit facebook.com/FultonDutchDays.
Lilac Time
May 3-19, 2024, Lombard
Famous for its beautiful blooming lilacs in the springtime, the town of Lombard celebrates the flowering shrub each year with the two-week Lilac Time festival. Taking place in the 8.5-acre Lilacia Park, home to 700 lilacs and 25,000 tulips, the event includes everything from plant sales and heritage tours to concerts, wine tastings, an arts and crafts fair, and a parade. Other special events include the coronation of the 2024 Lilac Queen, the Mutt Strut 5K and 1-mile races, and the elegant Lilac Ball. For more information and a full schedule of Lilac Time events and activities, visit lombardlilactime.com or call (630) 620-7322.
Art in Wilder Park
May 4-5, 2024, Elmhurst
The annual Art in Wilder Park art show features more than 100 independent artists and makers from across the Midwest. Visit the marketplace to browse the artist booths while enjoying live music, food from local vendors and children’s art activities. The event takes place rain or shine at 175 S. Prospect Ave. in Elmhurst from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Find more information and a list of this year’s attending artists at rglmarketingforthearts.com/art-in-wilder-park.php.
Shawnee Hills Pottery Trail
May 4-5, 2024, Alto Pass
The annual Shawnee Hills Pottery Trail event offers studio tours, special activities and demonstrations at seven locations in southern Illinois. Pick up a passport and stamp it at each location for a chance to win free pottery. Potters will be available to share their art and answer questions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Bring the family to this year’s Shawnee Hills Pottery Trail and learn more about the unique artists who make southern Illinois their home. Signs will be visible marking each location.
For more information or to print your own passport, visit potterstrail.wixsite.com/pottery-trail.
20th Annual Village-Wide Yard Sale
May 4, 2024, Millstadt
Hunting for a good deal on baby clothes, sports equipment, furniture, plants or antiques? Don’t miss this mother of all yard sales sponsored by the Millstadt Historical Society. Look for yellow markers in yards designating participating residents and businesses, or download a map of vendors online. Visit the Millstadt Community Center for free coffee, homemade baked goods, and other breakfast and lunch foods available for purchase to benefit the historical society. Go to millstadthistoricalsociety.org or call (618) 531-5648 to learn more.
Spring at the Dickson-Murst Farm
May 5, 2024, Montgomery
Celebrate spring with a visit to the farm! The Dickson-Murst Farm in Montgomery will host a Spring at the Farm event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Owned by the Conservation Foundation, the farm will host family-friendly activities that include hayrides, farm demonstrations, farm animals and food at The Country Kitchen. Members of local 4-H clubs will be on hand to assist with activities for the children. Visitors can also purchase plants from a local FFA chapter.
The free event will go on rain or shine. Find more information at theconservationfoundation.org, or call (630) 816-0604 or (630) 272-0686.
Dogwood Parade
2024 dates TBD, Quincy
The Dogwood Parade starts at 24th and Maine and ends in downtown Quincy in The District. More than 100 floats will glide down the streets of Quincy. For more information, visit seequincy.com.
Millstadt Village-Wide Yard Sale
May 4, 2024, Millstadt
Hunting for a good deal on baby clothes, sports equipment, furniture, plants or antiques? Don’t miss this mother of all yard sales, sponsored by the Millstadt Historical Society. Look for yellow markers in yards designating participating residents and businesses or download a map of vendors online. Visit the Millstadt Community Center for free coffee, as well as homemade baked goods and other breakfast/lunch foods available for purchase, benefiting the historical society. To learn more, call (618) 531-5648 or visit millstadthistoricalsociety.org.
Old King Coal Festival
May 9-12, 2024 West Frankfort
Since 1941, the town of West Frankfort has been celebrating the coal mining industry with the Old King Coal Festival each May. The annual tradition includes a downtown festival with rides, food vendors, games and free nightly entertainment, as well as a parade and the crowning of Old King Coal, Princess Flame and her court. The festival also hosts a coal miners’ memorial service honoring all the miners who have sacrificed personal safety on the job, including the more than 100 who lost their lives in the tragic New Orient Coal Mine Disaster that occurred in West Frankfort in December 1951.
For more information about the festival’s history or a full lineup of events and activities, visit oldkingcoalfestival.com or call (618) 923-0797.
Old Capitol Art Fair
May 18-19, 2024, Springfield
Set outside the Illinois Old State Capitol building, the two-day Old Capitol Art Fair has been welcoming talented artists from across the country for more than 60 years. The 2023 event, slated for May 18-19, takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors to this popular juried art show and sale can browse dozens of booths showcasing everything from jewelry, pottery and glassware to sculptures, metalwork, paintings and more. There will also be entertainment, food vendors, a student art contest, and a children’s tent where kids can browse and purchase art for prices ranging from $4 to $6.
Learn more about the fair at springfieldoldcapitolartfair.org.
Wright Plus Housewalk
May 18, 2024, Oak Park
See the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and other talented architects during this tour of private homes and buildings that are not always open to the public. The event celebrates the vision and talent of Wright and his contemporaries, with proceeds supporting programs maintained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. The Trust conducts ongoing historic preservation and operates public tours, programs and events at major Wright sites in five Chicago-area locations.
For more information about this tour and other opportunities to see the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, visit flwright.org or call (312) 994-4000.
Historic Downtown Long Grove Chocolate Fest
May 17, 2024, Long Grove
Chocolate connoisseurs rejoice! The Historic Downtown Long Grove Chocolate Festival returns in mid-May.
The annual event combines a love of the town’s old-world charms with amazing chocolate in one signature festival. Vendors line up along the cobblestone streets with delectable goodies and chocolates for purchase. With live music, a scavenger hunt for kids and an assortment of activities, like painting with chocolate and chocolate pudding pictionary, you’ll find something for everyone.
The festival costs $5 in daily admission for attendees over 12, or you can purchase a three-day pass for just $10. Guests can park for free in public lots and ride a shuttle bus service to the event.
For more information, including festival times and a complete lineup, visit longgrove.org.
Rhubarb Festival
May 19, 2024, Kankakee
Get a chance to taste rhubarb in a variety of ways at the annual Rhubarb Festival hosted by the Kankakee County Museum.
The free festival will begin at 10 a.m. and last until 4 p.m., inviting guests to learn about the so-called pie plant, purchase rhubarb pies and preserves from vendors, and participate in baking contests. The festival will also feature tours of the memorial home of Dr. A.L. Small and Lennington Small, governor of Illinois from 1921 to 1929, and period classroom teachings at the Taylor School House.
Visit kankakeecountymuseum.com to learn more about the Rhubarb Festival, or call (815) 932-5279.
St. Jacob UCC Strawberry Festival
May 19, 2024, St. Jacob
Who doesn’t love strawberries? The Strawberry Festival, hosted by St. Jacob United Church of Christ, celebrates the delicious fruit by bringing members of the community together in this annual spring festival. Enjoy delicious food, such as hot dogs, burgers, brats and, of course, sweet strawberry desserts. There will also be plenty of fun activities and entertainment, including music, crafters and kid-friendly attractions. Cyclists won’t want to miss out on the famous Berry Bike Ride that also takes place in conjunction with the festival. To learn more, visit stjacobucc.org/strawberry.
