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Find a calendar of May events in Illinois, including strawberry festivals, art fairs, yard sales and more.

Children dancing at Dutch Days
Photo credit: Dutch Days

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.


Lilacs in bloom
Photo credit: Allie Corcoran

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.


Pottery Festival
Photo by Jeff Adkins

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.


events
Photo courtesy of Dickson-Murst Farm

Spring at the Dickson-Murst Farm

2024 dates TBD, Montgomery

Celebrate spring with a visit to the farm! The Dickson-Murst Farm in Montgomery will host a Spring at the Farm event from 9 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 Festival
Photo by Journal Communications

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.

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