Looking for summer fun? Check out these 16 outdoor festivals in the Peoria area

Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star
·6 min read
A pair of fairgoers belly up to a food vendor in a steady drizzle Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at the HOI Fair.
A pair of fairgoers belly up to a food vendor in a steady drizzle Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at the HOI Fair.

The summer festival season is about to begin. Mark your calendar for the following events, which range from art and music festivals to culture, food and more.

1. Solshine Reverie Music Festival

Solshine Reverie will take over where Summer Camp Music Festival left off at Three Sisters Park in Chilicothe, Ill.
Solshine Reverie will take over where Summer Camp Music Festival left off at Three Sisters Park in Chilicothe, Ill.

Summer Camp will present the Solshine Reverie music festival May 24-26 at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe. The weekend event will include a variety of performances across multiple stages, expansive campgrounds, late-night shows, live art and more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.solshinereverie.com.

2. Music, Wine and Craft Beer Festival

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard's Music, Wine and Craft Beer Festival will be held May 25-26, at the vineyard, 33633 Illinois Route 9, Mackinaw. This year's festival will feature over 50 wines and 60-plus craft beers for tasting and purchase from around the world. There will also be music throughout both days by local artists and bands. Admission is $15 per person and includes the concerts, a souvenir tasting glass and five tasting tickets for ages 21 and over; $5 for ages 13-20; and free for ages 12 and under.

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3. Elmwood Strawberry Festival

The annual Strawberry Festival will be held Saturday, June 1, in downtown Elmwood. Central Park at the corner of Main and Magnolia will be filled with crafters and vendors, as well as food, including lots of strawberry desserts, and local entertainers. This year's theme will be "Jurassic Park" For a full schedule of events, visit https://www.facebook.com/elmwoodstrawberryfest. Admission is free.

4. Peoria Park District's Park-A-Palooza

The so-called "World's Biggest Bounce House" was part of the Peoria Park District's Park-a-Palooza event in 2023. (Credit: Courtesy Peoria Park District)
The so-called "World's Biggest Bounce House" was part of the Peoria Park District's Park-a-Palooza event in 2023. (Credit: Courtesy Peoria Park District)

The Peoria Park District's Park-A-Palooza will take place June 6-8 on the Peoria riverfront. The event will include an adventure zone with a mobile ninja course and bounce houses, a drone light show and concerts featuring grammy-nominated artists Joe Nichols and Everclear. For a full schedule of events, visit www.peoriaparks.org/pap.

5. Tremont Turkey Festival

The Miss Tremont team sprints up James Street as they compete in the annual Tremont Turkey Festival bed races Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Tremont.
The Miss Tremont team sprints up James Street as they compete in the annual Tremont Turkey Festival bed races Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Tremont.

The annual Tremont Turkey Festival will take place June 7-9 in downtown Tremont. Activities will include a carnival, country store, car show, parade, live entertainment and a variety of turkey dishes. For a full schedule of events, visit turkeyfestival.com.

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6. Peoria 2024 Juneteenth Festival

Peoria's 2024 Juneteenth Festival will be held June 15 at John H. Gwynn Jr. Park, 809 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. The event will feature a tribute to hip-hop show, horseback riding, an opportunity to meet your elected officials, car show, health and wellness fair, a basketball alumni game, free youth haircuts, community awards, a live DJ, dance performances, community resource and local business vendors and more. Admission is free.

7. Heart of Illinois Fair

A competitor in the mini-rod roars down the arena floor during the Truck and Tractor Pulls on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at the HOI Fair.
A competitor in the mini-rod roars down the arena floor during the Truck and Tractor Pulls on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at the HOI Fair.

The HOI Fair will be July 16-20 at Exposition Gardens. The fair will features a carnival, various agricultural events, a demolition derby, a high-flying trapeze show and more. For tickets and a full schedule of events, visit www.heartofillinoisfair.com.

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8. River City Pride Fest

River City Pride Fest 2024, presented by Peoria Proud, will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Riverfront Park in Downtown Peoria. Admission is free and the event will include activities for the whole family. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.peoriaproud.org.

9. Fiesta en el Rio

Fiesta en el Rio, a music festival that celebrates Hispanic and Latino culture, will be held July 27, at CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria riverfront. The event will include authentic Latin American food and drink, a children’s area, entertaining and upbeat bands, salsa dancing lessons and much more. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door, free for children 12 and younger. For tickets and more information, visit https://peoriaparks.org/events/festivals/fiesta-en-el-rio/.

10. River City Soul Fest

In this 2018 file photo, the suns sets as the Chicago R&B Kings perform on the stage at the River City Soul Fest on the Peoria riverfront.
In this 2018 file photo, the suns sets as the Chicago R&B Kings perform on the stage at the River City Soul Fest on the Peoria riverfront.

The Peoria Park District's River City Soul Fest and Gospel Fest will celebrate its 25th year August 2-3 at RiverFront Festival Park, 200 NE Water St. The event feature a lineup of both acclaimed and local artists performing a variety of R&B, soul and gospel music. More information will be announced soon at www.soulfestpeoria.com.

11. Italian Society Festa

The Italian American Society's 93rd Festa Picnic will be held August 11 at Hickory Grove Park, 12403 N. Hickory Grove Road, Dunlap. The picnic will include authentic Italian food and desserts, Italian and domestic beer and wines, Italian t-shirts and gift items, live music by Vince Amore and Jack Miuccio, children's activities, local artisans, a bocce tournament and more. For more information, visit www.italianamericansociety.com.

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12. India Fest

The Peoria Park District and the Indo-American Society will present India Fest on August 17 at the CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria riverfront. Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine served by local Indian restaurants. The event will also include Bollywood-style entertainment, arts and crafts, rangoli, yoga demonstrations, Bollywood dance lessons and much more. For more information, visit peoriaparks.org/events/festivals/india-fest.

13. Peoria Irish Fest

Mairi Rankin and Fiona Black laugh as the Celtic band Outside Track plays during Peoria Irish Fest on the Peoria Riverfront.
Mairi Rankin and Fiona Black laugh as the Celtic band Outside Track plays during Peoria Irish Fest on the Peoria Riverfront.

The annual Peoria Irish Fest will be August 23-25 on the Peoria Riverfront. Get ready to enjoy Celtic culture galore through music, dancing, Highland Games, exhibits, interactive sessions, culture, music, food, storytelling, dance and more. For more information, visit peoriairishfest.com.

14. Blues & Heritage Music Festival

The 34th annual Peoria Blues & Heritage Music Festival will be held August 30-31 at Peoria Riverfront Festival Park. This end-of-summer event will include a world-class lineup of artists from blues, roots, funk, soul and everything in between. For a full schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, visit www.PBHFest.com.

15. Oktoberfest in Peoria

Henry Augspurger, 5, of Groveland holds on tight to a flag he is bearing in the parade of flags to kick off the annual Oktoberfest on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Peoria.
Henry Augspurger, 5, of Groveland holds on tight to a flag he is bearing in the parade of flags to kick off the annual Oktoberfest on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Peoria.

Oktoberfest will be Sept. 20-22 at the Peoria Riverfront Park. Enjoy authentic German cuisine and drinks, listen to polka music and more. More information will be available soon at www.oktoberfestpeoria.com.

16. Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair

East Peoria artist Tracey Frugoli picks up paint on her brush as she paints a horse eye on a tiny canvas as she shows her art during the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair on the Peoria riverfront in 2018.
East Peoria artist Tracey Frugoli picks up paint on her brush as she paints a horse eye on a tiny canvas as she shows her art during the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair on the Peoria riverfront in 2018.

The 62nd annual Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair will be Sept. 28-29 on the Peoria Riverfront. As one of the oldest art organizations in the country, the art fair is nationally recognized and showcases national, regional and local artists. The Art Fair features original works of art will include jewelry, painting, ceramics, photography, digital art and so much more. This is the Peoria Art Guild's major fundraising event of the year. All proceeds benefit the Art Guild's community outreach and programming. For more information, visit https://www.peoriaartguild.org/fine-art-fair-event-info.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria festivals 2024: Check out these 16 outdoor festivals this summer