Springfield Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Springfield, Illinois - IL, USA)

All through the year there are lots of events and celebrations that reliably draw healthy numbers of visitors to Springfield. However, the hot and sunny summer months tend to be when the biggest and best festivals take place.

The Prairie Capital Convention Center on the Convention Center Plaza (corner of Adams Street and 9th Street) offers plenty of things to do, year round. These range from concerts, exhibitions and trade shows, to rodeos, ice dancing shows, monster truck displays, indoor football games and private gatherings.

Each year in the middle of May, the Annual Art of Illinois Wine Festival serves as a hugely popular weekend event, followed soon after by the Old Capitol Art Fair and also the Scottish-themed Springfield Area Highland Games. The International Carillon Festival is another highlight, being first held in 1962 and staged at Washington Park each June. In July, the Taste of Downtown and American Music Show is a good excuse to let your hair down, while in August, the simply enormous Illinois State Fair is quite unmissable if you are in town at this time.

Springfield Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - third Monday in January, a federal holiday all over the United States.

February

• Lincoln's Birthday - February 12th, a public holiday in Illinois, remembering the life of famous US president Abraham Lincoln, born on this day in 1809 and known for his contributions to the city.

March

• St. Patrick's Day Marching Band Parade - Saturday before or on March 17th, the event always starts by setting off a Civil War replica cannon at noon, as occurred at the very first parade in 1985.
• Shamrock Games - held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, competitors partake in throwing events, including the heavy hammer throw and caber toss.
• Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, and Silent Auction - last two weekends in March at the Lincoln Memorial Garden. The proceeds from this fundraiser go into the operation of the gardens.

April

• There are no significant annual events in the city of Springfield during the month of April.

May

• Annual Art of Illinois Wine Festival - mid-May, this weekend gathering is for those aged 21 years and older, and enables participants to sample a few of the wines produced by approximately 20 Illinois wineries.
• Old Capitol Art Fair - mid-May, a juried art fair originating in 1962, providing the opportunity for visitors to purchase original art whether it be in the form of glassware, jewelry, photography, pottery or other media.
• Springfield Area Highland Games and Celtic Festival - mid-May, held at the Chatham Community Park, Chatham, approximately 12 miles / 19 km south of Springfield. This event provides all things Scottish including Highland dancing, a pipe band contest, Celtic stores and cuisine, and much more.

June

• MacART Fest - held in early June on South Grand Avenue West and MacArthur Boulevard, this is an outdoor fine arts and crafts fair that includes live music and children's activities.
• International Carillon Festival - early June, a week-long series of Carillon Bell concerts that have in previous years included international carillonneurs. Members of the audience are able to view the players performances via a giant video screen whilst picnicking.
• SOHO Music Festival - early June, outside the Old State Capitol, showcasing more than 20 local bands. All of the money raised always goes to a local charity.

July

• Capital City Celebration - July 4th, held at South 2nd Street and East Capitol Avenue, with children's activities, food and drink, local music groups and a fireworks display to celebrate America's Independence Day.
• Taste of Downtown and American Music Show - mid-July, people gather to sample a variety of cuisines from participating restaurants and listen to live music from local and international bands.

August

• Illinois State Fair - ten-day event starting in early August, this is an agricultural show on a grand scale and includes rides and attractions, livestock competitions, vendors and much, much more.
• Old Capitol Blues and BBQs - held in late August on the Old State Capitol Plaza, featuring a rib cook-off contest, blues bands and fun for children.

September

• Ethnic Festival - held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in early September, a weekend function that celebrates food from around the world, including cuisine from Cuba, Italy, Poland and Spain. Live bands are also scheduled.
• Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers Show - early September at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, with live chainsaw carving demonstrations and original carvings for sale.
• International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and Car Show - late September weekend, held in downtown Springfield, attracting around 80,000 spectators, who can view over 1,000 cars whilst listening to live music ranging from the 1950s to the 1970s.

October

• Trick or Treat Street - held late October at Southwind Park, suitable for children 12 years old and under. Local businesses provide treats for children to collect along a safe 'trick or treating' route. Activities generally include bouncy houses, Alpaca petting and live entertainment.

November

• Greater Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Festival - early November, a weekend of American folk music performed by a variety of acts.
• Festival of Trees - late November, held at the Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds. This nine-day event displays everything festive, with a 'Gingerbread Bakery', crafting for children, decorated trees and wreaths, and carol singing. Proceeds raised are in aid of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

December

• First Night Springfield - December 31st, an alcohol-free event with children's activities in the afternoon and an evening of musical performances, followed by a fireworks display.