The Northwest Illinois Calendar
What’s Happening
154 upcoming festivals, concerts, markets and main-street traditions across all four counties.
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Festivals, fundraisers, live music, farmers markets — if it happens in Carroll, Lee, Ogle or Whiteside County, we want it here. It’s free.
- Festivals & FairsLincoln Highway Heritage FestivalAug 14 – Aug 16Atwood Park · RochelleThree days of end-of-summer celebration in Rochelle — a carnival, live bands on the main stage, food vendors and a car and motorcycle show. The 2026 festival moves to Atwood Park while downtown infrastructure is rebuilt.
Festivals & FairsLincoln Highway Heritage Festival6:00 PM – 10:00 PMDowntown Rochelle, IL · RochelleCelebrate one of America’s most iconic roadways during the Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival in Rochelle, Illinois, Aug. 14–16, 2026. This family-friendly summer festival honors the history and legacy of the historic Lincoln Highway while bringing the community together for three days of entertainment, activities, f…
- Festivals & FairsFeaturedWhiteside County FairAug 18 – Aug 22Whiteside County Fairgrounds · MorrisonFive days of livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, carnival rides and grandstand entertainment — plus the harness horse racing that sets this fair apart from the others in the region.
Festivals & FairsWhiteside County Fair8:30 AM – 10:00 PMWhiteside County Fairgrounds · MorrisonThe Whiteside County Fair returns to Morrison, Illinois, Aug. 18–22, 2026, at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds. This classic county fair brings together agriculture, entertainment, food, family activities, and small-town tradition for several days of summer fun.