February
Downtown Mardi Gras Celebration
Downtown
Springfield
Pre-Lenten
Fun! Evening Sidewalk Parade-participation encouraged! Dress up and join the
parade! Promotions and free beads at many locations (purchase may be required.)
New Orleans foods and chicory coffee offered at many eateries.
Information: 217-391-0101 or 217-528-2234
March
Shamrock Games
Illinois
State Fairgrounds Coliseum
Athletes
in traditional Celtic kilts from across the United States participate in events
including: the caber toss, hammer throw, weight for height, stone throw & sheaf
toss. Admission charged for competition which begins at 9am, Music at 4pm
provided by the St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums. Information: 217-415-8324
Late
April, early May
Springfield Air Rendezvous
Abraham
Lincoln Capitol Airport
Springfield Air Rendezvous features the BLUE ANGELS! The air show is affordable
family fun for all. In addition to the action in the air with aerobatic
performers & military demonstrations, the air show provides lots of fun and
action on the ground too. Ground activities are everywhere from rock wall
climbing to motion rides to great food to pedal airplanes for the smallest of
air show fans to visiting with people from all over the world. Information:
217/789-4400
Early
May
Pied
Piper Downtown Architectural Walking Tour
Begins in
front of Lincoln Herndon Law Office at 5 p.m.
Join
Anthony Rubano of IHPA in a walking tour discussing the architectural styles,
materials, and treatments that make up historic Downtown Springfield.
Information: 217-544-1723
3rd
Week in May
Illinois Highland Games and Celtic Festival
State Fair
Grounds
Celebrate
Celtic history, spend a day and go back 400 years in history. Dance, music,
athletics, vendors and food. Largest ethnic festival in downstate Illinois.
Information:
217-546-9800
Third
week in May
Old
Capitol Art Fair
Captial
Plaza, Springfield, IL
Rain or
shine, the Old Capitol Art Fair is held on the plaza in downtown Springfield.
Two days filled with fine art with nearly 200 artistsFood vendors, live
entertainment all weekend.
Information: 217.391.0140
Early
June
Hot Rod
Power Tour
Illinois
State Fairgrounds
The Hot
Rod Magazine Power Tour is the ultimate Hot Rodders' vacation. Imagine cruising
across America with the staff and editors of Hot Rod Magazine, along with all
the icons of the automotive industry. The attention of over 40 million
automotive enthusiasts will focus on these seven days in June where the rubber
meets the road and the pages of the magazine come alive. Over 3000 cars will
stop in Springfield at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Hot Rod Power Tour is
a family event and is free to the public. Information: (317) 236-6522
Early
June
International Carillon Festival,
featuring concerts by international carillonneurs Information: Phone:
217-753-6219
Late
June
Washington Street Jazz
between
5th and 6th Street on Washington St. in Springfield
Several
jazz and blues bands play on two outdoor stages, entertaining audiences of all
ages. Festive summertime cuisine is available for purchase. Chance to win
prizes. Silent Auction and 50/50 raffle.
Admission
charged.
For
information: 217-753-3519
Late
August
Hot Rod
Super Nationals
Illinois State Fairgrounds
For
Information: (317) 236-6522
Hot Rod
Super Nationals boasts over 3000 cars, consisting of 4 different types: Street
Machines-personalized or customized two-wheel drive vehicles encompassing the
years of 1949 to the present day; Street Rods–vehicles manufactured prior
to1949, designed for street use; Hot Rods-American made vehicles, rebuilt or
modified for a higher performance and distinctive functional appearance; Custom
Cars-Restyled for a more distinct appearance.
Participants have thirty seconds to perform and the competition is judged by
crowd reaction. Admission is charged.
Late
August
Old
Capitol Blues & BBQs
Washington
Street Downtown
Full
line-up of local and national blues bands. Sample BBQ from over 20 contestants
in a baby-back rib cook-off. Admission charged.
Information: 217-544-1723
Late
August-early September
LPGA
State Farm Classic
Rail Golf
Course
LPGA State
Farm Classic is held annually at the Rail Golf Course. Over 140 of the best
women golfers in the world convene in Central Illinois to compete for a
$1.,300,000 purse. There are many ways
Information: 217-787-5742
Late
September-early October
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival
Downtown
Springfield, Illinois
Hundreds
of high quality vintage cars from around the U.S. and Canada fill the streets of
historic downtown Springfield for a 3-day celebration of the cars, food, music,
& friends of the heyday of U.S. Route 66. Information: 1-866-RTE-66IL or
217-422-3733
Late
October
Harvest
Celebration at the
Old Capitol Farmers' Market presented by St. John's Hospital
Adams
Street Downtown
In
celebration of another successful market season, we are hosting a fun, family
event featuring Jack-o'lanterns on display, musical entertainment by Second
Harvest, Trick-or-Treat the Market, and seasonal crafts for sale. Free.
Information:: 544-1723
Mid-December
Evenings at the Dana-Thomas House
Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site
The fully
decorated Frank Lloyd Wright designed mansion is open for evening viewing until
8 p.m. on each of three nights. On the Sunday before Christmas the site is lit
with 850 luminary sacks. Live music each evening.
Information: 217-782-6776
Arts and Entertainment
Sangamon Auditorium
University
of Illinois at Springfield
One
University Plaza, MS PAC 397
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
Ticket
Office: 217.206.6160
Sangamon
Auditorium is the venue for a wide variety of cultural and educational
professional arts activities of high quality. It serves audiences on the campus
of the University of Illinois, in Springfield, in Sangamon County and in the
surrounding areas, reflecting a broad representation of music, theater and dance
in all their forms. Groups performing include the Illinois Symphony
Orchestra and Springfield Ballet Company.
The
Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon
Washington
Park
Springfield, IL
Within the
open tower hang 67 cast bronze bells covering a range of 5 1/2 chromatic
octaves. The total weight of the bells is 82,753 pounds; the largest weighs 7
1/2 tons, while the smallest weighs 22 pounds. Regularly scheduled concerts are
given each Sunday afternoon throughout the year, with the addition of a
Wednesday evening concert during the summer months. Tours of the tower are given
on a daily basis (Closed Monday and Tuesday) from Memorial Day to Labor Day and
on weekends after September if weather permits. An annual festival in early
June features concerts by internationally known carillonneurs.
