Summer in Illinois is a time for celebration, and the prairie state offers an array of vibrant festivals that showcase its rich culture, music, food and community spirit. Here’s a look at some of the must-attend summer festivals throughout the state:

Chicago area

Ribfest – Chicago, June 14-16

• Live music, barbecue food

Hyde Park Summerfest – Chicago, June 17-18

• Hip-hop and house music festival

Chicago suburbs

Long Grove Strawberry Fest – Long Grove, June 21-23

• Strawberry-infused food and drinks, carnival rides, live music

Morris Beer Festival – Morris, September 7

• 50 breweries, live music, food vendors

Did you know there’s a zoo in Illinois that’s always free? Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is a free attraction that’s open 365 days a year. Not only is it the oldest zoo in the country, dating back to 1868, it’s also one of only a handful of zoos in the U.S. that offers free admission.

The zoo has animals from every climate and is dedicated to conservation and science, with one of the largest kids’ educational programs in the country – Zoo Explorers.

While visiting Lincoln Park Zoo, you can see all different kinds of animals as well as a whole house reserved for birds of prey. For children, there is a petting zoo with fun interactive exhibits dedicated to education.

Nestled in the rolling hills of central Illinois lies a remarkable destination that brings history to life: the Lincoln New Salem State Historic Site. Located two miles south of Petersburg and 20 miles northwest of Springfield, this reconstructed pioneer village offers visitors an immersive experience into the formative years of Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s most revered presidents.

Lincoln New Salem is not just a museum – it is a vivid recreation of the village where a young Lincoln lived from 1831 to 1837. During these six years, Lincoln worked as a store clerk, a postmaster, a surveyor, and eventually launched his legal and political career.

Located in Christian and Sangamon counties near Rochester, Sangchris Lake State Park was highlighted by The Dyrt for its 120 miles of shoreline along Sangchris Lake, featuring two lakeshore campgrounds. In addition to easy access to both water and nature trails, it has been praised for its friendliness to bird watchers and clean grounds with picnic tables and playgrounds.

The park includes 195 campsites where pets and fires are both allowed, with firewood, showers, drinking water and more available to campers. If you don’t want to camp out in a tent, RV sites and campgrounds are also present.

This summer, you won’t want to miss out on taking a trip to see the views and enjoy this highly rated state park.

Click here for more information.

For over 50 years, the Old State Capitol Art Fair in Springfield has been the crown jewel of art in the Midwest, featuring artists from neighboring states and across the country. This weekend, art collectors and enthusiasts will gather to admire hundreds of art pieces while enjoying live music and food from local shops during this two-day event.

In 1961, the first ever Old State Capitol Art Fair was held. The original organizers wished to highlight the social, cultural and historical aspects of Springfield to promote city pride and solidify Springfield as a model capital city for other cities across the nation to take note of.

Today, the art fair is an annual event, which serves to bring the city together through art and culture and provides individuals the opportunity to purchase original art. Located on the Old State Capitol grounds, the fair takes over downtown Springfield, outpouring onto surrounding streets and sidewalks.

Over 100 artists attend the fair each year to display and promote their artwork. Each artist brings their own unique style and specializes in different categories of media including acrylic, wood, photography, ceramics and more. Since 2011, the art fair has also featured an interactive display that allows attendees to help recreate a piece of artwork from one of the fair’s featured artists.

Visit the Old State Capitol Art Fair on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to take part in the event.

For more information, visit the Old Capitol Art Fair’s website.

Happy viewing!