Whether you want a mellow evening or a high-energy experience, Illinois has something to make nighttime or daytime the right time for anyone. Cool jazz, hot blues or “Stepping” with the beat, you will find it all here.
Illinois is known for its wide range of outdoor activities that celebrate the summertime, especially. Always presented with a charm and character that pure Midwestern flair, these festivites range from folksy to funky-fresh and fly.
African Caribbean Festival of Life (July)
African Festival of the Arts (August)
Bud Billiken Parade (August)
Chicago Air & Water Show (August)
Chicago Blues Festival (June)
Chicago Fashion Week (October)
Chicago Gospel Festival (June)
Chicago Jazz Festival (September)
Chicago SummerDance Festival (June–August)
Fashion Focus (September)
Jazz Unites JazzFest (August)
Ravinia Festival (all summer)
Taste of Chicago (June, Grant Park)
UniverSoul Circus (September-October)
Venetian Night (July)
Black Family Reunion (Rockford, Ill.)
Bloomington Cultural Festival (August; Bloomington, Ill.)
Blues on the Fox Festival (Aurora, Ill.)
CEFCU Thursday Night Jazz Series (June–August; Peoria, Ill.)
Illinois State Fair (August; Springfield, Ill.)
International Ethnic Music Festival (Rockford, Ill.)
Nothin’ But the Blues Festival (July, Bloomington, Ill.)
Peoria Riverfront Ribfest (Peoria, Ill.)
RiverLife Gospel Music Cruises (Peoria, Ill.)
Taste of Peoria (August; Peoria, Ill.)
Taste of Rockford at Rockford College (Rockford, Ill.)
Illinois offers an impressive assortment of places to enjoy all kinds of music and entertainment, featuring artists and personalities who range from the up-and-coming to the legendary. And be sure to pack your dancing shoes! Illinois is full of great places to strut your stuff no matter your style; Chicago is the birthplace and capitol of Stepping if you’re interested in learning or showing what you’ve got.
1464 Club: 773.233.4604
Artis's Lounge: 773.734.0491
Big Cities Lounge (Rockford, Ill.)
Fitzgerald's (Berwyn, Ill.)
Harlem Avenue Lounge (Berwyn, Ill.)
New Apartment Lounge: 773.483.7728
New Checkerboard Lounge for Blues N’ Jazz: 773.684.1472
Apartment Lounge: 773.927.0465
Bamboo Room (Lombard & Schaumburg, Ill.)
D'Vine: 773.235.5700
Geno's Place (Calumet Park): 708.385.3100
Martini Ranch: 312.335.9500
Tantrum: 312.939.9160
Taste Entertainment Center: 773.873.6700
The Violet Hour: 773.252.1500
Walter Payton's Roundhouse (Aurora, Ill.)
The 50-Yard Line: 773.846.0005
The Mating Place (Bellwood, Ill.): 708.544.5894
Sweet Georgia Brown: 708.798.6333 (Country Club Hills, Ill.)
Touch of the Past (Bellwood, Ill.): 708.493.9236
Auditorium Theatre: "Too Hot to Handel" (Jan. 19 & 20, 2008)
Coronado Theatre (Rockford, Ill.)
Country Club Hills Amphitheater (Country Club Hills, Ill.)
Some of the world’s most recognized and celebrated comedic talent got its start in Illinois, and the state is full of great places that offer big laughs.
Funny Bone Comedy Club (Springfield, Ill.)
Illinois is the place to entertain the whole family. Children of all ages can enjoy zoos, water parks and so much more. Try one of these suggestions, and also check out ChicagoKids.com
Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, Ill.)
Coco Key Water Resort (Arlington Heights & Rockford, Ill.)
Discovery Center Museum (Rockford, Ill.)
Key Lime Cove Water Resort (Gurnee, Ill.)
Kohl Children’s Museum (Glenview, Ill.)
Kiddieland (Melrose Park, Ill.)
Knight's Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure (Springfield, Ill.)
Magic Waters Water Park (Cherry Valley, Ill.)
Mayor Daley’s Holiday Sports Festival (December)
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament (Schaumburg, Ill.)
Raging Rivers Water Park (Grafton, Ill.)
Six Flags Great America / Hurricane Harbor (Gurnee, Ill)
Check out what else we have to offer on our web site and start planning your 3-Day Getaway now! You can also find lots to do on EnjoyIllinois.com or by calling 1-800-2CONNECT.