September 4th - 7th
Cache River Days in Ullin
Cache River Days will take place September 4th-7th, 2025. There will be a community worship service, beauty pageant, 5K, parade, food vendors, flea market, cornhole tournament, slow-pitch softball tournament, yard sales, bounce house inflatables, live entertainment, silent auction, and much more!
September 5th and 6th
Marion Illinois
Marion Stands for Veterans
The two-day event is free to the public and honors all who have served in the U.S. military. Enjoy music by from the Freedom Sings USA songwriters - playing new songs written by local Veterans - PLUS food, drinks and merch from shops and vendors on the clock tower square. Spread the word and share this link with friends... https://www.freedomsingsusa.org/news-events
September 5th, 6th and 7th
Mt Vernon Illinois
Cedarhurst Art and Craft Fair
Cedarhurst Fall Art and Craft Fair Returns for its Final event.
Discover exceptional artistry at the Cedarhurst Fall Art and Craft Fair, taking place September 5-7, 2025, at the beautiful Sculpture Park of Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mount Vernon, IL 62864.
Explore nearly 80 booths showcasing a wide variety of unique handcrafted items and fine art. Enjoy delicious food concessions and support local restaurants and civic groups.
Fair Hours:
* Friday: 4 PM - 9 PM
* Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM
The entertainment area will feature regional musicians on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Kids’ Area is gearing up to feature make-and-take crafts and family-friendly performances
Cedarhurst Affinity Groups will present artist demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Pay-to-Park lots are available on the museum grounds as well as properties adjacent to Cedarhurst.
Watch for signs!
September 5th- 14th
Gallatin County Fair and Popcorn Day Ridgway
Including Popcorn Days
Live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides, games, and lots of free popcorn! Popcorn Day celebration is the second weekend in September every year. During this weekend we have live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides, games, free popcorn, and the big parade on Saturday at 1:00 pm. Ridgway is also home to the unique family-owned business, Dinger Bats.
Kiddie Parade in Ridgway on Saturday September 13th at 9:30
Popcorn Day Parade in Ridgway on Saturday September 13th at 1:00 pm
September 6th
Makanda, Illinois
Southern Illinois Honey Fest
Spend the day enjoying local art, live music, great food, and a honey tasting contest featuring entries from across Southernmost Illinois.
It’s a buzzing good time for the whole family. 🐝
🗓 Saturday, September 6
⏰ 10 am to 5 pm
📍Valley of the Arts, Downtown Makanda IL
Alto Pass Illinois
Alto Pass Vineyards Harvest Fest
11am- 9pm
Their biggest and most spectacular event of the year occurs during grape harvest season! This year, we celebrate 37 years in business and the 30th anniversary of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
𝐍̶𝐄̶𝐖̶ ̶𝐓̶𝐇̶𝐈̶𝐒̶ ̶𝐘̶𝐄̶𝐀̶𝐑̶:̶ ̶E̶x̶c̶l̶u̶s̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶w̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶p̶a̶i̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶p̶p̶e̶t̶i̶z̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶a̶s̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶t̶ 1̶:̶0̶0̶p̶m̶!̶ 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: the previously mentioned ticketed wine pairing event will be a separate event in the future. Stay tuned!
Smith Hill Blues Band kicks off the live tunes from 1-4PM. Ivas John Band follows from 4:30-7:30PM. Guests are invited to dance or relax around our scenic grounds and in our comfortable buildings!
Local artists and vendors will sell their products all afternoon. We are grilling out and hosting food trucks serving up delicious food!
The day ends with one of the most spectacular displays of fireworks in Southern Illinois by Falling Skies Pyrotechnics at 8PM. Don’t forget your lawn chair!
SEPTEMEBR 6th and 7th
Herrin Hope Fest
𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐔𝐍 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐔𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘!
𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍:
• Sat., Sept 6, 10A – 6P: Expanded Hope Fest
• Sun., Sept 7, 12:30P – 6P: Classic Family Fun Day
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓:
• Main Stage Music
• 5k & Kids’ Fun Run
• Car Show & Biker Zone
• Hope Fest Market/Vendor Fair
• Hope Fest Food Court
• Tethered Balloon Rides
• Kids’ Fun Zone
• Pony Rides & Petting Zoo
• Silent Auction
𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄:
On the grounds of Community of Faith Church 5208 Meadowland Pkwy (Hosted outside. Inside in the case of inclement weather.)
𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐒:
General Admission: $5 Daily/$10 Weekend/5 & under free. 𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦
𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐄 & 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎:: 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭.𝐨𝐫𝐠
September 10th- 13th
Murphysboro Apple Festival
Always held the second weekend after Labor Day, this four-day event packs downtown Murphysboro with family-friendly activities, including free entertainment, carnival rides, pageants, concessions, a car show, and a menu of apple-themed treats.
Highlights for Children and Families include
September 6th- 5K Walk and Run, Appletime Show and Shine in partnership with Murphysboro Cruise Nights
September 8th- Captain Applesauce story hour 11:30 - 12:30 at Sallee Logan Public LIbrary
September 10th-Appletime Prayer Breakfast 6:45 am- 8:30 am
September 10th- 13th- FREE Entertainment at the Apple time Stage
September 10th-13th Festival Fun Land beginning September 10th - The Apple Festival Funland offers children and adults alike the opportunity to enjoy a traditional hometown carnival, including all the rides, food, and games you have come to know and love. Open every day during the festivities, Sawyer Amusements provide enough lights and smells to transform Downtown Murphysboro into the perfect carnival atmosphere. Located in the middle of it all, the Festival Funland truly is the center of the Murphysboro Apple Festival.
September 12th-Children's Pet and Hobby Parade 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Affectionately known as the "Kiddie Parade", children and families may participate in this very popular event in a variety of ways. Decorated bicycles, tricycles, or wagons; pets and owners dressed in costume; and family-built floats to match the Apple Festival's theme are examples of what can be done by participants.
September 13th- Grand Parade 11am - 1pm
For full schedule go to website at
murphysboroapplefestival.org/schedule/
September 12th and 13th
Carterville- Lions Club Days
Cannon Park – Carterville, IL
📅 September 12 & 13, 2025
Friday, Sept 12: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, Sept 13: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
✨ Join us for two days of community fun!
🎠 Carnival rides by Little Egypt Shows
🎯 Games & contests
🍔 Delicious fair food
🎶 Live entertainment
🎁 Family-friendly activities & more!
🎟️ Admission Info:
🎟️ Armbands: $10 per person (unlimited rides!)
🎫 Individual ride tickets: $3 each
September 19th-20th
Eldorado Town and Country Days
Carnival each night from 5pm- 9pm
Armband night on Friday night
Live music on Thursday,Friday, and Saturday
Pet parade on Saturday at 10:00 am
Parade on Saturday at 1:00 pm
For a full schedule go to their facebook page at
www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1323748319761395&set=a.483351097134459
September18th- 20th
PRAISE THE LARD: MURPHYSBORO BARBECUE COOK-OFF MURPHYSBORO ILLINOIS
17th Street Barbecue
https://17bbq.com/cook-off/17bbq.com/cook-off/
The Warehouse, 214 N. 17th Street, Murphysboro.
This ‘must-attend’ barbecue circuit event draws teams from across the United States to compete for over $25,000 in prize money. Nationally recognized as one of the best places to experience and celebrate the competitive barbecue circuit lifestyle, the Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) and the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned weekend evaluates competitors for fish, wings, chicken, shoulder, ribs, brisket, and the whole hog. Competitors will vie for the coveted titles of Grand Champion, entry into Memphis in May, the Kansas City Royal, and the Jack Daniel’s draw.
September 20th
Ina Fall Festival, Ina Illinois
Junque Jamboree- Vienna Illinois
On the square
8am- 3pm
Get ready to dive headfirst into a treasure hunter’s paradise at the Fall 2025 Junque Jamboree — the most beloved flea market festival of the season! On September 20, the heart of Vienna, IL transforms into a bustling wonderland of rusty gold, handcrafted gems, quirky collectibles, and one-of-a-kind oddities that you won’t find anywhere else.
Whether you're a seasoned picker, a DIY dreamer, or just love the thrill of the find, the Junque Jamboree is your fall escape into a world of creativity, nostalgia, and community. Stroll around the Vienna Town Square filled with booths featuring vintage furniture, antique tools, retro fashion, repurposed art, and barn-fresh décor — all while savoring the sights, smells, and flavors of autumn.
Golconda Shrimp Festival, Golconda Illinois 10am- 10 pm
Great food, music, vendodrs
https://www.facebook.com/events/719104664382051/
September 20th and 21st
Kuntfest- New Harmony Indiana
Kunst” means “art” in German, and you can expect to see a lot of it. Artists from across the region will sell and showcase their creations. With so many unique pieces, you’re sure to find something you’ll love! Add “fest” – short for festival. Kunstfest is a fun, German festival with art, entertainment, food, and learning opportunities, too!
Arts, Crafts, Antiques and More
At Kunstfest, vendors line the streets, showcasing art, gifts, antiques, crafts, and more on Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm.
Food
Be sure to come hungry! We plan to have all of your German favorites — bratwurst, kraut balls, kuchen, apple cider, chicken and dumplings, German potato salad, brain sandwiches, fried bologna, ice cream, kettle corn and more! New Harmony also has delightful restaurants, bars, and a coffee shop that will be open during the weekend.
Plus, there will be a beer garden at Black Lodge Coffee Roasters!
Entertainment
Events include musical performances of many types. You will hear dulcimer players, blue grass tunes, a few polka selections and some German Folk Music genres. Plus, there will be music Friday evening on the Patio at the Red Geranium.
On Saturday evening, don’t miss the Biggest Liar’s Contest at the Murphy Auditorium, a tradition for more than 25 years. Perhaps you want to sign up in advance to compete yourself as a master prevaricator! There are also children’s activities at the family stage at Maclure Square, and more!
One of the most popular attractions at Kunstfest is the group of historical craft demonstrations. Each year, children stand in awe as they watch experts demonstrate blacksmithing, rope making, pottery, weaving, spinning and more. Some of these creations will be available for sale, and demonstrators will be present to explain the art of each craft to audiences.
Parking
Don’t worry about having to park far away from the festival! Parking will be available at the Atheneum visitor’s center, as well as the former location of the New Harmony School and with shuttles taking visitors to and from the festival.
September18th- 20th
PRAISE THE LARD: MURPHYSBORO BARBECUE COOK-OFF MURPHYSBORO ILLINOIS
17th Street Barbecue
The Warehouse, 214 N. 17th Street, Murphysboro.
This ‘must-attend’ barbecue circuit event draws teams from across the United States to compete for over $25,000 in prize money. Nationally recognized as one of the best places to experience and celebrate the competitive barbecue circuit lifestyle, the Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) and the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) sanctioned weekend evaluates competitors for fish, wings, chicken, shoulder, ribs, brisket, and the whole hog. Competitors will vie for the coveted titles of Grand Champion, entry into Memphis in May, the Kansas City Royal, and the Jack Daniel’s draw.
Mt vernon Festival
Fluorspar festival
Check date for Camp Ondessonk Fall festival