Festivals & Events
Remember what was great about the “Good Ol’ Days” and enjoy the best that small town Illinois has to offer.
The Back Road Music Festival
Just 6 miles or 9 minutes from Bishop Hill — Every August thousands flock to the small town of Galva to see some of the biggest country stars in the business. The festival grounds are unlike any other. The stage rises out of a natural amphitheater surrounded by cornfields, windmills, with a panoramic country view that allows fans to see for miles. When you come to the Back Road Music Festival, you make memories for life, and it feels like home no matter where you are from. By attending the festival, you will also be supporting the long list of charities we support. We take pride in using our platform to help others in need. If you want a safe, family friendly environment, that helps others then we are the perfect summer festival for you. One ticket, 7 acts, charity, good food, drinks, and a whole lot of #1’s. What are you waiting for?
Galva Freedom Fest
Galva’s Annual 4th of July Celebration with 5K run, parade, games, local food vendors, arts events, and the best fireworks display in Western Illinois! Find info and full schedule on their Facebook page.
Levitt AMP Galva Music Series
Just 6 miles or 9 minutes from Bishop Hill — Galva’s Arts Council hosts this wonderful 10 week summer music series every Sunday night, late May-August at Galva’s beautiful Wiley Park. Winning a matching $25,000 dollar grant through the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, and being one of the smallest of only 20 grant recipients across the country, Galva’s Arts Council hosts this FREE and family friendly music series. Each week’s concert begins at 6:00PM and ends around 8:00PM. The shows feature two acts per night. The line-up is very diverse and includes a variety of performers from all over the globe. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the park or guests may bring in a picnic dinner.
Galva’s Ol’ Fashion Christmas Festival
Just 6 miles or 9 minutes from Bishop Hill — Downtown on Saturday after Thanksgiving every year, the Galva Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual holiday season event. Activities all Day with arts shows, activities, and culminating with a parade and lighting of Veteran’s Park.
Hog Days
Just 12 miles or 18 minutes from Bishop Hill — Fun is available all Labor Day weekend long here in Kewanee, Illinois at Hog Days. There are carnival rides, the world's largest outdoor pork barbecue, the parade that's really PIG, cotton candy, a craft show and flea market that takes up an entire city park, lemonade shakeups, mud volleyball, onion rings, Model T and A cars, homemade ice cream, a stampede health and fitness run (actually 3 of them!), last year, over 16 entertainment acts performing at four different venues throughout the weekend as well as pony rides, a treasure trove of displays at the local historical society and much more. The festival usually takes place on Labor Day weekend.
Jordbruksdagarna (Agriculture Days)
Jordbruksdagrana (yord-brooks-DAH-ga-na) is Bishop Hill’s annual 19th century fall harvest festival, featuring there a variety of traditional craft demonstrations, food, vendors, and hands-on activities for the children. In the village park each day, artisans will weave, carve wood, forge metal, make butter, and more. Vendors will also be selling baked goods, crafts, and much more in the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Behind the Bjorklund Hotel from noon to 4 p.m. each day, visitors, especially children, can try their hand at shelling corn, making bricks, pressing apples into cider, and creating a cornhusk doll. You can view sorghum pressing and cooking. The festival is on Saturday, September 26 to September 27.
Geneseo Christmas Walk
Just 21 miles or 28 minutes from Bishop Hill — The Geneseo Christmas Walk is a kaleidoscope of holiday offerings, including live music, holiday shopping, warm meals, a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest, living windows, luminaries, trolley rides, a 5K race, and much more. The Geneseo Christmas Walk started in 1986 as the Geneseo Victorian Walk, offering a unique way to celebrate Christmas in Geneseo while providing a boost to local small businesses during the holiday season. Since then, the event has become an all-time favorite for Geneseoans and visitors from the Quad Cities region alike – capturing the wonder and charm of experiencing Christmas in a Christmas-movie-like small town setting.
Henry County Fair
Established in 1859, the Henry County Fair offers family fun for everyone. Attractions include a carnival, a demo derby, food, music, livestock, several competitions, and many more. The fair takes place in June around the 16, and lasts a whole week. For more details, see their website.
