Makanda Spring Fest

Artists from the surrounding area will have on display their finest works for viewing and purchase. Live music is scheduled to take place at the Makanda Pavilion and in the Rainmaker’s Garden, with bluegrass, jazz, blues and various other music by local bands for the duration of the two–day event. Enjoy the relaxation and entertainment in the unique town of Makanda. Free admission, 10am-6pm

CITY: Makanda

Cache River Nature Festival

Enjoy the area’s rich bird life and wetland habitat. A 12-minute orientation film gives a wonderful overview and introduction of the watershed, explaining the unique bio-diversity of the flora and fauna that can be experienced here. Visitors can also acquaint themselves with the area by exploring an interactive diorama of a bald cypress-water tupelo swamp, area state champion tree information and changing landscape displays. Activities include guided field trips, canoe tours, live bird demonstrations and various exhibits from 8am to 4pm.

CITY: Cypress

Bald Eagle Watching in the Cache River Wetlands

The Cache River Wetlands offers great opportunities for eagle watching, as well as spotting other birds. The Cache River Wetland Center provides resource and identification materials to help you spot eagles and other birds in the area and along the rivers. They will provide maps and directions to the viewing station for the nest just off Illinois Route 37 off Perks road and south of the visitor's center.

CITY: Cypress

Southern Illinois Music Festival

The 9th annual Southern Illinois Music Festival features over three-dozen performances in venues all over the Southern Illinois region. In addition to the New Chicago Chamber Orchestra, musicians from throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia perform orchestral music, chamber music, opera, ballet, and jazz in an informal and inviting atmosphere. This year’s Festival, titled “Swarm of B's,” runs June 3-23 and features some of our favorite composers that start with the letter "B"—Bach, Brahms, Barber, Bartok and Beethoven to name a few.

CITY: Carbondale

Cobden Peach Festival

Celebrate the local peach harvest, sponsored by the Cobden Lions Club. Join us for fresh peaches from local orchards, carnival rides and games, crowning of ‘Miss Peach Queen’, homemade food and peach cobbler & pie with a 5K run/walk and parade on Saturday. Free admission.

CITY: Cobden

Blessing of the Bikes

Thousands of motorcyclists travel to Bald Knob Mountain, Southern Illinois’ highest point and the site of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace located just outside of Alto Pass, about 10 miles south of Murphysboro on IL-127.

CITY: Alto Pass

35th Annual Sunset Concert Series

The weekend begins on Thursday evening in Carbondale during the summer, as hundreds gather to attend the welcoming, relaxing and fun tradition that is the Sunset Concert series. Attendees bring everything from beer-pong tables and barbecue grills to pop-up tents and couches. The concerts rotate between two beautiful venues, with the more contemporary acts on the Steps of Shryock Auditorium and the mellower, more traditional bands playing under the Lenus Turley Park gazebo.

CITY: Carbondale

Annual Lights Fantastic Activities & Parade

Take pictures with Santa’s reindeer in Carbondale's Town Square, stop by the Polar Express Station (the Old Train Depot) for candy cane treats, and enjoy the Holiday Cookie Walk, where downtown businesses offer cookies and refreshments. The Lights Fantastic Parade kicks off at 6pm.

CITY: Carbondale

Brown Bag Concert Series

Grab a lawn chair, pick up lunch from a local eatery and head to the Town Square Pavillion for Carbondale Main Street's Brown Bag Concert! Every Wednesday local musicians come together to put on a free show in the heart of downtown Carbondale. Everyone is welcome, but the event emphasizes a family-friendly atmosphere.

CITY: Carbondale

Carbondale Community Friday Night Fair

Enjoy some of the best of what Carbondale has to offer every Friday during the summer, when the arts & entertainment scene unites with local farmers and craftsmen to create a fun, family-friendly festival. Hosted in Carbondale's historic Town Square Pavillion, the fair includes kids activities, a farmer's market, craft vendors, live music and more, all free of charge.

CITY: Carbondale

Pepper Fest

Celebrate the pepper harvest, a favorite gathering for all chile heads and hot pepper fans. From 11am to 5pm, walk the pepper field and see many varieties of hot peppers in bloom, meet the vendors and see who makes the best hot/spicy food, visit the Pepper Farm Store and select your favorite salsa, jellies, spices and pepper products, relax, visit with friends, enjoy great local music and soak in great southern Illinois pepper heat.

CITY: Cobden

Murphysboro Apple Festival

The Murphysboro Apple Festival is the oldest and largest, alcohol-free festival in Southern Illinois. Over 45,000 people attend the festival each year. During the five days of the Apple Festival, there are numerous activities drawing large crowds such as evening stage shows, carnival/concessions, Queen Contest, Prince and Princess Contest, contests from apple pie eating to apple core throwing, firefighters' water fights, marching band competition, car shows, Appletime 5K Walk/Run and much more. In addition, the festival's Grand Parade is one of the largest parade in Southern Illinois. The parade features an average of about 160 total units, 25 of those marching bands, and a variety of groups and organizations.

CITY: Murphysboro

McLeod Summer Playhouse

Enjoy your favorite plays right here in Carbondale with the McLeod Summer Playhouse series. In the past classic performances such as Chicago, Cinderella and Steel Magnolias have graced the stage, and this year's line-up is just as a impressive. Don't miss Hair, Guys & Dolls, and Annie, three incredible shows.

CITY: Carbondale

Southern Illinois Boat & Fishing Show

A weekend long event sponsored by the Youth Outdoor Education Foundation and the Williamson County Tourism Bureau. The show features boats, trailers, trucks, ATVs, fishing tackle, live entertainment and more. Admission and parking is free. Great fun for all ages.

CITY: Marion

Alto Wine Fest - Dawg Daze of Summer

What’s summer in Southern Illinois without festivities! Join Alto Vineyards in celebrating the summer with music from Whistle Pigs, Bone Dry River Band and the Rural Kings. Local art and wines; along with food, games, great friends and family-fun! From noon to 6pm

CITY: Alto Pass

Carbondale Rocks Revival

Musicians from all over the country come together for a weekend concert series spanning over 30 Carbondale venues. Whether you're into bluegrass, blues, country or hard rock, you're certain to find a concert to enjoy.

CITY: Carbondale

Christmas in the Village

Spend the day in downtown Cobden, where you can enjoy fresh-roasted nuts while listening to strolling Victorian carolers and madrigal players, take an old-fashioned horse-drawn surrey or wagon ride around the village, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Feed Store, where handcrafted wreaths and gingerbread houses will be on display.

CITY: Cobden

Easter Sunrise Service

Annual Easter Sunrise Service held at the 111 foot Bald Knob Cross, music & refreshments.

CITY: Alto Pass

John A Logan College Autumn Fest

This annual event features over 100 original arts and crafts, great food and music, children's activities, free admission, and free parking. For more information call 1-800-851-4720.

CITY: Carterville

Great Egyptian Omnium Bicycle Race

The Great Egyptian Omnium is a bicycle race that promotes the region of “Egypt” or Southern Illinois to the rest of the cycling world and encourages visitors to one of the best biking destinations in the Midwest. Our region is like none other, with hills and bluffs that will make a challenging course filled with natural beauty.

CITY: Carterville

Cache River Days

This fun fest includes a flea market, parade, softball tournament, yard sales, BBQ and music.

CITY: Ullin

Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant

The Miss Illinois Scholarship Association is a duly-accredited state preliminary scholarship association in the Miss America Organization - the world’s largest provider of scholarship and cash assistance to young women. For four nights the Marion Cultural and Civic Center will host preliminaries, Outstanding Teen and Pre-Teen pageants, and overall finals.

CITY: Marion

Christmas Craft and Wine Fair

The Pavilion of the City of Marion holds the Annual Christmas Craft and Wine Fair to showcase the homemade area crafts and local wines. This 2 day event brings crafters together with wine tasting in a wonderful event for the Christmas season. Sales from Local Wineries will be available. We have a variety of unique crafters to find that perfect gift. There will be door prizes, giveaways, Christmas music and more. You may even catch a glimpse of Santa or Mrs. Claus if you attend.

CITY: Marion

Pepper Fest

Celebrate the pepper harvest from 11am to 5pm, A favorite gathering for all chile heads and hot pepper fans. Walk the pepper field and see many varieties of hot peppers in bloom, meet the vendors and see who makes the best hot/spicy food, visit the Pepper Farm Store and select your favorite salsa, jellies, spices and pepper products, relax, visit with friends, enjoy great local music and soak in great southern Illinois pepper heat. 618-893-1443. www.darnhotpeppers.com

CITY: Cobden

Black Diamond Harley Davidson

This premier brand motorcycle dealership and apparel store has the largest inventory in the country. A two-story, 33,000 square foot warehouse building is located behind the store at 2400 Williamson County Parkway. This building can hold many events including fundraisers, concerts, wrestling, MMA matches and more!

CITY: Marion