Lewis & Clark State Historic Site: Music Festival

Traditional music of the late 1700s and early 1800s will be performed by musicians playing fiddles, dulcimers and flutes at this free annual dance and music festival.

CITY: Hartford

Flags Over the Mississippi Struggle for the Empire

Control over the Mississippi River Valley, rich in natural resources, was fought for as European nations struggled to build their New World empires. Come and enjoy an interpretation of Spanish, French, British and American military life during this free event that honors this important period in history.

CITY: Hartford

Arrival at Camp River Dubois

Come celebrate the arrival of Lewis and Clark at Camp River Dubois. This annual event commemorates December 12, the day William Clark and the men of the detachment arrived at the confluence of the Riviere a Dubois, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The event will include members of the detachment portraying military life, re-enactors recreating the civilian population and demonstrations.

CITY: Hartford

Grafton Rendezvous

Join us for the return of the Grafton Rendezvous on the banks of the Illinois River. See pre-1840 history come to life and experience what a busy river port was like during that period. Traders will demonstrate candle and rope making, bead working, wood carving, metal working and leather crafting. There will be tomahawk and knife throwing and much more. Bring the family and enjoy the fun.

CITY: Grafton

Young Lincoln's Wilderness Capital Street Pageants

Street Corners in downtown Vandalia will be the stage for short performances that re-create historic moments. For example, a young Abraham Lincoln will meet Stephen Douglas at the Statehouse. What a fun way to learn about the past!

CITY: Vandalia

Blacksmith Demonstrations and Tours

Live blacksmith demonstrations and tours at the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead June 9th and 23rd from Noon to 4:00 pm. and on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

CITY: DeKalb

Lincoln Days Civil War Re-Enactment

Civil War Re-Enactment held at the Pittsfield City Lake. Featuring a parade, military drills, soldier camps, Living History Lectures, music, period food, vendors and artisans. Step back in time to historic Pittsfield as Union and Confederate forces prepare for battle.

CITY: Pittsfield

Kelloggs's Grove Living History

The Kellogg's Grove Living History will be held at the Black Hawk War Monument, on Monument Road east of Kent. The event will feature period cooking, musket firing demonstrations, milita drills, large Pit Saw Rig, talks and speeches on the Battle of Kellegg's Grove and the Balckhawk War. Author Patrick Jung will be the featured speaker. Jay Castro will be on site displaying his Lincoln statue. Please bring seating and picnic baskets and enjoy a slice of 1830's.

CITY: Kent

Civil War Ball, Dinner and Style Show

Logan Rail splitting Association will sponsor its annual Civil War Ball and this year is adding a dinner and style show. Civil War era clothing is encouraged, but dancers are also welcome to come in modern casual attire. Never danced before? Don't worry. Instructors are available to walk newcomers through the dances. All ages welcome.

CITY: Lincoln

Old English Faire

The fundraiser for Wildlife Prairie State Park pays tribute to the sights, sounds, aromas, speech and activities of the Middle Ages. Come cheer on sword fighters, jousters and archers as they compete in mock battles.

CITY: Hanna City

History Comes Alive

Every day for 12 weeks this summer, you’ll be able to take a step back in time as you participate in a whole array of living history performances and programs that will both delight and educate about the Springfield Abraham Lincoln knew and loved for most of his life. From Civil War encampments to White House kitchen chats with Mr. Lincoln himself, there’s something for everyone. Some event may have fee.

CITY: Springfield

Heritage Festival & Duck Race

This festival celebrates the county’s rich heritage and history. The event includes exceptional period entertainment and activities including; 1800’s outdoor play, pageant, quilt show, duck race, area craft and food vendors. Festivities also include a period ball, a Regal Women’s Tea and live entertainment throughout the activities.

CITY: Elizabethtown

Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival

The 34th Annual Franklin Grove Summer Harvest Festival is a city-wide celebration of the area's heritage with a wide variety of activities and events for all to enjoy. The festival includes a pancake breakfast, village-wide yard sales, tours of the H.I. Lincoln Building, the Franklin Grove Art & Fiber Festival, the Living History Antique Equipment Show and parade plus tours of the Franklin Creek Grist Mill and Nachusa Grasslands. Many of the Summer Harvest Festival activities and events will take place at Chaplin Creek Village which will also host live blue grass and folk music, draft horse and mule jamboree The Chaplin Creek Muzzle Loaders encampment, 19th century prairie village demonstrations and more.

CITY: Franklin Grove

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

THURSDAY-FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY, AUGUST 8-9-10-11, 2013 Show Hours: Thursday, August 8, 2013 - 12 NOON - 8pm Friday, August 9, 2013 - 12 NOON - 8pm Saturday, August 10, 2013 - 10am - 7pm Sunday, August 11, 2013 - 10am - 5pm All full-price attendees will receive a limited-edition, exclusive cover variant of The Walking Dead #1 by TBD! Artist will be on hand to sign. Extremely limited quantities are available to fans only while supplies last! **Children 10 and under get in FREE when accompanied by a paid adult (Limit 2 Per Paid Adult Tickets). All show tickets will be e-mailed AND available as a pdf file after purchase.**

CITY: Rosemont

Annual Fort de Chartres Rendezvous

The Rendezvous is a re-creation of the traditional French trappers' holiday of the Eighteenth Century, and is one of the oldest and largest events of its kind in the United States. Join with the buckskinners, militiamen, artisans, and entertainer as they celebrate life in the shadows of the great fortress known as Fort de Chartres.

CITY: Prairie du Rocher

Oregon Trail Days

Celebration of our American Indian and Western heritage with a variety of live entertainment including cowboys on horses, Annie Oakley, The Whip Guy and authentic American Indian dancing and drumming. Pioneer gathering with log cabin, art show, vendors and food court. Lots of children's activities and tours of the Black Hawk Statue. Live country music entertainment, including a Johnny Cash Tribute.

CITY: Oregon

Evergreen Cemetery Discovery Walk

The Evergreen Cemetery Discovery Walk brings history to life through costumed actors assuming the intriguing characters of McLean County’s ancestors in the beautiful grounds of Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Both individuals and families can attend this fascinating, award-winning outdoor history theater program. This event is a collaboration between the McLean County Museum of History, Illinois Voices Theatre and Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. For more information, please call 309-827-0428 or visit www.mchistory.org.

CITY: Bloomington

Stockton Civil War Days-Battle Of Morseville

Step back in time with a Civil War reenactment and encampment. There will be a period fashion show, medical scenarios and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

CITY: Stockton

22nd Annual Civil War Days

Make plans to attend the Northern Illinois' largest Civil War reenactment. The Lake County Discovery Museum is proud to present the 22nd annual Civil War Days encampment. The event features infantry, cavalry and artillery reenactors, as well as musicians, sutlers, medical personnel and civilians. A large-scale battle reenactment, ongoing drills, kids' activities, and Civil War era shopping are available both days. Please call (847) 968-3400 or visit our website for more information.

CITY: Wauconda

Lincoln/Douglas Debate Commemoration

Annual public ceremony with speakers, marking the 153rd anniversary of the historic, 1858 meeting of Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln in Freeport, Illinois.

CITY: Freeport

John Deere Green Iron Days

The John Deere Historic Site will be covered in green during the 13th biennial tractor & equipment show. Enjoy the sights & sounds of hundreds of pre-1979 machines. You can also tour the John Deere home, archaeological excavation site of his original blacksmith shop and see a live demonstration of blacksmithing in a replica of his shop.

CITY: Grand Detour

114th Infantry Regiment Flag Lowering Ceremony

The Regiment, in authentic Civil War uniforms, demonstrates drill movements and performs a beautiful flag-lowering ceremony in front of the Lincoln Tomb. The flag is presented to a member of the audience. Ceremony every Tuesday evening.

CITY: Springfield

Civil War Medical Encampment

The Old State Capitol grounds will be transformed into a Civil War Medical Encampment, complete with re-enactors, camp life and activities for the entire family, including authentic Civil War living history programs on the grounds of the Old State Capitol and history education programs in the site's historic rooms. Sponsored by Memorial Medical Center.

CITY: Springfield

General Grierson Days Civil War Reenactment

The midwest's largest mounted Civil War reenactment gets better every year in this, the hometown of General Benjamin Grierson, famous Civil War leader and cavalry officer. Authentic battle reenactments, period vendors, lots of food and fun - free event for the whole family.

CITY: Jacksonville

Candlelight Tour of New Salem

Bring the family to experience New Salem village after dark. Interpreters in period clothing will welcome you into the reconstructed log homes of the historic village where Abraham Lincoln lived for six years.

CITY: Petersburg

Lincoln’s Bloomington Festival and Civil War Days

The McLean County Museum of History, David Davis Mansion, and other sites will host Civil War re-enactors, traditional craft demonstrations, children’s activities, musical performances, talks and tours.

CITY: Bloomington

Lincoln's Ghost Walks - Legends and Lore

Take a 90-minute nighttime tour of sites throughout Springfield that are linked to spirited stories about Lincoln’s life and death. Founder Garret Moffett based the tour partly on local lore about Lincoln’s visions and dreams, as well as on reported ghost sightings.

CITY: Springfield