Summer in the Midwest is bursting with family-friendly events, fairs, and festivals that bring communities together for fun, food, and unforgettable memories.
From state fairs to cultural celebrations, June, July, and August 2025 offer something for everyone. Below, we’ve rounded up the top four family-oriented events in each Midwest state, complete with dates, key details, and links for more information.
Whether you’re in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin, here’s your guide to summer fun in 2025.
Illinois
- Mundelein’s Craft Beer Festival
- Date: June 7, 2025
- Location: Mundelein, IL
- Details: Kick off summer with this family-friendly festival featuring craft beer tastings for adults, live music, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities like face painting and games. It’s a great way to enjoy a laid-back day outdoors.
- More Info: Festival Guides and Reviews
- Des Moines Arts Festival
- Date: June 27-29, 2025
- Location: Western Gateway Park, Des Moines, IA (close enough for Illinois families to visit!)
- Details: While technically in Iowa, this festival is a short drive for Illinois residents. It features stunning art exhibits, live performances, and interactive art activities for kids, making it a perfect family outing.
- More Info: Des Moines Arts Festival
- Rock the Dock
- Date: July 4, 2025
- Location: Springfield, IL
- Details: Celebrate Independence Day with this lakeside festival featuring live music, food vendors, and a spectacular fireworks display. Kids will love the bounce houses and games, while parents enjoy the festive atmosphere.
- More Info: Festival Guides and Reviews
- Illinois State Fair
- Date: August 7-17, 2025
- Location: Springfield, IL
- Details: A Midwest classic, the Illinois State Fair offers carnival rides, livestock shows, live concerts, and delicious fair food. It’s packed with family activities, from 4-H exhibits to interactive kids’ zones.
- More Info: Illinois State Fair
Indiana
- LaGrange Carnival
- Date: June 5-8, 2025 (tentative based on past years)
- Location: LaGrange, IN
- Details: This small-town carnival is big on family fun, with rides, games, and local food vendors. Kids can enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo, while adults appreciate the community vibe.
- More Info: Mommy Poppins
- Indiana State Fair
- Date: August 1-17, 2025
- Location: Indianapolis, IN
- Details: One of the Midwest’s biggest fairs, this event features thrilling rides, farm animal exhibits, live music, and unique food like deep-fried Oreos. The kids’ area includes hands-on agricultural activities.
- More Info: Indiana State Fair
- Elkhart County 4-H Fair
- Date: July 18-26, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Goshen, IN
- Details: This fair is a family favorite with rodeos, tractor pulls, carnival rides, and 4-H exhibits. Kids can enjoy free entertainment like magic shows and petting zoos.
- More Info: Elkhart County 4-H Fair
- Porter County Fair
- Date: July 17-26, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Valparaiso, IN
- Details: Expect carnival rides, live music, demolition derbies, and plenty of fair food. The fair’s family-friendly atmosphere includes a kids’ day with special activities.
- More Info: Porter County Fair
Iowa
- Des Moines Arts Festival
- Date: June 27-29, 2025
- Location: Des Moines, IA
- Details: This award-winning festival showcases visual arts, live music, and interactive kids’ activities like art workshops. Food trucks and a vibrant atmosphere make it a family hit.
- More Info: Des Moines Arts Festival
- Iowa State Fair
- Date: August 7-17, 2025
- Location: Des Moines, IA
- Details: Known for its butter cow sculpture, this fair offers rides, livestock shows, concerts, and unique foods like corn dogs. The kids’ zone features games and educational exhibits.
- More Info: Iowa State Fair
- National Balloon Classic
- Date: July 25-August 2, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Indianola, IA
- Details: Watch colorful hot air balloons fill the sky, enjoy live music, and explore kid-friendly activities like balloon rides (weather permitting) and craft booths.
- More Info: National Balloon Classic
- Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival
- Date: July 24-27, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Davenport, IA
- Details: Jazz lovers and families alike will enjoy live performances, food vendors, and a family-friendly street fair vibe. Kids can join in music workshops.
- More Info: Bix Jazz Festival
Kansas
- Kansas State Fair
- Date: August 8-17, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Hutchinson, KS
- Details: This fair offers carnival rides, livestock shows, live entertainment, and a kids’ zone with interactive games. Don’t miss the famous funnel cakes!
- More Info: Kansas State Fair
- Walnut Valley Festival
- Date: July 17-20, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Winfield, KS
- Details: A family-friendly music festival featuring bluegrass and folk performances, craft vendors, and kids’ activities like instrument workshops.
- More Info: Walnut Valley Festival
- Old Settlers’ Day
- Date: June 20-22, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Halstead, KS
- Details: This community festival includes a parade, carnival rides, live music, and a kids’ area with games and face painting. It’s a small-town gem.
- More Info: Old Settlers’ Day
- Amelia Earhart Festival
- Date: July 18-19, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Atchison, KS
- Details: Celebrate aviation history with air shows, live music, food vendors, and kids’ activities like kite flying and crafts. The fireworks display is a highlight.
- More Info: Amelia Earhart Festival
Michigan
- Michigan State Fair
- Date: August 28-September 1, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Novi, MI
- Details: This fair features carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, live music, and a kids’ zone with animal shows and interactive games.
- More Info: Michigan State Fair
- National Cherry Festival
- Date: June 28-July 5, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Traverse City, MI
- Details: Celebrate Michigan’s cherry harvest with parades, air shows, kids’ activities, and cherry-themed foods like pie-eating contests.
- More Info: National Cherry Festival
- Eaton County Fair
- Date: July 7-12, 2025
- Location: Charlotte, MI
- Details: Enjoy carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, tractor pulls, and a kids’ area with games and petting zoos. It’s a classic county fair experience.
- More Info: Lansing Events
- Art in the Park
- Date: July 12-13, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Plymouth, MI
- Details: This art festival features local artists, live music, food trucks, and kids’ craft activities, making it a great family day out.
- More Info: Art in the Park
Minnesota
- Midwest Bookish Fest
- Date: June 27-29, 2025
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Details: Perfect for book-loving families, this festival offers author meet-and-greets, storytelling sessions, and kids’ reading activities, plus food vendors.
- More Info: IngramSpark
- Minneapolis Aquatennial
- Date: July 23-26, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Details: This summer celebration includes parades, fireworks, live music, and family-friendly activities like water-themed games and craft booths.
- More Info: Minneapolis Aquatennial
- Minnesota State Fair
- Date: August 21-September 1, 2025
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Details: One of the largest state fairs in the U.S., it offers rides, food on a stick, live entertainment, and a kids’ farm experience with animals and games.
- More Info: Minnesota State Fair
- Duluth Fourth Fest
- Date: July 4, 2025
- Location: Duluth, MN
- Details: Celebrate Independence Day with live music, food vendors, kids’ activities, and one of the Midwest’s best fireworks displays over Lake Superior.
- More Info: Visit Duluth
Missouri
- Missouri State Fair
- Date: August 7-17, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Sedalia, MO
- Details: Enjoy carnival rides, livestock shows, live concerts, and a kids’ zone with games and educational exhibits. Try the famous corn dogs!
- More Info: Missouri State Fair
- Festival of the Little Hills
- Date: August 15-17, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: St. Charles, MO
- Details: This historic festival features craft vendors, live music, food stalls, and kids’ activities like face painting and pony rides.
- More Info: Festival of the Little Hills
- Ozark Empire Fair
- Date: July 24-August 2, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Springfield, MO
- Details: Expect carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, live entertainment, and a kids’ area with games and animal shows.
- More Info: Ozark Empire Fair
- St. Louis Festival of Nations
- Date: August 23-24, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: St. Louis, MO
- Details: Celebrate global cultures with international food, music, dance, and kids’ activities like craft workshops and storytelling.
- More Info: Festival of Nations
Nebraska
- Nebraska State Fair
- Date: August 22-September 1, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Grand Island, NE
- Details: This fair offers carnival rides, livestock shows, live music, and a kids’ zone with games and farm activities.
- More Info: Nebraska State Fair
- Omaha Summer Arts Festival
- Date: June 6-8, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Details: Enjoy art exhibits, live performances, food vendors, and a kids’ art zone with hands-on activities.
- More Info: Omaha Summer Arts Festival
- Lancaster County Super Fair
- Date: July 31-August 9, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Lincoln, NE
- Details: This fair features carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, tractor pulls, and family-friendly entertainment like magic shows and petting zoos.
- More Info: Lancaster County Super Fair
- Nebraskaland Days
- Date: June 18-28, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: North Platte, NE
- Details: Celebrate Nebraska’s heritage with rodeos, parades, concerts, and kids’ activities like face painting and games.
- More Info: Nebraskaland Days
North Dakota
- North Dakota State Fair
- Date: July 18-26, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Minot, ND
- Details: Enjoy carnival rides, live concerts, livestock shows, and a kids’ area with games and animal exhibits.
- More Info: North Dakota State Fair
- Red River Valley Fair
- Date: July 8-13, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: West Fargo, ND
- Details: This fair offers rides, live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities like 4-H exhibits and kids’ crafts.
- More Info: Red River Valley Fair
- Norsk Hostfest
- Date: August 27-30, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Minot, ND
- Details: Celebrate Scandinavian culture with music, dance, food, and kids’ activities like Viking games and craft workshops.
- More Info: Norsk Hostfest
- Downtown Fargo Street Fair
- Date: July 17-19, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Fargo, ND
- Details: This vibrant street fair features local vendors, live music, food trucks, and a kids’ zone with games and face painting.
- More Info: Downtown Fargo Street Fair
Ohio
- Ohio State Fair
- Date: July 23-August 3, 2025
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Details: A family favorite since 1850, this fair offers thrilling rides, live music, livestock shows, and a kids’ zone with educational exhibits.
- More Info: Ohio State Fair
- United Irish of Dayton Celtic Fest
- Date: July 25-27, 2025
- Location: Dayton, OH
- Details: Celebrate Irish culture with music, dance, food, and family-friendly activities like Celtic games and storytelling.
- More Info: Culture Works
- Great Lakes Medieval Faire
- Date: July 12-August 17, 2025 (weekends, tentative)
- Location: Geneva, OH
- Details: Step back in time with jousting, live performances, and kids’ activities like costume contests and crafts.
- More Info: Great Lakes Medieval Faire
- Columbus Arts Festival
- Date: June 6-8, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Details: Enjoy art exhibits, live music, food vendors, and a kids’ art zone with hands-on activities.
- More Info: Columbus Arts Festival
South Dakota
- South Dakota State Fair
- Date: August 28-September 1, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Huron, SD
- Details: This fair features carnival rides, livestock shows, live entertainment, and a kids’ area with games and 4-H exhibits.
- More Info: South Dakota State Fair
- Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival
- Date: July 17-19, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Details: Enjoy live jazz and blues music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities like kids’ music workshops.
- More Info: Sioux Falls Jazz Fest
- Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo
- Date: August 1-9, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Rapid City, SD
- Details: This event combines rodeo action, livestock shows, and kids’ activities like pony rides and roping games.
- More Info: Black Hills Stock Show
- Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup
- Date: August 29, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Custer, SD
- Details: Watch cowboys herd buffalo, enjoy live music, food vendors, and kids’ activities like Native American storytelling.
- More Info: Custer State Park
Wisconsin
- Summerfest
- Date: June 26-28, July 3-5, July 10-12, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Details: Known as the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest offers live performances, food vendors, and a kids’ area with games and crafts.
- More Info: Summerfest
- Wisconsin State Fair
- Date: August 7-17, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: West Allis, WI
- Details: Enjoy carnival rides, cream puffs, live music, and a kids’ zone with animal shows and interactive exhibits.
- More Info: Wisconsin State Fair
- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
- Date: July 21-27, 2025 (tentative)
- Location: Oshkosh, WI
- Details: Aviation enthusiasts will love this air show with plane displays, stunt performances, and kids’ activities like flight simulators.
- More Info: EAA AirVenture
- Bristol Renaissance Faire
- Date: July 12-August 17, 2025 (weekends, tentative)
- Location: Kenosha, WI
- Details: Travel back to the Renaissance with jousting, live performances, and kids’ activities like costume contests and crafts.
- More Info: Bristol Renaissance Faire
Plan Your Midwest Summer Adventure
The Midwest is packed with family-friendly events in summer 2025, from state fairs to cultural festivals.
These events offer something for everyone, whether you’re into rides, music, food, or hands-on activities for kids. For more details on events across the Midwest, check out Festival Guides and Reviews for comprehensive listings and updates. Plan ahead, pack some sunscreen, and make this summer one to remember!
Note: Some dates are tentative based on previous years’ schedules. Always check official event websites closer to the date for confirmation.
Comment below if you have gone, or are planning on going to any of these events.
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