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Event Spotlight ILLINOIS
Goats + Floats | June 21, JULY 1, 5, 12, 15, 19, 26 & 29
(Galena) Join Hoof It Goat Treks for a fun-filled trek with refreshing root beer floats! Available monthly through November, this hour-long adventure is fun for all ages and will surely bring a smile to your face. Reserve your spot for summer excitement in Galena, Illinois. More info »
COLORADO
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival | July 10-19
(Crested Butte) Celebrates the blooms that earned Gunnison Valley its designation as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. More than 150 workshops and guided events led by over 40 expert instructors cover alpine hiking, photography, painting, pollination science, culinary arts and more during peak bloom season.
Canadian Brass | July 14
(Boulder) The award-winning Canadian Brass—hailed as one of the world's most popular brass ensembles—opens the 2026 series at Chautauqua Auditorium with signature humor, charisma and brilliant musicianship.
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FLORIDA
St. Augustine Music Festival | June 19-21 & 26-28
(St. Augustine) Free classical and chamber music performances celebrate St. Augustine’s rich artistic traditions and cultural heritage. Presented at the historic Cathedral Basilica, the series invites attendees to deepen their appreciation of music while connecting with the community.
Lake Placid Caladium Festival | July 24-26
(Lake Placid) Held in what is known as the “Caladium Capital of the World,” the community celebrates the plant that is grown in greater quantities in Highlands County than anywhere else in the world. The festival features arts and crafts vendors, local food, live entertainment and a classic car and bike show.
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GEORGIA
AthFest Music & Arts Festival | June 26-28
(Athens) Free live music performances will fill the air of downtown Athens! Held across multiple indoor and outdoor stages, the event also includes a juried arts and crafts market, local food vendors and the electric vibe that has made Athens one of the country’s most celebrated music communities for decades.
Laser Light Show | July 25
(Hiawassee) Held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, celebrate America's 250th birthday with a patriotic red, white and blue Laser Light Show, plus family fun with food trucks, vendors and kids activities. Free for children 12 and under, gates open at 5 p.m., bring your chairs and blankets and settle in for a fun night.
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ILLINOIS
Petunia Festival | July 2-5
(Dixon) This community festival has taken place since the 1930s, earning the city its nickname as the Petunia Capital of the World. The festival, located along the Rock River, features a parade, carnival rides, live entertainment, food vendors, and a pageant. The festival ends with fireworks on the night of July 5th.
Old Settlers Days | June 26-28
(Lanark) A beloved community celebration packed with live music, local vendors, food, a "Happy 250th Birthday America" parade, beer garden, kids zone with inflatables, exotic animals, and a classic car show at Lanark City Park.
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INDIANA
GreekFest | June 25-28
(Fort Wayne) Experience warm Greek hospitality at Fort Wayne's GreekFest, featuring Greek authentic cuisine, live music and traditional dancing at Headwaters Park Pavilions. Greek Fest swag will also be available for purchase while supplies last! Children 12 and under, active military and veterans enjoy free admission. OPA!
South Bend Cubs Game & Fireworks | June 25, July 17 & 24
(South Bend) Sit back and enjoy a South Bend Cubs baseball game at Four Winds Field and stay afterwards for post-game fireworks. AAA Members, you can purchase tickets to the game and purchase parking passes through AAA.com/Tickets!
IOWA
Strawberry Days | June 12-14
(Strawberry Point) This northeast Iowa community has celebrated its namesake fruit with this festival for decades. Events include a parade, live entertainment, food, tractor pull, carnival rides and activities centered on the strawberry harvest season in the Upper Mississippi River region.
Ice Cream Days | June 17-20
(Le Mars) Known as the Ice Cream Capital of the World, Le Mars is home to Wells Enterprises, maker of Blue Bunny ice cream. The annual festival celebrates the historic town’s dairy heritage with ice cream eating contests, a parade, live entertainment, a vendor market, a carnival and family activities.
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MICHIGAN
A Cherry Royal Picnic in the Park | July 5
(Traverse City) Princes and princesses of all ages are welcome at this enchanting July 5 picnic, part of Michigan’s 100th National Cherry Festival. Expect sing-alongs, cherry trivia, dance lessons and book readings. Bring your picnic and enjoy an evening of royal family fun.
Viking Alliance—Polish Festival | July 16-18
(Coldwater) Downtown Bronson fills with authentic Polish food, vendors and crafters for a festive community weekend. Lace up for the family-friendly 5K run, 2-mile walk or Kids Mile Fun Run, with proceeds supporting the Bronson Viking Track and Field Program.
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MINNESOTA
Taste of Minnesota | July 3-4
(St. Paul) A community food festival along the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, celebrating the Fourth of July with Minnesota restaurants, free live music on multiple stages, family activities and fireworks.
Winona County Fair | July 8-12
(St. Charles) A historic, family-friendly celebration of agriculture, community and youth development, featuring 4-H and open-class livestock judging, a carnival midway, grandstand motor events, demonstrations and an event tent packed with book bingo, a puzzle contest and a talent show.
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NEBRASKA
Oregon Trail Days | July 9-12
(Nebraska City) This annual festival near the base of Scotts Bluff National Monument commemorates the pioneers who traveled the Oregon Trail through the North Platte River Valley in the mid-1800s. Events include a parade, concerts, an art show, a food fair, a carnival and historical programming honoring the role this stretch of western Nebraska played in one of the great migrations in American history.
Nebraska’s Big Rodeo | July 22-25
(Burwell) A legendary four-day PRCA rodeo packed with top-tier bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, chuckwagon races, grand parades, 4-H exhibits, classic fair food and more—pure Nebraska cowboy culture at its finest.
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NORTH CAROLINA
Fayetteville Woodpeckers Baseball GEEKend | July 17
(Fayetteville) Harry Potter Night comes to Segra Stadium as the Woodpeckers take on the Augusta GreenJackets. Snag an exclusive House jersey, then stay for postgame fireworks and on-field player autographs—magic for the whole family.
Capitol 250: North Carolina Freedom Fest | July 4
(Raleigh) A free, all-day celebration of North Carolina's arts, history, nature and culture, featuring live music, family activities, trolley tours, living history exhibits, an Independence Day ceremony and more than 50 vendors and food trucks—all at the North Carolina State Capitol.
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NORTH DAKOTA
Little Kids, Big Word: I scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream! | June 27 & 29
(Bismarck) Toddlers and preschoolers discover the sweet history of ice cream in this free, interactive 30-minute program at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck—complete with a fun paper ice cream craft.
North Dakota Country Fest | July 8-11
(New Salem) Held at the Morton County Fairgrounds in New Salem in south central North Dakota, this four-day country music and camping festival draws performers and fans from across the country. The 2026 lineup includes Darius Rucker, Nate Smith, Terri Clark, and Billy Currington across multiple days of performances, with camping available on the festival grounds throughout the weekend.
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SOUTH CAROLINA
Celebrating America’s 250th at the Barn | June 27
(Aiken) Head to the historic Gaston Livery Stable site for an afternoon of bluegrass music, games, entertainment, historic demonstrations, educational activities and more. Bring your family and friends, plus lawn chairs and blankets to make the most of this family-friendly event.
South Carolina Peach Festival | July 17
(Gaffney) Home to the famous water tower shaped like a peach, Gaffney hosts this annual tribute to the state's peach growing heritage. Peach tastings, cooking competitions, live entertainment, carnival rides, a pageant, and a street fair draw visitors to the heart of the state’s peach country each summer.
More South Carolina Events »
TENNESSEE
Sevier County’s America 250 Celebration | June 26
(Sevierville) Sevier County is hosting an America 250 celebration at the historic Sevier County Courthouse The free, family-friendly event offers an evening of community and patriotism, capped off with fireworks at dusk.
Pints with Patriots Veterans Social | July 15
(Knoxville) Join Rocky Top Veterans Foundation at Printshop Beer Company for a warm evening of food, friendship and camaraderie. Every veteran receives a complimentary dinner as all generations come together to connect and celebrate their shared service.
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WISCONSIN
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival | June 27-28
(Cedarburg) Washington Avenue will be filled with strawberry-inspired foods including strawberry shortcake and strawberry wine, alongside the concurrent Art on the Avenue juried art show. Children's activities, live music and unique shopping in the historic stone mill district round out the weekend.
New Glarus Blues, Brews & Food Trucks Festival | July 18
(New Glarus) Downtown New Glarus comes alive with live music, New Glarus Brewing Company craft beers, Swiss-Wisconsin cheese and food trucks galore. Browse local shops, bring the kids and soak it all in—the event is free to attend.
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AAA PODCASTS & WEBCASTS
Our “Well-Traveled With AAA” podcasts and webcasts are your gateway to the world of travel. Each episode features insights from AAA travel experts and our network of preferred travel partners to ignite your wanderlust for adventure. Visit AAA.com/Well-Traveled to explore the latest episodes.
EVENTS MENTIONED ABOVE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
PHOTO CREDITS: ADOBE STOCK, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
