COUNTRY STAR PHOTOS
  • Home
  • CMA Fest
    • 2026 CMA Music Festival >
      • News
      • Stage Schedules
      • Fan Club Parties
      • Around Town >
        • Events by Day
        • Events by Location
        • Grand Ole Opry
        • Writer's Rounds
      • Contests
      • Downloads/Maps
    • CMA Fest Archives >
      • CMA Music Festival (2015 - Current)
      • 2025 CMA Music Festival >
        • News
        • Stage Schedules
        • Fan Club Parties
        • Around Town >
          • Events by Day
          • Events by Location
          • Meet and Greet
        • Artists Schedules
    • CMA Music Festival Tips
    • CMA Music Festival Photos
  • Festivals
    • United States >
      • By State
      • By Month
      • Bluegrass >
        • Bluegrass Festivals
        • Organizations
      • Songwriters
    • Canada and Mexico >
      • Canada
      • Mexico
    • International >
      • By Country
      • Country 2 Country
  • Artists
    • Grand Ole Opry
    • Country Spotlight
  • Photos
    • Concert Photo Gallery
  • Travel
    • Nashville >
      • Live Music >
        • Concert Venues
        • Nashville Bars >
          • Broadway
          • The Avenues
          • Mid-Town
        • Writer's Rounds
      • Area Attractions
      • Museums
    • Museums
    • Hall of Fame (Other)
  • Contact

Festivals in Illinois

Booking.com
The following Country Music Festivals are currently being held in Illinois
  1. Tailgate and Tallboys: Bloomington in Bloomington
  2. Old Settlers Day in Rockton
  3. Mississippi River Festival in Alton
  4. Windy City Smokeout in Chicago
  5. ​Backroad Music Festival in Galva
​
Cancelled Festivals:
  • Country Life Music Festival last held in 2014 in Chilllicothe, Illinois​
  • Country LakeShake  last held in 2019 in Chicago, Illinois
  • Rusty Reel Lake Jam last held in 2023 in Effingham, Illinois
  • Tailgate and Tallboys - Taylorville last held in 2024 in Taylorville, Illinois
NOTE: For the most current information, please visit the official websites for each Festival by clicking on Festival Name or Logo. Information on this page was accurate at time of publication but things can change very quickly in the world of Festivals.

Most festivals now use flex/tier pricing therefore, we will no longer list prices but only provide the links to make purchases.​​

Tailgate & Tallboys: Bloomington

InMotion Hosting
Picture
Visit Web-site
McLean County Fairgrounds
1106 Interstate Drive
Bloomington, Illinois
61705

June 18 - June 21, 2026 (Bloomington, Illinois)
Tailgate N' Tallboys is where the spirit of country music comes to life, bringing fans together for unforgettable weekends filled with great music, cold drinks, and good times. From the tailgate to the stage, we deliver the best in live entertainment, featuring today’s hottest country artists and rising stars in an electric, festival atmosphere.

Whether you're singing along to your favorite songs under the open sky, sharing stories with friends around the tailgate, or dancing the night away, Tailgate N' Tallboys is more than just a festival – it's a celebration of the country lifestyle we all love. Grab your crew, throw on your boots, and snag your tickets, and join us for the ultimate country music experience.

Your city. Your festival. Your Tailgate N’ Tallboys.

​ARTISTS (Lineup and Schedule subject to change)
TICKETS (Prices subject to change. Does not include Taxes and Fees)
From $155

BUY TICKETS

Old Settlers Day

tomato timer

html map area
Picture
Visit Web-Site
Settler's Park
200 Hawick Street
Rockton, Illinois 
61071
(815) 239-0861
June 18 - June 21, 2026 (Rockton, Illinois)
Get ready for the biggest party of the summer — Old Settlers Days is hosted by the Rockton Lions Club, this four‑day country music festival brings affordable, family‑friendly fun to the heart of downtown Rockton, IL — all while giving back to the community.

Downtown Rockton transforms into a celebration of live music, local pride, and summertime excitement. Enjoy an incredible lineup featuring top national acts and standout local talent on the main stage every night.

Why You Can’t Miss It
  • Four days of nonstop music from the artists you love
  • Carnival rides and games for all ages
  • The best fair food of the summer
  • Community events, including a blood drive

It is the largest fundraiser for the Rockton Lions. Proceeds are funneled back into the Greater Rockton area.

ARTISTS (Lineup and Schedule subject to change)
June 18: Chris Janson
June 19: Ashley McBryde
June 20: TBA
June 21: Josh Ross

​​TICKETS: ​(Subject to change. Does not include taxes and fees)
BUY TICKETS

Mississippi River Festival 

Broadband Providers
Picture
​
​June 27 - June 28, 2025 (Alton, Mississippi)
Dates for 2026 TBA


Mississippi River Festival is a celebration of music, culture, and community that echoes the vibrant spirit of its historic predecessor.

From 1969 to 1980, the MRF captivated audiences on the verdant campus of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, this iconic festival enchanted concert-goers with its unique blend of natural beauty and world-class performances.

Underneath the sprawling canopy of a circus-like tent, music lovers gathered to revel in the sounds of rock, folk, bluegrass, and classical melodies. From the legendary performances of The Who, Yes, and the Grateful Dead to the intimate moments shared with Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan, the MRF left an indelible mark on the memories of over one million attendees.

As we embark on this journey to revitalize the MRF, we honor its rich legacy while embracing the opportunity to write a new chapter in its storied history.​

ARTISTS (Lineup and Schedule subject to change)
​TBA

​​TICKETS: ​(Subject to change. Does not include taxes and fees)
TBA

Windy City Smokeout

Hosting Right Now
Picture
Visit Web-site
1901 W. Madison Street
Chicago, IL
60612

​July 8 - July 12, 2026 (Chicago, Illinois)
The Windy City Smokeout is a BBQ and country music festival, featuring three days of live country music, beer and BBQ in downtown Chicago.

Get ready for beer, BBQ and country tunes, during the Windy City Smokeout!

You can taste delicious offerings from some of the best BBQ talent and craft breweries from around the country.

Hosted by Chicago’s BBQ destination, Bub City, and ACM award-winning Joe's on Weed St., the Windy City Smokeout will be bringing an impressive lineup of country music stars and up-and-coming talent to the stage.

 
ARTISTS (Lineup and Schedule subject to change)
VIEW LINEUP
​
TICKETS (Prices subject to change. Does not include Taxes and Fees)
​From $300

BUY TICKETS

Backroad Music Festival

InMotion Hosting
Picture
Visit Web-site
213 SE 6th Street
Galva, IL
61434

August 15  – August 15, 2026 (Galva, Illinois)
 1 Day Country Music Festival at the beautiful Galva Park District in Galva, IL. Family friendly atmosphere, cold drinks, great food & an awesome time in small town USA.
​
ARTISTS:  ​(Lineup and Schedule subject to change)
Coming Soon
​

LINEUP

​TICKETS: ​(Subject to change. Does not include taxes and fees
BUY TICKETS
​​
Picture
Emails will resume in early 2025 or whenever additional details become available.
NOTE: Country Star Photos has no affiliation and is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with the Country Music Association, Inc./CMA Fest or any of  its subsidiaries. ​​​

Location

What Our Followers Are Saying

"Great source of information for CMA Country Music Festival. As a first time attendee in 2015, I found the information invaluable" - Nathan, Texas

​"WOW. So many artists in one place. Made it easy for me." Janice, Georgia

​"Never knew there were so many festivals in my area. Can't wait to try them out". Connie, Minnesota
All photos and content on these pages (except for Social Media pages) are the Copyright of ©Debbie Whitaker and ©Country Star Photos and may not be used or reproduced without the express written consent of the copyright owner.
  • Home
  • CMA Fest
    • 2026 CMA Music Festival >
      • News
      • Stage Schedules
      • Fan Club Parties
      • Around Town >
        • Events by Day
        • Events by Location
        • Grand Ole Opry
        • Writer's Rounds
      • Contests
      • Downloads/Maps
    • CMA Fest Archives >
      • CMA Music Festival (2015 - Current)
      • 2025 CMA Music Festival >
        • News
        • Stage Schedules
        • Fan Club Parties
        • Around Town >
          • Events by Day
          • Events by Location
          • Meet and Greet
        • Artists Schedules
    • CMA Music Festival Tips
    • CMA Music Festival Photos
  • Festivals
    • United States >
      • By State
      • By Month
      • Bluegrass >
        • Bluegrass Festivals
        • Organizations
      • Songwriters
    • Canada and Mexico >
      • Canada
      • Mexico
    • International >
      • By Country
      • Country 2 Country
  • Artists
    • Grand Ole Opry
    • Country Spotlight
  • Photos
    • Concert Photo Gallery
  • Travel
    • Nashville >
      • Live Music >
        • Concert Venues
        • Nashville Bars >
          • Broadway
          • The Avenues
          • Mid-Town
        • Writer's Rounds
      • Area Attractions
      • Museums
    • Museums
    • Hall of Fame (Other)
  • Contact