Springfield, IL Discount Hotels

February

Downtown Mardi Gras Celebration

Downtown Springfield

Pre-Lenten Fun! Evening Sidewalk Parade-participation encouraged! Dress up and join the parade! Promotions and free beads at many locations (purchase may be required.) New Orleans foods and chicory coffee offered at many eateries.

Information: 217-391-0101 or 217-528-2234

March

Shamrock Games

Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum

Athletes in traditional Celtic kilts from across the United States participate in events including: the caber toss, hammer throw, weight for height, stone throw & sheaf toss. Admission charged for competition which begins at 9am, Music at 4pm provided by the St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums. Information: 217-415-8324

Late April, early May

Springfield Air Rendezvous

Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport

Springfield Air Rendezvous  features the BLUE ANGELS! The air show is affordable family fun for all. In addition to the action in the air with aerobatic performers & military demonstrations, the air show provides lots of fun and action on the ground too. Ground activities are everywhere from rock wall climbing to motion rides to great food to pedal airplanes for the smallest of air show fans to visiting with people from all over the world. Information: 217/789-4400

Early May

Pied Piper Downtown Architectural Walking Tour

Begins in front of Lincoln Herndon Law Office at 5 p.m.

Join Anthony Rubano of IHPA in a walking tour discussing the architectural styles, materials, and treatments that make up historic Downtown Springfield. Information: 217-544-1723

3^rd Week in May

Illinois Highland Games and Celtic Festival

State Fair Grounds

Celebrate Celtic history, spend a day and go back 400 years in history. Dance, music, athletics, vendors and food. Largest ethnic festival in downstate Illinois.

Information: 217-546-9800

Third week in May

Old Capitol Art Fair

Captial Plaza, Springfield, IL

Rain or shine, the Old Capitol Art Fair is held on the plaza in downtown Springfield. Two days filled with fine art with nearly 200 artistsFood vendors, live entertainment all weekend.

Information: 217.391.0140

Early June

Hot Rod Power Tour

Illinois State Fairgrounds

The Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour is the ultimate Hot Rodders' vacation. Imagine cruising across America with the staff and editors of Hot Rod Magazine, along with all the icons of the automotive industry. The attention of over 40 million automotive enthusiasts will focus on these seven days in June where the rubber meets the road and the pages of the magazine come alive. Over 3000 cars will stop in Springfield at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Hot Rod Power Tour is a family event and is free to the public. Information: (317) 236-6522

Early June

International Carillon Festival, featuring concerts by international carillonneurs  Information: Phone: 217-753-6219 

Late June

Washington Street Jazz

between 5th and 6th Street on Washington St. in Springfield

Several jazz and blues bands play on two outdoor stages, entertaining audiences of all ages. Festive summertime cuisine is available for purchase. Chance to win prizes. Silent Auction and 50/50 raffle.

Admission charged.

For information: 217-753-3519

Late August

Hot Rod Super Nationals

Illinois State Fairgrounds

For Information: (317) 236-6522

Hot Rod Super Nationals boasts over 3000 cars, consisting of 4 different types: Street Machines-personalized or customized two-wheel drive vehicles encompassing the years of 1949 to the present day; Street Rods–vehicles manufactured prior to1949, designed for street use; Hot Rods-American made vehicles, rebuilt or modified for a higher performance and distinctive functional appearance; Custom Cars-Restyled for a more distinct appearance.

Participants have thirty seconds to perform and the competition is judged by crowd reaction. Admission is charged.

Late August

Old Capitol Blues & BBQs

Washington Street Downtown

Full line-up of local and national blues bands. Sample BBQ from over 20 contestants in a baby-back rib cook-off. Admission charged.

Information:   217-544-1723

Late August-early September

LPGA State Farm Classic

Rail Golf Course

LPGA State Farm Classic is held annually at the Rail Golf Course. Over 140 of the best women golfers in the world convene in Central Illinois to compete for a $1.,300,000 purse. There are many ways

Information:  217-787-5742

Late September-early October

International Route 66 Mother Road Festival

Downtown Springfield, Illinois

Hundreds of high quality vintage cars from around the U.S. and Canada fill the streets of historic downtown Springfield for a 3-day celebration of the cars, food, music, & friends of the heyday of U.S. Route 66. Information: 1-866-RTE-66IL or 217-422-3733

Late October

Harvest Celebration at the Old Capitol Farmers' Market presented by St. John's Hospital

Adams Street Downtown

In celebration of another successful market season, we are hosting a fun, family event featuring Jack-o'lanterns on display, musical entertainment by Second Harvest, Trick-or-Treat the Market, and seasonal crafts for sale. Free.

Information:: 544-1723

Mid-December

Evenings at the Dana-Thomas House

Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site

The fully decorated Frank Lloyd Wright designed mansion is open for evening viewing until 8 p.m. on each of  three nights. On the Sunday before Christmas the site is lit with 850 luminary sacks. Live music each evening.

Information: 217-782-6776

Arts and Entertainment

Sangamon Auditorium

University of Illinois at Springfield

One University Plaza, MS PAC 397

Springfield, IL  62703-5407

Ticket Office: 217.206.6160

Sangamon Auditorium is the venue for a wide variety of cultural and educational professional arts activities of high quality.  It serves audiences on the campus of the University of Illinois, in Springfield, in Sangamon County and in the surrounding areas, reflecting a broad representation of music, theater and dance in all their forms.  Groups performing include the Illinois Symphony Orchestra  and Springfield Ballet Company.

The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon

Washington Park

Springfield, IL

Within the open tower hang 67 cast bronze bells covering a range of 5 1/2 chromatic octaves. The total weight of the bells is 82,753 pounds; the largest weighs 7 1/2 tons, while the smallest weighs 22 pounds.  Regularly scheduled concerts are given each Sunday afternoon throughout the year, with the addition of a Wednesday evening concert during the summer months. Tours of the tower are given on a daily basis (Closed Monday and Tuesday) from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends after September if weather permits.  An annual festival in early June features concerts by internationally known carillonneurs.