Annual Events

The Clinton area is home to an array of festivals and events covering interests ranging from history to crafts to food. Held in a variety of settings, all of these annual festivals and events are family-friendly and most are free! 

Tip: Event dates are tentative. Please search for the event on the current Events Calendar before planning your trip.

Spring Flings

Dutch Days
Heritage Canyon | Downtown Fulton, IL | 815-589-3925
First weekend in May. Fulton's Dutch heritage is celebrated by wearing wooden shoes and authentic costumes, Klompen dancing, street scrubbing and a parade. Visitors can enjoy fresh Dutch pastries, food, an art show, and a visit to Heritage Canyon, all in within sight of the authentic Dutch Windmill.

Lyons Farmers Market
Lyons Foursquare Park
End of May through beginning of November. Providing the Clinton, Camanche, Fulton area Fresh, Locally grown Fruits, Vegetables, Baked Goods, Meat, Jams, Honey, Crafts and friendship. Come down early Wednesday's and Saturdays to treat you and your family to healthy food. WIC, SFMNP, SNAP accepted by several vendors.

Main Avenue Craft Show
Lyons Foursquare Park | 563-242-2663
Weekend after Mother’s Day. Plan to attend the best craft show ever held in the historic Lyons Shopping District. Crafts, food and fun for all!

Summer Fun

Annual Lumberjack Festival
The Sawmill Museum | 563-242-0343
June. Wood chips fly and hot saws buzz when The Sawmill Museum again hosts world class competitors for an afternoon of family fun and excitement. Designed to interest all ages, the festival offers historic games and skills, train rides, food and great lumberjack sport! Finish off the evening with a street dance. It’s for everyone. Come and watch the chips fly.

Blessing of the Bikes
Downtown Fulton, IL | 563-249-5681
First Sunday in June. Sponsored by A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education. Hundreds of motorcycles descend upon downtown Fulton for the 26^th annual blessing of the bikes ceremony performed by local clergy. Making sure motorcyclists are seen and heard. Enjoy a swap meet including local vendors.

Bluegrass Festival
Heritage Canyon | Downtown Fulton, IL | 815-589-3925
Mid June. If you love Bluegrass music, you’ll want to mark your calendars for this festival. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, pick out a shady spot and enjoy music from entertainers near and far. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Camanche Days
Platt Park | Camanche, IA | 563-259-1080
Weekend of the second full week in August. This annual celebration features complete family entertainment with a parade, carnival, golf, tennis, softball, various food concessions, Diaper Derby, Kids Day Out, free acts, karaoke, pedal pull, nightly entertainment, 5K run, arts and crafts fair, and many other events to enjoy. Fireworks take place on Sunday evening.

Clinton’s Fourth of July Festival
Riverview Park | 563-243-4000
July 4th. Clinton 4th of July Festival was founded on the belief of celebrating our great country and giving back to the community we love. We strive to offer a family oriented FREE one-day festival and parade each year.

Felix Adler Day
Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center | 563-243-3600
Mid June. Annual festival honoring Clinton's own Felix Adler 'King of Clowns' with Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus. There are MANY things to do, including games, prizes, a petting zoo, a trackless train ride, pony rides, inflatables, face painting, balloons, stage entertainment and of course, clowns!

Fulton Summer Nights
Fulton Windmill | Downtown Fulton, IL | 815-589-4545
Second Thursday of June, July & August. Relax and enjoy an old fashion community gathering during Fulton's summer night programs.  Activities include games, music, and food for all ages.  Most activities are free. Held rain or shine.

Fun in the Sun Car Show
Hy-Vee | 563-242-4124
August. The Clinton Area Rod Club hosts an annual Rod & Custom Car Show. The event draws more than 150 vehicles to Clinton. Vintage autos, custom cars, trucks and motorcycles are displayed in an open, grassy area near Hy-Vee’s parking lot. Hy-Vee provides a concession stand.

Glow Walk Against Bullying
Eagle Point Park
August. Glow Walk started when Clinton County was plagued by so many suicides and stories of bullying. Passionate volunteers come together to organize the walk. Money raised goes to Bridgeview to continue their grant funded work in every Clinton Community School, so that every child to has a suicide screening, counseling, and anti-bullying lessons from K-12. 

Juneteenth
Riverview Park Bandshell | 563-243-1260
Weekend of June 19th. This is a time to remember when, on June 19, 1864, Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all the remaining slaves in Texas. The event is celebrated to highlight, promote and encourage cooperative relations among all cultural communities, celebrating freedom and equal rights in the United States.

Lincoln Buy-way Sales
View website for locations | 815-589-3925
Second weekend (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) in August. The sales activity occurs by individuals and organizations along the Lincoln Highway, America's first paved transcontinental road which ran from New York to San Francisco, and roughly parallels US Route 30 in Ohio.

Fall Festivals

Clinton Half Marathon
Downtown Clinton, Iowa
Second Sunday in September. Located in scenic Clinton, Iowa, runners can choose a race distance of 5k, 10k, or the Half Marathon. The race starts along Riverview Drive, paralleling the mighty Mississippi, with challenging hill climbs leading to a majestic overlook of the widest part of the Mississippi River!

Fulton Fall Festival
Heritage Canyon | Downtown Fulton, IL | 815-589-3925
Last week in September. Early American Crafters and other historical groups at Heritage Canyon take us back in time as they re-create history in the mid-1800's. Visit the Andersen nature Center to enjoy this Illinois' Bi-Centennial Celebration. The Children's Mill Fluor Bake-Off will take place during this festival, The education Committee of Fulton's De Immigrant Windmill Area will be hosting its annual baking competition. Winners will be announced on Saturday during the Fall Festival at Fulton's Windmill Cultural Center. 

Mardi Gras Halloween Parade
343 4th Avenue South | 563-242-1025
Monday prior to Halloween. The parade originated to channel the energies of would-be mischief makers and keep them busy in positive, wholesome ways. Now, the tradition continues with local marching bands, creative floats and a different theme each year. 

Winter Wonders

Annual Bald Eagle Watch
Lock & Dam 13 | Fulton, IL and Clinton Community College | 815-259-3628
Early January. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Clinton Community College co-host a free Special Eagle Watch Day during peak season on the upper Mississippi. Eagle seminars, wildlife exhibits and children's activities are held at Clinton Community College throughout the day. Municipal Transit Administration courtesy bus service shuttles visitors from college to viewing area. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera!

Christmas Walk
515 North 4th Street | Heritage Canyon, Fulton, IL | 815-589-3925
First Saturday in December. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season in downtown Fulton. Santa Claus, The Grinch, Live Nativity, holiday music, train rides, 2 mile run/walk, arts & crafts show, soup & sandwich supper, and holiday shopping.

Clinton Community College B-rrry Scurry
1000 Lincoln Boulevard | 563-244-7040
First Saturday in February. Since 1981, CCC has hosted the “Greatest Little Race in the Midwest” as runners and walkers take to the streets of Clinton on this 4-mile out and back trek. Medals are awarded 4-deep in 13 age categories. Participants receive long-sleeved TECH shirt, great giveaways and entry in the legendary post-race party. **Check out the HOT DEALS local businesses are having in honor of the B-rrry Scurry!!!!**

Family New Year's Eve Party
Felix Adler Children's Discovery Center | 563-243-3600
December 31st from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. Celebrate as a family with games, crafts, prize booth, balloons, inflatables, and MORE!!!

Fulton Hometown Christmas
Heritage Canyon, Fulton, IL | 815-589-3925
First Friday in December. Enjoy window displays, windmill tours, caroling, Santa Claus, live Nativity, shopping, 2 mile run/walk, horse and wagon rides and Christmas crafts for kids.

Symphony of Lights
Eagle Point Park | 563-243-3442
Thanksgiving Day thru December 30th. This 1.1-mile Christmas lighting extravaganza is set on the hillsides of Eagle Point Park, located off Hwy. 67 north of Clinton. Includes over 500,000 lights in over 50 major displays. This is the modern day sleigh ride and with a little planning it will be fun and memorable. Pack a blanket to put across your laps and prepare some hot cocoa or cider to come home to, after meandering through the paths of the park where the light displays have been carefully curated for your holiday delight!

Symphony of Lights 5K Race
Eagle Point Park | 563-243-3442
Saturday after Thanksgiving. This 3.1-mile foot race takes place on the paved, rolling park roads within Eagle Point Park. The entire Symphony of Lights display is toured twice during the course of the race. Prizes are awarded to division winners and the park is open to racers for 1 hour after the race. Register online at www.active.com.

Symphony of Lights Family Walk
Eagle Point Park | 563-243-3442
Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving. This 1-mile course is located within Eagle Point Park over the rolling, paved park roads. The entire mile is lighted by the spectacular Symphony of Lights display. This is your only opportunity to leisurely enjoy this lighting display on foot.