"Spring" into Carbondale
Carbondale Classic
Putt-putt your way around downtown Carbondale every March!Nine watering holes open their doors to golf enthusiasts from 11am-6pm. www.carbondalemainstreet.com
Cardboard Boat Regatta
This event originated in 1974 at Southern Illinois University and takes place every spring at Campus lake. The challenge is to design and build a human-powered boat made of corrugated cardboard, which can complete at least 3 trips around a 200-yard course. Family fun, community spirit, and creativity are the key words! www.gcbr.com/port.html
Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Saluki Pride Dawg Jog
Run like a Dawg, finish like a Saluki! The 5K Run/Walk begins on the south entrance to Saluki Stadium. Seize the opportunity to see yourself on the scoreboard at the Saluki Stadium as your cross the finish line! www.carbondalechamber.com
100 Men Who Cook
100 "chefs" from our local community will prepare their best dish just for you! This unique fundraising event benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale and is hosted by Old National Bank. www.oldnationalbank.com/100men
Carbondale Main Street Spring Downtown Art & Wine Fair
Visit and taste regional wine and view quality, local art from southern Illinois. The event is held in the parking lot between Longbranch Coffee House, Global Gourmet, Town Square Market, Arthur Design Agency, and Tres Hombres. www.carbondaledawf.com
Summer Lovin'
Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Fun Day Golf Tournament
This event provides chamber members with the opportunity to create teams with co-workers and comrades and enjoy a day out on the green. Promote your business while networking with people over the grill or in-between holes. www.carbondalechamber.com
Farmer's Market
This seasonal open-air market offers locally grown vegetables and fruit as they come in season as well as locally grown herbs, annuals, perennials, and a variety of crafts. It takes place on Saturdays from 8am-12pm from April to November at the Westown Shopping Center.
Sunset Concerts
The free concert series takes place on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm. Concert locations alternate each week between the Steps of Shryock on SIUC campus and Turley Park on Carbondale's west side. www.siucstudentcenter.org/sunset-concerts
Friday Night Fair
Sponsored by Carbondale Main Street, from April to October, come downtown to see live music, local vendors, fresh produce, and the Friday Night Food Court. www.carbondalemainstreet.com
Brown Bag Concerts
Every Wednesday from Noon-1pm in the months of May, June, August, and September, local musicians play a free concert in the Town Square Pavilion. Order lunch from a downtown restaurant, or bring your own while you enjoy the music.
Cedar Lake
Enjoy a day of fishing or relaxing on the beach at one of the most beautiful lakes in Southern Illinois. The beach is best known for its family atmosphere amid the beautiful coves surrounded by towering bluffs.
Chill Out In The Park
Hosted by the city of Carbondale, the Carbondale Fire Department and Carbondale Park District, the event features four summer dates at each of Carbondale's four parks. A fire truck creates a water park for the children to play in.
Rotary Club of Carbondale (Breakfast Group) Community Yard Sale
More than 75 artists, artisans, crafts persons, and yard sale vendors from across Southern Illinois, St Louis,MO, and Western Kentucky participate. An estimated 1,800 to 2,000 avid buyers discover a vast array of treasure, mostly new, some gently used.
Little Black Dress Party
A popular Southern Illinois event that brings together hundreds of women each year for a great cause. The proceeds from the event benefit The Women's Center Inc.
Secrets of Autumn
Halloween On Main
Children of all ages get to experience trick-or-treating in the downtown area. Parents and their children ride trams from business to business filling their bags full of goodies.
Saluki Pride Paw Print Painting
Ever wonder how all those paw prints sprinkled throughout Carbondale come to life every year? The event is organized by the Saluki Pride Committee, a group from the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. www.carbondalechamber.com
Southern Illinois Irish Festival
Annual celebration of the states' Irish heritage. The event features fun, food, fairs, and concerts. www.slirish.org
Wine Effect
Enjoy fine Illinois wines in a peaceful country setting on your next visit to Carbondale. And of course our wine is good all year round! Carbondale Chamber wineries include: Alto Vineyards, Blue Sky Vineyards, Monte Alegre Vineyard & Cellars, Starview Vineyards, Von Jacob Vineyard and Winery, and Walker's Bluff.
Castle Park
Take the kids out to this memorial park dedicated to Jeremy "Boo" Rochman. The park is filled with kid-climbable dragons and castles.
Winter Beauty
Lights Fantastic Parade
Since 1990, this winter-time celebration has warmed the hearts of the young and young at heart. Held on the first Saturday in December, over sixty entries including dancers, musicians, and some very unique floats, travel down Illinois Avenue with Santa Clause as the jolly conclusion. www.lightsfantastic.org
Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet
This yearly evening event honors local businesses and leaders throughout the community, and is also a fundraiser for scholarships awarded to Carbondale Community High Schools Students who will attend SIU. Promote your business among the best and brightest of our community. www.carbondalechamber.com
Southern Lights and Entertainment
Southern Lights Entertainment brings national and internationally known performers and events to Southern Illinois region. Such events include The Wizard of Oz, Disney Live!, and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus. www.southernlightsentertainment.com
Varsity Center For The Arts
The VCA puts the arts in the heart of Carbondale with ongoing concerts, shows by The Stage Company, and other live entertainment throughout the year. www.varsitycenterforthearts.org
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Bring the whole family out to Walker's Bluff for magical horse drawn carriage rides every Saturday and Sunday from Noon-6pm during the months of November and December. www.walkersbluff.com
Santa In The Park
Each year Santa takes time out of his busy schedule to visit children of Carbondale at several different parks in the city. Families will enjoy hot chocolate, apple cider, and homemade cookies while chatting with Santa! www.cpkd.org