Events

The area covered by the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area is a busy place! Throughout the year, there is a lot going on, and you are our special guests to take part in all the activities. Use the calendar below to review all upcoming events, or check our listing of events.

We hope to see you soon!

Signature Event Information

Upcoming Events

Journey to Freedom: Illinois' Underground Railroad Exhibit - Decatur
Sunday, March 2, 2025 - Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

Read more.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois' Undeground Railroad Exhibit - Marshall
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Thursday, May 29, 2025

Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

Read more.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Exhibit - Beardstown
Monday, May 5, 2025 - Friday, June 6, 2025

Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

Read more.

The Presumption of Freedom: The Illinois Supreme Court and the Fate of Slavery in Illinois
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Though Illinois entered the Union as a free state in 1818, slavery continued to exist within its borders for decades. Freedom seekers, abolitionists, and pro-slavery forces turned to the judicial system to determine the fate of slavery in Illinois. This talk will highlight several of the nearly two dozen slave cases that reached the Illinois Supreme Court and examine the Court’s role in ending slavery in the Prairie State.

John Lupton, Executive Director, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission. Samuel Wheeler, Director of History Programs, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission.

Read more.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Exhibit - Old State Capitol
Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Monday, September 1, 2025

Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

Read more.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE
Friday, June 6, 2025 - Wednesday, August 6, 2025

History Comes Alive transports you back to 19th Century Springfield. Immerse yourself in Lincoln’s hometown while meeting our largest cast of historical reenactors yet. Live performances, a variety of demonstrations, as well as special presentations of some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches. Springfi eld is truly a city where History Comes Alive! Free downtown trolley service to historic sites Wed-Sat!

Read more.

GRANDE LEVEE
Saturday, June 14, 2025 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Grande Levee is a celebration of the grand receptions that took place during the 1800s to honor government dignitaries and important visitors when Vandalia was the seat of Illinois state government. Visitors can enjoy period demonstrations, the selling of wares, an Abraham Lincoln presenter, period folk music, children’s area with fun period games, and tours of the Vandalia Statehouse. Event is free and open to the public.

Read more.

The Underground Railroad In Metamora
Sunday, June 22, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Experience a powerful cinematic journey as Metamora presents The Underground Railroad In Metamora, a gripping film that brings to life the courage, resilience, and hope of the Metamora neighbors who fought for freedom for Freedom Seekers.

This powerful film uncovers the incredible history of the Underground Railroad in Metamora—shedding light on the bravery, resilience, and stories of those who sought freedom.

The highly anticipated film The Underground Railroad in Metamora is making its big-screen debut on June 22 at 3:00 p.m. at the Metamora High School AuditoriumMetamora High School is located at 101 W Madison in Metamora, IL

ADMISSION IS FREE and no tickets are required. The feature movie will last approximately one hour with a Q&A session to follow.

Read more.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Exhibit - Lincoln Log Cabin Site
Saturday, August 2, 2025 - Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

Read more.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Exhibit- Lincoln Heritage Museum
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - Thursday, October 30, 2025

Looking for Lincoln presents the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom Illinois’ Underground Railroad. The courageous stories of freedom seekers, and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them, are highlighted in this new exhibit about the Underground Railroad in Illinois. Learn about the network of people, who often at great risk to themselves, collaborated to assist those searching for freedom and dignity.

Read more.

FRONTIER SETTLEMENT DAY
Saturday, September 13, 2025 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM

Step back in time to the 1800s at the Log Cabin Village. Learn how felt hats and rugs were made, what church was like, and visit with the ladies who will be having tea. Other activities include wool spinning, chair caning, music and games. Food will be available for purchase, and stop by the Clat Adams cabin/store to see what’s new. Frontier Day is held on Quinsippi Island, just past All America Park.

Read more.

CONSTITUTION CELEBRATION
Saturday, September 13, 2025 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM

On the 165th Anniversary of the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Jonesboro celebrates at Lincoln Memorial Park. The program will include a 21-gun and cannon salute, and a minute of bell-ringing to mark the occasion. Soloists, speakers, and essayist will present the program. Children’s games, music, and food begin at 4:30 pm, with the program at 5:30 pm. This eventis a great opportunity to explore this beautiful, but often overlooked part of Illinois.

Read more.

HARVEST FROLIC
Saturday, September 27, 2025 - Sunday, September 28, 2025

Come celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Harvest Frolic. The event is free and open to the public. Don’t miss experiencing 19th-century life on the farm. Activities will take place at both the Lincoln and Sargent farms and will include children’s games, crafts, hearth cooking, and activities. A number of artisans will be on site demonstrating their crafts including, spinning, pottery, broom making, blacksmithing, embroidery, and many other 19th-century crafts.

Read more.

Pages: [ 1 ]