Festivals and Events

Carbondale is known for several yearly festivals and events, including:

  • Big Muddy Film Festival (February/March)
  • Brown Bag Concerts (a spring and fall series of free outdoor concerts in the Town Square Pavilion)
  • Great Cardboard Boat Regatta (April)
  • Indian celebration of Diwali (December)
  • Lights Fantastic parade (1st Saturday in December)
  • Southern Illinois PrideFest (2nd weekend in June)
  • Sunset Concerts (a summer series of free outdoor concerts on the Southern Illinois University campus and in City parks)
  • Taste of Chocolate (February)

Carbondale Farmer's Market

The Carbondale Farmer's Market comprises vendors from Union, Jackson, Franklin, and Randolph counties. Vendors are all family farms or businesses and encourage the community to buy local and support local farmers and craft people. This summer market runs from April through November on Saturdays from 8 am - 12 pm at the West Towne Shopping Center.

Carbondale Community Farmers Market

The Community Farmers Market is a winter season market open Saturdays, 9 am - 12 pm, December through March, at 1237 E. Main Street. The Market is a program of Food Works, a non-profit organization facilitating the development of a regional food economy in Southern Illinois.

Humpday Farmers Market