Festivals and Events

Carbondale is known for a number of 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)
  • 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

Founded in 1975, the Carbondale Farmer's Market consists of 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.