Streator
Fest
Four nights of free concerts, a carnival, fireworks and the whole town on the lawn at Northpoint Plaza.
Streator Fest 2026: Jo Dee Messina, Skillet and Gene Simmons Band
Streator Fest 2026 ran from Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 9, at Northpoint Field. Organizers went in expecting another record crowd: lead organizer Randy Dominic said early ticket sales were strong after about 20,000 people attended in 2025. This year general admission concert tickets were $15 in advance, VIP Party Pit passes were offered on select nights, and Sunday's concerts stayed free.
Thursday was country night. Tyson Schulte and Cole Goodwin opened for Jo Dee Messina, whose career includes nine No. 1 hits. On Friday, Emperors & Angels and Tim Montana played before Christian rock headliners Skillet, known for "Monster." Saturday's original headliner was Bret Michaels. The Gene Simmons Band, led by the KISS co-founder, replaced him and closed out a night that also featured Drew Cagle & the Reputation and The Metal Pedal Party Band. Tribute act 80's Bush played a pre-party set on the second stage.
Sunday was a mix of regional Mexican music and country tributes. Brigada Norteña and Banda Arpereña played in the afternoon, then Icons of Country Music and Made in America, a Toby Keith tribute. The fireworks show followed at about 9:30 p.m.
The grounds grew in 2026. Organizers expanded the VIP area, added a beverage station near the food court for people without concert tickets, and booked about 60 commercial and craft vendors, a record, plus about 20 food vendors. Fantasy Amusements brought new carnival rides, and the free shuttle ran from off-site parking again.
Streator Fest 2025: Quiet Riot, Aaron Lewis and Theory of a Deadman
Streator Fest returned to Northpoint from Thursday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, with three nights of national headliners and a free Sunday. Organizers reported about 20,000 visitors over the four days, matching the previous year's record, and gave much of the credit to perfect weather.
Thursday was an '80s night. The opening ceremony at 6:45 p.m. was followed by local tribute act 80's Bush, then glam rockers Britny Fox, and finally Quiet Riot, the band behind "Metal Health" and "Cum on Feel the Noize." Friday went country. Mikey Wayne and Texas red-dirt singer Sterling Elza opened for Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners, led by the former Staind frontman who now records country. On Saturday, Revel in Red and alt-rock trio 10 Years played ahead of Canadian headliner Theory of a Deadman, and tribute band NU Balance played an earlier pre-party set on a second stage.
Sunday's free concerts opened with Clave Armada and Banda Cerro Azul de Chicago, followed by Wreckin' Dixie and The Eric Church Experience with Tennessee Whiskey. The Liberty Dollar and 50/50 drawings came at 9:20 p.m., and the fireworks show started at 9:30.
The usual extras were back. Fantasy Amusements ran the carnival, with wristbands from $30 to $35. Craft and food vendors and a beer tent were open each day, and the Johannes shuttle ran on Friday and Saturday nights. Shaw Local photographers captured families on the midway and a packed lawn for the Saturday concerts.
Streator Fest 2024: Hinder, Cooper Alan and Sevendust draw a record crowd
Streator Fest 2024 ran from Thursday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 4, on the lawn at Northpoint Plaza along North Bloomington Street (Route 23). It turned out to be the best-attended edition yet. The festival committee led by Randy Dominic counted more than 20,000 visitors over the four days.
The lineup leaned on rock, with a country night in the middle. Hinder, the band behind "Lips of an Angel," headlined opening night after sets from 3 Years Hollow and Blacktop Mojo. Friday was country night: Whiskey Bent opened, Illinois-born Drew Baldridge followed, and TikTok-famous Cooper Alan closed. On Saturday, Paralandra and Bloomington's Burden of the Sky warmed up the crowd for nu-metal veterans Sevendust, and Trippin' Molly played an afternoon pre-party stage. Sunday featured Latin music, with Ximena Salinas, Banda La Kebradora de San Agustin Jalisco and Banda Cerro Azul de Chicago, plus a Fiddle Rock pre-party set. Chicago party band Libido Funk Circus closed the main stage.
Concert admission was free, and VIP Party Pit passes sold for $20 to $25 in advance. Fantasy Amusements ran the carnival and debuted its Sky Rider ride in Streator. Craft and food vendors and a beer tent were open every day, and a Johannes shuttle bus carried visitors from remote parking on Friday and Saturday nights. This was also the first year the fireworks finale moved to Sunday night. The show launched from Anderson Fields at 9:15 p.m. after the Liberty Dollar and 50/50 drawings.
Organizers said visitors especially liked the new layout, which moved the stage to the south end of the lawn. The festival is run entirely by volunteers, and money raised through the year and at the gate pays for the next year's event.
StreatorFest NewsLineups, schedules and recaps
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See You on the Lawn
Streator Fest is run by volunteers. Questions? info@streatorfest.com
StreatorFest.com ↗ Facebook ↗Headliner photos are Creative Commons or public-domain images taken at other concerts, not at Streator Fest.
