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Princeton Tourism Welcome to Princeton, IL! Shop, Dine & Explore Princeton's Historic Main St, rich history, parks & more!

A Short Drive that Takes you Far: Indulge in the sophisticated charm of this small town's upscale boutique shopping and local art, vintage covered bridges and other historic landmarks. Located just far enough outside Chicago's suburban orbit to offer a real retreat. Princeton provides the well-deserved time-out busy people seek. Its easy accessibility via I80 and multiple daily Amtrak service means it's a haven well within reach.

Oktoberfest is NEXT WEEK!Grab your lederhosen and meet us at Rotary Park Friday, September 25 for live music from the He...
09/19/2026

Oktoberfest is NEXT WEEK!

Grab your lederhosen and meet us at Rotary Park Friday, September 25 for live music from the Heidelberg German Band, great food, cold drinks, steinholding, sausage tossing & plenty of Oktoberfest fun!

Prost! 🍻

Make a day of it in Princeton this Saturday! The Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens returns Saturday, September 19, br...
09/16/2026

Make a day of it in Princeton this Saturday! The Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens returns Saturday, September 19, bringing together talented artists and makers in one of the most beautiful settings around.

Stroll the gardens, enjoy live music, shop unique handmade goods, discover something new from local and regional artisans, and enjoy a perfect early-fall Saturday in Princeton.

And while you’re here, keep the day going with shopping, dining and exploring our downtown districts!

đź“… Saturday, September 19, 10AM - 4PM
đź“Ť Hornbaker Gardens | Princeton, IL

Meet Me at Hornbaker Gardens!

Hornbaker Gardens, Inc.

🍺🥨 PROST, PRINCETON!Break out the lederhosen and get ready for a fun night at Rotary Park!Join us Friday, September 25 f...
09/15/2026

🍺🥨 PROST, PRINCETON!

Break out the lederhosen and get ready for a fun night at Rotary Park!

Join us Friday, September 25 for Princeton’s final Street Concert of the season — OKTOBERFEST!

🎺 Live music from the Heidelberg German Band
🍺 Festive Drinks
🥨 Great food
đź’Ş Steinholding Competition
🌭 Sausage Toss

Grab your friends, wear your best Bavarian attire and Meet Me in Princeton for one more night of live music, food, drinks and fun before we say auf Wiedersehen to another Street Concert season!

Rotary Park | Princeton, IL
Friday, September 25, 4-8PM

Thank you to Yepsen Insurancr for being our featured sponsor at our concert with Tigirlily Gold!These concerts are made ...
09/12/2026

Thank you to Yepsen Insurancr for being our featured sponsor at our concert with Tigirlily Gold!

These concerts are made possible by our community business support. Please join us in thanking Yepsen Insurance!

Save the date for our next concert, September 25th with the Heidelberg German Band at Oktoberfest in Rotary Park.

Enjoy the rest of Homestead Weekend!

09/12/2026

During this moment of tonight’s 9-11 Ceremony, we released balloons in honor of the 441 first responders and military personnel whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001.
Red balloons honor the 343 firefighters who gave their lives.
Blue balloons honor the 71 law enforcement officers who were lost.
White balloons honor the 8 paramedics and EMTs who lost their lives.
And gold balloons honor the 55 members of our United States military who were killed at the Pentagon.
As the balloons are released, you will hear seven bells toll.
The Homestead theme this year is “Let Freedom Ring.” And during this moment, we allow those words to carry a deeper meaning. Each toll of the bell calls us to remember a moment that forever changed our nation.
The first bell marks the striking of the North Tower.
The second bell marks the striking of the South Tower.
The third bell marks the attack on the Pentagon.
The fourth bell marks the collapse of the South Tower.
The fifth bell marks the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The sixth bell marks the collapse of the North Tower.
And the seventh and final bell honors the survivors and responders we have lost in the years since to 9/11-related illnesses.
“As these seven bells ring, may we remember the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the families whose lives were forever changed.
May we never forget.
And may freedom continue to ring.”

Today, we pause to remember September 11, 2001 — honoring the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the cour...
09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember September 11, 2001 — honoring the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the courage and unity shown in the days that followed. 🇺🇸

Tonight, as we kick off the Homestead Festival, we invite you to join us downtown for a special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, marking 25 years since that day.

Following the ceremony, we’ll come together for an incredible night of live music as Tigirlily Gold takes the stage for our Homestead Festival Street Concert!

❤️ 6:00 - Homestead Announcements
🇺🇸 6:30 - 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
🎶 7:00 - Tigirlily Gold — LIVE on Main Street

Join us tonight as we remember, honor, and then kick off one of Princeton’s most treasured weekends.

Who’s ready for some good eats Homestead Festival weekend?!Make it a full night out Down on Main with incredible local e...
09/11/2026

Who’s ready for some good eats Homestead Festival weekend?!
Make it a full night out Down on Main with incredible local eats, cold drinks, and an unforgettable concert experience with TIGIRLILY GOLD!!!

🍴 Stop into one of our restaurants located right at the concert site:
• Niel and Shorty’s BBQ
• Spoons and Forks
• Lenny and Joon’s
• Eclectic Blend
• Apollo Popcorn

🌮 Food & Beverage Vendors:
Philly Factory • Tacos La Rosita • Swanee’s Pretzels • Nelson Fair Foods • Naiho’s Egg Rolls and More • Rossy’s BBQ • Sisler’s Ice Cream • Modern Mix • Homestead Festival Beverage Truck • Barrel Society • Coal Creek Brewing Co. • Hawg House Saloon • Princeton Inn

Come hungry, grab a drink, and enjoy a summer evening filled with great food, great music, and the best of downtown Princeton.

Location: South Main between Marion St and Park Ave E
Time: 5:00 Food and Fun, 6:00 Homestead Announcements, 6:30 9-11 Ceremony, 7:00 Tigirlily Gold

Our Down on Main concert series continues THIS FRIDAY for Homestead Festival Weekend featuring Tigirlily Gold — the awar...
09/09/2026

Our Down on Main concert series continues THIS FRIDAY for Homestead Festival Weekend featuring Tigirlily Gold — the award-winning sister duo behind hits like “Shoot Tequila” and “I Tried a Ring On.” 🤠

The evening will also include a special 9/11 remembrance ceremony as we honor the 25th anniversary of September 11.

Don’t miss this big act in our small town!

đź“Ť South Main Street | Princeton, IL
đź“… Friday, September 11
- 5:00 Food and Fun
- 6:00 Homestead Festival Annoucements
- 6:30 9/11 Ceremony
- 7:00 PHS Band National Anthem & Tigirlily Gold

🎟️ FREE admission thanks to our sponsors:
Yepsen Insurance
Edward Jones - Tracy Robbins and Tucker Nichols
Wright Excavating
Advanced Asphalt
WALLS 102

Compeer Financial
Ace Retail Support
Starved Rock Media
OSF St Clare

Bug Off Taylor’s Way
Central Bank
Michlig Energy
First State Bank of Van Orin
State Farm Adam Hellman
Midland States Bank
First State Bank
Headland Ag
D Fox Excavating
Princeton Redi-Crete
Beck’s
Coal Creek
Thrivent
West Bureau Farms
Washington Mills
Culvers
Conxxus
B & R Repairs

Monica Robbins
Downtown Liquidation
Rachel and Drew Gustafson

Homestead Festival kicks off THIS THURSDAY!We’ll start the weekend with the annual Homestead Festival Lawn Event at the ...
09/07/2026

Homestead Festival kicks off THIS THURSDAY!

We’ll start the weekend with the annual Homestead Festival Lawn Event at the Owen Lovejoy Homestead. A limited number of tickets remain, so if you were planning to purchase at the door, reach out to the Homestead Festival Lawn Event Committee now to secure yours. This year’s event will be extra special as we welcome Reverend Owen B. Lovejoy, Owen Lovejoy's great-great-grandson as our special guest!
Weekend highlights include...
Friday: 9/11 remembrance ceremony + Tigirlily Gold street concert
Saturday: 5K, Kids Fun Fair, Parade, Craft Show + Blue's Music, Carriage Rides and Family Fun at Soldiers and Sailors Park
Sunday: Car Show on South Main Street

Plus Lovejoy Homestead tours, Bureau County History Center Tours, 4-H Pork Tent, the big 50/50 drawing, great food and plenty of Homestead traditions all weekend long!

September 10–13 | Princeton, Illinois

Meet Me in Princeton for Homestead Festival!

The Homestead Festival, Princeton, IL Homestead Festival Lawn Event

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Princeton, IL
61356

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+18158752631

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