A must stop for a summer fun destination is Geneva’s 75th Annual Swedish Days Festival. “The Granddaddy of Illinois Festivals” will run Wednesday through Sunday, June 18-22, 2025. More than 200,000 visitors and residents stop by for a variety of activities – combining traditional events and exciting new attractions. Look for more information in our online brochure to be posted mid – late May on genevachamber.com.
“The Geneva Chamber is excited to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Swedish Days,” says Johanna Patterson, Communications Director. “We know Genevans and visitors are ready to break out there blue and yellow and join us under the sun for summer fun.”
Here’s a sneak peek.
New this Year!
Get together for the area’s hottest sport: Pickleball! The tournament is open to both men and women divisions, ages 18+, and play happens at courts right on 3rd street. Register at genevaparks.org
Also new, enjoy “A Stroll Through History – Celebrating 75 Years of Swedish Days”, hosted by the Geneva Chamber and the Geneva History Museum! Various shops through downtown are participating in this community event by featuring notable moments from Swedish Days past, on their shop windows. Posters will be posted throughout the month of June. Stop, shop, and learn all about these fascinating moments!
Sidewalk Chalk Contest- Artists of all ages are invited to show off their creativity by turning the pavement into a colorful masterpiece. Prizes will be awarded, and all entries will be on display throughout the festival—don’t miss this vibrant celebration of our community. Registration at genevachamber.com in late May.
Looking to commemorate the 75th Anniversary? Be sure to check out the 75th Anniversary t-shirts, available for purchase at the info booth.
Shopping & Treasures
Some shops will be offering specials during Swedish Days. Some downtown merchants will be open late on Wednesday and Thursday for Swedish Nights! Sweden Väst, on Saturday & Sunday, will specialize in Swedish items. If you are looking to learn more about our towns Swedish Heritage, this is for you!
Free Entertainment
Free nightly musical entertainment on Central Stage kicks off Wednesday with the Swedish American Choir, the Geneva Park District performances and the Geneva’s Got Talent semi-final. Thursday and Friday we welcome bands to the Swedish Days Center Stage. Grab your lawn chairs and meet us for toe tapping and street dancing! Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons enjoy various solo and small band artists in the Craft Beer Tent. Enjoy traditional Scandinavian dancing with Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago. These dancers will be performing on the courthouse lawn on Saturday, and are sponsored by the The Gift Box/Scandinavian Imports.
Food Booths
Festival goers can feast on traditional Swedish and favorite American and ethnic foods including, brats, corn dogs, turkey legs, sandwiches, meatballs, pizza, garlic crab pasta and roasted corn to name a few at the many non-profit food booths. Sinfully good desserts will also be available.
Restaurants, Pizzerias & Pubs
Don’t forget all the fine restaurants in Geneva. From casual bistros to 5-star formal dining, a day in Geneva isn’t complete without sampling one or more of our fine restaurants and eateries. Or stop by one of the beer gardens that will offer good food, drink, and entertainment during the festival, including the Chamber’s Craft Beer Tent on James Street. Visit genevachamber.com for a listing of our restaurants, pizzerias and pubs.
Long-Time Genevans – We are looking for you
If you have lived in Geneva for over 25 years, join others for the Geneva Settlers Breakfast on June 19. This popular event is at Riverside Receptions at 35 N. River Ln. with breakfast served at 8:30 am. No reservations necessary.
Activities For Young Visitors
Wednesday brings the carnival to town. Open every day of the festival and each day offers an unlimited ride wristband opportunity.
Swedish Days 2025 is packed with favorites – Dodgeball Tournament, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and mini golf.
June 20 is “Kids’ Day” where from early in the morn to late into the night, kids can stay busy. The day kicks off with the Kids’ Parade leaving from Campbell & Fourth streets (look for the registration sign on the south side of the Courthouse lawn). The fun continues with activities galore at the Geneva Public Library, outside and inside.
The Kids’ Day Parade invites children through the age of 10 to enter in one of our parade categories, Swedish Spirit, Geneva Viking Fans, and Fun with Bikes and Trikes.
Come for the Run, Stay for the Fun
The Swedish Days 5K Lopp promises an unbelievable race experience. Join runners Sunday, June 22. Don your Swedish best and come start the day right. New this year are tech shirts! More information and sign-up is available at genevachamber.com.
Grand Parade
On Sunday, bring your chairs and blankets so the entire family can enjoy the Grand Parade – truly a community parade that over 45,000 will be viewing.
Free admission with easy access via the Metra. Events, hours, and schedule will be available at genevachamber.com or call the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630-232-6060. Visit genevachamber.com for the what, when and where for the week.
Chuck & Heidi Howlett named 2025 Swedish Days Parade Marshals
The Geneva Chamber is pleased to announce, that the 2024 Wood Award Recipient will also be honored as parade marshal for the Swedish Days parade. Chuck and Heidi Howlett are our 2025 Parade Marshals.
Residents of Geneva for nearly 30 years, Chuck and Heidi Howlett give selflessly to their community in many ways. Originally both from Iowa, Chuck and Heidi lived all over the country until they declared Geneva home. Through the United Methodist Church, Geneva Community High School, the Geneva History Museum, or the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Chuck and Heidi embody community spirit.
As the marshals for the Swedish Days Parade for many years, Chuck and Heidi have volunteered their time to organize the parade and keep it all moving day of. Their tag line, “Turning Chaos into a Single Line” speaks well to what the job entails.
At the United Methodist Church of Geneva, they have served in big and small ways. From serving coffee, to organizing the church’s 185th year celebration which included researching historical documents, to heading Church Council.
Perhaps their biggest impact in town is the restoration and resetting of over 500 headstones in Geneva’s oldest cemetery, the West Side Cemetery. Recognizing the need to restore the cemetery to honor our early settlers, Chuck and Heidi worked tirelessly to piece together the puzzle pieces that were the headstones. “They should be remembered for their dedication to the preservation of the history of our town and willingness to jump in and make a difference. Their work is selfless. They do not do things in the public eye, but work behind the scenes without much recognition,” Terry Emma, Executive Director, Geneva History Museum.
Mentioned time and again is Chuck and Heidi Howlett’s selfless acts of service for the Geneva community. Chuck and Heidi have two children and three grandchildren.
In 2024, the Howletts were honored as the Wood Award Recipient.
Entertainment Line-Up for 75th Anniversary of Swedish Days Festival
Geneva Chamber of Commerce’s 75th Anniversary of Swedish Days will have an array of talent that offers something for every type of music fan.
“Bringing a mix of genres and styles to the festivals is always top of mind. Grab your lawn chairs and pack your dancing shoes, because local bands are coming to entertain!”, noted Johanna Patterson, Communications Director of Geneva Chamber of Commerce. Explosive music comes to the 75th Anniversary of Swedish Days. Whatever your listening pleasure, you’ll be sure to hear your favorites in this year’s slate of artists.
Wednesday evening’s Central Stage entertainment will begin at 4:30 p.m. as the Swedish Midsummer Procession and performance by Swedish American Children’s Choir commences. Welcoming you with a traditional Swedish Välkommen, they will take the stage to perform music and songs from Sweden, along with some audience participation dancing. Performing concerts in the Midwest, the group is Illinois’ largest Swedish Children’s Chorus for ages 4-18. At 5:30 p.m. enjoy live performances by the Geneva Park District’s Angels Cheer & Poms Team, the Geneva Gymnastics Academy, Playhouse 38 youth performers, and the Geneva Park District’s Sunset Dance Academy. Immediately following will be the semifinalists from “Geneva’s Got Talent” performances. Geneva and the surrounding communities are bursting with emerging talent – everything from dancers, singers, jugglers, bands, magicians and more. The Geneva Park District is proud to join efforts with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce to produce a competition to showcase that talent!
Thursday don’t miss “Geneva’s Got Talent” finalists, starting at 5:00 p.m. Come and see who takes home the cash prize. Thursday evening’s entertainment will have everyone singing and dancing with Harold Dawson at 7:00 p.m. Harold Dawson is not just a musician; he’s a movement in the realm of smooth jazz.
Influenced by the greats like Boney James, Kenny G, and Dave Koz, Dawson has curated a distinctive sound, blending Smooth Jazz, R&B, Funk, and Soul. His music isn’t just about melody; it’s a narrative that transports listeners into a world of emotion and nostalgia. This virtuoso saxophonist has a knack for making the complex feel accessible, making every performance an intimate conversation between musician and audience. Harold Dawson is a rising star in smooth jazz, committed to keeping the genre alive and spreading positivity through his music.
Friday fun begins at 3:00 p.m. with Afternoon Logic. Based in the western suburbs, Afternoon Logic has performed all over the Chicagoland area, delighting audiences with its eclectic array of music and arrangements. Multi-Instrumentalist Dave Purdy and Female Vocalist Gretchen DeCraene bring you everything from The 60’s to today’s artists and hits, all done in a modern style that is unique and a delight to your ears! At 5:00, the Vaughan Building will Rock the house. This 4-piece Rock band from Chicago mixes the sounds of Garage and Psychedelic Rock with the tunefulness of Folk Rock and Power Pop. The Vaughan Building aims to take Blues-based music kicking and screaming into the 21st century with energy, authenticity, and classic Rock ‘n Roll fun! At 7:00 p.m., the Gregory Hyde Band will hit the stage! Gregory Hyde is a Billboard Music award-winning Chicago-based Singer/Songwriter, delivering high-energy, crowd-pleasing shows that cover a wide variety of rock music from different eras, with a few surprises from other genres mixed in. Known for their tight musicianship and dynamic stage presence, the band creates a fun, engaging atmosphere that keeps audiences coming back for more. Gregory’s powerful lead vocals and impressive range are a highlight of every performance, making each show a memorable experience. Gregory has toured with and shared the stage with Jay Leno, Jim Gaffigan, Pat Benatar, Sister Hazel, Barenaked Ladies, Soul Asylum, 10,000 Maniacs, Gin Blossoms, The Smithereens, and many others.
Saturday at 5:00 pm The Messengers will entertain, leaving audiences dancing, singing, and screaming for more. Their incredible harmony and raw power drive their sound, delivering a dynamic mix of pop, rock, and modern country that captivates listeners. With a vast repertoire that spans from Miranda Lambert to Mumford & Sons and from Queen to Pitbull, The Messengers offer a diverse and engaging experience. The band’s extensive set list features sing-along favorites and unexpected medleys that blend classic hits with today’s current chart-toppers. This mix of old and new ensures that every performance is fresh and exciting, offering something for everyone. Following, at 7:00pm, The Wayouts will close out our Central Stage performances. The Wayouts bring their authentic vision of 1960s rock ‘n’ roll to audiences across Chicago and the Midwest. From intimate club performances to large festivals and even iconic venues like Wrigley Field, they’ve captivated tens of thousands with their electrifying shows. Their dynamic presence has turned heads and built a dedicated following that spans generations, from nostalgic boomers to modern-day hipsters. The Wayouts’ commitment to pure rock ‘n’ roll is evident in their performances. Their shows are a throwback to the glory days of rock, celebrating the music without losing touch with the present. The Wayouts have proven their ability to bridge generational gaps through their passionate and high-energy performances.
Entertainment in the Craft Beer Tent: The lunchtime crowd will enjoy many different types of music during the day. Grab a bite from one of the numerous food booths or restaurants around town, enjoy a drink and delight in four unique musical styles. Begin Wednesday at 1:00 pm with local favorite, Matt Keen. Willard Wilcox , kicks things off for us on Thursday at 1:00pm, with a distinctive blend of raspy, blues-infused alternative rock. On Friday, Geneva’s own singer-songwriter Nicole Devine will perform. Saturday, cover band Holy Ghosted is back this year at 12 noon, followed by Drew Clausen at 2:30pm featuring new country music from top artists.
All evening concerts will be held at the Central Stage on Third Street and in the Craft Beer Tent on James Street during the day.
Central Stage is presented by Gerald Subaru of North Aurora and co-sponsored by Geneva Park District, Kane County Fair and Waubonsee Community College and is located on Third Street between James & Campbell streets in Geneva, IL.
Craft Beer Tent is sponsored by Floods Royal Flush and Shodeen Homes. Craft Beer Tickets are sponsored by Dogtopia, and GreenFields of Geneva. Craft Beer Wrist Bands are sponsored by Hogan Design & Construction, and Hollywood Casino.
Craft Beer Music Sponsors are Be Local, Cody’s Belly Bites, Epic Escapes, First State Bank, Griffin Williams, and Local Vibz.
The complete festival schedule can be found at genevachamber.com and will be available at the festival June 18-22 at our information tent on the Courthouse Lawn.
