A must stop for a summer fun destination is Geneva’s 76th Annual Swedish Days Festival. “The Granddaddy of Illinois Festivals” will run Wednesday through Sunday, June 24-28. More than 200,000 visitors and residents stop by for a variety of activities – combining traditional events and exciting new attractions.
New this Year!
Enjoying the bands on Central Stage will be more fun than ever with all-new themed nights! On Thursday at 7:00 p.m., wear your best 70s and 80s outfit to win a prize. Friday at 7:00 p.m., beach balls will be given away to throw around while the music makes everyone wish they were on the beach. Saturday at 7:00 p.m., light up the night with foam glow sticks!
On Saturday, stop by the “Doodle Booth” and put a quarter in the slot. Local artist Spencer Donahue will draw you! The Doodle Booth will resemble a photo booth, but instead of a photo strip, you will receive a portrait pen doodle-style drawing.
Shopping & Treasures
Some downtown merchants will be open late on Wednesday and Thursday for Swedish Nights! All week long, some merchants will offer special deals and promotions.
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. Grab your lawn chairs and meet us for toe tapping and street dancing with local bands Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons feature various solo and small-band artists in the Craft Beer Tent. Enjoy traditional Scandinavian dancing with the Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago. These dancers will be performing on the courthouse lawn on Saturday.
Food Booths
Festival goers can feast on traditional Swedish and favorite American foods including brats, corn dogs, sandwiches, meatballs, 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 list 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 2026 is packed with favorites – Dodgeball Tournament, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and mini golf.
June 26 is “Kids’ Day,” when kids can stay busy from early in the morning to late into the night. 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, both inside and out.
The Kids’ Day Parade invites children up to the age of 10 to enter 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 on Saturday, June 27 at Gunnar Anderson Forest Preserve at 7:30 a.m. Don your Swedish best and come start the day right. There is also a Kids Dash at 9:00 a.m. for children 10 and under. More information and the link to sign up are available at genevachamber.com.
Grand Parade
On Sunday, bring your chairs and blankets so the entire family can enjoy the Grand Parade.
Free admission with easy access via the Metra. Events, hours, and the schedule will be available at genevachamber.com or by calling the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630-232-6060. Visit genevachamber.com for what, when and where for the week.
Entertainment Line-Up
Wednesday
Entertainment on Central Stage begins at 4:30 p.m., with the Swedish Midsummer Procession and a performance by the Swedish American Children’s Choir. 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. The group, which performs concerts in the Midwest, 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
The fun starts at 3:00 p.m. with performances by Midwest Dance Conservatory and DancEncounter.
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 Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute at 7:00 p.m. Come dressed in 70s and 80s attire and win a prize!
Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute is the ultimate tribute to ABBA’s music, sure to capture the hearts of fans and audiences of all ages! This live show is full of musical precision, fabulous flair and fashion, and promises a mesmerizing ABBA experience for every Chiquitita, Super Trouper, Fernando, and Dancing Queen around!
Friday
At 5:00, The Sociables will Rock the house. This 6-piece acoustic/electric rock band is centered in the Fox Valley area. A collection of longtime friends and former bandmates who met through school and the local band scene, they sought to do something different. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses tight vocal harmonies, stellar guitar tones, a rock-solid rhythm section and keys, with a focus on performing songs you love that maybe haven’t been attempted by a band. Their surprisingly fresh setlists with cuts from artists like Jackson Browne, Nathaniel Rateliff, Phil Collins, Elvis Costello and Inxs will have you singing along and jumping to the dance floor. Now hailed by an ever-expanding fan base and bar owners alike as one of the must-see acts in the area, The Sociables are making their presence known! With a combined 200 years of entertainment experience, they have been packing establishments with their powerful sound and engaging performances, and they hope to see you at a concert soon!
At 7:00 p.m., Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band will hit the stage! Beach balls will be given out to throw around while the band performs.
Celebrating the beach, warm summer sun, and island fun, Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band is the ultimate party band. Playing plenty of Jimmy Buffett favorites, they also jam out to hits by Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Paul Simon, Dick Dale, Jerry Jeff Walker, and many others. Let your hair down, wiggle your toes in the sand, and let Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band serenade you in the summer sunlight.
Saturday
At 7:00 p.m., the PriSSilla’s will entertain, leaving audiences dancing, singing, and screaming for more. Foam glow sticks will be handed out to help light up the night.
Featuring an eclectic setlist, off-the-charts chemistry, and a witty sense of humor, The PriSSIllas bring it each time they take the stage. Their high-energy shows will bring you to your feet as they take you on a musical journey, cranking out popular hits spanning numerous decades and genres. From Zeppelin to the Stones, Dolly Parton to Johnny Cash, Blondie to 4 Non Blondes, Janis Joplin to Pearl Jam, they’ve got something for every crowd member. Their engaging, interactive performances will have you singing along and leaving your troubles behind. As longtime friends and collaborators, The PriSSillas combine their talent, passion, and signature sound to bring you an I-never-want-this-show-to-end experience.
Entertainment in the Craft Beer Tent
The lunchtime crowd will enjoy a variety of music throughout 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 on Wednesday at 4 p.m. with local DJ KC Cool G Production (Tom Biddle) during Wine Down Wednesday.
Matt Keen starts bringing the Craft Beer Tent to life at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. Pause the music and play Bingo at 4:30 p.m.
Friday at 2:00, enjoy family-friendly entertainer Michael Paterson.
Saturday, Drew Clausen will perform at 1:00 p.m., followed by Afternoon Logic at 3:00 p.m. Danny O’Brien will finish the entertainment at 5:00 p.m.
After the Grand Parade on Sunday, enjoy Jack Macklin at 2:30 p.m.
