Princeton Tourism

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.

08/26/2026

YES!… Tigirlily Gold is coming to Princeton!!!!

We are getting so excited to welcome Tigirlily Gold to downtown Princeton on Friday, September 11 for our next Down on Main street concert. AND another bonus is that it's our favorite time of year.... Homestead Festival Weekend!!

The sister duo took home the 2024 ACM Award for New Duo or Group of the Year, earned two CMT Music Award nominations, and is touring the country—and they’re making a stop right here in Princeton!

The evening will begin with a special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony as we mark 25 years since September 11, 2001, followed by an incredible night of live country music.

And did we mention? The concert is completely FREE thanks to our incredible sponsors!

Friday, September 11 | South Main Street, between Marion Street and Park Ave E, Princeton, Illinois
5:00 Food and Fun
6:00 Homestead Announcements
6:30 9-11 Ceremony
7:00 PHS Band National Anthem & TIGIRLILY GOLD!

Big-time country. Small-town stage. Meet me Down on Main!

It’s Bureau County Fair week! Join us August 26–30 for the longest-running fair in Illinois and one of Princeton's favor...
08/26/2026

It’s Bureau County Fair week! Join us August 26–30 for the longest-running fair in Illinois and one of Princeton's favorite end-of-summer traditions.

For generations, the fair has been a place to showcase months of hard work, celebrate our agricultural roots, make memories with family and friends, and maybe enjoy a little too much fair food along the way.

This week brings everything we love about fair time—livestock shows, exhibits, carnival rides, great food, and nights in the grandstands, including Sawyer Brown & Lonestar live Thursday night, the Truck & Tractor Pull on Saturday, and the Demolition Derby on Sunday.

Meet me in Princeton at the Bureau County Fair!

Bureau County Fair

There’s just something about fair week...The lights of the midway, the smell of your favorite fair food, a night in the ...
08/21/2026

There’s just something about fair week...

The lights of the midway, the smell of your favorite fair food, a night in the grandstands... For so many of us, the Bureau County Fair is one of those end-of-summer traditions that just feels like home.

And next week, it’s back! Head to the Bureau County Fair August 26–30 for five days of everything we love about the fair—including a BIG Thursday night with Sawyer Brown & Lonestar live in the grandstands!

Plus, longtime favorites like the Truck & Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby, carnival rides, exhibits, food, and plenty more.

Make another fair week memory. Meet me in Princeton at the Bureau County Fair!

Photo: Jamison Media Services

55 Years of Coming Home.The 55th Bureau County Homestead Festival returns September 10–13, and this year’s celebration i...
08/20/2026

55 Years of Coming Home.

The 55th Bureau County Homestead Festival returns September 10–13, and this year’s celebration is one you won’t want to miss.

For generations of Princetonians, Homestead weekend is almost like a holiday—a weekend reserved for coming home, reconnecting with old friends, gathering for class reunions, and celebrating the community that means so much to us. And for our visitors, it’s one of the BEST weekends of the year to experience Princeton!

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate three milestones: America’s 250th anniversary, 55 years of the Homestead Festival, and 25 years since 9/11.

The weekend is packed with Homestead favorites, including the Homestead Parade, craft show, car show, 5K, and LIVE MUSIC!

Friday, September 11: We’ll begin the evening with a special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, followed by ACM Award-winning Tigirlily Gold LIVE Down on Main!

On Saturday, Funky Mojo Daddy and Vino Louden will bring us the blues!

This year also brings a very special piece of Princeton history home.
We are honored to welcome Reverend Owen B. Lovejoy, great-grandson of Princeton’s Owen Lovejoy, as a special guest throughout Homestead weekend.

And don’t forget the Homestead 50/50! Last year’s jackpot reached more than $28,000—how big will it get this year?

SAVE THE SCHEDULE! Save this graphic right to your phone so you have the full weekend schedule at your fingertips. Printed copies will also be available at local businesses, Princeton City Hall, and the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Visit homesteadfestival.com for complete event information, 50/50 tickets, and details on how to get involved in festival events.

Whether you’re coming home for Homestead or experiencing it for the first time, we can’t wait to welcome you. Meet me in Princeton for Homestead Weekend!

08/18/2026

🎬⚡️ 5 Days AWAY, PRINCETON! ⚡️🎬

The countdown is officially ON!

In just ONE WEEK, the Original Cast of GREASE rolls into the historic Apollo Theater in Princeton, Illinois for an unforgettable Grease Fan Event!

📅 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026
📍 Apollo Theater — Princeton, IL

⭐ Meet Original Grease Cast Members:
💙 Lorenzo Lamas — Tom
💙 Barry Pearl — Doody
💙 Michael Tucci — Sonny
💋 Jamie Donnelly — Jan

🤝 CAST MEET & GREET: 2:00–8:00 PM

🎟️ GET YOUR CAST MEET & GREET TICKETS HERE:
https://ticketbud.com/events/f3d80a76-8f85-11f1-b4f3-42010a717021

🎬 GREASE ON THE BIG SCREEN
🍿 Showtimes: 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM
🎟️ Movie tickets start at only $4.50!
🌐 ApolloPrinceton.com

And we’re packing the day with even more Grease fun!

🪨 Grease Rock Scavenger Hunt
👗 Costume Contest
🎤 Grease Trivia
🎶 Sing-a-Long
📸 Grease-themed photo opportunities
🤝 Meet the original cast!

Think about it…

48 years after Grease first filled hometown theaters across America, we’re bringing that magic back to Main Street. ❤️

If you’ve been thinking about coming, NOW is the time to get those tickets.

🚨 ONLY ONE WEEK TO GO!
🚨 DON’T MISS IT, PRINCETON!

Grab your Pink Ladies, round up your T-Birds and come celebrate the movie, music and memories that generations still love.

🎬💗 GREASE IS THE WORD! 💗🎬
:::

Thank you to Wright Excavating for being our featured sponsor at our concert with Twelve Against Nature!These concerts a...
08/15/2026

Thank you to Wright Excavating for being our featured sponsor at our concert with Twelve Against Nature!

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

Save the date for our next concert, September 11th with Tigirlily Gold 🤩

Concert is a go! Steely Dan Tribute Band: Twelve Against Nature playing Down on Main at 6:00pm!
08/14/2026

Concert is a go!
Steely Dan Tribute Band: Twelve Against Nature playing Down on Main at 6:00pm!

Tomorrow night, we’re Down on Main!Join us Friday night as Twelve Against Nature brings the timeless music of Steely Dan...
08/14/2026

Tomorrow night, we’re Down on Main!

Join us Friday night as Twelve Against Nature brings the timeless music of Steely Dan to downtown Princeton!

Come hungry because there’s plenty to enjoy right at the concert site. Grab dinner, a cold drink, something sweet, and settle in for a great night of live music.

Stop into one of our downtown restaurants and bars just steps away from the concert. Stop in before the show, grab something to go, or keep the night going after the music ends!
Tomorrow night’s food & drink lineup:
Sisler’s Ice Cream, Didough’s Pretzels, Philly Factory, Rossy’s BBQ, Nelson Fair Foods, Tacos La Rosita, Flo’s on Pulaski, Sticks and Bricks, Hawg House, Princeton Inn, Barrel Society, and Coal Creek Brewing Company.

🍔 Food & Fun begin at 5 PM
🎶 Twelve Against Nature takes the stage at 6 PM
📍 South Main Street, Princeton

A HUGE thank you to all of our Down on Main sponsors who make it possible for us to bring these FREE concerts to our community and visitors all summer long.

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 Brewing Company, Thrivent, West Bureau Farms, Washington Mills, Culvers, Conxxus, B & R Repairs
Monica Robbins, Downtown Liquidation, Rachel and Drew Gustafson

Great music. Great food. Great drinks. Great community.

Meet me Down on Main!

Your Friday night plans are right here Down on Main!This Friday, August 14, Twelve Against Nature brings the unmistakabl...
08/11/2026

Your Friday night plans are right here Down on Main!

This Friday, August 14, Twelve Against Nature brings the unmistakable sound of Steely Dan to downtown Princeton!

Get ready for smooth grooves, incredible musicianship, and all those timeless songs you know and love—played live under the summer sky.

Come early, grab dinner and drinks from our local vendors and downtown favorites, find your spot on Main Street, and settle in for another great night of FREE live music.

🍔 Food & Fun begin at 5 PM
🎶 Twelve Against Nature takes the stage at 6 PM
📍 South Main Street | Princeton, Illinois

Grab your chairs. Grab your friends. We'll take care of the music.

Meet me Down on Main!

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Princeton, IL
61356

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+18158752631

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