America at 250
Upcoming Events
Details about upcoming America at 250 events and activities will be posted here as they become available. Events may include programs hosted by SIU units, student groups, and community partners throughout the region. Please check back soon for updates. Questions? Email events@siu.edu.
SI Fest
The 2026 Southern Illinois Music Festival celebrates our nation’s semi‑quincentennial as part of America at 250, featuring classical music performances by American composers spanning three centuries.
Contact Ed Benyas - benyas@siu.edu
| Event Name | Event Date(s) | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSIU SIFest 2025 Radio Preview, 91.9 FM | Fiday, June 12 | 8pm | 91.9 FM |
| Festival Preview and Reception | Thursday, June 18 | 8pm | Buckwater Brewing, Carbondale |
| WSIU SIFest 2025 Radio Preview, 91.9 FM | Thursday, June 18 | 8pm | 91.9 FM |
| Klassics for Kids (Free Admission) |
Saturday, June 20 | 12pm | Artspace 304 |
| SIFest Opening Event: Patriotic Pops Concert | Saturday, June 20 | 7:00pm | Tedrick Welcome Center, SIU Campus |
| Price, Copland and John Williams | Sunday, June 21 | 2:00pm | Carterville High School, Carterville, Illinois |
| Barber, Chadwick and Washington Irving | Tuesday, June 23 | 7pm | Carterville High School, Carterville, Illinois |
| Jive with Jazz (Free Admission) |
Wednesday, June 24 | 11:30am | Union Street Arts, Marion |
| Chamber Music of Price, Coleman and Montgomery (Free Admission) |
Wednesday, June 24 | 6pm | African American Museum, Carbondale, Illinois |
| Chamber Music and Jazz | Wednesday, June 24 | 8pm | Buckwater Brewing, Carbondale |
| Jive with Jazz (Free Admission) |
Thursday, June 25 | 11am | Carbondale Public Library |
| Jive with Jazz (Free Admission) |
Thursday, June 25 | 4pm | Harold Jones Fine Arts Center, Cairo |
| Chamber Music of Price, Coleman and Montgomery (Free Admission) |
Thursday, June 25 | 6pm | Harold Jones Fine Arts Center, Cairo, Illinois |
| Bros Compose: Chamber Music by American Men | Thursday, June 25 | 7pm | Artspace 304, Carbondale, Illinois |
| Jive with Jazz (Free Admission) |
Friday, June 26 | 11:30am | Sallie Logan Public Library, Murphysboro |
| From George Gershwin to Chick Corea | Friday, June 26 | 7pm | Carterville High School, Carterville, Illinois |
| Klassics for All Ages (Free Admission) |
Saturday, June 27 | 11am | Rend Lake Golf Course Event Center |
| Echoes of Her: Chamber Music of American Women | Saturday, June 27 | 2pm | First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, Illinois |
| Patriotic Pops Concert | Saturday, June 27 | 7pm | Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass, Illinois |
| MacDowell to Copland to Star Wars | Sunday, June 28 | 2pm | Carterville High School, Carterville, Illinois |
| Tuneful 20th Century Masterpieces | Tuesday, June 30 | 7pm | Carterville High School, Carterville, Illinois |
| Free Patriotic Pops Concerts | Wednesday, July 1 | 7pm | Marion Civic Center |
| Free Patriotic Pops Concerts | Friday, July 3 | 8pm | Riverside Park Bandshell in Murphysboro |
| Free Patriotic Pops Concerts |
Saturday, July 4 | 8pm | Banterra Arena Parking Lot at SIU Campus |
General Events
Exploring the Declaration of Independence
May 2, 2026
Join us for an engaging community conversation that goes beyond a history lesson to celebrate the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Together, we’ll explore the document’s words, the events and motivations that led to separation from Great Britain, and how its principles continue to shape our lives today.
The program will include an open, participant-driven discussion—an opportunity to connect, reflect, and engage with the values at the heart of our democracy.
Contact Carolyn Deane for more details.
American Revolution Experience
May 6 - 16, 2026
Powerful storytelling, vivid illustrations, and first hand accounts from the people who lived the Revolution, created by the American Battlefield Trust and the Daughters of the American Revolution, this national traveling exhibit brings the story of America's founding to life. Presented in partnership with the Jesse Gordon Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Contact Laura Varner for more details.
General John A. Logan Museum Memorial Day Ice Cream Social
May 25, 2026
The birthplace of John A Logan, the founder of Memorial Day, is the fitting location of a special Memorial Day celebration at 1613 Edith St., Murphysboro. At 1pm the Murphysboro High School band will start the event followed by the words of General John A Logan as portrayed by Brian Fox Ellis who will also mingle with visitors as they enjoy homemade ice cream. The museum will also be open so visitors may review a special Civil War exhibit. The event runs until 4pm.
Contact Laura Varner for more details.
Grand Celebration Weekend
June 5 - 7, 2026
Spend the weekend immersed in history in Murphysboro! On Friday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m., enjoy an SIU Cricket Club exhibition match at Riverside Park followed by hands-on instruction—families welcome. The celebration continues Saturday with a historic parade at 1 p.m., demonstrations, speakers, and reenactor camps, and concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. with author Gary Ecelbarger and entertainment at the Liberty Theater.
Contact Laura Varner for more details.
CarbonRail: Celebrating Carbondale's Role in American History
June 27, 2026
CarbonRail: Celebrating Carbondale’s Role in American History will take place on June 27, 2026, from 3:30–7:30 PM at the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS) and The Varsity. The event commemorates the first train’s arrival in Carbondale in 1854 and America’s 250th with a proclamation, live music from the Little Egypt Barbershop Chorus, silent film screenings, and a world premiere play depicting the historic arrival. Attendees can move between locations to enjoy programming throughout the evening, including multiple performances of the play and ongoing film screenings.
Contact Eva Fisher for more details.
Carbondale 2126 Time Capsule Celebration
July 2, 2026
The Carbondale 2126 Time Capsule Celebration will take place on July 2, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS). The event marks America’s 250th and the completion of SIMMS with the burial of a 100-year time capsule filled with items representing life in Carbondale in 2026. Community members are invited to attend as the capsule is placed beneath the flagpole, to be opened in 2126 for future generations to reflect on the city’s history and evolution.
Contact Eva Fisher for more details.