Carbondale Halloween
Homecoming
Music Street Festival
10/24/25
3 PM - 10 PM
Join us on Carbondale’s iconic Strip for an unforgettable night of music, food, and fun! Two stages will showcase high-energy bands, turning the heart of the street into one massive concert venue. The festival atmosphere will spill across the Strip with local vendors, food trucks, carnival games, and even a rock-climbing wall.
Presented by: Hangar 9, City of Carbondale, SIU Alumni Association, Carbondale Main Street, Student Program Council, River Radio.
Southern Illinois is home to
Shawnee
National Forest
Shawnee National Forest offers outdoor experiences year-round, from spring waterfalls and summer swimming spots to fall color and winter ice formations. Visitors can hike hundreds of miles of trails, watch sunsets from scenic overlooks, and explore sandstone cliffs, rock formations, and quiet woodland paths. The forest is surrounded by lakes and waterways ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, and paddling, making it a destination that offers something new in every season.
From summer swims and boat days to quiet mornings fishing or paddling, the lakes surrounding Shawnee National Forest add another layer of outdoor adventure in every season. Some lakes are part of managed recreation or conservation areas and may require a daily or annual use pass, so it’s best to check ahead before visiting.
Notable Lakes to Explore:
Rend Lake (pass required)
Crab Orchard Lake (pass required)
Hiking in southern Illinois offers an unexpected range of landscapes and experiences, from dramatic rock formations and bluff-top views to shaded canyons, wetlands, and quiet wilderness areas. Trails vary from short, scenic walks to rugged backcountry routes, making the region accessible for casual hikers while still rewarding those seeking adventure.
Garden of the Gods
Giant City State Park
Little Grand Canyon
Jackson Falls
Bell Smith Springs
LaRue Pine Hills Ecological Area
Pounds Hollow Recreation Area
Burden Falls Wilderness
Pomona Natural Bridge
Cedar Lake
On two wheels, southern Illinois reveals a different side of the landscape—quiet backroads, forest corridors, and purpose-built trails that offer everything from relaxed rides to technical challenges. Riders can explore smooth rail trails, rolling hills, and lakeside routes, or take on dedicated mountain biking terrain designed for skill-building and adventure.
Touch of Nature Environmental Center (mountain biking trails)
Tunnel Hill State Trail
River to River Trail
Giant City State Park
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Kinkaid
Cedar Lake
2nd Annual Douglas K. Deaton Memorial Polar PlungeSat, Feb 21Sunset Harbor