Palos Hills Friendship Fest 2026, Thursday Through Sunday: Know Before You Go

PALOS HILLS, IL—Come get friendly this weekend at Palos Hills Friendship Fest 2026. Presented by the Palos Hills Resource and Recreation Department, the festival runs four fabulous days from July 9 through July 12 at the Moraine Valley Community College fest grounds at 107th Street and 88th Avenue. Admission and parking are free.

Palos Hills Friendship Fest offers four fun-packed days of wholesome family entertainment, including a classic car show, petting zoo, pony rides, bingo, arts and craft vendors, bands, beer tent, big rides, little rides and more. New this year is a foam party for kids from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, so bring a change of clothes and a towel. The fest culminates with a giant fireworks finale at dusk on Sunday, July 12.

Mega Passes/One Day Promotions

All Around Amusements will be providing the midway with big rides and little rides. Mega passes offering four days of unlimited amusement rides can be purchased for $70 in advance until noon Thursday, July 9 at the Palos Hills Community Center, 8455 W. 103rd St. The mega passes are $80 at the festival.

Fest goers who purchased mega passes in advance will receive a paper that can be turned in at the will-call window to receive a wristband. To cut down on wait time at the fest, you can also turn in their paper and claim your mega pass wristband at the Palos Hills Community Center from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8.

One-day ride passes will be available for $40 for specific hours during each day of Friendship Fest.

Car Show

Double K Productions invites classic car owners to show off their rides, Sunday, July 12. Registration is $25 from 9 a.m. to noon. The show runs until 4 p.m. Awards will be given for Best Engine, Best Paint, Best GM, Best Chevy, Best Ford/Lincoln/Mercury and Best In Show.

Food Vendors

Food vendors for 2026 feature popular local restaurants including Bobolicious, Cousins Maine Lobster, Harold’s Chicken, My Funnel Truck, Pizza Castle and Reggies.

Special Needs Hours

The hours of 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 10, has also been set aside for children and adults with sensory sensitivities. There will be no flashing lights, loud music and fewer crowds, creating a more comfortable experience for many individuals with disabilities and their families.

Beer Tent

Fest goers will also find an assortment of draft and craft beers and wine in the beer garden, along with live music all four days of the fest. The beer tent is CASH ONLY.

Bands/Fireworks

For your beer drinking enjoyment, Mayor Jerry Bennett has helped the recreation department line up some well known, Chicago area bands, including Whiskey Road (Thursday), the Chicago Experience (Chicago tribute) and Infinity (Friday), the Ron Burgundy’s (80’s music) and Beatles tribute band American English (Saturday), and pop-rock band Ambidextrous (Sunday).

Classic metal rock tribute band Anthem will play in the fireworks from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Anthem has been tearing up the burbs with their classic metal rock experience, including such hits by Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Bon Jovi and more. The fireworks blast off at dusk.

Children's Activities

There are plenty of activities for little folks, including a petting zoo, reptile show and face painting.

Safety

Finally, the recreation department and Palos Hills Police Department will be enforcing a safety plan including:

• No one under age 21 will be admitted with a backpack
• No outside alcohol will be allowed on festival grounds
• No pets will be allowed into the festival. (Service animals are welcome with proof of certification)
• No coolers
• No weapons of any kind, including pocket knives.
• Palos Hills police have the right to refuse admission or ask people to leave at any time.

Pace buses on Routes 379, 381 and 385 will continue to serve their regular stop at Moraine Valley Community College. Starting Thursday, buses will pick up and drop off passengers at the 107th and 111th Street entrances to the Palos Hills campus. Regular bus service resumes Monday, July 13.

Check out the official 2026 Palos Hills Fun Fest schedule: