Outdoor Events Take Center Stage In Aurora This Summer

AURORA, IL—From music to movies, and from to food to fun, Aurora Downtown’s summer event schedule is chock full of family activities this year.

New events have been added to this year's lineup, but long-loved staples are also in store over the next few months.

Aurora Arts Weekend kicks off on June 4 and 5. The gathering will run in conjunction with First Fridays on June 4, and then the Fox River Arts Ramble on June 5. Both dates will feature art shows by local artists at eight locations downtown.

Wednesdays at the Plaza also gets underway again next month. The free summer concert series will return to the gazebo at Millennium Plaza from July 14 to August 11. The weekly concerts will feature a variety of genres and local bands playing from 7 to 9 p.m.

New this year is Movies at a Museum, an outdoor film series pilot premiering on July 8 at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. The event will occur on Thursdays during July. Socially-distanced seating areas open at 7 p.m. and movies start at 8 p.m. Dates are July 8, 15, 22, and 29.

“We worked with Aurora Film Society on the series, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer outdoor movies this year. If all goes well, we hope to add outdoor movies to our event roster,” said Marissa Amoni, manager of Aurora Downtown.

In August, the Alley Art Festival will likely be back at its home along Water Street Mall. On August 28, from noon to 5 p.m., local and regional artists will set up along the pedestrian mall and nearby riverwalk. Live music will be located at Millennium Plaza on Stolp Avenue throughout the day. Final details are still being worked out, Amoni said.

This summer, the festival will also coincide with live mural planning throughout downtown coordinated by Aurora Public Art.

“Alley Art Festival is now a decade-long staple for the arts community. The festival continues to grow and evolve, but it always has the local artist at the forefront,” Amoni said. “Being able to get back to showcasing local talent is a great thing for everyone,” Amoni said.

First Fridays will continue through the summer with the exception of July. First Fridays will feature a Food Truck Court with a handful of food trucks from 5-9 p.m. at Water Street Square located at the northwest corner of Benton and Water Streets. The next First Fridays will be on June 4.
All events are free to attend.
For more information on summer events, visit Aurora Downtown.