Event schedule for HerrinFesta Italiana 2026

HERRIN, Ill. (KFVS) - It’s time for a beloved southern Illinois tradition. Herrinfesta Italiana gets underway the week of May 18.

Organizers say this year’s festival will have plenty to offer, including free live music, bocce ball and pickleball tournaments, a parade, movie screening at the library, pasta eating contest and much more for families to enjoy.

READ: Herrin City Library to host free movie screening to celebrate HerrinFesta

Events for the festival begin Monday, May 18 with the Miss HerrinFesta Scholarship Pageant. That’s from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Herrin Civic Center.

The Mayor’s HerrinFesta Honoree Banquet is Tuesday, May 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the civic center.

Carnival midway

3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 21 (Opening Night)
6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 22
Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 23
Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 24
1 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 25

Free live music at the entertainment tent

Matt Basler - 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 22
Members Only - 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 22
Justin Bizzle - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23
Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys - 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 23
Backline 5 - 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24
The Feudin’ Hillbillys - 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 24

Bocce ball tournaments

Three tournaments will take place at the Herrin Bocce Complex:

11 a.m. Friday, May 22: Robert A. Ferarri Corporate Division Bocce Tournament
12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23: Adult-Child Bocce Tournament
1 p.m. Sunday, May 24: International Championship Bocce Tournament

Friday, May 22

The Ed Goodwin Memorial Prayer Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. at the civic center.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Golfing for Grads Scholarship Golf Scramble will take place at the Pine Lakes Golf Course.

History of Herrin: The Movie will be screened at the Herrin City Library at 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 23

Saturday kicks off bright and early at 8 a.m. with the JALC Logan Fitness Tri-Festa Triathlon at Logan Fitness.

A breakfast will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Herrin Masonic Lodge.

Organizers say the HerrinFesta Grand Parade will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Herrin.

From 2 to 5 p.m., there will be a Pasta Sauce Contest and Pasta Eating Contest at the civic center.

The Art Contest Award Ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the library.

The Grape Stomp will take place from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Free Entertainment Tent.

Sunday, May 24

There will be a car show from 10 a.m. to noon at Herrin Memorial Park.

A Special Intention Mass will take place at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church from 11 a.m. to noon.

The Herrin Heritage Club: Italian Film Night at the Civic Center is from 5 to 11 p.m.

Monday, May 25

The HerrinFesta Road Races are from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the civic center.

A memorial service will take place at the WWI Doughboy Memorial from 9 to 10 a.m. on N. Park Ave.

Festa di Pickleball, a pickleball tournament, will take place at the Herrin City Park outdoor pickleball facility from noon until 6 p.m. Organizers say it’s to raise money for the Herrin High School Future Business Leaders of America to attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference.

For a complete schedule of events and links to register for tournaments, visit herrinfesta.com.