Elgin Fringe Festival

06/08/2026

Sponsor the 2026 Elgin Fringe Festival!

This September, Elgin Fringe returns for its 13th year, bringing theater, music, dance, comedy, film, visual art, pop-up performances, and one-of-a-kind creative experiences to downtown Elgin.

Last year’s festival filled 1,300 seats and featured over 80 performances, 37 visual artists, 20 venues, 8 performing groups, and more than 150 performers. That impact is only possible because of the artists, audiences, businesses, and community supporters who show up for Fringe.

Sponsorship is a meaningful way to support local artists, connect your business with an engaged regional audience, and help make downtown Elgin even more creative and vibrant.

Learn more at https://www.elginfringefestival.com/sponsor

On INSTA: tap or bio and "You Should Sponsor"!

06/05/2026

TONIGHT!

Join Side Street Studio Arts for PRIDE 2026: Rise, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ art, identity, expression, resilience, and q***r creativity.

The exhibit opens Friday, June 5, with a reception from 6 to 9 pm at Side Street Studio Arts. Come experience work that explores love, truth, community, visibility, and the evolving meaning of Pride today.

Be bold. Be seen. Rise.

PRIDE 2026: Rise
Opening Reception: Friday, June 5, 6 to 9 pm
On View: June 5 through June 28

Side Street Studio Arts

06/03/2026

THIS WEEK!

Celebrate Pride with the Elgin Fringe Festival! We’re excited to participate in Elgin Pride’s annual Parade & Festival on June 6. Stop by the Side Street Studio Arts booth to meet our team, pick up exclusive Fringe merchandise, and join in the festivities. Let’s come together to support and uplift our LGBTQ+ community.

Elgin Pride: ELGbtq+
.pride
elginpride.org

06/01/2026

Fun all week long! Sturdy Shelter -> The Dive Bar -> Martini Room -> Side Street -> DOWNTOWN ELGIN & FESTIVAL PARK -> Martini Room!

05/31/2026

Volunteer with Side Street Studio Arts and Elgin Fringe for Elgin Pride 2026!

Help us bring color, energy, and joy to this year’s Pride celebration. Volunteer opportunities include:

+ Window Painting: Sunday, May 31, 10:30am–2pm
+ Banner Making: Monday, June 1, 5:30pm–7:30pm
+ Van Decorating: Friday, June 5, 5pm–9pm
+ Pride Parade Crew: Saturday, June 6, 10:30am–1pm
+ Festival Volunteers: Saturday, June 6, approximately 2pm–5pm

Join us and express your pride!

DETAILS & SIGN-UP:
https://www.sidestreetstudioarts.org/pride

Side Street Studio Arts

05/31/2026

There are still a few spots left in our FREE Producing a Show from the Ground Up with Nick Mataragas workshop. Get signed up today - the workshop is Sunday, May 31!
👉 Register: https://forms.gle/eiWMk3otWWUERZ6V9

05/30/2026

Great article about the wonderful world of Fringe Festivals around the Midwest!

From Minneapolis to Cincinnati, Green Bay to Kansas City, fringe festivals focus on variety, accessibility, and community to bring artists and audiences together.

05/30/2026

Raise Your Flag, Elgin!

The 2026 Elgin Pride Parade & Festival returns Saturday, June 6, and it is all about celebrating identity, visibility, and authentic selves.

Come out to Festival Park for a joyful day with a diverse crowd of thousands, local groups, businesses, artists, vendors, performers, neighbors, and friends. It is a chance to support a happy, safe Elgin for everyone while showing up with Pride.

Bring the flag that makes you proud. Bring the people you love. Bring your fabulous self.

Elgin Pride Parade & Festival
Saturday, June 6
11 am to 5 pm
Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin

Free to attend. No registration or tickets needed for parade watchers or festival guests.

Details: https://www.elginpride.org/event-details/elgin-pride-parade-festival-2026

.pride Elgin Pride: ELGbtq+
elginpride.org