Weekend festival offers art, live music, food, more at annual community-focused event

CHARLESTON, IL (04/15/2026) Eastern Illinois University and the Doudna Fine Arts Center invite members of the local community to enjoy an art fair, live performances, amazing food, and more during the University’s annual Spring Fest in 2026, being held Thursday through Saturday, April 23 through April 25.

Spring Fest 2026 will take place Thursday, April 23 from noon to 7 p.m., as well as from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25.

Next year’s (2026-27) Doudna performance season will be announced at the beginning of the festival, so attendees should be sure to pick up the new calendar to see everything EIU has to offer, including premier events, music concerts, theatre performances, and festivals. While attendees can find a full schedule for Spring Fest 2026 at eiu.edu/festival, highlights of this year’s festival include:

Art & Goods Vendors

There will be 22 art and goods vendor booths (both indoor and outdoor) spanning the Doudna Fine Arts Center into Buzzard Hall. Vendors will be selling a variety of art and goods, including ceramics, clothing, jewelry, metal works, paintings, plants, sculptures and soaps.

Live Music

The Doudna Fine Arts Center will have a stage near its circle drive for live music performances from the following groups:

Thursday, April 23
– 3 p.m. — Reverend Robert
– 4 p.m. — EIU Jazz Lab Band
– 5 p.m. — EIU Singer Songwriter Showcase
– 6 p.m. — Halos

Friday, April 24
– 1 p.m. — The EIU Percussion Ensemble
– 2 p.m. — Motherlode
– 4 p.m. — EIU Jazz Combos
– 5 p.m. — Insomniac’s Dream
– 6 p.m. — EIU’s Blue Fusion

Saturday, April 25
– 11 a.m. — Mitch Faulkner Trio
– 1 p.m. — The EIU Dancers
– 2 p.m. — Heather Latta
– 4 p.m. — Chuck Vegas
– 5 p.m. — The Insomniacs: Aux Port

Food Vendors

Food vendors at this year’s Spring Fest will feature SweetTeaz, IceIceShavings, Grandma T’s Soft Pretzels, House of Brisket, Sweet Island, Mini Donuts, CZ’s FGT, and LJ’s Famous Diner.

Other Attractions

  • Kids Day will take place Saturday, April 25, from noon to 4 p.m. Activities will consist of EIU Dancers performance and teaching a dance to kids of all ages at 1 p.m.
  • Free glitter tattoos and face painting
  • EIU Portable Observatory will be in the Black Box Theatre all weekend with presentations every hour
  • Decatur’s Scovill Mobile Zoo
  • Arts and science activities for kids

There will be concerts following regular festival hours in the Doudna Fine Arts Center’s Dvorak Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets for these performances are available at eiu.edu/doudnatix, with entertainment to include:

  • Thursday, April 23: EIU Concert Band & Eastern Symphonic Band
  • Friday, April 24: EIU Wind Symphony & Monticello High School Band
  • Saturday, April 25: Eastern Symphonic Orchestra

Eastern Illinois University’s Doudna Fine Arts Center is a creative hub for campus and the surrounding region, bringing together innovative design and purpose-built spaces for the Departments of Art + Design, Music, and Theatre. The Doudna is alive with activity year-round, hosting performances by EIU students and faculty, regional school and community groups, and visiting artists from across the country and around the world.

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Eastern Illinois University empowers students to achieve their goals through high quality academics, meaningful personal connections, and flexible learning options on campus and online. To learn more about EIU, including its wide range of academic programs, career preparation opportunities, and community engagement, visit eiu.edu or contact the EIU Public Information Office at 217-581-7400.