Things to do in Aurora, Illinois

Welcome to the Aurora Area of Illinois

 

Discover The Aurora Area in Illinois

Welcome to the Aurora Area, an outstanding travel destination in Illinois. Here you can experience award winning Broadway musical theater, the largest waterpark in Illinois, Chicagoland's largest outlet shopping center, a masterpiece of modern architecture, and unparalleled outdoor adventure on and along the Fox River. Whether you're traveling with family or friends, be sure to check out all that Aurora, Batavia, Big Rock, Elburn, Geneva, Hinckley, Montgomery, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Sugar Grove, Yorkville and Kendall County have to offer. Sign up for our e-Newsletter!

LUMENAURA

Oct 22
  • October 22, 2025
  • City of Aurora, Illinois

LUMENAURA is the City of Aurora’s unique annual experience that transforms downtown Aurora into a glowing wonderland of immersive light and sound. Stroll through mesmerizing art displays, interact with artistic soundscapes, and enjoy a magical, family-friendly adventure—completely free! Don’t just…

  • October 22, 2025
  • Stolp Island Theatre

Four Legends. One Night. Music History Made. On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins had a chance encounter at Sun Records Studio in Memphis. You may have loved Million Dollar Quartet in 2017 at Paramount Theatre – now imagine it set in Sun Studio…

Pumpkin Daze

Oct 22
  • October 22, 2025
  • Abbey Farms

Welcome to your authentic farm adventure! Step away from modern life and make new memories with your friends and family at Abbey Farms Pumpkin Daze! Packed with activities, our 40-acre pumpkin farm has everything you need to make your family’s day at the farm special. From our friendly petting zoo…

  • October 24, 2025
  • Two Brothers Roundhouse

Youth Outlook's annual Dare to Dream fundraising gala is taking on a spooky twist this year: Dare to Scream 2 will be a crowd-favorite celebration! We're putting together some practical magic that will be sure to spook and scare with this haunting Halloween-themed "skelebration". Costumes are not…

  • October 24, 2025
  • The Bit Theater

The Bit’s rowdy sketch team Sketchpants is back with a brand-new show that shuffles from haunted houses to holiday chaos faster than you can say “pumpkin spice.” Expect Broadway parodies, creepy cartoon callbacks, absurd holiday specials, and characters you probably shouldn’t leave alone at a…

Eye to Eye Exhibition

Oct 22, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025 Schingoethe Center of Aurora University

Fall Pumpkin Festival

Oct 22, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025 Windy Acres Farm

Happy Hour at Barrel + Rye

Oct 22, 2025 Barrel & Rye

LUMENAURA

Oct 22, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025 City of Aurora, Illinois

Million Dollar Quartet

Oct 22, 2025 - Jan 04, 2026 Stolp Island Theatre

Trip Ideas

Discover unbelievable adventures and unique trip ideas curated by interest. Enjoy!

    Broadway In Aurora

    Dinner & A Show

    The Venue Aurora

    • 21 S. Broadway Avenue
    • (331) 212-8490

    The Venue is a live music venue and community center hosting concerts, workshops…

    The Turf Room Restaurant

    • 1033 Kilberry Ln.
    • (630) 906-9300

    Relax, this place has a winning combination of fine dining and exciting atmosphere…

    The Den

    • 227 Heustis Street
    • (630) 381-9390

    The Den, located at 227 Heustis St in Yorkville, Illinois, is a high-energy bar and…

    Comedy Vault

    • 18 E. Wilson Street
    • (630) 454-4174

    The Comedy Vault in Batavia is a lively, intimate comedy club located in a renovated…

    113 Main

    • 113 Main Street
    • (331) 216-5133

    Welcome to 113 Main, located in the heart of downtown Oswego.  Our menu features…

    Family Vacation Guide

    Raging Waves Waterpark

    • 4000 N. Bridge St.
    • (630) 882-6575

    At Raging Waves, you'll find 58 acres of family-friendly water attractions. With 32…

    Chicago Premium Outlets

    • 1650 Premium Outlets Blvd.
    • (630) 585-2200

    Chicago Premium Outlets, an outdoor center located 40 minutes from downtown Chicago…

    Fox Valley Mall

    • 195 Fox Valley Center Dr.
    • (630) 851-7200

    Fox Valley Mall is the premier shopping center in Illinois, featuring over 120 top…

    Red Oak Nature Center

    • 1385 N. River Rd.
    • (630) 897-1808

    Nestled on the east bank of the Fox River, the Red Oak Nature Center (On Route 25…

    Two Brothers Roundhouse

    • 205 N. Broadway
    • (630) 264-2739

    Discover the big, bold flavors of Two Brothers artisan beer, coffee, dining, and…

    Heartland Charm

    More Polish Pottery

    • 8S953 Jericho Rd.
    • (630) 605-2371

    More Polish Pottery is the leading Midwest retailer for Boleslawiec Polish pottery…

    Esther's Place

    • 201 W. Galena St. (Rt. 30)
    • (630) 556-9665

    Join educator and fiber artist Natasha Lehrer in a memorable experience with nature’s…

    South Moon Barbeque

    • 100 E. Lincoln Ave.
    • (815) 286-9227

    Fantastic southern-style BBQ!! Aurora Area Champion for the best BBQ and winner of…

    Keller's Farmstand Oswego

    • 2500 Johnson Road
    • (630) 219-8194

    Family farmstand growing high-quality flowers, sweet corn, vegetables, apples, and…

    The Growing Place

    • 2000 Montgomery Road
    • (630) 820-8088

    Started from bare ground in 1989, The Growing Place has grown into a garden oasis for…

    Abbey Farms

    • 2855 Hart Rd.
    • (630) 966-7775

    Abbey Farms is a unique family-friendly agri-tourism farm in Aurora, IL that has been…

    Curated Stories

    Welcome to our Insider's Blog, your guide to all the wonders found throughout the Aurora area of Illinois. Get the latest travel tips, highlights, news, and stories from the people who know our city best.

    Fall

    Learn The History of The Aurora Area This Fall

    Embrace the crisp air and vibrant colors of autumn by exploring the remarkable museums throughout the Aurora area. Fall is the perfect time to discover history, art, innovation, and family…

    Olivia Rivera
    3 minute read
    Community

    Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Dapper Brews

    Honoring Latinx Roots in the Aurora Area Hispanic Heritage Month in Aurora offers a window into the city’s vibrant, diverse communities, and few local businesses capture that spirit…

    Olivia Rivera
    3 minute read