Two Days of Music, Theatre, Play, & Kinship in the Woods
We’re BACK!!!
After a tornado disrupted our original August dates, our team has been hard at work rebuilding and restoring the farm.
Join us in October for a DIY festival that brings together independent musicians, artists, performers, makers, and curious wanderers to celebrate creativity and whimsy!
The Great Gathering is a place to participate, get curious, and make something together.
Discover your new favorite band. Make something with your hands. Dance with someone you’ve just met. Gather around a fire until you forget what time it is!!
There’s no giant stage separating you from the people making things happen. You’re part of the gathering, too :-)
2026 Musical Acts
We are thrilled to share that most of our original festival music lineup is still joining us for the fall. We could not be more excited to rock out with these incredible musicians.
Growing Boys
Tunnel
Stone Theory
Chaepter
Living Thing
Rat Johnson
Josephine
Kitship
Nick Von
Abolish Victory
What other programming can I look forward to? The farm will be alive with interactive art and activities. You can look forward to opening ceremonies led by The Caravan, a hands-on Wet Process Cyanotype Workshop where you will forage plants to make botanical prints, and more strange and wonderful theater performances that will be announced soon.
Tickets:
In keeping with our belief that community and art must remain accessible, we offer sliding scale pricing. Every pass includes parking and full workshop access!
Your ticket directly supports independent artists and the people working behind the scenes.
Note: If you purchased a ticket for the original August dates, your ticket is automatically honored at the gate!
Pick the tier that best fits you:
$25 | Supported Tier Pass – Full weekend access including a camping and parking pass. Intended for BIPOC folks and anyone experiencing hardship. Limited number of passes available.
$30 | Saturday Pass – Saturday access for one person including a parking pass.
$30 | Sunday Pass – Sunday access for one person including a parking pass.
$55 | General Pass – Full weekend access for one person including a camping and parking pass.
$95 | Come with Friends Pass – Two full weekend passes grouped together at a discount. Bring a buddy, split the cost, and save!
Support & Sustain – Pay it forward: grab a general pass and add a donation at checkout to directly subsidize our supported tiers and keep the gathering equitable.
FAQ
Does my ticket include parking? Yes! Every single ticket tier automatically includes a parking pass. We want everyone to be able to stay for the night sky, morning foraging walks, and closing circles without worrying about hidden fees.
How does the "Support Us" tier work? The Great Gathering is an independent, community-driven labor of love. By adding a donation to your ticket, your extra funds go directly to work: keeping our footprint green with sustainable materials, paying our artists, and subsidizing our $25 Supported Tier. Together, we can ensure art, nature, and community remain accessible to everyone.
Are tickets refundable? All sales are final and non-refundable, but tickets are 100% transferable. If your plans change, you can give or sell your ticket to a friend.
Can I buy a "Come with Friends" pass if we are arriving in separate cars? Absolutely. The pass generates two ticket codes. When you arrive at the gate, we will check you both in and ensure you both receive your parking and camping credentials.
Do I have to camp? Not at all! While we love spending the night under the trees, you are completely welcome to head home. Just grab a Saturday or Sunday Pass instead of the full General Pass.
What are the campsite amenities? Camping is primitive but comfortable. We provide clean, fresh drinking water (bring a reusable bottle!), restrooms, and handwashing stations. You just need to bring your tent, sleeping gear, and layers for the evening.
How should I prepare for October camping? Fall camping means crisp mornings and chilly nights. We provide clean drinking water, restrooms, and handwashing stations, but you need to bring the warmth. Pack heavy blankets, thick socks, a good sleeping pad, and extra cozy layers for sitting around the bonfire.
Will there be food available? Yes! We’ll have a great lineup of local food vendors. Last year featured wood fired pizza, Indian food, BBQ, and fresh local coffee + baked goods. This year's specific food vendor lineup will drop in August.
Can I bring my own snacks and drinks? Absolutely. Unlike commercial festivals, outside food and snacks are totally welcome, but alcohol is restricted. We ask that you practice a "leave no trace" approach to help us keep the farmland clean.
What should I wear? Costumes are highly encouraged! We are leaning into the spooky, whimsical magic of the season. Come as a woodland creature, a haunted cowboy, a friendly ghost, or whatever enchants you. Think colorful layers, theatrical textures, and wonderfully weird attire.
Want to partner with us? Please reach out to discuss sponsorship and partnership opportunities for this year's event
Date & Time
Aug 15 - Oct 4, 2026
Venue Details
Goekenland
6621 Illinois 71 Yorkville, Illinois 60560
The Great Gathering
About the Organizers
The Great Gathering is an independent, DIY festival created by a multidisciplinary collective of women.
United by a love of grassroots community, independent music, sustainable living, and immersive art, we built the festival as an intentional space where people can connect with nature, creativity, and one another!
From stewarding the farm grounds and curating the musical lineup to producing interactive performances and workshops, every aspect of the festival is organized collaboratively from the ground up by:
Ashley Goeken anchors the festival’s eco-conscious mission, bringing her professional expertise from working in sustainability for the United Nations Association to ensure the event respects the land and leaves no trace.
Rachel Steele steers the festival's aesthetic identity and sensory atmosphere, working as a designer, composer, photographer, and art director to weave together the visual landscape and sonic identity of the weekend.
Victoria Happ brings her sharp eye for curation and design to the forest clearing, utilizing her background as a stylist to craft the physical environments, visual magic, and immersive textures of the space.
Ava Brennan fuels the beating heart of the event as a community organizer and folk musician, bridging the gap between local grassroots networks and the independent artists performing on stage.
Thank you for supporting DIY arts and gathering with us in the woods! We believe festival experiences can be created sustainably, equitably, and from the heart. ♥
