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The Great Gathering 2026

  • August 15 - 16, 2026

  • Goekenland

    6621 Illinois 71
    Yorkville, Illinois 60560
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Description

Following last year’s incredible weekend of music, shadow puppetry, foraging, and forest magic, The Great Gathering is officially returning for 2026!

We are heading back to our beautiful woodland clearing on August 15–16 for another two days of community, art, and connection.

Now in our third year, we remain a proudly community driven, self funded festival. Every ticket purchased and every dollar raised goes directly back into allowing us to pay independent artists to create the immersive, interactive art experiences that make this weekend so special.

Our full lineup of independent music, interactive theater, and sustainable workshops drops soon: but our limited Pre-Sale is officially LIVE today.

Past Acts

As we look forward to Year 3, we are incredibly proud of the incredible talent that has graced our woodland stage. Past performers include:

  • The Knee Hi-s

  • Wyatt Waddell

  • Ava Brennan

  • Stone Theory

  • Ione

  • Gabacho

  • Oyeme

  • Em Grace & The Undercuts

  • Julia Morrison

Pricing:

We are introducing a tiered, sliding-scale pricing model for the pre-sale to keep the festival accessible and sustainable.

Pick the tier that best fits you:

$25 | Supported Tier Pass – Full weekend access including camping + parking. Intended for BIPOC folks and anyone experiencing hardship. Limited number of passes available.

$45 | General Pre-Sale Pass – Full weekend access for one person, including a camping and parking pass.

$75 | 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.

Every single pre-sale ticket automatically includes your camping and parking credentials.

Why Lock In Pre-Sale?

Buying during the pre-sale guarantees your spot in the woods! These tickets locks in a lower cost before general pricing and the line-up is released in July!

FAQ

  • Does my ticket include camping? Yes! Every single ticket tier for our pre-sale automatically includes a camping and 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Want to partner with us? Please reach out to discuss sponsorship and partnership opportunities for this year's event

Date & Time

Aug 15, 2026 12:00 PM - Aug 16, 2026 4:00 PM

Venue Details

Goekenland

6621 Illinois 71
Yorkville, Illinois 60560 Goekenland
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. ♥