Description

✦ THE GREAT GATHERING 2026 ✦

Two Days of Music, Theatre, Play, & Kinship in the Woods!

After a tornado delayed our original August plans, we are officially back! Join us this fall for a DIY festival celebrating creativity, independent artists, and community. Discover new bands, create hands-on art, dance, and gather around the fire.

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📍 When & Where

• Dates: October 3–4, 2026

• Location: Goekenland (6621 Illinois 71, Yorkville, IL 60560)

Festival Schedule

 

Festival Schedule

Saturday, October 3

• 1:00 PM — Gates Open

  Arrive, set up your campsite, grab a drink, and take some time to wander the farm before the magic begins.

• 2:00 PM — Shake Shook Shaken Movement Workshop (Julie Meckler)

  Get centered and grounded in the woods! This interactive theater and movement workshop series is designed to gently build your body awareness and help you connect with your surroundings.

• 3:00 PM — Brooch Making Workshop (Av Grannan)

  Join interdisciplinary artist Av Grannan to craft your own functional, wearable art. You’ll use upcycled materials and natural elements to create a unique piece to wear for the rest of the weekend

• 4:00 PM — Caravan

  Gather around as we officially kick off the festivities! The Caravan will lead a theatrical opening ceremonies to welcome everyone to The Great Gathering.

• 4:30 PM — Kitship

• 5:30 PM — Growing Boys

• 6:30 PM — Chaepter (Cello On The Pond)

  Head down to the water for a gorgeous, atmospheric performance. Chicago multi-instrumentalist Chaepter Negro will treat the gathering to a stunning "Midwest Gothic" solo cello set.

• 7:30 PM — Theatre, Clowning & Shadow Puppets (Abby Palen, Milo Whitson & Dez Brandes)

  Embrace the strange and wonderful! As the sun sets, this trio will put on a wonderfully weird, interactive theater performance blending physical clowning and enchanting shadow puppetry.

• 8:30 PM — Tunnel

• 9:30 PM — Nick Von

• 10:30 PM — Stone Theory

• 11:30 PM — Bonfire

  Bring your thick blankets and cozy layers! We’ll gather around a roaring fire to warm up, share stories, sing song, and make connections under the night sky.

• 12:30 AM — Lucky Horse Red

Sunday, October 4

• 10:00 AM — Cyanotype Workshop (Amanda Weygand Zehr)

  Start your morning making art! In this hands-on wet process workshop, you'll forage for plants around the grounds to create beautiful, botanical sun-prints.

• 11:00 AM — Foraging Workshop (Chicago Mushroom Club)

  Explore the woods with the Chicago Mushroom Club! You'll learn about sustainable environmental practices and how to safely and respectfully observe the fascinating local fungal kingdom

• 12:00 PM — Josephine

• 1:00 PM — Rat Johnson

• 2:00 PM — Living Thing

• 3:00 PM — Abolish Victory

• 4:00 PM — Baba Yaga Stew: Contra Dancing Workshop

  A spirited, joyous finale! This trio of musicians brews up bubbling, worldly tunes rooted in American contra dance. Learn the steps, grab a partner, and dance to their fiery melodies of fiddle, accordion, and percussion!

• 5:00 PM — Gates Close

  Time to say farewell, pack up your camp, and carry the magic of the woods back home with you. Please practice "Leave No Trace" as you head out. See ya next time!

🎟️ Tickets (Sliding Scale)

All tickets include parking and full workshop access. (Original August tickets are automatically honored at the gate!)

• $25 | Supported Tier: Full weekend + camping (Intended for BIPOC/hardship).

• $30 | Single Day Pass: Saturday or Sunday access.

• $55 | General Pass: Full weekend access + camping.

• $95 | Come with Friends: Two full weekend passes grouped at a discount.

• Pay It Forward: Add a donation at checkout to subsidize the supported tiers and pay artists!

What to Expect & Bring

• The Vibe: Costumes highly encouraged! Think spooky, whimsical, woodland creatures, or wonderfully weird attire.

• Camping: Primitive but comfortable. We provide fresh drinking water, restrooms, and handwashing stations. Bring warm layers, heavy blankets, and a reusable water bottle.

• Food: Outside food/snacks are welcome (alcohol is restricted). We'll also have great vendors:

  • Saturday: Pariente Mix Taco Truck, IdlyVada Indian, and Late Night Pizza.

  • Sunday: Little Loaf Bakery (8 AM - 11 AM).

• Rules: Please practice "Leave No Trace" to help keep the farmland clean.

Organized by an all-women collective dedicated to grassroots community, independent music, sustainable living, and immersive art. See you in the woods!

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.

• 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. 

• 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!

Venue Details

Goekenland

6621 Illinois 71
Yorkville, Illinois 60560

The Great Gathering