The Nauvoo Grape Festival is an annual celebration, held the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend in the Nauvoo State Park and surrounding areas of Nauvoo. This long-running festival is packed with activities including competitive events, parades, entertainment and more! The weekend also features the Festival on Wheels Car Show, one of the region's largest open air car show.

Schedule of the Event:

August 29, 2025

1:00 pm-4:00 pm: Nauvoo Historical Society Rheinberger Museum offers tours of the arched wine cellar. Originals & reprints of former Grape Festival Programs will be available.

5:00 pm-9pm: Food vendors open –The carnival is serving up all your favorite fair treats! Plus additional vendors selling your fried and BBQ treats!

6:00 pm-9:00 pm: Carnival - Gotcha Games Amusements open -Arm Band Night

6:00 pm-9:00 pm: Dunk Tank— Fundraiser for Jr. High FFA Nauvoo. $1.00 per ball or 6 balls $5.00 

6:00 pm: Entertainment Tent - Must be 21 or older to enter - $5 Cover Charge

8:30 pm-11:30pm: Entertainment Tent will host Live Music by Jive Radio a local band from the tristate area, playing your favorite rock, pop, and groovy music.

August 30, 2025

7:00am to 10:30am - Pancake Breakfast at the Shelter House, Nauvoo State Park sponsored by the Nauvoo Troop and Pack 56 Boy Scouts. Donations are welcome!

7:00am - Registration for the Grape Stomp 5-K run/walk begins. Register online!! - or in person day of race!
                  
7:30am - Registration for Co-Ed Sand Volleyball begins. Get your forms here! - or in person day of games!

8:00am - Co-Ed Sand Volleyball play begins; Grape Stomp 5-K run/walk begins. 

9:00am - Arts & Craft Show and Flea Market opens! - includes a 28ft. Tee Pee (TiPi), displayed by the Standing Bear Council. The members will educate people about housing and various artifacts. Standing bear is bringing MORE history/artifacts this year!!

11:00am - Registrations for the Bags Tournament by River City Baggers - $40 per team- 

12 noon: Bags Tournament begins inside the Entertainment Tent - NEW Time -

12 noon - 4:00pm - Entertainment Tent Opens. Must be 21 or older. 12pm - 4pm canned beer is $3.

1:00pm to 4:00pm - Nauvoo Historical Society Rheinberger Museum offers tours of the arched wine cellar.
 
1:00pm - Midway Opens Joe's Old Fashion Fun and Food Vendors- Loaded French Fries, Onion Rings, Corn Dogs, Funnel Cakes & More!! 
 
2:00pm - Pet Parade starting at Uncle John's Station, corner of Robinson & Hwy 96 through the Uptown Nauvoo Business district, ending at the Nauvoo City Park. +++ THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE!
Theme for Pet Parade is "Circus"
Pet Parade King - Pet Parade Queen

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Petting Zoo - Zebra, Donkey, Horses, Goats & more! $2 treats and Games! -NEW 

5:30pm to 8:00pm - 48th Annual Festival on Wheels Night Time Car Display at Outlaw Tee's, 85 N. Iowa Street, Nauvoo, IL. 

6:00pm - 9:00pm - Carnival - Gotcha Games Amusements open Arm Band Night - 

6:00pm - 9:00pm - Dunk Tank Fundraiser for Nauvoo Jr. High FFA - $1 per ball or 6 balls for $5 

6:00pm - Entertainment Tent starts $5.00 cover charge/Must be 21 or older to enter

8:30pm to 11:30pm - Entertainment Tent hosts live music by BIG GUNS.- Authentic 80's Hair Band cover band! Join us for a night of nostalgia, high energy, and iconic tunes that will transport you back in time to an era defined by big hair and even bigger anthems.

August 31, 2025

7:00am to 10:30am - Pancake Breakfast at the Shelter House, Nauvoo State Park sponsored by Saint Peter & Paul School. Donations are welcome!

8:00am - Registration for the 48th Annual Festival on Wheels Custom Car Show. 

9:00am - Arts & Craft Show and Flea Market opens - includes a 28ft. Tee Pee (TiPi), displayed by the Standing Bear Council. The members will educate people about housing and various artifacts. NEW this year - Standing bear is bringing MORE history/artifacts!!

9:00am - Church Service in the Entertainment Tent - Worship songs by Living Water, a local worship band. Sponsored by Golden's Point Church. 

11:00am - 48th Annual Festival on Wheels custom show opens - with several hundred entries & one of the largest open car shows in the tri-state area! 

11:00am to 1:00pm - Check in for Feature Parade at the Fire Station. 

12:00pm - Entertainment Tent opens. Must be 21 or older - 1pm - 4pm canned beer is $3

1:00pm - 4:00pm Entertainment tent will host Live Music by Stealin' Copper & JK Jams Dup. - Two Duos from the tri-state area playing your favorite classic rock and country!

1:00 to 4:00pm - Nauvoo Historical Society Rheinberger Museum offers tours of the arched wine cellar.

1:00pm - Carnival - Gotcha Games Amusements open- maid rites, ribeye's, classic carnival food, iced coffee, lotus energy, & more!

2:00pm - Nauvoo Grape Festival Feature Parade begins at the Fire Station & ends on Parley Street in the Nauvoo State Park. Theme: Circus
Pet Parade King - Pet Parade Queen
Scholarship recipients riding in the parade: 

3:00pm - Custom Automotive Art Auction - car show grounds 
                 
4:00pm - 48th Annual Festival on Wheels Car Show Awards. 

6:00pm to 9:00pm - Gotcha Games Amusements Carnival 

6:00pm - Entertainment Tent Starts - $5.00 cover charge/Must be 21 or older to enter. 

8:30pm to 11:30pm - Entertainment Tent will host Live Music by The Boys - playing a mix of rock and country!

Date: August 29-31, 2025

Location: Various Location in Nauvoo, IL

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