After five amazing years of bringing beautiful public art to the Rockford area, CRE8IV is going out with a bang! CRE8IV Music & Arts Fest will be wrapping up the wonderful efforts of the Cre8IV initiative with a one-time giant celebration in downtown Rockford over the last weekend in May.

Since 2019, CRE8IV has invited talented artists to paint beautiful murals throughout the greater Rockford area. Through this initiative, 44 large-scale murals were added to the cityscape with several new projects in 2024. You can learn more about each mural here and explore the Rockford Public Art Trail to see all of the public art in Rockford and earn points, that can be redeemed for prizes when you check in at locations. Sadly, the CRE8IV initiative is ending, but their upcoming CRE8IV Music and Arts Fest is an amazing way to say goodbye!

CRE8IV Music and Arts Fest is Rockford’s first-ever music and arts festival! The festival will be held Friday, May 31st through June 2nd in downtown Rockford. During the festival, five large-scale murals will be painted as well as five additional mini murals throughout the region. Families can watch the murals come to life during the three-day festival. There will also be hands-on activities for all ages including making artwork to take home and community chalk art.

Mural paintings will take place in the following locations:

  • Jefferson St. Bridge abutment (westside)
  • 308 E. State St
  • 1104 Elm St.
  • 3502 E. State St.
  • E. State & First St. intersection street mural

  • 401 E. State St. – Mini mural on the electrical box
  • 111 N. 1st St. – Mini mural on south wall
  • 330 E. State – Mini mural in the alley behind SRM Prints
  • 324 E. State St – Mini mural in the alley behind Juju Rey’s
  • 111 W. State St. – Mini mural on utility shed

The festival is not just about art, but music too! Families can enjoy live music all weekend on two stages from a lineup of 28 performers including local favorites and regional bands like Smoking Popes, One More Time: A Tribute to Daft Punk, and Kelly Seward. Kids will enjoy a magic show by Zach Percell on Saturday and Sunday. You can view a full schedule of performers here.

If you need something to eat or drink while you’re downtown, there will be a Craft Beer and Distillery tent, food trucks, and more. There are also several downtown restaurants to choose from including Abreo, Lima Mar, and Woodfire Pizza.

Don’t forget to support local businesses while you’re downtown! There will be art vendors and stores offering promotions throughout the weekend. On Friday, you can make it a whole day of fun by attending Rockford’s City Market, checking out the Music and Arts Fest, and staying for Aladdin at Friday Night Flix in Davis Park!

Finally, there will be a drone show happening on Saturday night! The sky will fill with 150 drones creating patterns and images in sync with music. Drone shows are an alternative to firework displays that eliminate the loud sounds and smoke. This exciting event is the very first drone show in Rockford! 

Do you plan on attending the Music and Arts Fest?

CRE8IV Music and Arts Festival

When: Friday, May 31st from 4 pm – 10 pm

Saturday, June 1st from 12 pm – 10 pm
Sunday, June 2nd from 12 pm – 5 pm

Where: E. State & 1st Street, Downtown Rockford, Illinois

Admission: FREE!