- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Aurora GreenFest set to return after one-year hiatus
The annual sustainability festival will be held on May 2 with over 100 exhibitors and a focus on energy efficiency.
Mar. 3, 2026 at 3:28pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
After a one-year break, Aurora GreenFest, a 15-year-old festival focused on sustainability and green living, is set to return on May 2. The event, organized by the city of Aurora in partnership with local organizations, will feature over 100 exhibitors, a green vehicle car show, live music, local food trucks, and hands-on activities.
Why it matters
Aurora GreenFest has been a long-running community event that brings residents together to celebrate sustainability and environmental stewardship. The festival's return after a hiatus highlights the city's ongoing commitment to green initiatives and clean energy, which have included new job training programs and loan offerings for commercial buildings.
The details
The festival will be held at the old U.S. Post Office building and former SciTech Museum location in downtown Aurora. In addition to the exhibitor booths, the event will include a community marketplace selling energy-efficient home goods, educational exhibits on saving energy at home, and demonstrations on DIY sustainability projects. Special guests will include the Chicago Herpetological Society and the Fox Valley Electric Auto Association.
- Aurora GreenFest will be held on May 2, 2026.
- The festival is returning after a one-year hiatus in 2025.
The players
Aurora GreenFest
An annual festival in Aurora, Illinois that has been bringing the community together around sustainability and green living for around 15 years.
Mavis Bates
The founder and chair of Aurora GreenFest.
Mayor John Laesch
The mayor of Aurora, Illinois who has made sustainability a key focus for the city.
The Mayor's Sustainable Aurora Advisory Board
A city advisory board that is partnering with Aurora GreenFest to organize the 2026 event.
Aurora GreenLights
An affiliate of The Conservation Foundation that is also partnering with the city to put on Aurora GreenFest.
What they’re saying
“GreenFest is an amazing way to keep our community sustainable and resilient. We love bringing our community together to celebrate sustainability, and appreciate Aurora's support for GreenFest since 2010.”
— Mavis Bates, Festival founder and chair
What’s next
The city of Aurora is still accepting vendor and exhibitor applications for the 2026 Aurora GreenFest, which will be held on May 2.
The takeaway
Aurora's commitment to sustainability is reflected in the return of the long-running Aurora GreenFest, which will bring the community together to celebrate green initiatives, clean energy, and environmental stewardship through educational exhibits, hands-on activities, and a showcase of eco-friendly products and services.
