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Aurora (IL) Events

aurora events concerts movies tickets

If you live in Aurora and you’re looking for “events near me” this spring and summer, you have access to affordable fun for the whole family close to home at Venue 1012!

We are located at 1012 Station Drive in Oswego (just west of Orchard Road). With ample lawn seating, the amphitheater welcomes families and friends for both free and ticketed live music, as well as free movies in the park, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Most events offer food trucks and beverage service with soda, wine, hard seltzers and beer, including craft drafts from Oswego Brewing Co. You’ll also find lots of conveniently located free parking.

We’re here to make having fun easy for you. Choose your dates from our 2023 schedule!

Events Near Aurora (IL): Free & Ticketed Concerts

Saturday May 27 ׀ Country Bash: Oswego Honors Veterans
3:30pm to 10pm (Venue 1012 opens 2:30pm)

Get a rockin’ start on Memorial Day weekend with a live country music extravaganza honoring veterans! This full day of hot country hits and classic rock features the Alika Arlynn Band, Tim Gleason Band and headliner Whiskeyfist. Dance, listen and sing to the music that you love from both today and yesterday!
$20 (ages 13 & up), free (military/veterans), free (ages 12 & under)

Sunday May 28 ׀ Oswego Pops Orchestra: Tribute to Veterans Concert
3pm to 4pm (Venue 1012 opens 2:30pm)

Unite with the Aurora and surrounding communities for this Memorial Day weekend event honoring our veterans and fallen heroes with patriotic music from the Oswego Pops Orchestra, including an appearance by bagpiper David Johnston.
(Outside food and non-alcoholic beverage allowed at this concert only. Snacks, bottled water and soda will be available for purchase.)
FREE

Thursday June 1 ׀ Sealed with a Kiss (SWAK)
7pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 6pm)

SWAK returns to entertain Aurora event-goers again – enjoy your favorite cover songs delivered with melodic musical force!
FREE

Saturday June 10 ׀ SEMPLE with Fletcher Rockwell
4:30pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 3:30pm)

Taking you on a musical journey from beginning to end, Fletcher Rockwell performs both original songs and inspired covers of favorites such as the Beatles, Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. The energy continues when Chicago-based SEMPLE takes the stage with styles from 70s rock to alt rock to modern pop!
$15 (ages 13 & up), $10 (military/veterans), free (ages 12 & under)

PettyCash: Tom Petty and Johnny Cash Tribute
Thursday June 29 | 7pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 6pm)

The sounds of summer at Venue 1012 include plenty of musical Americana. Raise your beverage and sling your arm around a friend as you sing to the songs of Johnny Cash and Tom Petty performed by pros who love to rock out with young and mature fans alike.
FREE

Hillbilly Rockstarz
Thursday July 6 | 7pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 6pm)

Calling all country fans in Aurora – Chicagoland’s country super group will be plugged in and turned up for an exciting event at the Venue! Get ready for a good time as the Rockstarz rock ya Hillbilly style with favorites from Miranda Lambert to Guns & Roses.
FREE

Saturday July 15 | Boy Band Review
7pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 6pm)

This band that’s “Larger Than Life” has all the “Right Stuff”! Playing to capacity crowds throughout the Midwest, Boy Band Review will captivate the Aurora region with chart-toppers by NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, BTS and more. Celebrate the glory days of multi-part harmonies and hunky front men professing their forever love!
$15 (ages 13 & up), $10 (military/veterans), free (ages 12 & under)

Thursday July 27 | The GooRoos
7pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 6pm)

Exciting, energized, fresh: You’ll be on your feet with some of the hottest hits of all time in one non-stop, action-packed, old-school concert jam!
FREE

Saturday August 5 | Southern Accents: The Ultimate Tom Petty Experience
7pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 6pm)

Straight out of Nashville, Southern Accents looks, lives and plays the part of the beloved group behind decades of radio mainstays such as “Don’t Do Me Like That” and “American Girl.” Bring family and friends to dance, sing and celebrate with a full re-creation of this legendary rock band right before your very eyes!
FREE

Thursday August 17 | Second Hand News: Fleetwood Mac Tribute
7pm to 9pm (Venue 1012 opens 6pm)

Re-live some of the most memorable music of the modern era with an authentic tribute to the unique mystique of Fleetwood Mac. This electrifying live show brings you back to the moments when “Rhiannon,” “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way” filled the airwaves – as well as the album deep cuts that superfans will know!
FREE

Events Near Aurora (IL): Wine Off the Fox and Benefit Concert

Friday September 1 | 6pm to 8:30pm (Venue 1012 opens 5pm; VIP entry 4pm)
Saturday September 2 | 3pm to 7:30pm (Venue 1012 opens 3pm; VIP entry 2pm)

Start your Labor Day weekend with this year’s concert benefit and wine-tasting at the Venue, now a two-day special event near Aurora! Wines will feature selections from Fox Valley Winery as well as varieties from regional, national and international vintners.

Other beverage selections will include craft beers from Oswego Brewing Co., a specialty cocktail and non-alcoholic choices.

Bring your own picnic, blanket and chairs and sip wine while you listen to music by The PriSSillas on Friday and then Serendipity and the Jersey Girls on Saturday. A portion of the proceeds from this “event near me” for Aurora residents will help support local breast cancer–support organizations! 

Events Near Aurora (IL): Movies in the Park

Select Thursdays at dusk. Venue 1012 opens 6pm for games and picnics.
FREE admission

It’s a fun, relaxing evening for the whole family! Bring the kids, a picnic and chairs or a blanket for games and together time while the sun sets. Then sit back and enjoy the movie on a big screen with the summer stars twinkling above you!

June 22 ׀ Minions: The Rise of Gru
Run time 87 mins.

July 20 ׀ Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Run time122 mins.

August 10 ׀ Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Run time102 mins.

Events Near Aurora (IL): Contact Us

We love seeing our neighbors and friends from Aurora having a great time with us at the Venue. If you have any questions about our 2023 events, simply give us a call at (630) 554-3618 or use our contact form. See you this spring and summer!

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