Since 1982, Amboy Depot Days has been one of the biggest small-town festivals in Northwest Illinois, drawing visitors from across the region for four days of live entertainment, family fun, food, and community tradition in downtown Amboy. The 2026 celebration takes place Aug. 27–30 and is expected to once again fill the streets with carnival rides, live music, craft vendors, food stands, garage sales, and one of the area’s most talked-about car shows.

Depot Days is best known for its massive Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show held on Sunday, where hundreds of classic vehicles line the downtown streets. The show has become a regional favorite and includes awards in dozens of categories, plus specialty honors for paint, engine, interiors, motorcycles, and more.

Another major draw is the famous Depot Days 50/50 raffle, which has awarded winners well over $100,000 in recent years. One lucky winner in 2025 took home more than $120,000, making it one of the most anticipated festival raffles in the region.

Festivalgoers can also expect a community parade, carnival rides, beer garden, pancake breakfast, tractor and semi show, bags tournament, family activities, vendor booths, and live music throughout the weekend. While the 2026 entertainment lineup has not yet been announced, many longtime festival traditions are expected to return.

Held near the historic Amboy Depot Museum, the festival celebrates the town’s railroad history and connection to Abraham Lincoln, who famously stopped in Amboy during his travels through Illinois.