What is Earth Fest?!

DeKalb County Earth Fest is a FREE, festive, family-friendly day of learning how decarbonizing our homes and towns can make us wealthier, healthier, and happier. Experts and community partners come from our region and beyond to introduce meaningful next steps in DeKalb County climate adaptation.

Earth Fest initiates conversations that ignite meaningful impact across the county. We’ll return in 2026 with two questions in mind:

Which climate action matters most? What matters most to me?

  • Learn

    Decarbonization is more than recycling and eliminating plastic bags. A range of local and regional experts are lined up to connect you to action plans that work for your wallet and lifestyle.

  • Benefit

    Did you know decarbonizing can make us healthier and wealthier? Come learn how energy efficiency, electrification, rewilding, and sustainable food systems can earn and save you cash.

  • Network

    Together we can do more. No matter where you are on your climate journey, the tent is open, and we look forward to either learning from you or pulling you into action in DeKalb County. Come meet your neighbors.

  • Take Action

    Decarbonizing our homes and towns benefits our mental health and builds resilient, connected communities. Opportunities to create impactful change abound in our county, and Earth Fest is the perfect place to plug in.

  • Build Community

    Our county and region are full of people fighting for climate adaptation. Taking climate action within a community provides a range of social, psychological, physical, and economic benefits. Come meet your people.

Agenda at a Glance

Earth Fest is an all-day event open to the public, and it gets bigger every year!

In 2026, you can expect afternoon learning/networking sessions, a community expo, and as always, food trucks, live music, and all the fest fun. Full schedule will be announced later this year!

  • Edible Campus teaches us how to create landscapes we can eat!

    By installing gardens throughout the NIU campus, Edible Campus strives to improve the community’s access to sustainably-grown hyper-local produce. They bring NIU students, faculty and staff together with local residents and businesses to learn, practice and benefit from food system innovation. In addition to fresh food, our gardens provide opportunities to volunteer, engage in hands-on learning and conduct research.

  • City of DeKalb Citizens Environmental Commission presents the STARR awards, and discusses DeKalb’s Sustainability Plan. Residents are invited to celebrate achievements and look to what we can do next.

  • NIU is receiving national attention for approach and progress towards campus sustainability. Come take a walking tour with Campus Sustaintability Coordinator Dr. Courtney Gallaher to learn about the projects sprouting up all over campus including prairie restoration, chiller plant innovation, and more.

  • Explore Meta’s Pollinator Park Virtual Reality experience!

  • Our favorite part of Earth Fest is the community expo! It’s packed with resources and chances to get involved. This year expect local environmental organizations and associations, solar and electrification vendors, student groups, and more!

  • It wouldn’t be a DeCarbon DeKalb event without food trucks! Come hungry and try new food from across the state!

    Local bars and brewers will also be onsite during lunch and social hour with cash bars. Cheers, we’ll see you there!

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We’ll see you there!

Saturday, April 11, 2026

NIU Founders Memorial Library

217 Normal Road

DeKalb, IL

Free, accessible parking!

Get involved!

  • Earth Fest sponsorship is available at multiple tiers, including naming opportunities.

    Sponsorship tiers:

    • $250-$499 Bronze

    • $500-$999 Silver

    • $1,000-$1,499 Gold 

    • $5,000-$9,999 Platinum

    • $10,000+ Lithium

    Please reach out to hello@decarbondekalb.com to join the team of sponsors who support local climate adaptation by keeping Earth Fest FREE for everyone.

  • Tables are available for the 2026 community expo. We are looking for organizations, nonprofits, and businesses aligned with decarbonizing DeKalb County and beyond. Some of the best connections at Earth Fest are made between vendors!

    This year will feature a vendor-only networking hour prior to opening.

    Cost per table:

    • Nonprofit and community organizations: suggested donation $25 per table

    • Businesses: suggested donation $50 per table

    Please reach out to hello@decarbondekalb.com to secure a table.

    Parking is accessible at the venue, and assistance will be provided with vendor load in and load out.

  • We had AMAZING volunteers in 2025 and look forward to meeting a new round of people in 2026! More volunteer info will be available this fall.

  • We are in the process of building the 2026 presenter schedule - more information will be available soon!

  • Have a question? Let us know at hello@decarbondekalb.com.