In 2025 Swedish Days will be held June 18-22. Geneva Swedish Days is 75 years old this year and celebrates the heritage of Swedish immigrants who settled in the area. Craft beer tent, a carnival, a Kids’ Day, nightly entertainment and a parade are part of the festivities. Merchants host special sales and in-store events, as well as sponsoring main festival programs and donating in-kind services. Food stands throughout the downtown area tempt visitors with Swedish and American menus.
Schedule of Events
8:00 am until the batter runs out!
Geneva Lutheran Church Swedish Pancake Breakfast- 301 S Third St Breakfast includes pancakes, sausages, and coffee or apple juice for $11. Limited seating is available, and orders can be made to go. Proceeds will benefit Geneva Lutheran's 2025 youth and adult mission trips to Martin, Kentucky through Christian Appalachian Project. Questions can be directed to [email protected]
8:00 am-4:00 pm
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament - Third St.
Hosted by the Geneva Park District Get your team together for the area’s hottest 3-on-3 competition! Each team is guaranteed at least two games,
and each player will receive a dry-fit shirt. Team rosters are limited to 5 players, players cannot play on more than one team, and teams will be placed in the category of their oldest player. The tournament is open to both boys and girls, ages 10 to adult. Teams under the age of 18 play between 8:00 am – 12:00 pm; adult teams play from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. (Schedules may vary based on enrollment.) For more information call 630-232-4542.
The registration deadline is June 13. $85 per team. Register at genevaparks.org
8:00am-11:00am
Sidewalk Chalk Contest
Create your Swedish Themed Masterpiece! Adults are $10 to enter and will be given a square at Dodson Place; Kids $5 to enter and will be given a space on State Street. Prizes will be awarded for the best designs. Visit
www.genevachamber.com to enter.
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Exhibitions - Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third St. Visit three museum galleries. $5/person; $2/seniors, students, & children; FREE Museum members and Trolley participants. Eat Your Heart Out Geneva" - Explore the rich history of Geneva's restaurants, showcasing their unique contributions to the community. Geneva’s Story - sharing our town’s history with rare artifacts, a movie theatre, and a story booth. “Little Chefs: Serving Up Fun and Learning” — a hands-on kids exhibition where visitors can step into the world of a bustling restaurant.
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Swedish Cottage Walk - Good Templar Park, enter at cottage gate 628 East Side Dr. Tour historic Swedish "tiny houses" known as Stugas on guided tours at Good Templar Park ($10- adults). Tickets sold at the event. Last tour begins at 3:30pm. Moderate activity level - uneven ground. Information: goodtemplarpark.org
10:00 am-4:30 pm
Viking Ship Tours - Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Dr.
The 1893 "VIKING" is a full-sized, 78-foot-long replica of an original 1,000-year-old Viking ship excavated in Norway. In 1893, "VIKING" with its daring crew of 12, sailed nonstop and alone across the stormy Atlantic from Norway to Canada. It then sailed on to Chicago, to become a star attraction at the famous 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. "VIKING" has been a popular attraction in Good Templar Park in Geneva for nearly 30 years. Admission includes a guided tour ($7 for adults; $4 for teens 13-17;free for children. See the ship's website at www.vikingship.us for viewing days and hours.
Besides visiting the ship in Good Templar Park, don't miss the exciting free display on "VIKING" in the Geneva Public Library featuring the huge, dramatic, hand-carved wooden dragon figurehead and tail of the 1893 "VIKING" ship, with recreated Viking warrior's shields.
10:00 am-5:00 pm
Sweden Väst – Campbell Street
Sponsored by Stockholm’s and Friends of the Viking Ship
Take home a little bit of Sweden with you. Purchase Swedish items, learn about your Swedish ancestry. Vendors are listed below.
Friends of the Viking Ship - Authentically-dressed Viking living historians from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition Viking Ship in Geneva will be present with their displays to discuss Viking clothing, tools, weapons, artwork and jewelry and ship models promoting appreciation of the Viking Ship.
The Gift Box/Scandinavian Imports - located in Geneva, brings Swedish heritage to the Fox Valley with authentic Swedish gifts and food. Visit their shop on State Street. Swedish American Museum - Swedish and Swedish American products including books, children’s toys, t-shirts and more.
Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center - Do you have Swedish Ancestry? Our group has helped thousands of Swedish Americans find information about their immigrant ancestors since 1981. Using our extensive resources, we have connected Americans with their ancestral home parishes in Sweden and even with living Swedish relatives. We can also be hired for Swedish-to-English translations. We publish Swedish American Genealogist—the only journal in the field of SwedishAmerican genealogy. Purchase Swedish dishcloths and learn more at our booth.
11:00 am-2:00 pm
Balloon Creations - Courthouse Lawn, S. Third St. at the VIP Tent Compliments of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce Superheroes, fairy princesses, mermaids, motorcycles, tractors, cartoon characters and more were all created by Papa Balloon.
11:00 am-3:00 pm
Geneva Public Library, 227 Seventh St.
Stop by the Library for a week of Swedish Days fun! Enjoy the indoor play area and Swedish-themed drop-in crafts in Kids Landing and visit our 2nd floor exhibition space to see Freya the dragon and the LEGO® model of our building.
12:00pm-4:00pm
Kubb a Scandinavian Lawn Game – on the Courthouse Lawn (between 3rd and Campbell)
Kubb is an outdoor lawn game played on grass where opponents on each side of a small field try to knock down wooden blocks of the person they are playing before they knock down their blocks. There are rumors that Kubb was invented by the Vikings a thousand years ago, but it most likely started on the island of Gotland in Sweden, out in the Baltic Sea, in the 1920s or a little earlier. A lot of times people compare it to a combination of horseshoe, bocce, and bowling Kubb has very strong roots in Sweden and the Scandinavian region.
12:00 pm-10:00 pm
Craft Beer Tent - James St., west of Third St.
Craft beer enthusiasts will appreciate this experience. Expanded craft beer selection from Penrose Brewing
Company, Stockholm’s and Art History Brewing every day. Hop Water will have a non-alcoholic beer option available as well. Visit with friends and enjoy this tented event through Sunday. Sponsored by Floods Royal Flush and Shodeen Homes, Tickets by Dogtopia, and GreenFields of Geneva. Wristbands by Hogan Design and Construction and Hollywood Casino
12:00 pm-2:00 pm
Entertainment in Craft Beer Tent - James St. Holy Ghosted
Andrea Schmidt, Mat Camerer and Ricky Bosworth join forces to create the ultimate cover band: Holy Ghosted. As the name hints, the trio was brought together by a shared loved of Jesus and music. While Mat and Ricky have been friends since college, Andrea met the duo at The Well church in Geneva. The three play on the church’s worship team together. The rest, as they say, is history.
1:00 pm-10:00 pm
Carnival/Windy City Amusements - Courthouse Parking Lot, James & S. Fourth streets
From 1:00-5:00 pm, unlimited rides are $30/per person. Individual prices/ride range from $3-$7.
2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Entertainment in Craft Beer Tent - James St.
Drew Clausen
Drew Clausen specializes in new country music from top artists such as Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Eric Church, Jake Owen, and many more. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL, where he studied Music and Architecture. Drew performs regularly throughout the Tri-Cities, including FoxFire, Aurelio’s, Preservation, and The Wine Exchange. Search upcoming shows on LocalVibz.com, a new website, a central hub for live music events in Geneva and beyond!
2:00 pm-4:30 pm
Nordic Folk Dancers - Courthouse Lawn, S. Third St. Enjoy traditional Scandinavian dancing with Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago. Performances at 2:00pm,
2:45pm, 3:30pm and 4:15pm.
Sponsored by The Gift Box/Scandinavian Imports
2:30 pm-4:30 pm
Kids’ Craft - Courthouse Lawn, S. Third St. at the VIP tent Compliments of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce Let your creativity by your guide! Enjoy a kids ’craft with Cherry Berry Blast!
6:00 pm-dusk
Trucks & Ladders Static Display - Third St. b/t State & James streets Coordinated by Geneva Fire Department Explore the world of a firefighter.
9:00 pm-Midnight
Cosmic Mini Golf - Stone Creek Miniature Golf Course, Wheeler Park (Rt. 31) Coordinated by Geneva Park DistrictPlay miniature golf ... in the dark! Glow-in-the-dark golf balls will be provided. No pre-registration is required The last tee time is 11:30 pm. $9 per round. For more information, call 630-232-4542.
Central Stage
S. Third St. at Courthouse - R/J Recording & Sound
Presented by Gerald Subaru of North Aurora and co-sponsored by Geneva Park District, Kane County Fair, and Waubonsee Community College
5:00 pm - Central Stage – The Messengers
Night after night, show after show, The Messengers leave audiences dancing, singing, and screaming for more. Their incredible harmony and raw power drive their sound, delivering a dynamic mix of pop, rock, and modern country that captivates listeners. With a vast repertoire that spans from Miranda Lambert to Mumford & Sons and from Queen to Pitbull, The Messengers offer a diverse and engaging experience. The band’s extensive set list features sing-along favorites and unexpected medleys that blend classic hits with today’s current charttoppers. This mix of old and new ensures that every performance is fresh and exciting, offering something for
everyone.
7:00 pm - Central Stage – The Wayouts
The Wayouts bring their authentic vision of 1960s rock 'n' roll to audiences across Chicago and the Midwest. From intimate club performances to large festivals and even iconic venues like Wrigley Field, they’ve captivated tens of thousands with their electrifying shows. Their dynamic presence has turned heads and built a dedicated following that spans generations, from nostalgic boomers to modern-day hipsters. The Wayouts' commitment to pure rock 'n' roll is evident in their performances. Their shows are a throwback to the glory days of rock, celebrating the music without losing touch with the present. The Wayouts have proven their ability to bridge generational gaps through their passionate and high-energy performances.
