Went on July 4th to see the band Anthem (Classic Rock and Styx) and the fireworks. This festival is always crowded! Parking is difficult since most of the neighborhood streets allow for no parking. We parked at Rt 59 and Stearns and walked. The carnival area is always super crowded and the area with the band is connected to the food tent. They do have it fenced off which makes no sense since no one was checking if people were leaving the area with alcoholic beverages. Most people bring their own chairs even tho there are tables and chairs in the food tent. Fireworks begin around 915pm and are launched over the adjacent golf course. You can pretty much see them from anywhere so ng Stearns Rd. A fun neighborhood festival but expect it to be very crowded! read more

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This fest is held every year for 4 days Thurs-Sun over July 4th weekend. There's local food vendors, live music (very loud--bring earplugs), a bingo tent, and carnival rides. 7th Heaven (a super popular Chicago area cover band) seems to play here every year, which draws a lot of crowds. I've been going to Bartlett fest since I was a child and the food/vendor quality, carnival prices, and general vibe has definitely just gotten worse over the years. I paid $7 for a hot dog and the bun was super dry and stale. I guess that's my fault for getting a hotdog at a fair. I also paid $5 for a tiny thing of Italian ice. If you buy any food at this fest, go with the fresh squeezed lemonade My sister got it and I think it's like $10, but it's sooo refreshing. It's usually my go-to at this fest! The price for wristbands for the rides is nearing the price to get into Six Flags Great America--$37 for some carnival rides is crazy!!! Pretty sure you can go to Six Flags starting at $45. It was $10 for 20 tickets, which can only get you on two of the baby rides (9 tickets each) and leave you with 2 tickets leftover. I'm sure the prices in 2027 will be even more because it tends to go up a few dollars every year. Unfortunately this year the entire fest (later Saturday and all day Sunday), plus the July 4th firework show got canceled due to the heavy flooding that ruined the fireworks and flooded out the grassy area. I guess they left the fireworks in the grass and the water damaged them all? I know they can't control the weather, but it seemed like bad planning and I'm saddened about all the money wasted on all those fireworks. I haven't been to the Bartlett fest fireworks show in a long time, but from what I remember it's a really great show if you sit in the grass. Hopefully next year is better! read more

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Normally I don't care for festivals. They're over priced and surrounded with people I'd rather not be around. However, I WILL go if my dad's band is playing at one. Case in point, I came to Bartlett fest to see my dad's band play. After some cold beverages, I enjoyed myself and didn't mind the crowds. Bartlett fest is free, which is always great in my book. Certain places that charge $10+ per person (like a certain fest in my town) is redic. I'm sorry but people are more willing to spend their money on beer and food. Charging admission is lame. Thank you Bartlett fest for doing it right. The bands were great and everyone had a blast. The food seemed decent (didn't get any) and I saw tons of kids enjoying carnival rides. On site parking was well organized and we easily found a spot at 4:45 I definitely looking forward to future visits to Bartlett fest. Despite it being a bit of a drive for us, the casual and relaxed atmosphere (how a festival SHOULD be) is a welcomed change from any overpriced b.s. in Naperville, anyday. read more

This is one of the best festivals for kids. They don't have the best rides. BUT, they do have rides that only little kids can ride. Taller than 30, shorter than 42. That's cool! And they carnival games pretty much guarantee you a prize if you have a young one in tow. That's awesome in my book. This allows them to play without worrying about losing. Sure some people say that today's kids are too coddled. But we don't need to be spending $20 on some rigged game. That being said, I did spend $10 on the oval basketball hoop, but I made it in. What what. A 10 year old kid came up to me, congratulated me and shook my hand. haha awesome. Got a big bear for that. I admit I was scared when I put my daughter in a ride all by herself. But now she's a pro, next year will be great. The food is good, although a little expensive. They have local bartlett restaurants come in, like north of the border, red mango, silver lake. But everything is way expensive, but that's expected I guess. Beer is $3 for mgd/lite and $6 for other stuff. The music is decent too. I wish they would do something about the smoking though. Have smoking areas. At least you can't smoke in the ride/game area, but some fool was smoking his cigar right in the food tent. Not the best smell while you are trying to eat, and certainly not something you want your kid inhaling. w/e read more

Bartlett Fest has always been pretty cool - economically priced (free to get in!) - nice selection of food vendors, carnival type rides, and overall set-up. If nothing more you are feeling the urge to 'get out and walk around for a few hours' in early July, this is something cool to do.. Usually runs about 4-5 days - usually July 1-5, or July 2-6th depending how the holiday falls. Fireworks show is always on the night of July 4th about 9:30 pm-ish. Parking isn't too bad, I usually park in one of the surrounding neighborhoods and walk a bit. Jewel and even Home Depot (corner of Stearns and 59) allows parking - its a bit of a walk from Home Depot, but not bad at all on a nice evening. Just wear comfortable shoes (I made the mistake of wearing cowboy-type boots a few occasions which aren't meant for hours of walking or standing - my feet killed me afterwards). My only "beef" is that Bartlett Fest never tends to bring in any bigger (or even older mediocre) acts. Nothing against the performers they hire, but they are usually locals or tribute acts - which are still cool. Again though, you aren't paying a dime to technically come to the fest and walk around and sit for the bands, so to overly complain about this aspect would be unfair. As I noted for other fests - especially because of free entry, you will see your share of hoodlums and trouble-maker teens who have nothing better to do just walking around and loitering (okay sometimes they ride the rides and play games, too) :) I would recommend. I don't make it here every year, but I will be back next year. Nice fireworks display, too (and MUCH LESS hectic than say going to St. Charles Riverwalk fest to see the fireworks, or especially RibFest). All the fireworks displays are all about the same anyways, people :) 4 out of 5! read more

This fest was a joke, just left the first day and the rides were awful and those operating seemed unfit. Parking was awful, if you showed up early you may have gotten a spot on the grass otherwise you had to park across the street. They allowed for parking on both sides so getting in and out was basically a one way road, who does that? Beer was over priced and flat, food was mediocre at best and the bands were awful. I know it's a local fest, but let's plan for crowds and traffic! Next time we'll try a better location that has better parking options and better food options. Plenty in the area so we don't have to be worried about safety. read more

I am a big "fester" and been to over 100 of them. Went to Bartlett fest probably 15 times. By far the worst band I have ever seen at a fest was last night there. The band is Poets and Pirates. It's a Kenny Chesney tribute band. The singer was Brutal. He was so outta tune. People left early. He kept looking at his watch. I'll save you some time by saying avoid this band.Great festival over all. read more