Can-can dancers, a replica Eiffel Tower and Chicago Fire FC soccer coaches will take over Cantigny Park on Sunday, July 19, when the Wheaton park hosts its annual Voyage en France festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Advance tickets are $15 for attendees 16 and older. Prices jump to $20 on the day of the event. Children 15 and under get in free. Pre-registration is required at cantigny.org.
Two new experiences debut this year. The Language Labs will immerse visitors in French culture through bilingual storytime, songs, games and language activities, with sessions at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Live violin performances accompany the labs at 11:15 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The other addition: Chicago Fire FC youth coaches will lead soccer skills-and-drills sessions on Cantigny's Parade Field for kids ages 2 to 18. Sessions run at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., lasting up to 30 minutes each. Registration is required and can be added when purchasing tickets.
Dance and music lineup
Salt Creek Ballet, performing with local guest artists, takes the FDM Tent stage at 10:15 a.m. and noon. I Cancan Dance, a Chicago-area cancan troupe, performs at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
In the Beer Garden, jazz combo Zazz plays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the Irving Sisters from 1 to 4 p.m.
What else to do
The festival packs the grounds with activities: a makers market, en plein air painting by DuPage Art League Plein Air Painters, pétanque with the Chicago Pétanque Club, Little Louvre art creation stations for families, and photo spots including the park's Eiffel Tower replica. Alliance Française de DuPage will be on hand with information about French language and francophone culture.
McCormick House is open for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., included in the ticket price.
Food options include a Beer Garden, Café, Freedom Hall Bar, beignets with Nutella dipping sauce in Le Jardin backyard, and food trucks Hippie Gourmet and Kissed by Fire.
The optional "A Toast to France" wine-and-food pairing add-on ($35) is already sold out.
If you go
What: Voyage en France 2026
When: Sunday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Cost: $15 advance (ages 16+); $20 day-of; free for children 15 and under
Tickets: cantigny.org (pre-registration required)
