Chicago's St. Helen Carnival Returns September 24–27 20 Years 69 days 7 hrs 18 min to go
St. Helen Carnival Support St. Helen
St. Helen Catholic School Presents

20 Years
Under the Lights

Four days of rides, live music, great food, cold drinks, and neighborhood tradition in the heart of Chicago's Ukrainian Village.

September 24–27, 2026 St. Helen School Free and Open to the Public

SEPT 24–27

Four days of celebration

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE

2347 W. Augusta Blvd.

FREE ADMISSION

Open to the public

ALL AGES

Family fun, food, rides & music

The Tradition

Four Days. One Neighborhood. Twenty Years.

For 20 years, the Carnival has marked the unofficial start of fall and a new school year in Ukrainian Village. What began as a community fundraiser has grown into a beloved tradition of flashing lights, live music, and memories made across generations.

Families, alumni, and neighbors return each year to celebrate together. Whether it's your first Carnival or your twentieth, you're invited to celebrate this milestone with us.

Neighborhood nights
All lit up
The Experience

Find Your Kind of Fun

Ride the Night

Flashing lights, spinning rides, games, and the unmistakable energy of Carnival evening.

Live Under the Tent

Live bands, community performances, and familiar songs — four days of music.

Food & Cold Drinks

Carnival favorites, local flavor, beer, and plenty of reasons to stay for another round.

Made for the Whole Family

A welcoming celebration where kids, parents, alumni, neighbors, and friends all find something.

Plan Your Days

Four Days of Celebration

Thursday · September 24

The Anniversary Begins

Opening-day details and gate hours will be announced soon. Join us as we kick off 20 years under the lights.

Schedule Coming Soon
Friday · September 25

Kick Off the Weekend

Live music under the lights, the beer garden and food favorites, carnival rides all evening, and that unmistakable opening-night energy.

Gates open 5:00 PM
Full entertainment lineup coming soon
Saturday · September 26

The Main Event

All-day entertainment, crowd-favorite bands, family activities, and that summer festival atmosphere from open to close.

Gates open 12:00 PM
Lineup coming soon
Sunday · September 27

End on a High Note

Community performances, relaxed afternoon sets, a last chance for rides and games, and a closing-night celebration to remember.

Gates open 12:00 PM
Lineup coming soon

Schedule and entertainment details subject to change; more announcements coming soon.

Since 2006

A Community Tradition Since 2006

For two decades, the Carnival has brought together families, alumni, neighbors, volunteers, and local businesses. Children race toward rides with tickets in hand. Old friends reconnect. Grandparents share stories. Music carries across the parish grounds long after sundown.

The 20th Anniversary celebrates the people who built and sustained a Chicago neighborhood tradition.

2006

The tradition begins

20 Years

Built by volunteers, families, and supporters

2026

The milestone celebration

Where It Goes

The Fun Fuels Something Bigger

The Carnival is the school's largest annual fundraiser — every food, beverage, Mega Pass, sponsorship, and donation helps St. Helen provide an excellent, accessible education for children of all backgrounds.

100%
of the eighth-grade class again accepted to a first-choice Catholic high school or CPS Selective Enrollment / Choice high school.

Strong Academic Performance

Students outperformed peer neighborhood CPS schools in reading and math college-readiness (i-Ready scores).
~20%
Expected enrollment growth for 2026–2027, adding a Pre-K classroom and a second Kindergarten.

Growing Beyond the Classroom

Championship basketball and soccer teams, and expanding athletics including girls volleyball.

Your support helps St. Helen

  • Improve academic achievement
  • Recruit and retain outstanding teachers and staff
  • Expand athletics and extracurriculars
  • Maintain and improve facilities
  • Complete capital repairs, including the ongoing tuckpointing and lintel project
Support the Students of St. Helen
For Businesses & Families

Put Your Name Behind a Chicago Tradition

The Carnival brings together families, alumni, neighbors, and supporters. Sponsorship lets businesses and families support St. Helen while joining one of Ukrainian Village's most anticipated traditions. All proceeds fund academics, faculty and staff, athletics, extracurriculars, and facilities.

To ensure inclusion in promotional materials, sponsorship contributions must be received by September 1, 2026.
Make a Donation
Carnival Chair
David Stein
Carnival Chair, St. Helen Carnival
630-564-0274
Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
2025 Premier Sponsors

Powered by Our Community

Thank you to the businesses, families, organizations, and individuals who helped make the 2025 Carnival possible.

The Pileggi Family
Maria Casciaro & Ken Fredricson
Kathleen & James Olson
James C. & Linda R. Campbell Foundation
The Schwab Family
The Pileggi Family
Maria Casciaro & Ken Fredricson
Kathleen & James Olson
James C. & Linda R. Campbell Foundation
The Schwab Family
Find Us

Meet Us Under the Lights

St. Helen Catholic School
2347 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago, IL 60622
Located in the heart of Chicago's Ukrainian Village. September 24–27, 2026 Free admission — open to the public. School: 773-486-1055
Good to Know

Frequently Asked

Yes — it's a free community event open to the public.

General admission is free; purchases during the Carnival help support St. Helen School.

September 24–27, 2026.

Friday 5:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday 12:00 PM; Thursday hours announced soon.

Rides, games, live music, food, beer and cold drinks, family activities, community performances, and neighborhood fun — specific programming announced as confirmed.

The Carnival is St. Helen's largest annual fundraiser; proceeds support academics, faculty and staff, athletics, extracurriculars, and facility improvements.

Yes — donations and sponsorships are welcome online through the St. Helen Carnival giving page.

Carnival Chair David Stein, 630-564-0274.

The Tradition Continues

Join St. Helen families, friends, alumni, and neighbors for four unforgettable days celebrating twenty years of Carnival.

SEPTEMBER 24–27, 2026
Free and open to the public in Chicago's Ukrainian Village.
Go Knights!

Become a 2026 Sponsor

Support the students of St. Helen while joining one of Ukrainian Village's most anticipated traditions. All proceeds fund academics, faculty and staff, athletics, extracurriculars, and facilities.

Sponsorship contributions must be received by September 1, 2026 to ensure inclusion in promotional materials.

Questions? Contact David Stein, Carnival Chair

630-564-0274 Donation / Sponsorship: bit.ly/sthelencarnival Continue to GiveCentral

Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.