Popular Events & Festivals Of Aurora

Blues on the Fox is an intimate Blues festival hosted annually by the City of Aurora, Illinois. The festival takes place at the "Blues Alley" in downtown Aurora along the Fox River.

Each year the City of Aurora celebrates the rich music history of the RCA Bluebird recordings that were made in the 1930's at the Leland Hotel in downtown Aurora. In the famous Sky Club, literally hundreds of songs were recorded by John Lee 'Sonny Boy' Williamson, Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, Big Joe Williams, Roosevelt Sykes, Yank Rachell and others.

These recordings were groundbreaking and set the tone for the early urban Blues that later became so popular and formed the backbone for modern day rock 'n roll. The Blues on the Fox festival commemorates these recordings.

The scenic Aurora downtown acts as a very pleasant backdrop to a two-day festival that provides great music, food, beverages, music vendors and a relaxed atmosphere for the whole family. The festival is free.