8 Ways To Make The Most Of Summer Before Aurora School Year Starts

Until the new school year starts soon in Aurora, there is a slew of fun activities scheduled to make the most of summer.

By Emily Rosca, Patch Staff

Aug 4, 2026 5:06 PM CDT

Patch compiled a list of eight activities happening this August before the new school year starts to help locals make the most of the rest of the season. (Emily Rosca/Patch)

AURORA, IL — School starts soon in Aurora, leaving little time to check off items from the summer bucket list.

Several events are coming up before Aurora students head back to class in mid-August.

West Aurora School District 129 students will begin Aug. 13, while East Aurora School District 131 students will head back Aug. 19. Aug. 17 is the first day back for Indian Prairie School District 204.

Here are some ways to make the most of the final stretch of summer:

Attend one of 24 National Night Out events happening across Aurora Aug. 4.
Support artists between the ages of 13 and 19 who will sell their work at Yellow Bird Books' Teen Art Market Aug. 7.
Take part in August First Fridays activities Aug. 7 across downtown Aurora.
Have tea with President Abraham Lincoln, and play time-period games, Aug. 8 at Blackberry Farm.
Go back in time with the Happy Together Tour concert Aug. 9 at Paramount Theatre, bringing together some of the biggest and best music from the '60s and '70s.
Peruse the more than 200 pop-up vendors and boutiques gathering for The Fox & Found Collective Market Aug. 15 in North Aurora.
See The Beach Boys perform live Aug. 14 at Aurora's newly opened RiverEdge Park.
Attend Yellow Bird Books' blind-date with a book workshop Aug. 15.

Are you planning an event yet this summer or fall? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

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