Alton Expo Returns In Spring 2027, Amphitheater Concert Agreement Extended
Carnival rides, music and games return to amphitheater parking lot for 2027 Alton Expo; Contemporary Productions to help manage next season of amphitheater entertainment.
Alton City Council Hears Data Center Opposition, Union Concerns and Approves Public Comment Changes
ALTON – The Alton Expo is coming back next spring with carnival rides, music and more while the Alton Amphitheater begins planning its 2027 concert series.
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Last week, Alton City Council members gave two items previously approved by the Committee of the Whole their unanimous and final approval. These included an extension of the 2026 agreement with Contemporary Productions for the Alton Amphitheater’s 2027 season and an agreement with Luehr’s Ideal Rides for the Alton Amphitheater Commission to host a Spring Expo.
Luehrs’ Ideal Rides has agreed to provide carnival rides, music, food and game concessions in the parking lot of the Alton Amphitheater from April 9-18, 2027. The city has agreed to provide all required permits, as well as a water source, dumpsters, restrooms and police protection.
The city previously announced the Alton Expo would not be held in 2026 or 2027 due to a “scheduling conflict with the carnival company,” Luehrs’ Ideal Rides. Instead, the city hosted a First Responders Springfest Carnival from April 10-19, 2026.
The newly approved agreement with Luehrs’ Ideal Rides aims to bring the Alton Expo back while avoiding the scheduling conflict by hosting the 2027 expo in the spring before going back to the event’s traditional fall schedule starting in 2028.
Council members also unanimously approved an extension to the city’s 2026 agreement with Contemporary Productions. The company has agreed to provide concert booking and production services for the 2027 Alton Amphitheater season.
The approved agreement includes two to four concerts for the 2027 season with an event budget of $200,000. Programming may include a combination of national, regional and/or local artists, though the final number and variety of concerts will depend on artist availability, available funding and other factors.
A recording of the Oct. 28, 2026 Alton City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
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