The Strip (Illinois Avenue) will be shut down two days in a row for back-to-back exciting events in downtown Carbondale this weekend. The first of these events is the Carbondale Halloween Homecoming Music Street Festival on Friday, Oct. 24, followed by the SIU Homecoming Parade on Saturday Oct. 25. Details of the traffic detours for these street closures are listed below.  

2025 Carbondale Halloween Homecoming Music Street Festival Traffic Detour  

The traffic detour for the 2025 Carbondale Halloween Homecoming Music Festival is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, with the festival occurring from 3:00-10:00 p.m. Illinois Avenue from West College Street to West Elm Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic. The traffic detours will be established at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, and removed at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025.   

DETOURS:  

The primary detour for northbound traffic on South Illinois Avenue will be at East Grand Avenue. The secondary detour site will be at West Mill Street. Local traffic, including delivery drivers, will be allowed to travel north to West College Street. 

West Freeman Street will remain open at South Illinois Avenue. Traffic from West Freeman Street will be allowed to turn northbound on South Illinois Avenue and then turn east or west on West College Street. The alley on the north side of Old Town Liquors will be closed at South Illinois Avenue, and West Cherry Street will be closed at Illinois Avenue. West Elm Street will also remain open. 

2025 SIU Homecoming Parade Traffic Detour  

The 2025 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Homecoming Parade is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The parade will require vehicular traffic on Illinois Route 51 (South Illinois Avenue and South University Avenue) south of West Walnut Street to Pleasant Hill Road to be rerouted beginning at 9:30 a.m. 

STREET CLOSURE: 

All lanes of traffic from East Grand Avenue north to Cherry Street on South Illinois Avenue and all lanes of South University Avenue from Walnut Street south to Mill Street will be closed for the parade. The Mill Street underpass will also be closed. East Mill Street will be blocked off between South Illinois Avenue to South Wall Street. 

PARADE ASSEMBLY: 

The parade will assemble and stage on East Mill Street between South Wall Street and South Illinois Avenue. This street will be closed to vehicular traffic. 

NORTHBOUND DETOUR: 

The detour for northbound traffic will begin at Grand Avenue at South Illinois Avenue, where it will turn east and proceed to South Wall Street. Traffic will turn north onto South Wall Street and continue to East Main Street, where it will turn west. Traffic will proceed to Illinois Avenue (Route 51) and turn north. 

SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: 

The detour for southbound traffic will begin at West Walnut Street, where it will turn east and proceed to South Wall Street. Traffic will turn south onto South Wall Street and continue to Pleasant Hill Road, where it will turn west. Traffic will proceed to South Illinois Avenue (Route 51) and turn south. 

HANDICAPPED PARKING: 

Handicapped parking is available on the east side of the First Mid-Illinois Bank parking lot and in the lot behind the Evolve Apartment Complex. There is additional handicapped parking in the Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza and B&A Travel parking lots. 

PARADE ROUTE: 

The parade route goes north on S Illinois Avenue from West Mill Street, then west on West Cherry Street, and then south on South University Avenue. The route continues south on S University Avenue to South Illinois Avenue, where it continues to Lincoln Drive on the SIU Campus. The parade will end on Lincoln Drive near the SIU Student Center. The detour for northbound Route 51 traffic begins at West Pleasant Hill Road and proceeds east to South Wall Street, north to East Main Street, and west to Illinois Avenue. The detour for southbound Route 51 traffic begins at West Walnut Street and proceeds east to South Wall Street, south to Pleasant Hill Road, and west to South Illinois Avenue.  

“This weekend showcases Carbondale and what makes it special.  We’re proud to host opportunities that bring together students, residents, and visitors in celebration of our culture and spirit.” says City Manager, Stan Reno. “The events are all about celebrating SIU, community spirit, and fun. The temporary detours may cause some minor traffic disruptions.  We appreciate everyone’s patience as we make room for these great events. We encourage everyone to come out, enjoy the festivities and be part of the celebrations.” 

We apologize for any inconvenience these detours may cause and appreciate your patience as we make the necessary adjustments to bring these enriching events to our community.  

For questions, concerns, or more information contact the Carbondale Police Department at 618-457-3200. 

For media requests contact the City of Carbondale’s Public Relations Officer at 618-713-0711.