Illinois State Fair

Illinois State Fair announces iconic 1980 rock band as 1st grandstand headliner for 2025

The legendary band, which rose to fame in the mid-1980s with songs like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Photograph," is the first headliner announced for next year's fair, which takes place Aug. 7-17

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Editor's Note: The Illinois State Fair has announced its second headliner for 2025. The latest information can be found here. Our original story continues below.

Following a year of big name performers spanning country, grunge, rock and rap, the Illinois State Fair has announced its first grandstand headliner for 2024 -- and fans of the 1980s may go wild.

In a Tuesday Facebook Post, the Illinois State Fair announced Def Leppard would perform at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand during the event in 2025. The legendary band, which rose to fame in the mid-1980s with songs like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Photograph," is the first headliner announced for next year's fair, which takes place Aug. 7-17.

According to the Facebook post, Def Leppard will perform at the fair Aug. 16. Tickets for the show, which start at $85, go on sale Nov. 16, the post said.

“Def Leppard’s catalog of hits is iconic. Songs like “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Foolin’” and “Rock of Ages” immediately have you singing along, maybe strumming an air guitar,” Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark said in a release. “Their energy is infectious for fans of all ages.”

More information on this year's fair can be found here.

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