When The Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy said, “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard,” she might have been thinking of Naperville, Illinois. 

With a virbrant downtown, excellent schools and plenty of green space, Naperville recently ranked number two on the best places to live in America as reported by Niche.

If you’re looking for a home in the area, June is a perfect month to get to know Naperville. Located about 30 miles west of Chicago and just a 38-minute ride to Union Station on the Metra commuter rail, Naperville is a happening place this summer. From vintage cars to smoked ribs, here’s a roundup of Naperville’s top summer festivals and events. Each one gives you a reason to explore homes in Naperville.

June 17: Classic Car Show and Kick-Off for Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit

View classic cars while taking a stroll along Naperville’s historic Riverwalk in the downtown area this Father’s Day weekend. The annual Downtown Naperville Classic Car Show, which takes place on June 17 from 9 AM to noon, will also include the kick-off to this year’s outdoor sculpture exhibit. This year’s exhibit includes cleverly crafted book benches featuring scenes from Goodnight Moon and The Wizard of Oz.

June 22–August 17: Naperville Municipal Band Summer Concert Series

Listen to live music under the stars at the Naperville Municipal Band Summer Concert Series, which takes place in Central Park every Thursday at 7:30 PM in June, July and August. Some of the highlights of this season include a Salute to America on June 29, a Latin Festival on July 6 and the Ringlings and the Circus on July 20. Bring chairs or blankets and arrive early to claim a great spot on the lawn for this free event. Local sponsors host a bake sale and drawing during each concert, providing guests with a chance to support the community. The concert on June 29 will feature “The 1812 Overture,” which has been a Naperville Municipal Band tradtion since 1977, complete with cannon fire.

June 24–25: Naperville Woman’s Club 58th Annual Fine Art Fair

Those who appreciate fine art can make plans to visit the Naperville Woman’s Club 58th Annual Fine Art Fair. This year’s fair takes place from 10 AM to 5 PM on June 24 and June 25 at the grounds of the historic Naper Settlement on South Webster Street. In addition to works of art made by more than 100 artists, there’s also a silent auction, a Petite Picassos Children’s Activity Tent for children and live entertainment. There’s no charge for parking and admission. Did you know that this is the longest running art fair in Illinois?

June 30–July 3: The Exchange Club of Naperville’s Ribfest

Support a good cause while also enjoying delicious ribs and live entertainment at the annual Ribfest. This mouth-watering event, which takes place in Knoch Park, helps raise money to support local families. Hosted by the Exchange Club, the festival features live concerts, carnival rides, Fourth of July fireworks and plenty of ribs and other foods. Guests can purchase tickets ahead of time for one or more days of the festival. Headliner performers include The B-52s, Flock of Seagulls, Collective Soul, The Wallflowers and Toby Keith.