Community Events Calendar
Festivals, farmers markets, family fun, and things to do around Kankakee County — updated weekly.
Tue, Sep 1 – Wed, Sep 30
Halloween Costume Drive
Library Open Hours · Limestone Township Library District · Kankakee
Drop off your clean, new, or gently used costumes and accessories throughout September to help stock the library’s Free Costume Swap Shop in October!
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Charity #Kids #Halloween
Thu, Sep 17
Memory Café
This gathering is designed for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory loss disorders, along with their caregivers.
#Indoor #Seniors
Thu, Sep 17
Illinois Libraries Presents: Inside the Empire of AI with Karen Hao
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Virtual event hosted by 250 W John Casey · Bourbonnais
Join a timely conversation with Karen Hao, award-winning journalist and author of Inside the Empire of AI. Hao explores the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and the social, political and ethical questions surrounding it today. Whether you’re excited about AI, cautious about it, or just trying to understand the hype, this is an accessible look at one of today’s biggest technological shifts. Reanna Esmail, Lead Librarian for Instruction at Cornell University, joins in conversation. Please register for this virtual event on the library website. FREE.
#Free #Indoor #Classes
Fri, Sep 18 – Sun, Sep 20
KVTA Dreamgirls
Friday 7:00 PM; Saturday 2:00 PM; Sunday 2:00 PM · Lincoln Cultural Center · Kankakee
A sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th-century American pop music, Dreamgirls chronicles one Motown group’s rise from obscurity to superstardom. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, it explores themes of ambition, hope and betrayal. All seats $20.
#Indoor #Arts #LiveMusic
Fri, Sep 18
Dawn of the Space Age
6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium (Olivet Nazarene University) · Bourbonnais
An immersive adventure through the history of space exploration. Beginning with the launch of Sputnik, this presentation puts you in the cockpit of the most famous space missions, from Apollo to the International Space Station and beyond. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show. Cash only admission, no reservations. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Kids #Classes
Fri, Sep 18
Friday Night Lights Racing
Grandstand opens 5:30 PM; racing begins 7:00 PM · Kankakee County Speedway · Kankakee
Come out to the races! A 1/4-mile semi-banked clay oval track with 18 degrees of progressive banking — all the fun and adrenaline you and your family could want. Adult $15+.
#FamilyFriendly #Outdoor #Sports
Sat, Sep 19
Kankakee Farmers’ Market
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Downtown Kankakee · Kankakee
The only Saturday market in the area, with local fresh produce, handmade goods, and freshly-made ready-to-eat foods, plus activities and music for all ages. At the intersection of S. Schuyler Ave. and Merchant St. in Downtown Kankakee.
#Free #FamilyFriendly #Food #Outdoor
Sat, Sep 19
Bradley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM · 428 W. Broadway St. · Bradley
$8 per person, children 5 and under eat FREE. For deliveries of 5 or more, please call (815) 932-9180 — no delivery fee.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Food #Charity
Sat, Sep 19
Beyond The Sun
4:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium (Olivet Nazarene University) · Bourbonnais
While Celeste is fighting off sleep by reading a book on astronomy, she receives an unexpected visit from Moon. Together they journey through the Universe to discover what exoplanets are and how they can be detected. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show. Cash only admission, no reservations. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Kids #Classes
Sat, Sep 19
Dine on the Land with Chef Sujan Sarkar & Chef Sahil Sethi
5:00 PM · Locavore Farm · Grant Park
#Food #Outdoor
Sat, Sep 19
Dawn of the Space Age
6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium (Olivet Nazarene University) · Bourbonnais
An immersive adventure through the history of space exploration. Beginning with the launch of Sputnik, this presentation puts you in the cockpit of the most famous space missions, from Apollo to the International Space Station and beyond. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show. Cash only admission, no reservations. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Kids #Classes
Sat, Sep 19
CHP’s 2026 Harvest Fest Gala
6:00 PM · Quality Inn Bradley–Bourbonnais · Bradley
CHP’s annual Harvest Fest Gala — an evening of dancing, raffles, auctions and community celebration. Every ticket, bid and donation supports CHP’s mission of providing affordable, high-quality healthcare to underserved communities across Illinois. Tickets $150.
#Indoor #Charity #Networking
Sat, Sep 19 – Sun, Sep 20
Inks & Drinks at River Rock with Ruthiee Love
5:00 PM – 1:00 AM · River Rock Pub and Beer Garden · Kankakee
A night of ink, drinks, food and fun. Flash tattoos available, first come first served — and karaoke starts at 8 PM. Whether you’re getting inked or just coming out to hang, bring your friends, grab a drink and make a night of it.
#Food #LiveMusic #Arts
Mon, Sep 21 – Sat, Oct 24
Farm Funland
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Sunrise Greenhouse
#FamilyFriendly #Outdoor #Kids
Wed, Sep 23
Lunchtime Bites & Beats on Festival Street
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM · The Grove · Kankakee
#LiveMusic #Food #Outdoor
Thu, Sep 24
Ribbon Cutting: Palazzo VIP Events
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM · Palazzo VIP Events · Kankakee
A Chamber ribbon cutting at Palazzo VIP Events, 555 S. West Avenue, Kankakee. No registration required.
#Indoor #Networking
Thu, Sep 24 – Sun, Sep 27
Manteno Oktoberfest
All Day · Downtown Manteno · Manteno
#FamilyFriendly #Food #Outdoor
Fri, Sep 25
Craft Night for Adults 18+
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM · Rubber Rose Books & Print · Kankakee
Starting with mini composition notebooks, turn them into little keepsake journals using vintage fabrics, reclaimed ribbons, gems and patches. No complicated instructions and no experience needed — just sit down, make something and enjoy yourself. Come alone or bring friends. Advance ticket purchase required. Adult $20.
#Indoor #Arts #Classes
Fri, Sep 25
Friday Night Lights Racing
Grandstand opens 5:30 PM; racing begins 7:00 PM · Kankakee County Speedway · Kankakee
#FamilyFriendly #Outdoor #Sports
Sat, Sep 26
Kankakee Farmers’ Market
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Downtown Kankakee · Kankakee
The only Saturday market in the area, with local fresh produce, handmade goods, and freshly-made ready-to-eat foods, plus activities and music for all ages. At the intersection of S. Schuyler Ave. and Merchant St. in Downtown Kankakee.
#Free #FamilyFriendly #Food #Outdoor
Sat, Sep 26
Clothing Swap
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM · 250 W John Casey · Bourbonnais
A community clothing swap is a terrific chance to trade in gently-used clothing and swap for some FREE, new-to-you attire. Clean out your closet, find new homes for your donations, and find your next favorite outfit. Donations can be dropped off between September 14 and 25 — or brought the day of. For all ages, with adult and children’s clothing. FREE.
#Free #FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Kids #Charity
Mon, Sep 28
Glowga @ the Grove
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM · The Grove · Bourbonnais
An outdoor Vinyasa yoga class combining flowing movement and breathwork with the playful glow of light-up accessories. As the sun sets, participants move together under the open sky. Whether you’re brand new to yoga or a seasoned participant, Glowga is a fun way to unwind and connect with the community. Free glow sticks provided.
#Outdoor #Sports #Classes
Tue, Sep 29
Non-Profit Coffee Talk: Healthy Hustle
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM · Uplifted Care Grief Center · Bourbonnais
A morning coffee talk for the local non-profit community at the Uplifted Care Grief Center, 3115 N 1000 West Rd, Bourbonnais. Chamber members attend at no cost; prospective members pay $45.
#Indoor #Networking
Looking Ahead
Fri, Oct 2 – Sat, Oct 3
St. Anne Pumpkin Festival
Times TBD · St. Anne Community Park · St. Anne
#FamilyFriendly #Outdoor
Sun, Oct 4
91st Annual Kankakee Greek Festival
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church · Kankakee
Grilled Greek-style shish kabobs and half chickens served with Greek rice, feta and olives, plus a pastry stand with baklava and loukoumades. Dance to Greek music alongside traditionally costumed dancers, play bingo, browse the Mediterranean market, tour the historic church, and buy raffle tickets for a chance at the $3,000 grand prize (drawing at 5 PM, need not be present). Look for free parking signs near the church.
#FamilyFriendly #Food #LiveMusic #Outdoor
Sat, Oct 10 – Sun, Oct 11
Kimberly’s Harvest Festival
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Downtown Momence · Momence
Kimberly’s Harvest Festival returns to Momence for a festive weekend of fall fun at 305 E. Washington St., by the Momence Island Park Footbridge. Two days packed with delicious food, local vendors, live music, and entertainment for the whole family.
#Momence #FamilyFriendly #Food #LiveMusic #Outdoor
Sat, Oct 17
Civic Woods Showdown Disc Golf Tournament
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM · KVPD Civic Woods · Kankakee
Be one of the first to take on the newly installed disc golf course at KVPD Civic Woods. This PDGA-sanctioned tournament plays the brand-new 9-basket course twice for a full 18-hole round, with six playing levels based on player rating and trophies for the winner and runner-up in each division. Registration $20 per player through October 10. In partnership with the Kankakee Area Disc Golf Association.
#Outdoor #Sports