Community Events Calendar
Festivals, farmers markets, family fun, and things to do around Kankakee County — updated weekly.
Fri, Sep 25 – Sat, Oct 31
Rietveld’s Haunted Corn Maze
Fridays and Saturdays, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM · Rietveld’s Farmstand & Greenhouse · Bourbonnais
Heavy fog cloaks the path, lights flicker without warning, and the maze grows colder, slicker and far more treacherous as night falls. At 4067 E 4000N Road, Bourbonnais. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are sold at the door only, with no refunds. $25 per person.
#Outdoor #Halloween
Looking Ahead
Fri, Oct 30
Ooky Spooky Light Show
Showtimes 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
A Halloween-themed laser light show created by Olivet alumnus Buddy Stark of the Longway Planetarium, featuring popular songs set to laser visuals on the dome. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. Admission is cash only and reservations are not accepted. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Halloween
Sat, Oct 31
Kankakee Farmers’ Market
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Downtown Kankakee · Kankakee
The final Saturday market of the season. 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.
#FamilyFriendly #Food #Outdoor
Sat, Oct 31
Howl-O-Ween
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · The Grove · Bourbonnais
Bring your four-legged friends to The Grove for Howl-O-Ween! A festive Pet Parade, puppy photo-op, costume contest, pet-friendly vendors, and refreshments available for purchase. At 700 Main St NW. Admission is FREE.
#Free #FamilyFriendly #Outdoor
Sat, Oct 31
Spooky Skate
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Ice Valley Centre · Kankakee
A Halloween costume party on ice featuring a costume contest and skating under spooky lights and music. Suitable for all ages. $15 per person (includes skate rental); $5 for skate aid/walker.
#Kankakee #FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Halloween
Sat, Oct 31
Ooky Spooky Light Show
Showtimes 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
A Halloween-themed laser light show created by Olivet alumnus Buddy Stark of the Longway Planetarium, presented as family entertainment with laser visuals on the planetarium dome set to well-known Halloween-themed and popular songs. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Halloween
Fri, Nov 6
Undiscovered Worlds
Showtimes 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
An immersive planetarium show about planets orbiting distant stars, covering how astronomers find these worlds and learn about them — from scorching rocky planets and huge gas giants to Earth-like planets in their stars’ habitable zones. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. Admission is cash only and reservations are not accepted. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Arts
Fri, Nov 6
Military Appreciation
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Ice Valley Centre
ONU hockey hosts a military appreciation hockey game at Ice Valley to honor and celebrate military members and their families. The Kankakee County Museum will display military artifacts, and Gov. Pat Quinn’s “portrait of a soldier” exhibit will be on view. The event also features military merchandise, a Chick-fil-A truck, a silent auction and a college hockey game. Military and family are free. Children 12 and under are free. $7 for others.
#Sports #FamilyFriendly #Indoor
Sat, Nov 7
Artisan Faire
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Kankakee County Museum · Kankakee
A fine art and fine craft show and sale on the museum grounds, where local artisans sell one-of-a-kind gifts, with items ranging from home décor to baked goods and coffee. Visitors can also tour the museum campus, including the Taylor One-Room Schoolhouse and Dr. Small Memorial Home. At 801 S. 8th Ave, Kankakee. Free admission.
#Free #FamilyFriendly #Arts
Sat, Nov 7
Book Signing at the B. Harley Bradley House with Author J. Dennis Marek
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · B. Harley Bradley House · Kankakee
A book signing with author J. Dennis Marek at the B. Harley Bradley House, 701 S Harrison Ave, Kankakee. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Free and open to the public.
#Free #Arts #Indoor #Kankakee
Sat, Nov 7
The Stellars
4:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
Three space travelers — Imani, Aki and John — crash land on Earth with their ship’s ecosystem critically damaged, and the audience joins their mission to repair it before they run out of food. Along the way the show covers plant growth, pollinating insects, how fungi help decompose material and keep habitats healthy, and using the scientific method to solve problems. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais. Doors open 15 minutes before the show. Admission is cash only and reservations are not accepted. Adult $5.
#Kids #FamilyFriendly #Indoor
Sat, Nov 7
Undiscovered Worlds
Showtimes 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
An immersive planetarium show about planets orbiting distant stars, covering how astronomers find these worlds and learn about them — from scorching rocky planets and huge gas giants to Earth-like planets in their stars’ habitable zones. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. Admission is cash only and reservations are not accepted. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Arts
Sat, Nov 7
The 10th Annual Great Mouse Race
Doors 6:00 PM, races 7:00 PM · Bill Spriggs Civic Auditorium · Kankakee
Watch live mouse races with games, snacks and surprises at 803 S. 8th Avenue, Kankakee. Benefits the River Valley Special Recreation Foundation. Chick-fil-A will serve dinner on-site. $25 per ticket includes race entry, two drink tickets, a door prize entry and snacks.
#Kankakee #Charity #Indoor #Food
Sun, Nov 8
Hometown Cupcake Bake-off
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · FLW B. Harley Bradley House · Kankakee
A cupcake bake-off at the B. Harley Bradley House, 701 S Harrison Avenue, Kankakee. Tickets are $20 per person and include taste testing & refreshments.
#Food #FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Kankakee
Tue, Nov 10
Ribbon Cutting: Sweet Street
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM · 592 William R Latham Sr Dr · Bourbonnais
A ribbon cutting celebrating the new owners of Sweet Street, at 592 William R Latham Sr Dr, Bourbonnais. No registration required.
#Networking #Bourbonnais
Fri, Nov 13
Undiscovered Worlds
Showtimes 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
An immersive planetarium show about planets orbiting distant stars, covering how astronomers find these worlds and learn about them — from scorching rocky planets and huge gas giants to Earth-like planets in their stars’ habitable zones. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. Admission is cash only and reservations are not accepted. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Arts
Sat, Nov 14
Annual Turkey Trot Run/Walk
9:00 AM · Perry Farm Park · Bourbonnais
The Bourbonnais Township Park District hosts this community run and walk during the Thanksgiving season, with a 5K, a 10K and a two-mile walk on the park’s trails. Participants can compete for awards and wear festive costumes, and the event ends with a final lap honoring veterans. Registration is handled through a separate Bourbonnais Turkey Trot registration page.
#Sports #FamilyFriendly #Outdoor
Sat, Nov 14
The Stellars
4:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
Three space travelers — Imani, Aki and John — crash-land on Earth with their ship’s ecosystem badly damaged, and the audience joins their mission to repair it before they run out of food. Along the way the show covers how plants grow, which insects pollinate them, how fungi break down dead material to keep habitats healthy, and using the scientific method to solve problems. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. Admission is cash only and reservations are not accepted. Adult $5.
#Kids #FamilyFriendly #Indoor
Sat, Nov 14
Undiscovered Worlds
Showtimes 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
An immersive planetarium show about planets orbiting distant stars, covering how astronomers find these worlds and learn about them — from scorching rocky planets and huge gas giants to Earth-like planets in their stars’ habitable zones. At Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime. Admission is cash only and reservations are not accepted. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Arts
Sat, Nov 14
Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos
5:30 PM – 10:00 PM · Majestic Weddings & Events · Kankakee
A dueling pianos show at 150 N Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee. Doors open at 5:30 PM and the show starts at 7:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available beforehand. Main floor tickets are $28 online and $35 at the door; VIP stage seating for tables of 8 is $400, with limited availability.
#Music #Kankakee
Sun, Nov 15
Collector Con
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Kankakee County Fairgrounds · Kankakee
Toys, collectibles, cards, Pokémon, action figures, video games, artwork, jewelry, and lots more, held inside the Expo Center with free raffles and over 50 vendors. At 213 W 4000 S Rd, Kankakee. $5 early admission from 9–10 AM; $3 general admission starts at 10.
#FamilyFriendly #Kids #Indoor
Mon, Nov 16
Ribbon Cutting: Sophron Counseling Services, PLLC
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM · 200 E. Court Street, Suite 710 · Kankakee
A ribbon cutting hosted by the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce celebrating the grand opening of Sophron Counseling Services, PLLC, at 200 E. Court Street, Suite 710, Kankakee. No registration required.
#Networking #Indoor
Thu, Nov 19
2026 Annual Gala and Awards
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Quality Inn & Suites · Bradley
The Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce annual gala, an evening of awards, dinner and networking at 800 N Kinzie Ave., Bradley. Member Table of 8: $550. Single Ticket: $70. Prospective Member Ticket: $135.
#Networking #Indoor
Fri, Nov 20
The Christmas Star
Showtimes 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
A holiday planetarium show at Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais. Adult $5.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Bourbonnais
Sat, Nov 21
Bradley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM · 428 W. Broadway St. · Bradley
A pancake breakfast hosted by the Bradley Lions Club at 428 W. Broadway St., Bradley. Group orders of five or more can be arranged by calling (815) 932-9180, with no delivery fee. $8 per person, children 5 and under eat FREE.
#Food #Charity
Sat, Nov 21 – Sun, Nov 22
KVTA Diary of a Wimpy Kid
November 21 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM; November 22 at 2:00 PM · Lincoln Cultural Center · Kankakee
A KVTA production at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 240 Warren Ave, Kankakee. The show runs about one hour. Adult $20.
#Arts #FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Kankakee
Sat, Nov 21
The Christmas Star
Showtimes 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM · Strickler Planetarium · Bourbonnais
A holiday planetarium show at Strickler Planetarium, Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais. Adult $5. Cash only admission.
#FamilyFriendly #Indoor #Bourbonnais
Fri, Dec 4
Coffee and Connections: December 2026
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM · Bourbonnais Community Center · Bourbonnais
A relaxed morning networking session with open networking and a new networking activity at each session, at 700 Main St. NW, Bourbonnais. Members: $15. Prospective Members: $45.
#Networking #Indoor
Wed, Dec 9
2026 YPN: 2000’s trivia
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Deer Ridge Barn · Kankakee
A Young Professionals Network trivia night at Deer Ridge Barn, 4345 W 1500N Rd, Kankakee. $15 Member Ticket; $30 Prospective Member Ticket; $60 Trivia Night Team of 6.
#Networking #Indoor
Sat, Dec 19
Bradley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM · 428 W. Broadway St. · Bradley
A pancake breakfast hosted by the Bradley Lions Club at 428 W. Broadway St., Bradley. Group orders of five or more can be arranged by calling (815) 932-9180, with no delivery fee. $8 per person, children 5 and under eat FREE.
#Food #Charity
Sat, Jan 16, 2027
Bradley Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM · 428 W. Broadway St. · Bradley
A pancake breakfast hosted by the Bradley Lions Club at 428 W. Broadway St., Bradley. Group orders of five or more can be arranged by calling (815) 932-9180, with no delivery fee. $8 per person, children 5 and under eat FREE.
#Food #Charity