5 Things to Do

Shop for native plants in Woodstock and join Crystal Lake’s garden party this weekend in McHenry County.

Gently used clothing will be $1 on Friday and Saturday at a Community Thrift Sale at Jolie Central High School.

Looking for something to do this weekend in DeKalb County? There's Stage Coach Players' drama "Radium Girls," Sycamore High School's FFA Plant Sale. Later this month features the 89th annual Genoa Days and KVAL's Northern Illinois Art Show.

Celebrating Bourbonnais' 150th birthday and eating some pie at the 35th annual Rhubarb Festival are two options from our 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

Kick off your summer with performances from rising country music stars Kelsey Hart and Delaney Ann on May 31 along the Dixon Riverfront.

Kendall County has several exciting upcoming events, including a plant sale, acrylic painting class and special anniversary presentation.

May Fest will bloom at Cantigny, while Wheaton separately plays host to a mac-and-cheese festival. Concerts will showcase folk and classical artists, while the game's afoot for "Miss Holmes Returns."

Also, get ready for two events on June 7: the fourth annual Bellson Music Fest at the RB&W District in Rock Falls and the 40th annual Sauk Valley Child Fair, with the theme Candy Land, from 9 a.m. to noon at Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon.

Shop the Algonquin Garden Club’s plant sale and check out reptiles at the Animal Expo this weekend in McHenry County.

The kite festival in Homer Glen will include trick performances from Chicago Kite, games, giveaways, food trucks, music, raptor education and opportunity to fly one's own kite.

From enjoying flowers and raising mental health awareness to celebrating Mother's Day, check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

A free kids fishing expo in Peru, vendors market in Sheffield, the Starved Rock Country marathon, a folk artist in Princeton and an art exhibit in Peru are among the activities this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Kendall County has several exciting upcoming events, including a semi-guided paddling trip, cemetery tour, and Mother's Day yoga event.

Art in Wilder Park and Lilac Time lead off festival fun, and there's also a DuPage and Cook lineup of hit rock bands, classical gems, kite flying and history tours.

Kendall County has several exciting upcoming events, including a family paint night, watercolor painting class, and movement and meditation session.

PACT to present play in Polo starting this weekend; United Way of Lee County Bingo is May 8 at the Elks Club in Dixon.

Looking for something to do in DeKalb County this weekend? Check out a number of Cinco de Mayo events, springtime vendor markets, May the Fourth Be With You celebration and more.

From pet adoption to historical anniversaries, there's no shortage of things to do in Kane County this week.

Market on Mill will open in Utica, Morel Fest returns to Ottawa, the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will conclude its season, the MOMsemble will perform in Princeton and an Earth Day celebration will commence in an event-packed weekend in the Illinois Valley.

From a National Day of Prayer to the Kankakee County Speedway and the Kankakee Farmers' Market season openers, check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

Run for the arts in Crystal Lake and watch military helicopters land in Lake in the Hills this weekend in McHenry County.

Looking for great book finds? Friends of the Joliet Public Library book sale will be held this weekend at the Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St.

Here are five things to do in and around Grundy County the weekend of April 25, 2025.

Eclectic activities feature a highly anticipated regional premiere at Drury Lane Theatre, bluegrass, ABBA tribute, magic show and a celebration of science and history with a local documentary presented at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove.

Kendall County has several exciting upcoming events, including an industrial tour, community clean-up, and spring wine fest.

This weekend explore a French market, listen to the swinging sounds of the Big Band Era, and more.

Plant trees in Huntley for Arbor Day and learn about wild weather in Crystal Lake this weekend in McHenry County.

Check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will explore various aspects of heroism in original radio-style stories and poems.

A radio play adaptation of "My Favorite Wife," Healthy Kids Day, Earth Day, a Doors cover band and a car show are among the activities in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

Shop at Dixon Lioness Lions Club’s Quartermania on April 29 in Dixon; play trivia to support Sterling's Christ Lutheran School on May 10.

Looking for something to do this upcoming Easter weekend in DeKalb County? Check out some ideas here, along with previews for local family-friendly events to expect this spring.

Special events range from The Morton Arboretum's Arbor Day Plant Sale and a production of "Our Town" at the MAC to live music, a showcase of jewelry artistry and an interactive exhibition on farming in DuPage County at the Elmhurst History Museum.

Check out these 5 things to do in and near Kankakee County this weekend.

Ride the train with the Easter Bunny in Union and hunt for eggs in Johnsburg this weekend in McHenry County.

Get the family out for Easter egg hunts and free photos with the Easter Bunny in the Joliet area this weekend.

A skydiving Easter bunny, Easter centerpiece workshop, adult egg hunt, bunny run and underwater egg hunt are among the activities in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

Rock River Madness bicycling event is May 3 in Dixon; Wed on the Rock is May 4 in Oregon.

Kendall County has several exciting upcoming events, including a family bingo night, spring egg hunt and poetry in the park.

Celebrate the Earth and enjoy the weather with five things to do this week in Kane County:

Shop at a craft fair at the McHenry VFW and hop along a bunny trail in Lake in the Hills this weekend in McHenry County.

An acclaimed guest violinist, a debut Spring Fest at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and a winning fish fry and foreign film will be part of the fun.

Sci-Fest, Naturescapes art exhibition, Route "Flute" 66 and Easter egg hunts are among the events in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet is hosting a National Poetry Month Open Mic & Festival for poets, singers and rappers on Saturday.

The Next Picture Show, Dixon, also will host a Chapter and Verse Open Mic Night for the area’s authors Friday, April 11, that will appear on a local video podcast.

Tony-winning best play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is part of a lineup that includes creating eye-catching gardens and enjoying live music for every taste in DuPage and Cook counties.

Celebrate Easter with your dog in McHenry and shop at a local market in Algonquin this weekend in McHenry County.

Skaters from Inwood Skate School will entertain the community with their skating skills on Friday and Saturday's Gliding Through Space Ice Show.

Tickets available for the Rock River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited banquet that will be April 26 in Rock Falls.

"The Miracle Worker" will be performed at Stage 212 in La Salle and "Hello Dolly!" at IVCC. There also will be shows put on by Poco a Poco in Streator, the Starved Rock Pop Singers in Ottawa and a chance to see Amanda Mammana in Princeton.