2026 Food Truck Wednesdays
2026-04-15 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-22 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-29 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-06 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-13 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | MLK Commons, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Come out for lunch, meet up with a friend or grab your afternoon pick-me-up from a variety of food trucks each Wednesday through the fall.

Local food trucks will line the street on Normal Road in front of the MLK Commons on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CAB will provide entertainment and fun, including student performances. There will also be appearances from members of NIU Athletics.

Retro Trivia Night
2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Old School Pizza, 507 N 3rd Street Unit 2, Malta, Illinois, 60150, United States
Test your knowledge of retro music, movies and TV! Free to play. Win prizes.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
6:30 – 8 PM
Old School Pizza in Malta, 507 N. 3rd Street

After-hours Concert: NIU Steelband
2026-04-17 18:30 - 19:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Step into the DeKalb Public Library’s main lobby for an after-hours concert performed by the Northern Illinois University’s renowned Steelband. The concert will be an eclectic program of musical styles highlighting the versatility and profundity of the steelpan.
The NIU Steelband is dedicated to demonstrating the versatility and profundity of the steelpan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.
Created in 1973 by G. Allan O’Connor, the NIU Steelband is the first active steel orchestra formed at an American university and celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Sunday, April 16th, 2023.NIU is also one of the few institutions in the world at which students may pursue undergraduate and graduate music degrees with a steelpan emphasis.
The ensemble has performed throughout the United States and across the globe. Some of the band’s most notable appearances include a performance for 18,000 soccer fans at Yankee Stadium, tours of Taiwan in 1992 and 1998, concerts with symphony orchestras (including the St. Louis Symphony and the Chicago Sinfonietta), and several performances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). In 2000, the NIU Steelband had the distinction of placing 2nd at the World Steelband Festival in Trinidad and represented the USA at the 2002 Seoul Drum Festival in South Korea.
The NIU Steelband regularly appears in concert at public schools, universities, conventions, and arts series, and has many recordings to its credit, including Dangerous, which features an eclectic blend of musical styles.
After many years under the leadership of G. Allan O’Connor and steelband legend Clifford Alexis, the ensemble is now directed by head of steelpan studies and professor of music, Liam Teague. The band’s instruments are maintained by Yuko Asada, music instrument technician, and she also significantly contributes to the daily operations of the NIU Steelband.
This concert is free and open to all. No registration is required. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and music will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Jah Love Jamaica Food Truck will have food available for purchase outside the library, including curry chicken, jerk chicken and pork chops, and fried plantains with red beans and rice.
For more information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Sycamore Community Expo & Job Fair
2026-04-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Sycamore Park District Community Center, 480 Airport Rd, Sycamore, IL, 60178
The Sycamore Chamber and the Sycamore Park District are proud to again host the 2026 Sycamore Community Expo & Job Fair! Free admission and parking! This is a family event! Come out and see all the community has to offer. Meet local business owners, enter to win raffle drawings, prizes, kid’s games, and more!

Goat Yoga with Blue Sky Farm
2026-04-18 13:00 - 13:45, 2026-04-18 14:15 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Blue Sky Farm Goat Yoga is looking forward to providing a “bucket list” event at the DeKalb Public Library! Their baby goats love to snuggle, run, and jump on you as you enjoy some soul-stretching yoga with their certified yoga instructor. It may seem silly to some, but we can assure you the experience is unlike any other. Interacting with any animal is therapeutic, but combining the beautiful practice of yoga with animal therapy is a joy you will feel deep in your heart.
Each session will include 30 minutes of yoga, followed by 15 minutes to snuggle and pet the goats, as well as take photos.
This event is open for ages 12 and up. Attendees must bring a yoga mat or towel (please remember that this item may get dirty). Participation is first come, first served, as there is a limit of 25 participants per class.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
For more information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.
Here are some details to help you know what to expect:
What time should I arrive for class? Because the class is first-come, first-served, we cannot be certain how early the spaces in the class will fill up.
What do I bring?Everyone is required to bring their own (it may get dirty) yoga mat or towel.
What if I don’t normally do yoga?This is a gentle flow yoga class that focuses on many poses that the goats seem to enjoy. You might be surprised how much you enjoy doing yoga, but you don’t have to be a pro to enjoy the day.
Are there age requirements to attend an open goat yoga class?Participants should be at least 12 years old for open yoga classes. Participants aged 12-17 must attend with a parent or other adult guardian.
What should I wear?Dress comfortably, but we suggest you leave the adorable yoga tank tops at home or under a T-Shirt. Sometimes tiny goat hooves are a little scratchy!
Will goats try to eat my shoelaces and hair?A little bit! Goats like to nibble just about everything. You won’t get a major haircut, but bring a hair tie if you have longer hair, and take off your shoes.
Will the goats pee or poop on me?Goats are not potty trained. It happens!
Do I need to bring my own yoga mat?Please bring your own yoga mat or beach towel. Remember that this item may get dirty.
Will I need to sign a waiver for myself and/or my child between 12-17?All adults 18 and over are required to sign a waiver. All minors need a parent or legal guardian to sign a waiver. Participants aged 12-17 must attend with a parent or other adult guardian.

Free Legal Consultations
2026-04-21 12:00 - 16:00 | DeKalb Township, 2323 S. 4th St., DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
DeKalb Township will be hosting Prairie State Legal Services once a month throughout 2026 to ensure qualifying residents have access to FREE legal services.
If you are a tenant with questions regarding a housing matter; If you are being forcibly discharged from a nursing home; If you were recently denied public benefits or if your benefits were reduced; If you have an employment-related legal question; If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse, please call the DeKalb Township today to schedule an appointment and determine if you are eligible to receive these FREE services.
For additional details or to check your eligibility, call the DeKalb Township at 815-758-8282.

Earth Day Park Clean-Up
2026-04-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Free for all ages! Help staff clean up trash and debris from one of our most beloved parks this Earth Day! Meet at the Hopkins Park Shelter at 9:00 AM sharp and staff will show you the rest! No registration is required!

Local Showcase
2026-04-23 15:30 - 19:00 | NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Get ready for a fun-filled evening celebrating all things local at the Local Showcase! This exciting community event brings together 80+ local businesses and organizations for a one-of-a-kind experience for all ages.

Highlights include:

Live demos and interactive displays

Concessions available — grab a snack while you explore

Giveaways, prizes, and tons of family-friendly fun

Opportunities to meet local employers and learn who’s hiring

Whether you’re looking to shop, explore, connect, or just enjoy a spring evening out, this event has something for everyone! Learn more at dekalb.org.

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
2026-04-24 09:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-25 09:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-26 09:00 - 16:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The Friends of the DeKalb Public Library invite you to the Spring Book Sale! Visit the library’s lower level for an astonishing selection of great quality hardcovers and paperbacks at bargain prices. You’ll find children’s and teen books, graphic novels, fiction, history, science, art, film, cookbooks, gardening, biographies, mysteries, science fiction, and more. There’s a wide selection of jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, audiobooks, and music CD’s. Come back on Sunday for the $5.00 brown bag blowout sale.
All proceeds are used for library books, materials, and programs.
Donations of gently used books, puzzles, DVDs, and CDs are accepted year-round at the circulation desk; please, no textbooks, magazines, LPs, or videotapes.
The sale opens each day when the library does and ends at 4:30 p.m., half an hour before the library closes.
For additional information, contact the Friends at (815) 756-9568, ext. 1030 or email friends@dkpl.org.

Nellie Bly: Around the World in 72 Days
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran (1864-1922), this pioneer of investigative journalism is better known by her nom de plume, “Nellie Bly”. She became famous for her exposé of the New York City Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island.
On November 14, 1889, Cochrane began a solo trip around the world in emulation of the fictional character Phileas Fogg from the 1873 Jules Verne novel “Around the World in Eighty Days” – completing her trip on January 25, 1890, in the record-breaking time of 72 days, six hours, 11 minutes, & 14 seconds.
During this presentation, you’ll meet Nellie Bly in the US Embassy in Paris in February of 1919. The Great War has ended, and Nellie recounts her adventures as a reporter, in the US, Mexico and as a war correspondent, as she awaits permission to return to the US.
The presentation is followed by a Q&A and photo opportunities.
This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Library and is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year. Registration is not required. All ages are welcome.
For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

FREE Senior Car Clinic 2026
2026-05-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL
Free Car Clinic for Older Adults of DeKalb County on May 1
On Friday, May 1, DeKalb County TRIAD, Kishwaukee College, and DeKalb Township will co-host their annual free Senior Car Clinic at Kishwaukee College. DeKalb County residents age 55 and older are invited to participate.
Students from Kishwaukee College’s Automotive Technology Department will perform 25-point inspections and fluid top-offs under the supervision of instructors. While vehicles are being serviced, participants will enjoy coffee and donuts, receive May Day baskets and other gifts, and have opportunities to connect with local senior service providers.
DeKalb County TRIAD serves older adults by providing empowering and inclusive programs focused on quality of life, safety, and crime prevention. Organizers say the clinic helps keep older drivers safe, reduces the risk of unnecessary repair costs, and provides valuable hands-on training for students.
Reservations are required, and appointments are limited. To schedule, contact Kimberly at DeKalb Township at 815-758-8282. Seniors from neighboring counties are encouraged to join the waitlist and may be contacted if openings become available.

Shabbona Farmers Market 2026
2026-05-02 09:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-16 09:00 - 13:00 | Purdy Park, 205 E Navaho Ave, Shabbona, IL, 60550, United States
Shabbona Farmers Market begins Saturday, May 2 running every other weekend through October 10, 2026! New in 2026 – Family Outing Days will be held with the Farmers Market. There will be an inflatable obstacle course, games, crafts, and a sweet treat offered sponsored by Big Time Rentals. This market features 12+ vendor and craft bar!

Kentucky Derby Celebration
2026-05-02 14:00 - 15:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The Kentucky Derby is the longest continually held sporting event in America, and it is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. It has a rich tradition of fancy dress, specialty food, and of course, horse-racing. Celebrate the Run for the Roses by making a traditional “Fascinator” hat to wear while you view clips of the greatest two minutes in sports, sip Mint Juleps (non-alcoholic) and enjoy other refreshments.
Explore horse riding gear provided by Tiny Voice Therapy Services of Elburn, play games including a children’s obstacle course, “place your bets” to win a raffle prize, and get your photo taken in the winner’s circle! Dressing up for a day at the races is encouraged for this program.
This all-ages event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year. No registration is required.
For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

DeKalb Cinco De Mayo
2026-05-03 12:00 - 20:00 | Van Buer Plaza, 148-198 N 2nd St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Downtown DeKalb’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration is back—bigger and better than ever!

Enjoy a full day of live entertainment, featuring performances ranging from traditional dance to mariachi and grupo music. Explore a variety of vendors, grab a bite from local food trucks, and stop by the 21+ beer garden.

This free, family-friendly event also includes a dedicated kids’ zone.

Don’t miss the kickoff Wagon Parade as it takes over Lincoln Highway—starting at First Street and making its way to the main stage—right through the center of the action, with horses, dancers, and brightly decorated wagons.

Be sure to check out the car show from 12–6 PM!

Teen Salsa Tasting
2026-05-05 15:30 - 16:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Celebrate Taco Tuesday, Cinco De Mayo, or just your love for salsa by sampling various salsas! Mild, medium, and spicy versions will be offered, and you’ll learn a bit about each salsa. At the end of the tasting vote for the one you liked the best.

This program is for tweens and teens in grades 6-12. Registration is not required, but the tasting has first come, first served as supplies are limited.

For additional information, please contact Steven at stevenm@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 3400.

Mother's Day at Blumen Gardens
2026-05-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 09:00 - 17:00 | Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
Mother’s Day Weekend is Blumen Gardens’ biggest weekend of the year! Join in on garden shopping, seasonal inspiration, and a full weekend experience with food trucks and live music.

Stroll the garden center, shop gifts and home décor, pick out plants for spring, and enjoy lunch and music while you browse. This weekend is made for celebrating moms, friends, and the start of the season at Blumen.

DeKalb Back Alley Market
2026-05-09 09:00 - 16:00 | Downtown DeKalb, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The DeKalb Back Alley Market (BAM) takes over downtown DeKalb with a curated mix of vintage, handmade, and just plain cool. You’ll find 150+ vendors spread through streets and alleyways—everything from vintage clothing and home décor to pottery, candles, apothecary goods, and specialty foods.

It’s not a craft fair and it’s not a flea market. BAM is built to feel a little different—more curated, more unexpected, and fun to wander. Add in live music, local food, and a crowd that shows up ready to explore, and it turns into more than just shopping.

Come dig around, find something you didn’t know you needed, and spend a few hours having fun in our alley!

Location: DeKalb Back Alley Market, Palmer Ct., 2nd and 3rd St. DeKalb, ILAdmission is free. Bring your family and well-behaved petsDon’t miss out on this unique shopping experience in Downtown DeKalb!

Mother's Day Saturday Flower Walk 2026
2026-05-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Russell Woods Forest Preserve, 11750 IL-72, Genoa, 60135, United States
On the day before Mother’s Day, come out to the guided wildflower walks at the Natural Resource Education Center in Russell Woods Forest Preserve. The guided walks will start on the hour, starting at 10 AM. The last walk will start at 1 PM. The NREC will be open, so come in a see the live animal displays!
Find more details at: https://extension.illinois.edu/bdo/natural-resource-education-center
If you have questions or need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, call the DeKalb County Extension office at 815-758-8194.

Turn of the Century Tea Party @ Ellwood House
2026-05-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Ellwood House, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
You and your little one are cordially invited to a charming, turn-of-the-century tea party where imagination meets elegance! Take a delightful step back in time and enjoy a “proper” afternoon of tea, treats, and games with Dekalb Public Library at the historical Ellwood House Museum. Start by making fancy hats and accessories to complete party attire before gathering for tea, juice, treats, and etiquette games. Afterwards, retire to the courtyard lawn (weather permitting; otherwise, inside) for old-fashioned party games and end the party with a visit to Ellwood Dollhouse.
Patrons are encouraged to “play dress up” for the occasion!
Teatime starts promptly at 2:00 p.m. and families will be seated first come, first served. Please arrive early for seating. No registration is required.
This program is intended for families with children ages 6-11. Younger children may need additional assistance with crafts and activities.
For additional information, please contact Stormy at stormye@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3310.

NatureFest 2026
2026-05-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Russell Woods Forest Preserve, 11750 IL-72, Genoa, 60135, United States
The annual NatureFest is hosted by Illinois Extension, DeKalb County Forest Preserve, DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the DeKalb County Health Department. It occurs at the only nature center in DeKalb County, Genoa’s Natural Resource Education Center.

This family-friendly, free event is perfect for families with elementary-aged children and up. There will be nature-themed hands-on learning activities. The event is outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather. Learning topics include turtles, camouflage, insects, the river research, and more. Check in at the registration table and pick up a passport and a map of the area.

Explore Russell Woods Forest Preserve and the NREC from 10 AM to 1 PM. Families can take part in multiple hands-on learning activities. Come see T.J. the tortoise (the resident 75-pound African Sulcata tortoise), the other live animal displays, and hike the trails.
