DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau

NIU Wind Ensemble Concert
2025-09-30 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | NIU Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The NIU Wind Ensemble will present the collegiate world premiere of a piece commissioned by the US Marine Band to commemorate a significant anniversary.

Join this special performance by the NIU Wind Ensemble featuring the collegiate premiere of Symphony No. 2, “The Sacred Cloth”, a piece written by Dr. Onsby Rose.

Coffee With A Cop
2025-10-01 08:00 - 11:00 | Hy-Vee, 2700 Dekalb Ave., Sycamore, Illinois, 60178, United States
It’s back for a second year — the ultimate small-town meet-and-greet with our very own local law enforcement. Ever wondered who writes tickets in the best penmanship? Or who’s secretly the best donut critic in town?

This is your chance to ask the big questions, shake some hands, and maybe even snag a selfie with the people who keep our streets safe (and occasionally rescue lost squirrels).

Come on out, have a laugh, and meet the badge behind the smile — we promise, no pop quizzes on traffic laws!

Hiring Smart: Finding the Right Fit for Your Business Workshop
2025-10-01 09:00 - 10:00 | Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL
Hiring is one of the most significant investments a small business makes. Learn fundamental tips to attract, interview, and select the best talent to strengthen your team.
You’ll learn key steps in the hiring process, what to look for beyond skills, and strategies to make a positive impression on potential hires.

Getting Started with Six Sigma: Improve Your Processes Workshop
2025-10-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL
Are you curious about Six Sigma? This introductory session provides a high-level overview of how Six Sigma principles can help you identify and eliminate inefficiencies, leading to better quality and cost savings.
You will learn what Six Sigma is all about, the benefits of process improvement, and basic concepts like variation and defect reduction.

Cash Flow Hacks for Small Businesses Workshop
2025-10-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd, Malta, IL
A quick-start session designed to provide actionable tips you can implement today to better understand and improve your business’s cash flow. Ideal for small business owners looking for immediate financial clarity.
You will learn practical strategies to identify cash flow challenges, quick tips for cash management, and why cash flow is king for sustainable growth.

Classic Universal Monsters
2025-10-01 19:00 - 20:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
In the early 1900s, the small studio, Universal Pictures, discovered that audiences were interested in thrilling adventures. They released a series of classic horror films between 1913 and 1956. It was these films that boosted Universal into the major film studio that it is today.
William Pack tells us about the earliest monster movies, from Dracula to Frankenstein, from their inspiration to the impact they have on us today.
This program is intended for adults and teens. No registration is required.
For more information, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.

Fair Housing for All
2025-10-02 11:00 - 12:30 | DeKalb Township, 2323 S. 4th St., DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
On Thursday, October 2, DeKalb Township, in partnership with Housing Action Illinois, Hope Fair Housing Center, and Prairie State Legal Services, will host a free informational session focused on Illinois House Bill 2775. Signed into law in 2023, this important legislation makes source of income a protected class under the Illinois Human Rights Act, effectively prohibiting housing discrimination based on lawful sources of income—including housing choice vouchers.
This session will provide tenants with valuable knowledge about their rights under the law, how to identify source of income discrimination, and what actions to take if it occurs. At the same time, landlords and property managers will gain a clear understanding of the law so they can remain informed, compliant, and protected. The presentation will take place at DeKalb Township, 2323 S. 4th Street, DeKalb, IL, from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. A Zoom option will also be available for those who prefer to attend virtually. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information or request a Zoom meeting information, please contact Mary Hess at 815-758-8282.

Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00 | IL
The Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series is presented by the Ellwood House Museum and DeKalb County History Center in partnership with DeKalb area historic sites. Once a month, a knowledgeable speaker will present an hour-long program about history relevant to DeKalb County. All programs are free of charge, and guests are invited to bring their lunch.

Program descriptions can be found at ellwoodhouse.org and dekalbcountyhistory.org.

May 1 – 2025 Ellwood House Exhibit Preview

June 5 – The Interrelation of Art + History

August 7 – Off to School: Then & Now at North Grove One-room School

September 4 – Remembering The GoodTymes: A Decade of Picnics

October 2 – Historic Homes Tour Sneak Preview

November 6 – Kernels of Corn: History of Cornsilk Magazine

December 4 – The Heiress & the Interpreter: Investigating the ill-fated “Engagement” of Elise Ellwood to Said Kalil Haick, July 1907

NIU Homecoming Block Party: Down Home in Downtown DeKalb
2025-10-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown DeKalb, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
NIU students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community are invited to join the Huskies for a free down home celebration in Downtown DeKalb on Lincoln Highway (between 1st and 4th Streets) on Thurs., Oct. 2 from 5-8 p.m.

The Huskie Homecoming Block Party has something for everyone—kidzone, classic car show, March of the Huskies, pep rally, food trucks, live music, discounts at local businesses and much more!

Celebrate NIU Homecoming not only during the Block Party, but all week! Visit niu.edu/homecoming for a full calendar of NIU Homecoming activities.

Sustainability Swap
2025-10-02 17:30 - 19:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
It’s important to be responsible consumers and consider sustainability when we need new things. This Sustainability Swap, monthly on the first Thursdays, allows you to trade in your lightly used clothing for someone else’s, as well as swap houseplants you might not want to care for. The houseplant portion of the swap is sponsored by Willrett Flower Company.
Freshly washed clothing in adult sizes can be dropped off at the reference desk one week before the program. You’ll receive a ticket for every item you bring, capped at 20 tickets. Bring your tickets to the program and spend them on new-to-you clothes!
Houseplants of all kinds are welcome, but please only bring pots that you are willing to part with. You do not need to drop your plants off in advance. This is a perfect opportunity to divide those overgrown houseplants and share tips with other plant lovers. No tickets are needed for plants.
No registration is required for this program. It is intended for adults.
For additional information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.

Fall Vintage Shop Hop
2025-10-03 09:00 - 18:00, 2025-10-04 09:00 - 18:00 | DeKalb County, illinois
Explore DeKalb County’s vintage and antique shops during this fall edition of the Vintage Shop Hop! Each shop offers specials and fun inside their store–you’ll find plenty of activities in each shop you visit during the event. Participating locations include:

This & That Collectibles (520 E Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL 60115)

35:35 Makers Collective & Vuur Lont Candle Co. (265 W Peace Rd., Sycamore, IL 60178)

Blumen Gardens (403 Edward St, Sycamore, IL 60178)

Made Just for You Gifts (338 W State St, Sycamore, IL 60178)

Painted Lady Collection (303 W State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178)

Sandwich Antique Mart (2300 US-34, Sandwich, IL 60548)

TOFT vintage home (113 S Main Street, Sandwich, IL 60548)

Halloween in The Crib
2025-10-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00 | The Crib, Studio of Valerie Weberpal, 16521 Swanson Road, Sycamore, Illinois, 60178, United States
Check out vintage goods, art, and Halloween items in The Crib in Sycamore, IL!

Poems Based on Music: Classical, Jazz, Pop, and Hymn
2025-10-03 14:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
“Beaumont’s Dave Oliphant is known as one of Texas’s foremost poets, whose writings tell the story of Texas towns and especially Texas jazz – a music genre Oliphant fell in love with at an early age.” – Beaumont Enterprise, May 2024
Dave visits the library to read excerpts of his poetry, and play recordings of musical pieces that inspired his work. He has written three books in prose on the history of jazz entitled Texan Jazz, The Early Swing Era, 1930 to 1941, and Jazz Mavericks of the Lone Star State, as well as editing a book entitled The Bebop Revolution in Words and Music.
A list of potential poems and musical works you’ll hear include:
“Dancing on the Ceiling”— Lamar Technicians“An Afternoon of Debussy” — “Afternoon of a Faun” with flute“The Hero’s Fall I Fell For” — King Oliver and his Orchestra playing “Too Late” in 1929“Merry-Go-Round” — Duke EllingtonAnd more!
This program is free and open to all. No registration is required.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Huskie Hour at Jonamac Orchard
2025-10-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL, 60150, United States
Join Huskies for a tasting event at Jonamac Orchard featuring live music. Check back soon to purchase your tickets to this event.

While this event is for Huskies who are 21 and over, Jonamac Orchard also provides fun activities for people of all ages, including apple picking and a corn maze. Visit Jonamac Orchard’s website to learn more about all the fun activities for Huskies of all ages.

This event is sponsored by The Law Office of Doyle and James, LLC

Food Truck Fest 2025
2025-10-03 17:00 - 22:00 | Midwest Sportsplex, 212 W Woodlawn Street, Hinckley, IL, 60520, United States
Enjoy this family-friendly event with bar service available! 7 different food trucks and live music will take over the Midwest Sportsplex parking lot on Friday, October 3 from 5-10PM.

Pizza, Paint and Sip
2025-10-03 18:00 - 20:00 | NIU Holmes Student Center, 340 Carroll Avenue, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Chelsea McGhee Studios is coming to NIU’s Holmes Student Center for a Pizza, Paint and Sip! All ages are welcome to come paint your choice of canvas and wood sign options at this family friendly event.

Cost includes all paint & supplies, pizza and sodas! Alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase. Free parking will be available for this event at the Holmes Student Center Lot.

Due to custom cut stencils and pre-sketched canvases please note, prepaid reservations are required and non-refundable but are transferrable. Purchase your ticket for this limited seating event by Oct. 1!

Huskies S'mores N'more
2025-10-03 19:00 - 21:00 | MLK Commons, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
All Huskies fans are welcome to join an evening of sweet treats, hot drinks, fun festivities and #HuskiePride at the MLK Commons, between the Holmes Student Center and Founders Memorial Library. There will be music, yard games, glow-in-the-dark activities, fire pits and more. There’s no better way to get fired up for Saturday’s Homecoming football game!

The Haunt - Jonamac's Haunted Corn Maze
2025-10-03 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Rd, Malta, IL, 60150, United States
Get Lost In Terror

When the sun sets on the farm, an eerie shadow is cast upon the maze inviting guests to explore the 10-acre labyrinth in our corn field.

Pathways twist and turn through miles of rustling leaves where terrifying creatures and spooky surprises are lurking behind the stalks.

Enter if you dare… but BEWARE!Strongly recommended to purchase tickets beforehand!What You Need To Know

All children under the age of 16 need to be with an adult chaperone. Children are not permitted to enter the maze alone or without adult supervision.

The time on your ticket is your ENTRY TIME. For example, if you select 6:30-7:30PM, you need to redeem your tickets by 7:30PM or the tickets will no longer be valid. Last group in at 10:30PM, then the entrance is closed.

No Halloween Masks or costumes are permitted in the maze, sorry!

Guests are ideally broken up into groups of 4-5 (or fewer) people and metered into the maze by our staff to keep groups separated. Large groups do not get as great of an experience!

It takes about 30-45 minutes to get through the maze, and we have staff to help you if you get lost.

No Alcohol is permitted in the maze.

Flashlights will not be allowed in the Haunted Maze, only glowsticks or pen lights.

Our Scare Actors are not permitted to touch guests, and guests are not permitted to touch or hit Scare Actors, or they will be asked to leave the maze.

Please be advised, the haunted maze does contain strobe lights, flashing lights, loud noises, and dirt pathways.

Unlike other years, this year the entire maze is Haunted. We will not have 1/2 un-haunted and 1/2 haunted.

Miss Fits Drag Show
2025-10-03 20:00 - 21:00 | Fargo Skateboarding, 641 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, 60115, United States
DeKalb’s beloved drag show, Miss Fits, is making its triumphant return to Fargo Skate Park for a Halloween Drag Show of legendary proportions!

Join the Haus of Vicious, Amethyst Vicious, and Sindy Vicious, for a night of all things spooky, kooky, and glamorous! The hosts are bringing you a one-of-a-kind drag show experience featuring the stars of the hit reality drag competition show “The Boulet Brothers: Dragula,” Auntie Heroine and Scylla!

Fall Shred & Recycle Event
2025-10-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Kishwaukee Family YMCA, 2500 Bethany Rd, Sycamore, IL, 60178, United States
DeKalb & Sycamore Township residents can fight identity theft and needless clutter by bringing their personal documents and other recyclable items to a convenient drive-thru shred and recycle event co-hosted by the DeKalb and Sycamore Townships. The event will take place on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Kishwaukee Family YMCA, located at 2500 Bethany Road, Sycamore. Volunteers will unload items from residents’ vehicles.
Participants will be limited to 2 bankers-sized-boxes or paper bags of documents and/or CD-Rs. Staples do not need to be removed from paper materials. Additional items to be collected at this event include new or used tennis shoes, eyeglasses, hearing aids, keys/key fobs, ink jet cartridges, tabs from aluminum cans, cellphones and chargers, tablets/iPads and chargers, prepaid calling cards (domestic and international). Items collected at this event will be donated to The Lions of Illinois Foundation and Cell Phones for Soldiers. Shoe Sensation of DeKalb will be on-site site to help with the collection of used shoes.
*This event is for DeKalb and Sycamore Township residents. Participants should bring a valid ID to show proof of residency. Please call Kimberly at DeKalb Township (815-758-8282) if you have any questions.

Brunch with Mission & Victor E.
2025-10-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Altgeld Hall, 116 Altgeld Hall, Dekalb, IL, 60115, United States
The Fifth Annual Brunch with Mission and Victor E., hosted by the NIU Alumni Association and NIU Foundation, will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday. Oct. 4 in NIU’s historic and picturesque Altgeld Auditorium.

There will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures with our favorite mascots, Mission III and Victor E. Huskie, so wear your Huskie gear!

Each registration includes a full buffet of scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, biscuits and gravy, assorted pastries, coffee and juice. Guests who are over 21 years old will receive one ticket for a Dawgma beer from Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling or a Bloody Mary. Additional tickets for Dawgma and Bloody Marys will be available to purchase for $7.50.

Parking is available in the lot on the north side of the lagoon, as well as in the art building parking lot, which are both located off of College Ave.

Following the brunch, keep the festivities going and head over to Mission’s Grove before the Huskie football team takes on Miami (OH). Kickoff is at 2:30pm.

Questions? Please contact the alumni events team at alumnievents@niu.edu or 815-753-3528.

All sales are final. No refunds will be given. RSVP Today.

Mutt Strut 5K (Dog Friendly Walk/Run)
2025-10-04 09:00 - 12:30 | Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Join Tails Humane Society for the 2025 Mutt Strut, where every step you take makes a difference for homeless pets in need! Whether you run or walk the 5k route, you’re supporting Tails’ mission to care for and find loving homes for animals. There is also a 1 mile walk option available.
Bring your furry friends along – dogs are more than welcome to join in the fun!
Mutt Strut benefits Tails Humane Society and the 2,350 homeless pets that they care for each year. The proceeds from this event go directly to caring for their animals. It helps with their day-to-day care from food and litter to medicine and surgical procedures!
1 Mile Walk & 5K Walk/Run
Saturday, October 4, 2025
9:00 AM Start
Hopkins Park
1403 Sycamore Road
DeKalb, IL

2025 Genoa Harvest Festival
2025-10-04 09:00 - 15:00 | Downtown Genoa, Genoa, IL
The City of Genoa’s 5th Annual Harvest Festival is taking place on October 4th in Downtown Genoa!

Come enjoy rides, kids’ crafts and activities, community organization booths, and OpenDoor’s Fall Makers’ Market!

Mission's Grove
2025-10-04 11:00 - 14:00 | Oderkirk Field, 213 N Annie Glidden Rd., DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Wear your red and black, get ready to cheer for the Huskies, and join us before the football game at Mission’s Grove.

NIU Homecoming Football Game vs Miami (Ohio)
2025-10-04 14:30 | Huskie Stadium, 1245 Stadium Drive South, DeKalb, 60115, United States
Pack Huskie Stadium for our 118th Homecoming when the Huskies will be taking on the Miami RedHawks!

You Raise Me Up: Songs that Inspire Us with Maureen Christine
2025-10-04 18:30 - 19:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Award-winning vocalist Maureen Christine brings her crystal-clear voice to deliver an uplifting after-hours concert in the library’s main lobby! This event features Maureen’s heartfelt renditions of inspiring songs including Wind Beneath My Wings, You Raise Me Up, Because You Loved Me, and You Light Up My Life. She will also sing classic gems such as Over The Rainbow, What A Wonderful World, Morning Has Broken, and You’ll Never Walk Alone. You’ll also hear some lighter songs including L-O-V-E, Sunny Side of the Street, Love Will Keep Us Together, and more.
Maureen Christine is a celebrated Broadway-style entertainer. She delights audiences throughout the country with her “natural melodious, expressive voice” (AllMusic Guide) and is heralded as a “singer worth crowing about” by the Chicago Tribune for her thoughtful interpretations of great American standards, romantic ballads, and original compositions.
Maureen will be joined by Michael Bazan, a highly regarded woodwind player. As a professional musician, Michael has played saxophone, flute, and clarinet, with several musical legends, including Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Frankie Valli, and more. Michael has also performed in various symphony orchestras, including the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and the Galesburg Symphony. An active musician, he continues to learn and perform in the Chicago area and throughout the Midwest.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Chonda Pierce Live
2025-10-04 19:00 | Egyptian Theatre, 135 North 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
It’s Chonda Pierce Live! Grab your girlfriends and get ready for an evening of guilt-free laughter, real talk, and stories you swear she pulled straight from your group text. With her signature Southern charm and wit, Chonda brings the kind of humor that leaves your cheeks hurting and your soul feeling a little lighter. You might know her hit specials “Laughing in the Dark” and “Enough” — Chonda takes life’s hardest moments to its most ridiculous, and knows how to turn it all into something worth laughing about. Don’t miss this show!
