ICASH Unclaimed Property & CUB Utility Bill Analysis Event
2025-10-08 14:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | DeKalb Township Board Room, 2323 S 4th Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Representatives from ICASH—a division of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office—and staff from the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will be at DeKalb Township, located at 2323 S. 4th St. in DeKalb, to assist local residents in person. ICASH representatives will help attendees identify whether they are entitled to any part of the $2 billion in unclaimed property currently held by the state. They will also assist with filing claims for any funds owed.
Meanwhile, CUB staff will review residents’ utility bills (including gas, electric, phone, and cable) to look for billing errors, overcharges, and offer ways to lower monthly costs through available programs and initiatives.
This is a walk-in event—no appointment is needed. Attendees are encouraged to bring a valid photo ID and copies of recent utility bills (gas, electric, phone, cable).
This event is free and open to all. For more information, contact Kimberly at DeKalb Township at 815-758-8282.

Sycamore Witches Night Out
2025-10-09 16:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Sycamore, Sycamore, Illlinois, 60178
Join this WICKED event!

Grab a few of your favorite witches for a fun shopping event in Downtown Sycamore on October 9 from 4 to 8pm.

Your ticket will include a spell card (list of businesses), a wine goblet and a bewitching evening! Visit all participating businesses, leave your spell card at your final stop and you will be entered to win one of the Witches Night Out Raffle Baskets (valued at over $600), or Two complimentary tickets to the 2025 Winter Chocolate Walk event in December, or Two complimentary tickets to the 2026 Taste of Spring event in April, or Two tickets to next year’s Witches Night Out!!

Registration begins at 4pm at Blumen Gardens (403 Edward Street, Sycamore). There you will pick up your goblet, and spell card. Stop at every location for a surprise sale, giveaway, tasty treats and more!

Traveling by broom is optional.

Visit all participating merchants from 4-8 pm for fun & specials

Dessert & Dialogue
2025-10-09 18:30 | Ellwood House, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Understanding shared history starts with open conversation, and sometimes, a little dessert! On Thursday, October 9 at 6:30pm, join the DeKalb County History Center and Ellwood House Museum for “Dessert and Dialogue.”

“Dessert and Dialogue” is an evening of community-building, storytelling, and racial healing. This month’s discussion, with the theme “Building Bridges,” will give DeKalb County residents the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our shared history.

This event takes place at the Ellwood House Museum’s Visitor Center, 420 Linden Place in DeKalb. While the event is free, it is recommended to register ahead of time on the DeKalb County History Center’s website dekalbcountyhistory.org. For more information call 815-895-5762.

“Dessert and Dialogue” events are part of the Arts in Action Project, a collaboration between the Ellwood House Museum and DeKalb County History Center that seeks to tell an inclusive and accurate account of local history. Before the program, view the newest Arts in Action exhibit from 5:30-6:30pm in the Ellwood House Museum galleries.

Open Studio
2025-10-10 18:00 - 22:00 | Artifex Studio, 235 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
Visit the gallery and studio of fine artist Elisa R. Boughner at Artifex Studio in downtown DeKalb to experience her latest work. Enjoy an evening filled with color, creativity, and conversation!

Creepy Campfire at Sycamore Park District
2025-10-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Sycamore Park District Good Tymes Shelter
Get ready for Sycamore Library’s 5th Annual Creepy Campfire event featuring a night of ghost stories, songs, and s’mores!
Adults and accompanied teens can join Library staff at Sycamore Park District’s Good Tymes Shelter off Airport Road from 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your camping chairs, blankets, and your spookiest stories!
Registration optional. Hot chocolate, apple cider, and s’mores provided.

The Haunt - Jonamac's Haunted Corn Maze
2025-10-10 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-11 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-17 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.

Evil Intentions Haunted House
2025-10-10 19:00 - 23:59, 2025-10-11 19:00 - 23:59, 2025-10-12 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-17 19:00 - 23:59 | Evil Intentions Haunted House, 45W050 Beith Rd, Maple Park, Illinois, 60151, United States
Evil Intentions Haunted House has relocated to Forsaken Hollow! In this new, larger, and more terrifying home, Evil has taken on a new life. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience filled with unexpected scares and surprises. Come see what awaits and discover why all roads end here!

Attractions include:

Corn Trail – A cornfield packed with scares, screams, and evil lurking in the dark.

20,000 Sq. Ft. of Evil! – A massive, nonstop nightmare, 20,000 square feet indoor haunted house with terror around every corner.

Midway – More than just a haunted house. Food, games, and freakish fun to keep the horror going all night.

Hygge ‘HOO-gah’ Happiness
2025-10-11 10:00 - 12:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
“In Denmark, winters are especially long, yet Danish people are considered some of the happiest in the world. They embrace the dark winter months with the joyful practice of Hygge (pronounced ‘HOO-gah’) meaning coziness, candlelight, nature, and meeting with friends.” – Emma Mitchell from Making Winter: a Hygge-inspired Guide to Surviving the Winter Months.
Enjoy an immersive experience, lit by candlelight, focusing on intentional happiness and community with Scandinavian-inspired arts and crafts, meditative coloring, peaceful music, a crackling fireplace, and hot beverages (bring your own mug, if desired.) You’ll gain some tips to create “hygge,” and choose from a selection of library books to bring home which inspire joy and relaxation.
Hygge events are sponsored by the Friends of the Library. A special limited edition Hygge tea blend will be provided by downtown DeKalb’s Thyme ‘N Again Apothecary. Local honey for tea provided by Big Red’s Heavenly Honey.
For September, create watercolor postcards, gratitude magnets, and Zentangle-inspired patterns.
In October, paint papier-mâché masks, do folk art with stickers, and make a spooky candle decoration.
November’s event will feature three craft options: a stenciled tote bag, flannel lap warmer, and scented warmer discs.
This program is intended for adults. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required. First come, first served while supplies last.
For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

Gambling: The Dazzling Art of the Con
2025-10-11 14:00 - 15:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Gambling generates more revenue than spectator sports, theme parks, cruise ships and recorded music combined. Las Vegas casinos bring in an average of 5 billion dollars of revenue in a year. With all that money flying around it might occur to someone to cheat. It has, they do, and John P. Hopkins will show you some of the ways that it’s done.
John presents a fascinating and often hysterical look at crooked card games, dice hustles, pickpockets, prop bets, and con games. He will give you an inside peek at these scams with actual demonstrations. Through John, you will meet advantage players, dips, and con artists such as George Devil (who worked the Mississippi River boats for over forty years), Elijah Skaggs, “Titanic Thompson” and Madame Mustache.
See the dazzling art of the “advantage” card player and the ace pick pocket. Get an inside look at some of the classic swindles such as “3 Card Monte”, “The Old Army Game” and “Short-Change Routines.” Find out the secrets of rigged carnival games and learn the truth behind the phrases, “You can’t cheat an honest man” and “There’s no such thing as a free lunch!”
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.

H.O.O.F.
2025-10-11 15:00 | Egyptian Theatre, 135 North 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Hands Off Our Fest (H.O.O.F.) is a music festival celebrating the women, femmes, and thems of the Chicagoland punk scene, featuring the finest drag queens, kings, and things. It’s a mix of live music, stand-up comedy, drag performances, queer expression and joy, and feminine rage, all washed down with plenty of beer. On a mission to solidify the femme and queer community within the Chicagoland punk scene while creating an inclusive and healing environment, Sweetie frontwoman Birdy Vee created H.O.O.F. in 2023, now coming back for its third year. The event is all ages. *viewer discretion advised*

A Performance of Music from the Middle East
2025-10-11 18:30 - 19:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
The DeKalb Public Library is delighted to host an evening of cultural songs, both traditional and new compositions, after-hours in the library’s main lobby!
Aboud Agha was born in Syria and immigrated to Boston Mass at the age of twelve. He is an accomplished performer and composer of Arabic and Middle Eastern music. Aboud is a master of the Oud (Middle Eastern lute) and of many vocal styles from this part of the world. He has a master’s degree in musical performance from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in ethnomusicology from UCLA in California. He now teaches at the American University in Dubai.
Aboud has performed his music solo, in ensembles and with orchestras in America, Europe and the Middle East. He returns to visit the Midwest this summer after a concert at the library of congress in Washington D.C. Click here to see Aboud’s many Instagram posts.
Aboud will be accompanied on percussion by DeKalb native Sven Oscar Hansen. Sven was born to Norwegian immigrants in the American Midwest, where he raised four children and owned a greenhouse and florist shop. Sven has lived and studied in Norway and India and is a certified yoga teacher and sound healer. He creates and performs events incorporating music, poems, and sound healing. Sven has studied Vedic science and holds a degree in world literature from Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. He lives in DeKalb Illinois.
The evening also includes a brief discussion of this ethnic music and their interpretation of it. There will be an opportunity after the show to meet and chat with the artists.
This concert is free and open to all. Doors will open at 6:00 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.

KSO Opening Fall Concert: Petrushka and “Moor”
2025-10-11 19:30 | Music Building, Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, 550 Lucinda Ave, DeKalb, IL, 60115
The season opens with the Fall Concert: Petrushka and “Moor” on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 7:30 pm. A pre-concert talk with Linc Smelser, KSO music director, begins at 6:30 pm. This concert is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and is sponsored in part by Ann and James Tucker.

The concert features:

Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky, the colorful ballet suite, a four-part musical rollercoaster

Symphony No. 25 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—familiar to many from the film Amadeus

Viola Concerto by Béla Bartók, with special guest soloist Teng Li, newly appointed principal violist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Romance Book Club
2025-10-13 19:00 - 20:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Prepare for swoon-worthy reads and lively conversations with fellow romance lovers! We meet each month to discuss our latest romantic read– sharing thoughts, feelings, and favorite moments along the way. From steamy westerns and eerie sci-fi love stories to sweeping historical romances, our carefully chosen selections span the full spectrum of the genre. Whether you’re a longtime romance reader or just starting to explore, you’ll find your perfect match here!
September: Secretly Yours by Tessa BaileyOctober: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly LemmingNovember: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Books are available in Adult Services. No registration is required. This book club is intended for adults.
For additional information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.

Unpacking War Ecologies in the Korean DMZ
2025-10-14 17:00 - 18:00 | Pick Museum of Anthropology, Cole Hall 114, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115, United States
In this talk, anthropologist Eleana Kim (University of California, Irvine) discusses her fieldwork in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, which has often been referred to as the “most heavily militarized border in the world.” The unresolved war between the two Koreas has been ongoing since the formal end of the Korean War in 1953. For more than 70 years, the zone has been a de facto protected area, off limits to human habitation, and is now celebrated as a site of rare biodiversity. This talk complicates the conventional narrative about the DMZ that frequently frames its nature as an unexpected outcome of war and discusses what we can learn from a closer look at its actually existing ecologies and the people who study them. Rather than the symbolic narrative of an accidental sanctuary, Kim shows instead the importance of recognizing its “nature” as materially and ecologically vulnerable to the effects of militarization, capitalism, and climate change.
Lecture in Cole Hall 100. Reception to follow outside the Pick Museum of Anthropology. This event is in conjunction with the “How We Rebuild” exhibition on display through Dec. 19. This exhibit is a program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and The National Endowment for the Arts.
Eleana Kim is a sociocultural anthropologist and Professor of Anthropology and Asian American Studies at University of California, Irvine. She specializes in kinship, human/nonhuman ecologies, migration, and the senses, with a regional focus on contemporary South Korea. She is the author of two award-winning books, Adopted Territory: Transnational Korean Adoption and the Politics of Belonging (2010) and Making Peace with Nature: Ecological Encounters Along the Korean DMZ (2022), both of which were published by Duke University Press. She is also the co-editor, with environmental historians David Fedman and Albert Park, of Forces of Nature: New Perspectives on Korean Environments (Cornell University Press, 2023). She teaches courses on anthropological theory, kinship, migration, transnational Korea, and the senses.

DeCarbon Dialogues: Planning a Microforest for DeKalb
2025-10-14 18:30 - 20:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Microforests, also known as tiny forests or Miyawaki forests, are dense, native woodlands planted in small urban spaces. These fast-growing, biodiverse ecosystems have a significant impact on local climate. In addition to cooling, microforests sequester carbon at a higher rate than conventional forests due to their high planting density and rapid growth. This helps remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. They also improve air quality by filtering pollutants, and their dense root systems help manage stormwater runoff, reducing the strain on urban drainage systems during heavy rain.
Join the DeKalb Public Library to explore how these compact green spaces can make a huge difference in creating cooler, healthier, and more resilient communities. Don’t miss this chance to discover the power of planting small!
This program is intended for adults. It does not require registration.
For more information, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.

Egyptian Theatre Horror Film Series
2025-10-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Egyptian Theatre, 135 North 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Step into the chilling world of cinematic terror with the Horror Film Series at the historic Egyptian Theatre this fall. From the heart-pounders to the bone-chilling, this series offers something for every horror lover! Join us for all of the thrills and chills on the largest movie screen in DeKalb County!

Film Schedule:September 30 – Night of the Living Dead (1968)October 7 – The Monster Squad (1987)October 14 – The Lost Boys (1987)October 21 – Shaun of the Dead (2004)October 29 – Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

The Great Gatsby Ballet by World Ballet Company
2025-10-15 19:00 - 21:30 | Egyptian Theatre, 135 North 2nd Street, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Dance into the Roaring Twenties with this dazzling Broadway-style ballet.

Immerse yourself in the jazzy world of flappers and champagne with this new and entirely original production from World Ballet Company. Experience the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel LIVE on stage, featuring a multinational cast, lustrous hand-crafted costumes, and sweeping Art Deco-inspired sets, brought to life by WBC’s all-star creative team.

World Ballet Company’s “The Great Gatsby” is the must-see show of the season. Dress to impress, raise a glass, and get swept away in an unforgettable night of elegance, drama, and breathtaking artistry.

Duration: 2 hours (including 20-minute intermission)Audience: For ages 8 & over

Laugh, Love, and Connect: Improv Comedy Workshop for Couples
2025-10-16 18:00 - 20:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Deepen the joy of connection through laughter! This interactive workshop uses the magic of improvisational comedy to help couples strengthen communication, build trust, and embrace playfulness.
No comedy or acting experience needed – just bring your partner and an open mind. Through fun, lighthearted exercises, you’ll learn to navigate challenges together, spark creativity, and reinvigorate your bond while sharing plenty of laughs. Perfect for all couples looking to refresh their relationship in a unique and memorable way.
Instructor Cheryl Cox, a graduate of The Second City Improv Program in Chicago, has hosted workshops since 2017. She believes in the transformative power of improvisation to enhance life skills, including communication, collaboration, creativity, and confidence. After all, life is all about improvising!
Please register for this workshop, as space is limited. Only one member of the couple needs to register. Intended for adults.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Parent's Escape for Errands
2025-10-17 18:15 - 20:45 | Sycamore Park District Community Center, 480 Airport Rd, Sycamore, IL, 60178
Get some time away after the first few weeks of school, relax before the pumpkin and Halloween activities in October, or finish some last-minute Holiday cooking or shopping needs in December. Whatever it is, let the Sycamore Park District keep your kids engaged with themed crafts, active gym games, free play, and a cozy movie to wind down with awesome staff! Each session algins with a busy time of the year to make your life just a little easier – and give your kids an exciting evening of their own! Sep 19 | Oct 17 | Nov 21 | Dec 19

DeKalb Has Talent Show and Costume Contest
2025-10-17 18:30 - 20:30 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Are you in grades 3-8 and have a talent you want to share for a chance to win prizes? Sign up for DeKalb Has Talent! Your talent can be singing, rapping, comedy, dance, poetry or something else. Performers will compete for First, Second, and Third place prizes in grades 3-5 and 6-8 categories.
Not interested in performing? Join the Halloween costume contest for all participants. First and Second place in grades 3-5 and 6-8 categories will win a prize.
For more information or help with registration, please contact YooNek Shaw at yooneks@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1071.

Comedy Night
2025-10-17 19:00 | The Regale Center, 124 1/2 S. California St., Sycamore, IL, 60178
Elder Care Services is excited to announce their upcoming Comedy Night! This unique and engaging evening promises entertainment while raising essential funds for their programs.LOCATIONRegale Center124 1/2 South California Sycamore, IL 60178

WHENFriday, October 17th, 2025 | 6 pm Doors Open | Show Starts: 7 pm

COSTTickets: $50 (1 complimentary regular drink, appetizers, and entertainment)

Catering provided by MVP’s Sports BarONLINE TICKET SALES WILL END AT MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EVENT. TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR FOR $55 EACH.

Ellwood After Dark
2025-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Ellwood House, 420 Linden Place, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Experience the historic Ellwood House Museum like never before with nighttime flashlight tours! Since becoming a museum, rumors have swirled about hauntings and ghostly visitors. Step inside after dark and see, or hear, for yourself if any mysteries linger in the mansion’s historic halls. Guided by museum docents and West Suburban Paranormal Investigations, guests will explore the mansion in low light, uncovering the history of the Ellwood family while enjoying an atmospheric, after-hours adventure.

Before or after the tour, visitors can explore Ellcourt, their other historic building. Join in on Victorian parlor games, ask all your ghost hunting questions, and learn more about the home’s fascinating history. Light snacks and wine for purchase will be available to enjoy as you soak in the seasonal historical ambiance.

Self-Defense Seminar
2025-10-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Sycamore Park District Community Center, 480 Airport Rd, Sycamore, IL, 60178
Empower yourself with practical self-defense skills. Jeremy is a 4th Degree Black Belt with a passion for helping participants build confidence, increase awareness, and learn fundamental techniques to protect themselves in real-world situations. Whether you’re a beginner or have martial arts experience, everyone is welcome to learn in this supportive environment that covers essential self-defense strategies, basic strikes, escapes, and defensive movements. Let’s work together to make safety and self-empowerment accessible to everyone! Parents must remain in the building with participants ages 12-16.

2025 Cortland Trunk or Treat
2025-10-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Cortland Community Park, 70 S Llanos St, Cortland, IL
Join Cortland for a free Trunk or Treat event that’s fun for the whole family! In addition to trick-or-treating, there will be free crafts for everyone to enjoy. The event kicks off with a sensory-friendly Trunk or Treat from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m., providing a more comfortable environment for those with sensory sensitivities. From 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., the celebration continues with music and festive fun for all ages.

Family Movie: Monster House (PG)
2025-10-18 14:00 - 16:00 | DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb, IL, 60115, United States
Relax with the family and bring your friends for free family movies and popcorn at the library! Come early to grab a seat or bring pillows to get comfy on the floor.
This month’s feature: Monster House (2006) rated PG. 1h 31m. An exciting and hilarious thrill-ride about three kids who must battle with a mysterious home, which is really a living, breathing monster and is determined to eat every trick-or-treater in sight on Halloween.
This program is intended for families and children, but all ages are welcome.
Please arrive early as seating is limited.
For additional information please contact Stormy at stormye@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3310.
