This weekend in Belvidere, IL

This neighborhood market in Rockford’s North End centers on farmers and local artisans, featuring seasonal produce, baked goods, and handmade goods, along with other locally made products. The atmosphere is welcoming and dog friendly, and SNAP/Link benefits are accepted to help make fresh, local food accessible to everyone.

At Rock Valley College, the World’s Largest Polio Walk highlights Rotary’s ongoing work to end polio around the globe. Participants learn along the route why polio remains a concern and how they can help. There is no fee to register to walk. To RSVP, email RockfordAreaPolioWalk@gmail.com. After RSVPing, a link to a merchandise store will be provided for those who want to further support the effort.

RAD’s annual Halloween Free Print Day returns with a fresh design that blends spooky charm with cheeky, theatrical energy, nodding to a legendary midnight movie tradition. Bring a blank shirt to get the artwork printed at no cost, or choose from a limited selection of blanks available to buy starting at $10. A new drop off service is available during regular store hours for those who want to skip the line, priced at $10 per garment with no limit on quantity. For best results, bring items that contain cotton, such as shirts, hoodies, dresses, or pillowcases. Printing is done on site while you wait and typically takes only a few minutes. There is a limit of two blank garments per person for the free printing offer. The design uses black ink, so it will show up best on lighter fabrics, though darker items can still be printed. RAD Coffee Club will be open with coffee drinks available while you wait. Share photos of finished pieces by tagging @RockfordArtDeli.

Hosted by the Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce, this family friendly Halloween celebration features trick or treating, pumpkin art activities, and a scavenger hunt. Costumes are encouraged. The annual neighborhood theater production returns with The Addams Family Vacation, a kid friendly show with tickets available.

Costumed dogs take the spotlight at a Halloween themed contest at Anderson Kia on Perryville. A photo booth will be available for snapshots, and participants can enter the Best Costume competition. The winner receives a year of BOMBoxes from @BarkonMulford, and four runners up will also receive BOMBoxes. Enjoy treats, photo opportunities, and prizes. Optional Kia test drives will be offered.

Settle in for story time. From May through October, the gathering takes place near the gazebo on the Historic Woodstock Square, moving under the tree inside the shop if the weather turns. From November through April, it happens under the tree in the shop.

Explore Medicare insurance choices at this free workshop for adults and seniors. Licensed Sales Representative Carol Cherry will explain the components of Medicare and how they relate to available plan options, helping participants make informed choices. No sign-up is needed. For more information, contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701. TTY users should call (815) 762-0761-711 for assistance.

Enjoy a customized therapeutic massage with Julie, a board certified and state licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master Teacher. Each one hour session weaves classic massage with Compassionate Touch and complementary bodywork, tailored to your needs. Appointments are available every other Saturday following the meditation practice, and sessions take place in the healing room downstairs. To schedule, text or call Julie at 847-409-1355 to arrange your time. She offers a brief phone consultation to personalize your experience and requests that you connect with her before purchasing a ticket. With more than 30 years of experience and long-standing involvement in the Blue Lotus Temple Sangha, Julie brings extensive skill and a gentle, integrative approach that supports physical comfort and a calm mind.

Riftbound Constructed takes the spotlight with a $10 entry fee. Bring a 40 card deck that follows core rules, with no more than three copies of any single card, one Legend, three Battlefields, and twelve Runes. Matches are played as best two out of three, and you may use a sideboard of up to eight cards between games as long as it follows the same construction limits. Prize support grows with attendance, with two packs from the current set added to the pool for every registered player. Each participant receives one booster and a Nexus Night pack while supplies last, and the remaining packs go to the top finishers.

Hawai‘i heads to DeKalb to face Northern Illinois at Huskie Stadium. The matchup brings an island program to the Midwest to challenge the Huskies on their home field, highlighting differences in setting and approach. With field position, tempo, and late-game execution playing a central role, each possession could carry extra weight.

NIU Huskie Stadium hosts a college football matchup as Hawai‘i travels to face Northern Illinois. Expect a clash of styles, with the Warriors' wide open, road tested attack meeting the Huskies' physical approach on their home field. New contributors are making an impact, and the stakes of a midseason game give every possession added weight.

Capture the season with quick fall mini sessions at Rock Cut State Park in the Pierce Lake area. Each appointment lasts 20 minutes. The cost is $75 and includes 15 to 20 edited images. Sessions are available on two dates, and booking is available.

Fargo Venue in DeKalb hosts a first annual talent showcase dedicated to epilepsy awareness. Attendees can enjoy a celebration of talent and community, with refreshments available. The stage is open to performers of all ages and abilities, including those living with epilepsy, supporters of loved ones, and anyone wishing to help raise awareness.

Attendees will prepare and taste spooky treats in the Teen Zone, inspired by the creepy crawlies of Halloween. This hands-on activity centers on Halloween-themed snacks.

Stateline performer Denny “Diamond” Svehla returns to Concerts On The Creek with his tongue-in-cheek “Okayest” gala, a variety show that brings together highlights from across his performances into one showcase. Admission is free, and audience donations support the musicians and help cover the church’s hosting costs. A non-refundable $5 early donation, issued as a ticket, guarantees open seating upon arrival but does not reserve a specific spot, and the full amount supports the concert. The organizers’ nonprofit ticketing service does not charge them a transaction fee, with an option to add a contribution to that service at checkout. Special arrangements are available for those unable to purchase online. Free off-street parking is available for up to 95 vehicles. The listening area is on a single level with easy access, and the room offers clear, lively acoustics. Support for this event comes from Downtown Discount Drugs, City Center Market, and O’Briens & Dobbins Pharmacy.

Drum Club Sessions bring percussionists together at The Music Connection, LLC in Sycamore for regular, hands-on learning and playing. Participants receive guidance from the teaching staff on stick control and rudimental work, drum set skills, mallet percussion, and additional techniques. Please bring sticks and earplugs. Music and instruments are provided. The participation fee is $20 per student, paid upon arrival, and accepted by cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal. This fee covers the use of instruments, music, and instruction. Friends and family are welcome to attend. Sessions continue through 2026. For questions, call 815-970-8106 or 815-217-5648, or email info@themusicconnection.com. Sponsored by The Music Connection, LLC.

Kids Spot transforms into a festive Halloween playground with activities for kids and families. A child’s ticket includes open gym time for ages 0 to 17, face painting, a themed photo booth, a spooky scavenger hunt, a Halloween movie, and creative crafts. Costumes are encouraged, and there is also a free trunk or treat outside that does not require a ticket. Tickets are $17 per child when purchased in advance or $20 at the door. Families save 15 percent on each additional child from the same family, which comes to $14.45 in advance or $17.00 at the door. Children under 2 and parents receive free admission. Each purchased ticket also counts as one entry in a drawing for a $50 Kids Spot gift card.

This relaxed automotive gathering welcomes every make and model, as well as any type of vehicle. Attendance is free for both participants and spectators, and on-site registration is complimentary. To keep the event safe and enjoyable, attendees are asked to avoid burnouts and excessive revving and to leave the area clean. Vendors are not part of this event, and there is no registration fee. Additional details are to be determined.

Atwood staff present Halloween festivities that highlight nocturnal wildlife and how senses can adjust in the dark. Participants will stroll a lit path with a variety of stations offering educational and sensory activities, and there will be candy along the way, so bring a bag for treats and come in costume. Meet at the Atwood Center to begin. The fee is $5 per child for ages 18 and under, and ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

St. Mary Catholic School hosts its seventh annual trivia night, a lively evening filled with friendly competition, vibrant table themes, and playful costumes. Tables seat up to ten participants for $250, and many teams choose a creative theme for their décor and outfits, though this is optional. The event is BYOB, so guests may bring their own food and beverages, with time set aside before the games begin for table decorating and food setup. Attendees can boost their score by purchasing Mulligans and can also take part in a 50/50 raffle. All participants must be 21 or older. Proceeds benefit MOSAIC inclusion services at the school, helping fund speech therapy, academic intervention, and behavior support that are not covered by tuition. A discount code, CHECKPAYMENT, is available at checkout for those paying by check.

This meetup offers a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ teens ages 13 to 19 to connect with others, be themselves, and make new friends. It features a relaxed hangout atmosphere with food and refreshments provided. Participants can bring a friend and celebrate being themselves.

Take the mic at a karaoke night that happens each month and belt out favorite songs. Have fun singing and enjoy food and drink specials available throughout the evening.

Guided by Bhante Rahula at the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple, this in-person session brings together sound healing, meditation, and chanting to encourage calm and clarity. Through sound vibrations, mindfulness, and the cultivation of metta, or loving kindness, participants are invited to release stress, welcome change, and find steadiness amid life’s transitions. Bhante Rahula is a resident monk at the Blue Lotus Temple, ordained in Sri Lanka over 30 years ago, certified in sound healing, and integrates loving kindness meditation, ancient Buddhist chanting, and the use of quartz crystal singing bowls. Each gathering features a unique theme, and some include a gift blessed through traditional Buddhist chanting. Reported benefits of sound therapy include reduced chronic pain, improved sleep, fewer negative emotions, improved respiratory rate, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and it may help with some symptoms of conditions such as fibromyalgia and Parkinson’s disease. Please bring a yoga mat, pillow, or blanket to stay comfortable. Chairs are available.

With A Vengeance announces its return and shares the lineup with So Called Saints. This show brings both acts together on the same stage.

Celebrate the unforgettable scores behind some of Hollywood’s favorite films. This program spotlights the music of John Williams, moving from pulse-quickening adventure and sweeping romance to scenes filled with awe and curiosity that have helped define the moviegoing experience for decades. Revisit the themes you know by heart in a family friendly evening that brings cinematic excitement to life.

At Mary's Place, a pre-Halloween party spotlights Rockford's own Born in '86 delivering a driving Pop Goes Punk set filled with big sing-alongs and nostalgic anthems for fans of Nirvana, Blink-182, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Weezer, The Smashing Pumpkins, and No Doubt. Afterward, Jon Bon Stamos keeps the energy high with more favorites from the same era. Costumes are encouraged, cold drinks are available, and admission is $10.

The event returns to Rascal's in the fall.

The 48th Annual Sycamore Pumpkin 10K Road Race returns alongside Sycamore’s renowned Pumpkin Festival, a fixture in the Northern Illinois racing scene. This year also features the 3rd annual 1 Mile Fun Run, open to all ages. Registered Fun Run participants receive an exclusive shirt and bib. The Fun Run winds through Sycamore Park and finishes at the same line as the 10K. The 10K has been recognized as a Best of Chicagoland Race by the Chicago Area Runners Association. It is sanctioned by USA Track and Field, and the course holds USATF certification. Event proceeds help preserve the historic downtown, support small businesses, and strengthen area tourism through community events.

Spend a hands-on day of discovery at the Dane County Humane Society Equine Barn in Madison, WI. This all-ages program welcomes children and adults, and adult participants are encouraged to attend even without a child. Move at your own pace through a variety of experiences, including guest talks, bone study stations, microscope labs, and museum collections. A guided arts and crafts station invites you to make a resin cast of an animal track to take home. All stations are optional and available throughout the event, and planning for about two hours will let you see it all comfortably. Featured talks spotlight Wisconsin wildlife. Makeela Magomolla, a Wildlife Center volunteer and UW graduate student, shares insights on native bats. Master falconer and Wildlife Center volunteer Jack Pace introduces the world of falconry with help from his Red-tailed Hawk, Quill. DCHS Wildlife Educator and Rehabilitator Dave Mackler explores native herptiles, accompanied by Wildlife Education Ambassadors Bindi, a False Map Turtle, and Lorca, a three-legged Eastern Box Turtle, along with a feeding demonstration for Bindi. General admission is $15 per participant, and discounted rates are available for groups of five or more. Youth ages 16 to 17 may attend with or without an adult, while ages 4 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult participant at all times.

Liberty House Grill serves a relaxed brunch featuring favorite dishes and standout drinks. Guests can enjoy a buy one breakfast, get one free offer with the purchase of two drinks, and some exclusions apply.

Volunteer powered and community centered, this farmers market features a rotating lineup of vendors, live music, and ready-to-eat food. A vendor list organized by date is available on the market website. Free yoga classes are offered near the Higgins Avenue entrance, with pre-registration available online.

This weekly Pokémon League centers on Standard format play. Regular sessions have a $9 entry. On the last Sunday of each month, the League Challenge offers a more competitive experience, a $15 entry, and expanded prizing. Prize packs are given to all participants when available, and prizes include booster packs from the latest Standard set.

Spooky Skulpt brings a Halloween-themed party to Alma Social Club in Rockford, blending upbeat vibes with playful style and a touch of Skulpt flair. Attendees can lean into spooky-cute outfits and enjoy a lively, social atmosphere perfect for a fun day out with friends.

Newfoundland enthusiasts from the Midwest and beyond gather at Midway Village in Rockford for a dog-friendly day filled with activity. Highlights include playful canine games, a FastCAT fun run, a Fit Walk, friendly contests, and chances to win prizes. Browse vendor offerings and enjoy food while taking in informative sessions. All proceeds support Newfoundland rescue.

A community trunk or treat open to everyone. A simple way for the community to celebrate together.

Following the Lions Club Costume Contest, the fun continues across the street in the church parking lot with a Trunk or Treat offering plenty of candy and a few surprises. To reserve a spot for a trunk, contact Eric Mede or leave a message with the church at 815-522-3546.

Enjoy partner dancing with instruction tailored to your level. Separate basic and advanced sessions cover both Hustle and West Coast Swing, then the floor opens for practice so you can apply what you learned. VIP members attend at no charge. Entry can be covered with dance punchcards or a 1‑day membership for students and dancers for $20, which includes the lesson. Payment is cash only, and when credit card payment is available there is a $1 surcharge. For details, call 773-635-3000 or email Info@MayIHaveTHisDance.com.

Mushroomhead and Fear Factory lead the lineup, with Nine Treasures joining the bill. The performance welcomes fans of all ages.