Events in Crystal Lake today

Children five and under receive a $2 studio fee. No reservation is required, and walk-ins are welcome. The studio may close up to an hour early if there are no painters.

Learn to make a soft, chunky knit blanket at a hands-on workshop at America’s Antique Mall, Algonquin. Stephanie Cota will guide participants through creating a blanket entirely by hand, so no needles or prior experience are needed. Choose from a selection of yarn colors, including options like Oatmeal, Light Grey, Navy, Forest, and Rose, and head home with a finished piece. The cost is $70 per participant. Bring a friend and enjoy cozy, creative time surrounded by antique finds. Space may be limited.

A weekly open mic at Squire on the Square welcomes local performers and first timers alike. Expect a relaxed mix of live music, stand up, poetry, and acoustic sets, with plenty of spontaneous moments. Bring friends, grab a drink, and cheer on those taking the stage, or step up to the mic and share your own talent.

Absurd Art Social Club is a relaxed creative meetup where you can bring a project or your own supplies, work alongside others, and make new friends while you create together. It is hosted by Kate Lisk and is free to attend. If you are able, please use the overflow parking so the main lot stays available for record shoppers.

Put your knowledge to the test at a trivia night hosted by Pub Trivia USA. Finish in first, second, or third place to take home a D.C. Cobb’s gift card.

Enjoy a casual poker night at D.C. Cobb’s Huntley with the Free Poker Network, where play is free and no buy-in is needed. The Free Poker Network gives away $25,000 in prizes every six months.

Under the indoor tree at Read Between The Lynes, story time features a cheerful selection of super-fantastic tales in a welcoming setting.

Thirsty Thursdays at Kishwaukee Brewing Co. feature $5 pints every Thursday, with the special available through last call. It is a relaxed chance to share a pint or two with friends and raise a toast... Prost!

A bingo event sponsored by the Auxiliary. Doors open first, followed by a period for card sales before the games begin. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. Participants must be 18 or older to play and to be in the room.

An easygoing porch vibe sets the tone, the kind of soundtrack made for a breezy weekend evening. Acoustic guitar, electric bass, and drums provide the foundation while two warm baritone voices lead beloved songs that span from the Sinatra era to contemporary pop. The atmosphere carries a welcoming back-porch spirit for everyone.

Live music fills the McHenry Riverwalk pavilion by the Fox River as Ironwood, featuring Donna Brooks and Nick Horcher, delivers a soulful blend of contemporary and classic folk rock and Americana that reaches across generations. Their release titled Tracks includes five original songs and is available on major streaming platforms.

Enjoy an evening of live music at Miller Point Park with Donna Brooks and Nick Horcher performing as Ironwood. Expect a blend of soulful sounds alongside contemporary and classic songs that cross genres and resonate across generations.

All ages are invited to a friendly game night focused on simple fun and community. Bring a favorite game to share and enjoy playing with others.

Take a trip back to the jam band heyday with a high-energy salute to the music of Dave Matthews Band by The Dave Matthews Tribute Band. Expect intricate guitar lines, soaring violin, smooth saxophone, and driving drums that capture the feel of a 1990s DMB show. For more than two decades, this Buffalo-based group has toured around the world, delivering faithful performances filled with deep cuts and fan favorites, all carried by the communal spirit that made the originals so beloved. Sing along and let the music carry you back. Tickets start at $49. Member pricing begins at $31.50. RaueNOW members save 30 percent with no per-ticket fee. All-in pricing includes a $4 per-ticket box office fee, and an $8 processing fee is applied to the entire order at checkout.

At Moraine Hills State Park, the 17th annual Run for the Hills features 5K, 10K, and half marathon options, and walkers are welcome. Course support will be available, and a virtual option lets participants run or walk from anywhere. As a fundraiser for the Friends of Moraine Hills State Park, this event helps make meaningful improvements throughout the park, including habitat restoration, educational panels along trails, a lakeside terrace overlook with exhibits, information kiosks, wildlife viewing areas, trail paving, nature center upgrades, bird feeding stations, ongoing maintenance, and annual environmental college scholarships and programs.

This pet expo at the outdoor pavilion at Del Webb features area vendors and makers, raffle drawings, and food. AHS volunteers will be on site, and visitors can meet adoptable shelter dogs.

A specialized recycling collection is available to Algonquin Township residents. Each household may drop off one television, flat screen, or computer monitor per event with proof of Algonquin Township residency. The collection also accepts small kitchen appliances, household electronics, used motor oil, used cooking oil, and car and marine batteries. Paint can be recycled through the new free State of Illinois program, and residents can find participating locations through that service.

Nurture body and mind while harnessing the reflective energy of the Harvest Moon at a wellness getaway in McHenry, Illinois on a private property along the Fox River. The experience features inclusive fitness and yoga sessions suitable for every level, time in a traditional wood fired sauna, a riverside sound healing session in a private tranquility tent, an evening bonfire by the water complete with a s’mores bar, engaging workshops, and a guided meditation walk. Your investment covers all classes, activities, lodging, and meals, with menus that include vegan, vegetarian, and meat options. Lodging options include camping at Camp Riverside, a barn pullout couch, a bunk room, a double room, or a single room. Camping guests bring their own tent, and one roomy blackout tent that fits two is available to rent for 25 dollars with advance request at registration. Rates are as follows: camping solo 285 dollars or with a friend 260 dollars per person, barn pullout couch solo 300 dollars or with a friend 275 dollars per person, bunk room solo 325 dollars or with a friend 300 dollars per person, double room solo 350 dollars or with a friend 325 dollars per person, and single room 380 dollars. The friend discount is per person and requires both friends to register at the same time. A nonrefundable deposit of 150 dollars secures a spot and is applied to the final balance. Payment plans are available and all payments are final. When registering, include your first and last name and phone number. Payments are accepted via Venmo to Brianne Nicole Yoga, with Zelle and PayPal options available. For questions, text 224-908-0412.

Story time is held near the gazebo on the Historic Woodstock Square from May through October. During those months, poor weather moves the gathering under the tree inside the shop. From November through April, the meeting spot is under the tree in the shop.

An early fall open house at Hawthorn Shoppe centers on layered comforts, gathered finds, and an easy return to the rhythms of home. Explore a curated selection that highlights rich textures and enduring craftsmanship. The atmosphere is set for an unhurried visit, offering inspiration for the season ahead and a gentle reminder that the most welcoming spaces are the ones lived in and loved.

Enjoy a personalized therapeutic session that blends classic massage with Compassionate Touch and complementary bodywork, tailored to what you need most. One hour appointments are offered every other Saturday following the meditation practice, with sessions held in the healing space on the lower level. To schedule, text or call Julie at 847-409-1355 to arrange your time before purchasing a ticket. A brief phone consultation will help shape a session that fits your goals. Julie is a long-time Blue Lotus Temple Sangha member, a board certified and state licensed massage therapist, and a Reiki Master Teacher. With more than 30 years of experience across many techniques, she integrates modalities to support physical relief, mental calm, and a sense of overall well-being.

Downtown Cary comes alive as Cary Main Street Fest 2026 turns the heart of the community into a hometown homecoming full of local pride. Presented by the Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Cary, and local business sponsors, this annual celebration fills the streets with live music, tasty food, refreshing drinks, games, crafts, and activities for families. The weekend offers opportunities to reconnect with neighbors, support local businesses, and explore interactive experiences alongside a range of local vendors. Whether returning year after year or visiting for the first time, attendees can celebrate the spirit of Cary and make lasting memories in the center of town.

ONSET performs at Cary Main Street Fest for the first time in its hometown, featuring classic rock hits to dance and sway to.

Round up friends for an adults-only field day featuring spirited games, obstacle-course challenges, cold ales, food, and music, all in support of Kids in Need of McHenry County. Teams of four will go head-to-head in a nostalgic showdown for bragging rights. Tickets will be available soon.

The annual late night flea market festival turns McHenry County Fairgrounds in Woodstock into a nighttime treasure hunt. Vendors set up indoors, under tents, and in the open air, and the market carries on regardless of the weather. Browse antiques, crafts, furniture, old comics, toys, memorabilia, and a wide range of collectibles, with plenty of food and snacks available. Tickets are sold at the gate. General admission is $6, children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult, and parking is free. Flashlights are recommended for exploring after dark. Special guest Jeff Balke will appear. An entrepreneur, writer, voice actor, and animation creator, he founded Jeff Balke Studios, which focuses on 2D animation, and is known for Stanley and Friends. His studio produced the all-ages comic Stanley’s Ghost, an Eisner-nominated title, launched weekly comic strips and kids books, and has begun work on a stop-motion project featuring Stanley Squirrel.

Enjoy live music from Nashville Electric Co., along with food and drinks and ongoing community fun. Cary Main Street Fest continues rain or shine.

Enjoy an evening on the McHenry Riverwalk with live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and a fireworks finale. The Miller Point Amphitheater hosts performances by The Thompson Duo followed by Semple playing favorite pop hits. Browse the Riverwalk shops, take in the water views, and relax with a lawn chair while the music plays. Presented by the City of McHenry and the McHenry Riverwalk Foundation. Admission is free.

Participants can run, walk, or take a relaxed stroll in a 5K on Main Street in Cary. The race begins on Main Street outside Cary Ale House. Registration will open in the summer, and proceeds support the Trojan Track Field & Cross Country Association.

Back again after last year’s success, this community breakfast during Cary Main Street Fest brings friends, families, and neighbors together. Hosted by the Cary Firefighters Association, with proceeds benefiting the organization, the gathering features breakfast and coffee with support from Brunch Café and Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters. The meal takes place in the South Parking Lot on Main Street in downtown Cary. Admission is by wristband, available at the festival information booth or at the breakfast check-in.

Explore small-batch pet food along with healthy treats and chews plus spaw products at Farmers Market+ At The Dole. Everything offered excludes corn, soy, wheat, and sugar, so every selection is a healthy option for your pet.

Bring a chair or blanket, wander the Riverwalk shops, and pick up an ice cold drink from the retro Marine bar. Enjoy live music at Miller Point Park, sponsored by Colonial Funeral Home.

Revisit the world of catechism class in a comedy that turns the theater into a lively classroom led by a spirited Sister who keeps everyone engaged and laughing. Expect playful quizzes on religious trivia, lighthearted attention for the class clowns, and small prizes... including rosaries that glow in the dark. Blending nostalgia and improvisation, each show is unique, and the familiar memories of school days and strict teachers resonate whether or not you grew up Catholic. Lauded by The New York Times for its interactive, laugh-filled approach, this production pairs quick wit with warm audience participation. Presented at the Woodstock Opera House. Tickets are $40, fees included. For questions, contact the Opera House Box Office at (815) 338-5300 or tickets@woodstockil.gov.