Family events in DeKalb, IL

Cortland Summerfest 2026 offers a lively weekend celebration with fireworks displays, live musical performances, vendor booths, and a variety of activities, with even more to discover throughout the event.

Little ones can burn off energy in a lively music and movement session with Miss Stormy, featuring songs, rhythm, and dance to shake the wiggles away. This free, drop-in program is designed for pre-K children with no registration needed. For details, contact Stormy at stormye@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 3350.

Soul Cinema brings a Dinner & Movie Experience to DeKalb, combining favorite films with themed dishes, tasty drinks, and interactive fun designed for families, friends, couples, and movie fans of every age. This edition spotlights Good Burger 2 and turns a night at the movies into a full dining experience. Announcements about tickets, the menu, and special surprises will be shared soon.

This event takes place at NIU Anderson Hall in DeKalb, Illinois.

This cruise brings automotive enthusiasts together around faith in Jesus Christ, offering a chance to learn more about Him while enjoying a relaxed showcase of vehicles. Spectators are welcome to attend just to see the cars. Everyone is invited, and all vehicle types are accepted, including motorcycles. For safety and courtesy, avoid burnouts and excessive revving, and help keep the area clean. Admission is free for all. Doughnuts, juice, and water will be available. Sponsored by Just the Details and The Obsessed Hobbyist.

Engaging, easy-to-follow dog training sessions offer a chance to refresh familiar skills or try something new. Dogs of any age and experience level can participate, as long as they are suited to a group environment.

At North Grove Park, kids ages 7 to 12 take on a new playground obstacle course challenge. Participants navigate a set route on obstacle-style equipment, building confidence while developing strength and agility as they climb, swing, balance, and race to the finish. Each child is assigned a specific layout, and prizes recognize both quick finishes and strong effort. Depending on enrollment, participants may be separated into smaller age groups. Registration is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Participants may also register for both events to try to improve their time.

Meet local writers and explore their newest publications in the main lobby of the library. Authors will showcase their work, answer questions, and chat with readers, and books will be available for purchase. Admission is free and everyone is welcome, and visitors can stop in at any point to talk with the authors. Featured participants include Bree M. Lewandowski, Terry Soltow, Photine Liakos, Pat Camalliere, Victoria J. Hyla, Pascuala Herrera, Dale Cozort, Cat Stark, E.L. Rae, and Courtney Skelton, with Booth 11 hosting Demetrius Page and Candace Green and Booth 12 featuring Knenosha Fields-Page and Tamina Kazi. For more information, contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Put your puzzling speed to the test in a timed showdown where up to seven teams of two to four people all work on the same 300-piece jigsaw. The first team to finish, or the one closest to completion when the 90-minute limit ends, takes the win and earns a puzzle as the prize. All ages are welcome, and each team must include at least one adult. Advance registration is required, capacity is limited to seven teams, and only the designated team contact should register with a single ticket to hold a spot for the entire group. Support for this program is provided by Friends of the Library, Robin’s Nest Bookshoppe, and Barb City Bagels.

Hosted by the Ezra Hill Jr. Memorial Foundation, this sixth annual Project Rock Renewal rock painting gathering also serves as the first Back-to-School Bash. It honors the life of 10-year-old Ezra, lovingly nicknamed Ej, who was taken by gun violence. This community event welcomes the public to participate in rock painting, raffles, and sunny outdoor activities. Wearing orange to show support is encouraged. Free food and drinks will be provided, along with music and other activities.

Dive into color and pattern with a hands-on paper marbling workshop for all ages. Explore how this time-honored technique decorates book covers and creates the end pages that connect a book’s text block to its cover. All materials are provided, including pigments, paper, and tools, and you can look through examples from older and newer books alongside a variety of marbled designs for inspiration. Expect a lively, messy studio session and a couple of hours of free-flowing creativity. Because the artist travels a long distance, a minimum of eight registrations is required for the workshop to proceed.

This story time features books, songs, and activities designed for children ages 18 months to 4 years. Older and younger siblings are welcome to attend, though some activities may be too simple or too challenging for them. For more information, contact Stormy at stormye@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 3310.

Participants can challenge friends, enjoy snacks, and show off their skills on the Teen Room air hockey table in a monthly tournament with prizes up for grabs. This program is for students in grades 6 through 12, and no registration is required. For more information, contact Steven.

This early literacy session is created for the tiniest readers, welcoming babies from birth to 18 months, with older children also welcome. Caregivers and little ones will enjoy easy songs, playful finger movements and rhymes, a bit of beginner signing, and a short, simple story. Activities are designed to support early brain development and to give you ideas for playful learning during the program and at home. Sets of board books are provided with support from the Friends of the Library.

Following story time, little ones can dive into a simple craft that matches the week’s theme. Every week features a new project and plenty of hands-on time for small crafters to explore, imagine, and make something of their own. For more information, contact Amanda at amandah@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 3301.

Part of a free, outdoor kids concert series at the Hopkins Park Bandshell presented on select Tuesdays in summer, this performance features Miss Jamie guiding a playful, interactive musical adventure about life on the farm with her animal puppet pals. Expect singing, dancing, and lots of laughter as children imagine pitching in with barn chores, planting and harvesting, and even acting like pollinators. Designed with ages 3 to 7 in mind, and still engaging for younger or older children as well as adults.

Outdoor story time returns to Huntley Park for a sixth summer with John and Laura. Settle in on the grass for read-alouds, singing, and simple fun, then head to the playground once the stories wrap up. A blanket is recommended for comfortable seating on the lawn. Look for the group in the park’s southwest corner. Weather-related cancellations will be shared on the DeKalb Public Library Facebook page. For questions, contact John at johna@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 3350.

Teens in grades 6 through 12 can face off in lively rounds of bingo, compete with friends, and meet new people. Prizes will be awarded. Space is limited and spots will be filled in the order participants arrive. For more information, contact Yoonek at yooneks@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 2450.

Now in its 69th year, the Sycamore Steam Show highlights the ingenuity, muscle, and heritage of steam power and early agricultural machinery. Organized by the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club, it features running steam engines, antique tractors, vintage farm equipment, and interactive demonstrations that set history in motion. Throughout the weekend, attendees can watch steam engines work, see threshing and sawmill operations, browse tractor rows and historic machinery displays, and learn how equipment that is more than a century old still operates. The grounds also offer craft and flea market vendors, food and refreshments, and exhibits assembled by collectors and enthusiasts from across the Midwest. It welcomes history fans, machinery buffs, and families with an immersive look at the sights, sounds, and unique aroma of steam-era agriculture and industry.

Show your table soccer skills in a foosball tournament for teens entering grades 6 through 12. Team up with a friend for two on two play, or compete solo. Prizes await the winners, and registration is not needed. For questions, contact Steven Marshall at stevenm@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 3400.