Events in Des Plaines today

Visit the Canvas at Des Plaines Public Library during open hours to create a personalized pouch using sublimation that features the library's 250th Heart logo. While there, pick up a library-branded pencil, a sticker, and a Constitution to take home.

Designed for ages 3 to 12, this imaginative theatre camp uses The Little Mermaid as its centerpiece, guiding campers as they rehearse and get ready to perform. Participants explore creativity through story-focused activities, songs, movement, theater games, and imaginative play while building teamwork and confidence on stage. No prior experience is needed, and the camp concludes with a short showcase for family and friends.

At Des Plaines Public Library, teens can meet the teen librarians for help with career, college, and scholarship questions. They can also ask for book recommendations, play board games or spend time on the PS5, make crafts, paint nails, or just talk while enjoying after school snacks.

Unwind at sunset with live music on the Esplanade during the Garden’s evening performances, a family-friendly way to enjoy the evening. The concerts are free, and regular parking and Garden admission fees apply for nonmembers. Seating is limited, so please bring your own chairs. Picnicking is welcome during the concerts, or visit on-site dining locations for food and drinks. Beer and wine are available for purchase in the Garden View Café, and per Cook County Forest Preserve District regulations, alcohol not purchased on the premises is prohibited. In the event of inclement weather, check online for daily cancellation updates.

Clinard Dance brings its Flamenco Quartet Project to Evanston SPACE for an evening that blends music, percussion, and movement as flamenco intersects with blues, jazz, and hip-hop. Rooted in the forms and history of flamenco, the program features collaborative, cross-genre compositions that engage audiences and foster community. The roster includes jazz vocalist Joan Collaso, rapper King Mossa, flamenco percussionist Diego Alvarez, flamenco singer Cachito Jose Diaz, blues artist Billy Branch, tap artist Jumaane Taylor, guitarist Andrea Salcedo, and flamenco dancer Wendy Clinard.

Oakton College hosts an English as a Second Language class at Des Plaines Public Library that helps learners strengthen listening, speaking, reading, writing, and everyday conversation skills. Lessons also include an introduction to life in the United States to support cultural understanding. This class is intended for adults 16 and older whose first language is not English and who are not currently enrolled in high school. Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Studio offers opportunities for volunteers to support the making and preparation of angel gowns. Sewists with intermediate or higher skills can learn gown construction and should bring a portable sewing machine. There are meaningful roles for non-sewers as well, including tracing and cutting pattern pieces, assembling sewing kits, cutting ribbon, carefully deconstructing donated wedding dresses, packaging gowns for delivery, checking in wedding dress donations, photographing wedding dresses or finished gowns, and other similar tasks. A break is included, bottled water and snacks are provided, and personal lunches are welcome. Participation can be for the full session or a shorter portion.

Celebrate the back-to-school season with a relaxed skating session. Admission is $5 and rentals are included. Plan to arrive a little early to allow time to put on skates. This is not a drop-off event, so attendees should stay with their party. Beginners are encouraged to wear protective gear such as a helmet, gloves, and snow pants.

Car enthusiasts gather at Rand Red Hots for a Classic Car Cruise Night that blends vintage rides, music, and Chicago-style favorites. Expect rows of polished classics, the rumble of engines, and a relaxed summer vibe that welcomes families and fans of all ages. Weather permitting, it is a chance to admire vehicles from around the area, chat with owners, and enjoy a bite between strolls past chrome and horsepower. The atmosphere celebrates community, good food, and the enduring appeal of classic automobiles.

Dale Watson brings his trailblazing Ameripolitan sound to Evanston SPACE, blending honky-tonk grit, outlaw country swagger, western swing finesse, and rockabilly fire. For four decades, the Texas-bred singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor has stood up for roots music with fierce independence, shaping a style that sidesteps the mainstream. Known for a commanding voice and the drive of a seasoned bandleader, he delivers twang-filled songs fueled by life on the road, heartaches, and hard-earned lessons. His album Unwanted, written and produced by Watson, captures that spirit with tracks that toast temptation, reflect on loss, and savor life’s melodies, including Willie Waylon and Whiskey, If You Really Loved Me (Outlive Me), and Life is Like a Song. Expect an evening steeped in the tradition he helped create, led by the originator of Ameripolitan himself.

Karaoke takes center stage at Barrel House Kitchen & Tap with a library of 60,000 tracks and a professional sound system to support every performance. Savor steak tacos priced at $3.50 each and take advantage of drink specials while the music plays.

This play-focused group welcomes children younger than two, with guidance from occupational, physical, and speech therapists. Sessions offer themed activities that encourage movement, early communication, and sensory exploration while little ones participate at a pace that feels right for them. Caregivers can connect with one another, everyone is welcomed as they are, and siblings are included. Open to all families, it is well suited for children with varied developmental needs who benefit from a caring, guided environment.

Get an overview of the path to becoming a Winter Highway Maintainer for the 2026 to 2027 snow and ice season during an IDOT information session at the American Job Center in Wheeling. The session explains the application steps, outlines available Snowbird positions, and includes time for questions so you can learn exactly how to apply.

Cool off with frosty treats from the Kona Ice truck at Clarkson Park in Northfield. The menu features the Klassic 12 oz for $5, the King 16 oz for $6, and the Kolor-Change 16 oz souvenir cup for $7 with $4 refills.

Wendy & DB, an award-winning children’s music duo from Chicago, share original tunes with uplifting lyrics and catchy melodies that spark curiosity and imagination. Their music gets families singing, dancing, and moving together for joyful, lasting memories. Admission is free.

A brisk group road ride departs from Moretti's and lasts about an hour and a half, aiming for an average speed over 20 mph. Riders stay together throughout, with a planned mid-ride pause at the Highland Park train station. Look for cyclists in red and white jerseys at the start.

Pastimes hosts a free Cookie Run TCG open play night. Players who sign in at the event receive a Cookie Run Promotion Pack as a thank you for taking part.

Play Book Sports Bar hosts a lively trivia competition with no entry fee. Teams test their knowledge across a range of questions, and the highest scorers earn prizes. Participants can also sign up to receive three free clues before the game for an extra boost.

Union Ale House hosts a lively take on bingo where songs replace numbers. Listen for each tune, find it on your card, mark it, and be the first to shout bingo to claim a prize. Sign up when you arrive to pick up a card and get ready for quick rounds that ramp up the excitement. It is free to play, and every round awards a prize, so friendly competition tends to spark quickly as the music keeps rolling.

This outdoor, free, all-ages concert features Chicago’s disco and funk tribute band The Disco Circus, bringing a three-ring sense of spectacle to the grooviest hits of the 1970s. Three lead vocalists, two women and one man, front a tight ensemble on drums, bass, guitar, percussion, and horns for a full live sound. Built around members of the Chicago group Libido Funk Circus, the expanded lineup, fresh stage production, and vibrant costumes come together for a high-energy, nostalgia-filled show presented with the Niles Park District.

Evanston's Fountain Square hosts a set from Funkadesi members that highlights the Bollywood and Desi side of the band, featuring Pavithra Anand. Presented in partnership with Evanston ASPA, an on-site tent shares information about their work in the community. Free art activities for kids are provided by the Ridgeville Park District. The event features live entertainment, a friendly community feel, and market treasures, creating an evening for all ages.

Settle in for a welcoming book conversation centered on Birth Vibes by Jen Hamilton, with light snacks to enjoy. Attendees are encouraged to read the book in advance and come ready to share thoughts and questions. Because seating is limited, please secure a spot through the event page or by emailing chibirthandbaby@gmail.com; registration will close once capacity is reached. The discussion is suited to expectant parents, parents, and birth workers who want an open, supportive exchange about birth.

Starting point is Lions Park by the tennis courts. This social ride keeps a leisurely pace of 10 to 12 mph.

A relaxed maker meetup where crafters settle in with embroidery, crochet, knitting, needlepoint, cross stitch, weaving, or any other favorite project. Bring a beverage to sip while you create, share ideas, and get inspired by fellow makers. There is no fee to participate, and advance registration is strongly encouraged and appreciated.

Sabor A Cafe hosts a performance by the Shelley Yoelin/Gabriel Datcu Jazz Quintet, featuring Shelley Yoelin on saxophone, Gabriel Datcu on guitar, Sam Robinson on trumpet, Caleb Drake on bass, and Rick Shandling on drums. Guest musicians are welcome to sit in.

Settle in for a beautiful evening of music in DesPlaines at the Lake Park Bandshell. There will be food trucks, or you can bring your own food, and guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for comfortable seating.

Sounds of Summer marks 25 years with live music at Harmony Park in downtown Arlington Heights. Presented by The Schwabe Group at Compass Real Estate, with this week's Signature Sponsor, The Moorings of Arlington Heights, this concert is part of a summer series.

Two decades of singing side by side have carried The Watson Twins across the globe, and that shared voice powers the SEEING DOUBLE Tour. Shaped by the spirit of their live album Seeing Double, recorded onstage in their adopted East Nashville home base with an amplified band, the tour highlights their close harmonies and southern songwriting. Seeing Double captures a career-spanning mix drawn from releases like the Southern Manners EP (2005), Fire Songs (2008), Talking To You, Talking To Me (2010), DUO (2018), and HOLLER (2023). Their music moves from honky-tonk and classic country ballads to buoyant soul and modern Americana, all anchored by twin-sister harmonies. The album features contributions from Russ Pollard, Steven Cooper, Thayer Sarrano, and Ryan Williams, with producer Butch Walker appearing on standout moments including Never Be Another You and Sissy Said. It also revisits their take on The Cure’s Just Like Heaven, rendered with harmonies, harmonica, and heart. Earlier sessions for HOLLER were recorded largely live at Walker’s Nashville studio, with the sisters tracking vocals together. That approach carries into the natural, in-the-room feel of Seeing Double and underscores their strengths as writers, singers, and compelling live performers.

Iryna Bilyk, a defining voice in Ukrainian pop, brings the combined gifts of singer, songwriter, composer, poet, and captivating performer. At times bold and high energy, at times deeply tender, she remains consistently genuine and passionate. Her enduring catalog has accompanied generations of Ukrainian women through joyful romance and aching heartbreak, lifting spirits with empowering melodies or offering comfort when it is needed most. Even as times change, her candid lyrics and lasting artistry continue to speak directly to the heart and leave a memorable imprint.

A village-wide celebration spanning three days, the 56 Music Fix offers musical performances, chances to enjoy time together, and food.

This event takes place in Mt. Prospect.

This performance is presented in a full band format, with the complete lineup performing together.

Meadow Mountain brings modern and traditional bluegrass to Seman Violins, showcasing tightly honed playing, driving arrangements, and an ensemble sound shaped by mountain landscapes, personal experience, and a contemporary outlook. The Colorado group has released three studio albums—Meadow Mountain, Lost In The Noise!, and June Nights from 2024—plus the SkyTheory Sessions live videos that capture the energy of their performances. Ask them what they play and the answer is simple, bluegrass with Colorado heart.

Friday Night Magic brings the local Magic community together for friendly competition and conversation. Everyone is welcome, whether reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new players across the table. The format is Modern Constructed with three Swiss rounds. Rules are enforced at the regular level and no decklists are required. Entry is $10 or 150 prize tix. Every participant receives a standard promo pack while supplies last. Prizes scale with results, with 3-0 earning 5 play boosters or 250 prize tix, 2-1 earning 3 play boosters or 150 prize tix, 1-2 earning 2 play boosters or 100 prize tix, and 0-3 earning 1 play booster or 50 prize tix. The community is active and growing, and suggestions for future formats are welcome.

Reality Bytes returns to the 56 Music Fix, bringing 90s noise and a party vibe to Mount Prospect. Get ready to embrace the grunge with a throwback atmosphere that celebrates the era’s raw sound.

Nicholas Psyhogios, Chicago's Own Piano Man, brings a powerful solo performance to Palm Court Restaurant in Arlington Heights. The set features classics by Billy Joel, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Elvis, along with hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s and several of his original songs.

Spanning three days, this gathering brings together a curated bonsai display, instructional classes, and a large vendor marketplace. It offers opportunities to appreciate bonsai artistry, expand knowledge, and explore a wide range of vendor offerings.

I Love You Because is a contemporary musical that explores the ups and downs of modern dating, where mismatched pairings, lingering exes, awkward intimate moments, and too many coffee meetups set the stage for opposites to connect. With book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, music by Joshua Salzman, and orchestrations by Larry Hochman, the production is directed by Scott Shallenbarger. Inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, it captures the playful spirit of a rom-com while following the twists that come with searching for Mr. Right... and stumbling into Mr. Wrong along the way.

A high-energy celebration of Motown and 60s smash hits fills Kimball Hill Park, delivering wall-to-wall favorites with no filler. The set spans legends from the Temptations to Tina, keeping the groove going from start to finish.

Deadfest Band brings a lively evening of danceable tunes to Landmark on the Hill. An opening act is to be announced, and Deadfest Band will perform. Bring energy and your best moves for a night of live music.

Hugo Valenti leads a high-energy salute to Journey with The Ultimate Journey Tribute. As the longtime voice of Voyage, a top Journey tribute that has sold out venues around the country and earned a reputation for an authentic sound, he brings both the look and the unmistakable vocals of Steve Perry to the stage. He once auditioned to take Perry’s place and was told he looked too similar. This performance spotlights the classic anthems delivered with passion and precision, drawing on decades of experience that also include his tenure fronting Valentine, the early 90s melodic rock band whose self-titled Warner Bros. album became a cult favorite. The set features hits like 'Don't Stop Believin',' 'Any Way You Want It,' 'Separate Ways,' 'Wheel in the Sky,' and more.

In Elk Grove Village, Illinois, the Busse Woods edition of The Next Loop Endurance Series features a repeatable 3.1 mile trail loop, with a new lap beginning every hour. After each circuit you choose whether to continue or stop, and there are no penalties for calling it a day. Every finished loop counts. Timing is straightforward. The clock starts at the top of each hour and stops when you cross the finish, your lap time is recorded, and your overall result is the combined time of all loops you complete. The format welcomes a wide range of athletes, including first time 10K participants, marathon and ultra runners, and those from CrossFit, Hyrox, and tactical backgrounds. New runners can set goals such as completing a 5K, 10K, or a half marathon within this flexible format.

IL2026, the Illinois Speed Puzzling Championship, brings a full slate of competitive jigsaw events to Rolling Meadows Community Center. Test your skills on your own, team up with a partner, or assemble a team of four. New additions include the Pairs Relay and the Solo Puzzle Pyramid, and the day offers a friendly setting to meet fellow puzzle enthusiasts. Highlights include chances to compete alongside seasoned puzzlers, pick up complimentary puzzles, and visit a swap table for puzzle exchanges that is free for registrants and $10 for guests. Awards await the top three in each division, with gift certificates or prize puzzles and custom laser-etched wooden puzzle piece trophies. Capacity is limited, and registration is confirmed once payment is received. Tickets reserve one spot per event, so each adult in a pair or team purchases their own entry. For multi-person events, pricing is split between partners or teammates. There is a limit of one ticket per event per purchase, with exceptions for juniors. An Early Bird offer provides $5 to $10 off each ticket, and orders that include at least $100 in contest tickets in a single transaction can add a complimentary 2026 Championship T-shirt by placing the shirt in the cart and using the coupon code 26FREETEE. Participants are encouraged to review the Championship FAQs and rules.

Spend a full day building community through song at an intergenerational choral workshop created for everyone, from experienced choristers to casual shower singers. No prior experience or preparation is needed, and participants of all ages are welcome. Expert-led sessions feature Karen Brunssen, a vocal specialist and professor at Northwestern University, Stephanie Gregoire, a music education professor at UIC and children’s choir expert, and Kate Lee, choir director at Glenview Community Church and Maine East High School. The day includes learning, vocal growth, and joyful music-making, and concludes with a brief, informal showcase for friends and family. Breakfast and lunch are included with registration. Fees are $30 for adults and $15 for kids. The workshop takes place at Glenview Community Church.

Pastimes Comics & Games hosts a store-level Planetary Qualifier for Star Wars: Unlimited, part of the Competitive Play circuit. The event uses a Sealed Deck format featuring Ashes of the Empire, with a draft for the Top 8. Players compete through seven Swiss rounds before a cut to the Top 8. Rules will be enforced at the Competitive level. Decklists are required and will be recorded during the deckbuilding period. Entry is $60, and capacity is set at 128 players. Official prizes from Fantasy Flight Games include a participation promo for all entrants. The champion receives a Champion promo, a Champion playmat, and a PQ Initiative Token. The finalist earns a Finalist promo and a PQ Initiative Token. Third and fourth place receive Top 4 promos and a PQ Initiative Token, and fifth through eighth receive a Top 8 promo. Pastimes adds additional prize support. First through fourth each receive one box of Ashes of the Empire Carbonite Boosters and one standard ASH box. Fifth through eighth each receive six ASH Carbonite booster packs and one standard ASH box. Ninth through sixteenth receive four ASH Carbonite booster packs, or three if fewer than 96 players. Seventeenth through thirty-second receive two ASH Carbonite booster packs, or one if fewer than 64 players. Additional hard-to-get cards will be announced. For questions, email annika@pastimes.net. All event details, entry fees, and prizes are subject to change.

Green White marks 70 years of soccer with a festive picnic that honors the past and celebrates the present. Admission is free. The celebration features plenty of soccer, games for kids, a pig roast, GW sausage, a food truck, a beer truck, lively music, and time with friends.

Back To The Scene presents an emo and pop punk throwback celebration where the crowd takes center stage. It is not a concert or a static playlist, it is a night built for belting every lyric, bouncing with new friends, and revisiting the tracks that carried you through your teen years. Anthems from My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Taking Back Sunday, Blink-182, and more keep the room singing from start to finish. Expect a wave of nostalgia and all the feelings as you return to the scene.

Tropical Saturdays brings the party to Ostras Lounge & Oyster Bar with a night of Latin dance and music in the northwest suburbs of Chicagoland. Ease into the evening with a salsa lesson taught by Andres Meneses, then keep the energy high as DJ Frankie J takes over the main room with salsa, bachata, cumbia, and other tropical rhythms. Step into the Bachata Speakeasy where DJ Carlitos features sensual, commercial, and urban bachata styles. Enjoy drink specials including beer buckets and signature cocktails. Free parking is available in front of and behind the venue. An entertainment fee of $10 applies, and entry is cashless with credit cards or digital payments accepted.

Summer Sanitarium gets a fresh spin with a celebration of the music of Linkin Park, Deftones, and Metallica, performed by Land of Linkin, White Pony, and Whiplash. The night revisits the early 2000s, echoing the era when Metallica packed huge stadium tours. Expect staples like In The End, Numb, Change (In The House of Flies), My Own Summer (Shove It), Enter Sandman, Master of Puppets, and more.