Free events in DuPage County, IL

Kids ages 6 to 13 can build real-world confidence and bullying prevention skills at this free, hands-on workshop at EverStrong Academy. Through interactive activities and role-play, participants practice recognizing what is and is not bullying, carrying themselves with confidence, using strong words and body language, protecting personal space, deciding when to walk away, reporting concerns to a trusted adult, and standing up for themselves and for others. This is an active session rather than a lecture, and a parent or guardian must be present. Space is limited to 30 participants and advance registration through EverStrong Academy is required. Marking Going on Facebook does not reserve a spot. The workshop is open to the Carol Stream community and nearby areas, and attendance is not limited to EverStrong athletes. A free raffle will award $1,000 in prizes. Every participant receives one entry, with an extra entry for each registered friend they bring. After a friend registers, text your name and your friend’s name to 630-825-4427. For questions or additional information, text 630-407-1253.

The Lisle French Market returns larger than before, now doubled in size to offer a bigger lineup of vendors to discover. This open air farmers market encourages shopping local and supporting small businesses while enjoying the fresh air. Located in the Metra Parking Lot, it blends the French market traditions Chicagoland enjoys with the unique charm of Lisle. Visitors can discover new favorite vendors and reconnect with familiar faces at the stalls.

The Rotary Club of Carol Stream will be cleaning along Gary Avenue and welcomes help from community members. Volunteer for a short time or stay for the full effort. Every extra set of hands helps keep Carol Stream looking its best. It is a simple way to give back and show community pride through teamwork.

Festive Fall Festival 2026 offers refreshments, trunk-or-treat fun, games, and crafts for a cheerful autumn celebration. There is no cost to attend, and registration is available through the ticket link. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to West Suburban Community Pantry.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers is on the big screens at The Piazza in Aurora with no cover charge. Every play is shown across dozens of TVs with full game audio, plus two 50 foot jumbo screens. Dine in specials include half price appetizers excluding seafood, $15 Bud aluminum beer buckets with five 16 ounce Bud, Bud Light, or Michelob Ultra, $6 Three Olives Bloody Marys, and a $7 spaghetti marinara and meatball dinner. Guests of all ages are welcome. Additional NFL coverage is available at Evviva Lisle with NFL Ticket and RedZone, and other locations feature nationally televised games.

Presented by the McAninch Art Center and the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, in association with the College of DuPage Foundation, this free outdoor exhibition offers a walkable celebration of American artistic achievement in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary. A route around the MAC on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn features ten painted silhouette sculptures, each about ten feet tall. Created by contemporary artists with community input, these works honor influential figures in visual art, music, theater, and dance, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dolly Parton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Take a midday break to reset with an all-level yoga session that builds flexibility, strength, and balance, then winds down with a quiet meditation. Expect to leave feeling refreshed, centered, and ready for the rest of your day. Please bring your own mat, wear modest and comfortable clothing, and plan to practice barefoot. Open to all and offered free of charge. Held at the Science of Spirituality International Meditation Center, a smoke-free facility.

Anti-Normal Trivia brings a fast paced, five round game to Barleyhaus in Itasca with no entry fee. Expect lively hosts who prioritize entertainment and community building, a format that favors more questions with little downtime, and a mix of topics that can span from academic subjects to pro wrestling. Teams compete for Church Street gift cards, with prizes awarded to the top three.

The IEEE EMC and SAE Chicago chapters present their annual Oktoberfest gathering that blends socializing with a technical program. Members, guests, and anyone interested meet for a friendly evening of conversation and professional networking with Oktoberfest themed food, refreshments, and learning opportunities. The evening begins with a social hour featuring seasonal bites and drinks, continues with chapter announcements, and concludes with a technical presentation. This event is free and open to all, and advance registration is required. Presentations include Nick Koeller on “Diagnosis of Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Emissions.” Koeller, Lead EMC Engineer at E3 Compliance, will share a practical approach to evaluating RF emissions from SMPS designs by combining EMC chamber measurements with near field probing at the bench. He explains how these measurements reveal noise characteristics that guide the selection of effective countermeasures. He holds a B.S.E. in electrical engineering from Grand Valley State University, is pursuing an M.S.E. in electrical and computer engineering at GVSU, and collaborates with the GVSU EMC Center. Dr. Bogdan Adamczyk follows with “Shielding, Radiation from Apertures.” As professor and director of the EMC Center at Grand Valley State University, he develops EMC curricula and teaches industry certificate courses, works closely with E3 Compliance, and is an iNARTE certified EMC Master Design Engineer. He authored the textbooks “Foundations of Electromagnetic Compatibility with Practical Applications” and “Principles of Electromagnetic Compatibility: Laboratory Exercises and Lectures.” His background includes numerous industry courses, more than 100 publications on EMC education, measurement, and testing, and hardware demonstrations at IEEE EMC Symposia. He also contributed the monthly “EMC Concepts Explained” column to Incompliance Magazine from 2017 to 2026. His talk contrasts ideal and real world shielding, explains how apertures such as slots and holes degrade isolation, and applies Babinet’s principle to show why openings can radiate as effectively as antennas of similar size.

Celebrate the 2026 season of the Elmhurst Farmers Market with a bustling lineup of more than 40 vendors offering farm-fresh produce, premium pantry goods, and artisanal specialties. Savor ready-to-enjoy bites from food trucks while live music adds a lively backdrop. Pick up ingredients for dinner, catch up with friends over coffee, breakfast, or lunch, and discover new favorites among local makers and growers. Weekly highlights share what’s fresh and featured, making each visit a little different from the last.