Events in Kankakee today

Spend a rewarding morning building community while cleaning up local parks. This is a chance to make a real difference, meet neighbors, and enjoy the fresh air. All clean-up basics will be provided, including grabbers, bags, gloves, and water. Anyone who would like to help with light landscaping is welcome to bring personal yard tools.

Explore Riverside Medical Center's Family Birthing Center with a personal tour that highlights family-focused maternity care and the spaces where births take place. Discover what the birth suites offer and how the center is designed to help make welcoming a baby a memorable start for families. Personal tours are offered at any time by contacting the Family Birthing Center at (815) 935-7511. Reservations are accepted.

When life feels nonstop, this gentle restorative class offers a chance to slow down. It supports the nervous system in moving from overwhelm toward safety and calm. With supportive poses, focused breathing, and basic regulation tools, participants are guided back into their bodies at an easy, unhurried pace with no pressure. The focus is on rest, restoration, and a full reset rather than doing more. It is well suited for the approaching start of a new school year or for anyone seeking a reset. All levels are welcome, and no prior experience is needed, though participants need to be able to get down to the floor. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Register by sending your name and payment through Venmo to Tami Galbreath at @tamigalbreath.

Fierce Financial Planning Services Inc. and Still I Rise present the 9th Annual Back 2 School Supply Giveaway at The Depot, Hillside Stage in Kankakee. Attendees can pick up backpacks stocked with school supplies and uniforms, enjoy free food and beverages, and take part in a festive day with a live DJ, a bounce house, face painting, hair braiding, games like tug-of-war, and other youth activities. The celebration also includes food trucks, a cash giveaway, and a bike giveaway, plus performances by platinum recording artists iAmDLow and Tocarra. Admission is free, all ages are welcome, and giveaways are available while supplies last. Free hair braiding is offered with sign up.

A summer gathering on the banks of the Kankakee River rallies support for the historic boathouse at The Currents of Kankakee Riverwalk and its restoration on the East Riverwalk. Enjoy live music, food, and beverages as The Get Off My Lawn Band and Grassfed Collective provide the soundtrack for the evening. The event takes place behind the Glade Building next to Knack. Space is limited, so advance tickets are encouraged and can be secured through the event link or purchased in person at Knack.

Makers of every kind are welcome at this casual community meetup. People of all ages and every skill level can connect around their creative interests, and there is something for everyone. Snacks are provided.

Returning to The Hangar at Manteno Legion Post 755, this show brings live music to an open-air setting with an upbeat vibe. The venue offers space to take in the sound and the scene, and drinks are available. Expect a loud, high-energy night.

Returning to Greater Kankakee Airport, the D14 Annual Wings and Wheels benefit supports Project Headspace and Timing veterans. The event features a pancake breakfast, live music, food, and local vendors. Guests are encouraged to bring their favorites to display. Show awards will be judged by professionals from Explosive Customs. For vendor participation or donation inquiries, contact Michelle at 815-278-7954.

Celebrate the season with fun in a garden setting. It offers a simple way to enjoy summertime surrounded by plants.

Pocket Vault is hosting a Magic: The Gathering prerelease for The Hobbit set, giving players an early look at the new release. Participants will open a Prerelease Kit, build a deck, and compete in a friendly sealed-format event. Entry is $35 when paid in advance, or $40 if paid on the day of the event.

At Splash Valley Aquatic Park, a special pool day puts kids in the spotlight. Families can enjoy swimming, take part in deck activities and games, and soak up plenty of summer fun. Standard daily admission applies.

Cool off at Splash Valley Aquatic Park during a series of community swimming days offering free admission for Kankakee residents. Enjoy time in the water with family and friends close to home. To participate, present identification that confirms City of Kankakee residency. Complimentary tickets are released starting the first day of each month for a one-week window and must be reserved in person at the park during open hours. Availability is limited and tickets are issued in the order requests are made.

Board & Brew is a new series of community conversations hosted by the Village of Bourbonnais, created to connect residents with Village officials in a relaxed, informal setting on Festival Street at The Grove. Participants can share ideas, ask questions, discuss concerns, and offer input on topics that matter to them and the future of Bourbonnais. Connect Roasters will be on site with coffee available for purchase. Whether arriving with a specific topic or simply looking to talk with Village leadership, this casual gathering focuses on open dialogue over a cup of coffee.

Capture quick portraits during a 15-minute mini session at The Wildflower Farm. Each booking includes photography and delivery of 10 to 15 edited images. The fields are for photos only, so please do not pick flowers. Up to four other photographers may be working on site at the same time. To reserve a spot, submit a $75 deposit via Venmo to @Katharine-Hannigan or 708-921-9263, with the remaining $50 due by the day of the session.

Sandwiches with a Side of Jam brings a free, family-friendly lunchtime concert to Harold & Jean Miner Festival Square. Each month in the summer, Downtown Kankakee comes together for live performances by local and regional musicians and lunch from rotating downtown eateries and food trucks. Attendees can bring their own meal or grab something from the featured vendors, then relax in a comfortable spot and enjoy an easygoing midday break with friends, family, or coworkers. This installment showcases Three's a Crowd, with food available from Brother George's BBQ and Essential Smoothies.

Riverside Diabetes Wellness and Endocrinology Specialists host an informational session introducing Weigh to Healthy Living, a six month weight management program designed to help build sustainable habits and improve overall well being. Attendees will learn how progress is measured with more than the number on the scale, with attention to daily behaviors, nutrition, fitness, mindset, and quality of life. A collaborative care team that includes physicians certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, registered dietitians, fitness specialists, and behavioral therapists works together to support individual health goals. The session explains how the program helps refine eating habits, deepen understanding of one’s relationship with food and body, develop realistic and personalized solutions for nutrition and health concerns, and support the management of related conditions. Expect a clear overview of how the six month approach is structured and the types of guidance available throughout.

A summer evening at Splash Valley Aquatic Park features live music on the deck and poolside fun. The Rick Lindy Duo performs 50s to 70s rock and roll, creating an easygoing atmosphere for time with friends at the waterpark. Admission fees apply.

The Grove will host an outdoor Dinner and Movie on the Green featuring Smurfs. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a free, family friendly film under the night sky. Food options will be available from Chick-fil-A, Drew's Dogs, Tacos El Guadalajara #1, and TCBY. Closed captioning will be provided during the movie. This event is supported by Aqua Illinois Inc., CertaPro Painters, Court Street Ford, Glade Plumbing & Piping Co., Midland States Bank, and Pavlov Media.

Expectant parents can learn the essentials of breastfeeding in a session led by certified lactation consultants. Topics include how to get started, practical techniques, nutrition for lactating parents, pumping guidance, and ways to separate facts from myths while addressing common concerns. The class is free for mothers-to-be. Beginning around 32 weeks of pregnancy is recommended, though participants may attend at any time. Partners and other support people are welcome. The session takes place in the Johnson Lecture Hall on the basement level of Riverside Medical Center. Registration is requested. For more information, call (815) 935-7511. If the class date you want is full, call the Family Birthing Center at (815) 937-7511 to be added to the waiting list. Class details are subject to change.