Events in Ottawa, IL

Open Table UCC hosts an evening devoted to spoken poetry where participants read and listen together to celebrate public art, shared dialogue, enjoyment, and community. The gathering takes place in the lower level of the church and welcomes attendees ages 12 and up, whether they are seasoned poets, aspiring writers, performers, dramatic readers, or simply fans of poetry. Bring a favorite poem by another author or one of your own to share, or come just to listen. Although the venue is a church space, the event is nonsectarian and encourages free expression. Guests can read, listen, and watch while enjoying coffee, juice, and light snacks. A Zoom option is available, with connection details posted on Facebook during the week of the event.

Arts, culture, and entertainment fill downtown Ottawa every Third Friday from May through September. Hosted by Open Space Art Gallery, this free street festival brings together forty vendors offering handmade and homegrown goods, live music, and food, with a new theme each month to keep things fresh. Families will find no-cost fun in a kids play zone and a monthly craft activity. Streets come alive with artists, makers, and performers, while many shops extend their hours with special offers and local restaurants create custom dishes, cocktails, and mocktails to enjoy while you explore. It is a chance to shop local, discover new artists, and spend an evening in the heart of the community. An updated roster of participating businesses and artists will be shared soon.

Take the mic for karaoke with The Gators at Ottawa American Legion Post 33. Choose your favorite songs and perform. Please note that the schedule has been updated from the original date.

Take aim at a 3D archery shoot featuring a course of thirty life-like targets. Entry fees are $15 for adults and $8 for youth ages 12 and under. If you want another try, a second round on the same day is half price. Breakfast and lunch will be available.

Set on the runway at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, this 5K welcomes runners and walkers of all ages for a memorable experience that unites the community in support of cancer research and in tribute to survivors, those in treatment, and loved ones remembered. Inspired by a personal journey through cancer and the care provided by Northwestern Medicine, the event turns gratitude into meaningful action. Expect a flat airfield course, a dedicated lap honoring survivors, and a family friendly setting with music, community sponsors, and light post race refreshments from JumpRun Café. All proceeds benefit ongoing cancer research to help advance treatments, improve outcomes, and offer hope to families today and in the years ahead.

Build your movement jump skills with Mike in a structured skydiving event designed for newer through advanced flyers. Groups are formed by similar ability each day to keep training focused and safe. This is not intended as an introduction to angle flying. Coaching centers on cleaner exits, creating and managing speed and pitch, and executing reliable, safe breakoffs. Reach out to Mike Kammes in advance to secure a spot and coordinate details. Participation requires a rig suitable for freeflying, an AAD, an audible, the ability to separate safely from a movement jump with three other flyers, and a minimum of 200 jumps.

Spend a day riding for a cause on a scenic countryside route with five stops in a poker run. The day concludes with live music hosted at The Dump. It brings together riders, friendly company, and support for Cops 4 Cancer and Project Fire Buddies Peru. Details about the band and the specific stop locations will be announced, with more information to follow.

A concert at Covel Creek supports a cause and features live music.

Ian Leith presents an all-acoustic, one-person set featuring songs originally performed by other artists.

The 252 in Seneca hosts an easygoing afternoon as Matt and Beth perform unplugged renditions of rock favorites from the 1990s.

The Seneca Public Library Board will hold a meeting at the Cultural Center. The public is invited to attend.

Pick up the monthly book selection at the circulation desk, then take part in a relaxed conversation with fellow library patrons. This book club offers a friendly space to share impressions, ask questions, and hear different perspectives about the month’s pick.

Snap Shot performs live at Cortelino's Beer Garden in Oglesby for an evening of music.

A national showcase for beginning skydivers, this three‑way scrambles competition is open to rookies from any dropzone. Teams are reshuffled each round by random draw and every lineup includes an experienced coach, with coaching represented by groups such as SDC Rhythm XP, SDC Core, SDC MatriX and others. Prizes are awarded to the top three individuals, and the overall champion earns the Rookiefest trophy, bringing bragging rights to the dropzone known for producing standout students. The first day concludes with a concise seminar covering gear, canopy skills, exits, safety, competitive skydiving, formation skydiving and more. Evening plans feature dinner and drinks at the Tiki bar. The event will be held rain or shine. Eligibility is limited to rookies with fewer than 200 total jumps or less than two years in the sport, and each rookie may compete in up to two editions of Rookiefest. Registration is 85 dollars, plus five jumps. Optional gear rental is 225 dollars and includes all five event jumps with a pack job for each. If fewer than five rounds are completed, a refund of 45 dollars is issued for every jump not made.

A collaborative meet at Starved Rock centered on recreating the Forza Horizon intro menu and several signature cinematic moments from the game. Participants will work together to match the look and feel of the opening visuals in a friendly, cooperative setting.

RedLine Saints performs live at Boondocks Restaurant & Tiki Bar with a set of classic and Southern rock. Pair the music with a cold beer and enjoy a relaxed vibe.

The official after-party for the Backroads for Becky Scholarship Poker Run brings the community together to support the Rebecca Leggett Memorial Scholarship. Enjoy live music from Hayley Hawkinson along with eats from food trucks including Santiago's, JB's Munchies, and The Soda Stand. Browse The Sideline Trucker Hat Bar and shop local vendors. Take part in raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle, then unwind by the bonfire with a s'mores bar. Riders from the Poker Run arrive to celebrate the finish and keep the cause going. Admission is $15, and kids 12 and under are free. Funds raised help provide scholarships that honor Rebecca Leggett’s legacy and invest in local students.

Night skydiving is offered with only two opportunities this year. Whether you are working toward a license requirement or trying it for the first time, licensed jumpers can register with manifest on the day of the jump and take to the sky after dark. Participation requires a B License or higher, personal lighting such as glow sticks or a strobe, a glow in the dark or illuminated altimeter, clear goggles or a clear visor, and completion of at least one daytime jump earlier that day. A mandatory briefing will be conducted. The community is welcome to watch, but there will be no fireworks or UFO or lighted skydiver jumps. Registration is $49.

R's All In hosts a full-band performance from Zazzle centered on 90s rock hits. The show highlights the era’s rock favorites, performed by the complete Zazzle band for a nostalgic night of music.

This one-person band performance serves up an exceptionally wide-ranging set of cover songs. The music runs from rock and classic rock to metal, blues, soul, R&B, and beatboxing, with additional surprises in the mix. It is a lively showcase of variety from a single performer.

Stay on top of your health with complimentary blood pressure and blood glucose screenings sponsored by In Home Care Connections. These quick checks are offered at the library and do not require an appointment. Stop by for a brief visit and leave with your numbers, free of charge. Screenings are available each month.

United Way ELC’s Labor of Love marks 35 years of neighbors supporting neighbors with help for home repairs and general upkeep. Preparations are underway and homeowner applications are open. Paper forms can be picked up at bank or credit union drive-throughs, township offices or city halls, and local libraries. The focus is on connecting community members to assistance for projects that keep homes safe and maintained.

After earning an A license, build confidence and community with A‑License Club, formerly known as 8N2 Club. Each gathering is led by a friendly, experienced organizer who plans beginner to intermediate dives for those with about 25 to 250 jumps. The emphasis is on making friends, having fun, and steadily increasing skills, with some lighthearted goofy dives added for variety. A dedicated organizer aims for roughly five to six jumps in a day, and participation is flexible so attendees can join a single jump or take part in the full lineup. Jumpers from any dropzone are welcome. There is no registration fee; participants simply purchase their own jump tickets.

Southern Jack performs live at Fat Daddy'z. The bar and grill hosts music regularly and offers a spacious beer garden, a paved parking lot, chilled beer and a full menu, creating a relaxed setting for the show.

Aaron Kerr’s Dissonant Creatures blends modern classical, free form jazz, heavy metal, and atmospheric rock. Created by cellist and composer Aaron Kerr, the project brings these styles together in a single show. Tickets are $25, and students under 18 are free with ID.

Set in Washington Park in Ottawa, the LaSalle County Out of the Darkness Walk is part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s signature fundraising series. It brings people together to honor those affected by suicide, foster connection, and support prevention efforts through awareness and fundraising. Money raised in Illinois stays local, helping drive research, advocacy, and educational programs that reach area schools, workplaces, and communities. For details or questions, contact Alexis Ferracuti at 815-228-3828 or aferracuti@peterferracuti.com.

Kickstart sitflying and take the first steps into freeflying with complimentary organizing and feedback from experienced local flyers. This session is designed for skydivers with at least 100 jumps who want to begin freefly training or sharpen sitfly skills and transitions. Groups are intentionally small and arranged by skill level to support safety and steady progress. Freefly-friendly gear is required. Participants from any dropzone are welcome. There is no registration fee, and each person simply pays for their own jump tickets.

Not Yet performs at Fat Daddy'z Bar & Grill with a mix of rock, some blues, and two country songs. Enjoy live music alongside cold drinks and great food, with a sing-along atmosphere that turns the bar into a party.

Following a sold out inaugural show at The Abbey, The Illegal Smiles return to honor John Prine's birthday with a tribute performance. Tickets are $35.

Small Blind returns to Fergy's for a Sunday Funday event.

This full-day outing follows a loop along the scenic bluffs of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, timed for peak autumn color. The plan features striking overlooks reached by short, easy walks and a seasonal stop at an apple orchard. The route starts in Ottawa, continues to Peoria for lunch, then returns toward Ottawa. Further specifics will be announced.

Sharpen movement jump skills with Mike in a welcoming setting that groups participants by similar ability each day to support a fun and safe experience. Open to flyers from beginner to advanced, though it is not an introductory angle-flying course. The focus includes refining exits, building speed, managing pitch, and ensuring clean, safe break offs. Advance sign-up is requested by sending a direct message to Mike Kammes. Participants must have a freefly friendly rig, use an AAD and an audible, be able to break off safely from a movement jump with three other flyers, and meet a 200-jump minimum. Expect conversation and a strong emphasis on speed.

Elevate your freefly with vertical sequentials led by world champion and DZO Rook Nelson. On each event weekend, groups are assigned a series of dives to engineer and complete, followed by technical jumps that push skills and teamwork. Participants can also propose their own challenges, shaping the progression together. To take part, you must be able to take docks head-down and while sit flying. Registration is not required, and a courteous message to Rook in advance is welcome.

Barbie Club invites attendees to bring a favorite doll and enjoy playtime with the dreamhouse. This is a simple, doll-centered opportunity to play.

Southern Jack performs at Fat Daddy'z, a local bar and grill that hosts live music and offers a spacious beer garden and paved parking. Enjoy cold beer and food while taking in the show at this live music spot.

Ottawa native Walt Willey appears for a conversation about his wide-ranging career across television, movies, and visual art. The discussion offers an inside look at his work on screen and in the studio, sharing stories from a life in entertainment and the arts. A suggested donation of $10 will be collected at the door.

Make your own slime and personalize it with charms and clay. For ages 11 and older.

An escape from a Victorian asylum sparks an evening of intrigue, secrets, and suspense across downtown Ottawa. Track down scattered clues, piece together the story, and test your wits in a citywide challenge filled with tense discoveries. Admission includes access to spine-tingling encounters, an interactive game that spans the city, and unexpected twists at every turn, with more revelations kept under wraps until the experience unfolds. The clock is ticking... can you find a way out before it is too late? Tickets are available.

Matt, Beth, and Randy present a night of 90s punk and rock hits.

A performance of fiddle-driven covers spans rock, classic rock, metal, rap, and styles in between. Songs from across these genres are reimagined on violin.

An unlimited breakfast is available while trap shooting takes place. Both activities run at the same time.

A masquerade-themed fundraiser offers an evening of elegance, mystery, and meaningful purpose in support of children in the community through CASA. The event highlights the stories behind the masks, centering advocacy, stability, and hope for the children CASA serves. Expect an immersive atmosphere with a thoughtfully crafted dining experience, lively music and dancing, specialty cocktails and themed beverages, and entertainment featuring magic, tarot, and mediumship. Proceeds from tickets and donations directly advance CASA’s mission to ensure every child has a dedicated advocate working for their best interests in La Salle and Bureau Counties. Illinois Valley CASA welcomes business sponsorships through goods, services, or financial support, with branded opportunities available. For details, contact Lexi Wamhoff at awamhoff@lasallecountycasa.org.

Celebrate Halloween Eve with a live performance by KALAMIT̄ at Fire on Fifth in Peru, Illinois. Expect an electrifying show that sets the tone for a spooky night out.

Snap Shot is back for another appearance at this event.

Katie Belle and Joe perform as Duffelbelle, from the Belle Rangers. The program includes folk, Americana, and alt country, featuring original songs alongside covers.

The Grove welcomes a return performance featuring unplugged country and rock, creating a relaxed setting with easygoing tunes throughout the show.

Six Mile Grove takes the stage with a roots-steeped sound that salutes Minnesota legends like Bob Dylan and the Jayhawks, while standing firmly in its own musical identity. Expect a performance that balances tradition with a distinct live presence. Tickets are $35.

This performance features solo piano covers, presenting instrumental versions of songs arranged for piano. The program centers on piano interpretations of existing music performed solo.

Ian Leith performs a full evening of cover songs spanning alternative, classic rock, and indie. Familiar tunes from across these genres keep the music flowing from start to finish.

Zazzle Band brings a rocking set to Cat's Q BBQ.