Events in Rockford today

A lively storytime filled with movement and music. Participants will enjoy stories, sing along to songs, and get on their feet to dance.

Food Truck Tuesday at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens features Jammin Jerk Grill returning for 2026 with plenty of heat. The menu highlights jerk-centered choices like fries topped with jerk chicken, customizable bowls, crispy egg rolls, and more, all served with a Jamaican-inspired flair. Expect bold, spicy flavors and the comeback of crowd favorites as the new season begins.

A welcoming workshop for both emerging and experienced songwriters and producers to connect, collaborate, and build skills. The gathering brings local creators together to explore what makes a strong song while learning from one another. Expect a mix of live performances, guided writing time, and focused presentations that make the craft more approachable and community centered. Hosted by the Rockford Public Library at The RPL Nordlof Center.

Imagine offering yourself the same kindness you readily share with others. Guided by that intention, Self Love Club provides a welcoming space for people 16 and older to explore mental wellness, personal growth, and healing together. The group is built on honesty and encouragement, with the clear message that you are worthy of care from yourself. Participants speak openly about real life challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, and the pressures that can feel overwhelming. Conversations are guided by compassionate facilitators who draw on lived experience, creating an environment rooted in understanding, relatability, and a sense of hope. There is no need to have everything figured out. Arriving exactly as you are is enough. The experience centers on building confidence, strengthening resilience, and practicing self compassion. For questions or to learn more, contact Kirsten at 815-566-1808.

Melissa Etheridge: RISE comes to Coronado Theatre. Two dollars from every ticket will be donated to the Etheridge Foundation, her nonprofit devoted to ending the opioid crisis by supporting new research into transformative plant medicines and innovative therapies that tackle the root causes of opioid use disorder. The foundation invests in treatments designed to address dependence while helping heal the underlying issues that contribute to addiction. Ticket access options include a public on sale, artist and Spotify presales, a Coronado presale, and VIP packages.

Edgebrook Farmers Market highlights the area’s seasonal bounty with local farmers showcasing vegetables, fruits, flowers, and plants. Beyond produce, shoppers can find fresh baked goods, honey, farm fresh eggs, jams and jellies, mixes, and crunchy cheese snacks, along with other options.

Learn the basics of the Pokemon Trading Card Game at a Pokemon Play Lab. Professors lead hands-on demonstrations and provide learning aids to support beginners. New players can keep the practice decks used during the demo while supplies last. Attendance is free.

Jeep owners and fans gather for a monthly Jeep Night to showcase their rides. The event includes giveaways and event specials.

The Sensations, featuring Holland Zander, return to Marys Place for a special show.

Rockford Midtown Market returns indoors at Katie’s Cup with farm-fresh produce and more in the Midtown District. Arriving early typically offers the widest selection. Vendor and sponsor opportunities are available and are coordinated by Market Manager Ali Didier. The market accepts the IL Link Card for SNAP purchases and partners with Link Up Illinois to provide a dollar-for-dollar match on produce purchases, up to $25. This season is supported by a major sponsorship from Zion Lutheran Church of Rockford, IL.

A volunteer docent leads a guided walk through the outdoor gardens at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, highlighting native and exotic species, plants that thrive in sun and shade, and stories and facts about Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens and Sinnissippi. Plan to dress appropriately for the weather. Comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle are suggested. The tour runs about an hour to an hour and a half. Participants meet in the Nicholas Conservatory lobby. There is no cost to attend, although advance registration is required due to limited space.

McDonald’s is holding a hiring event with immediate interviews available for all positions. Interviews will be conducted in the red tent near the construction trailer at the Divita Forest City Dialysis Center.

This free networking event at The Landscape Connection blends professional mingling with purpose. Guests can bid on items from the store in an auction that benefits Rock House Kids, a local not-for-profit. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and a smile for easy introductions.

Fats Productions presents a one year anniversary edition of the comedy open mic at The Hope & Anchor. The show is free and hosted by Michael Palmenderi. It offers stage time for first-timers, newer comics, and seasoned regulars to try new material or sharpen a set they are already developing. Sign-ups are available. To keep the room friendly, content guidelines apply. Mild swearing is permitted, but heavy profanity is not. Material can be suggestive without crossing into graphic or explicit territory. Dark or edgy jokes are acceptable as long as they do not become excessively violent or disturbing. Hate speech, slurs, and targeting marginalized groups are not allowed. There are 20 performance slots. Sets run 5 minutes, or 7 minutes for comics traveling from outside the Stateline area. Out-of-town performers can secure a guaranteed place by messaging the Fats Productions Presents Facebook Page.

Rollin Dubs hosts an open stage series at Neighbor’s Bar & Grill that brings Thursday nights to life on the patio with friendly hangouts and live sets from local musicians. Performers can sign up to share a few songs, connect with other artists, and may be selected as one of the nightly Open Stage Thursday winners, with details to be announced. The series runs every Thursday through September, offering a relaxed place to enjoy music or step up to the mic.

Bull Bar Bingo features four rounds of cash pot bingo along with drawings for great prizes. Arrive early to secure a seat.

Celebrate the start of fall with a spirited cocktail class that pairs a caffeine boost with vodka. Learn to mix an espresso martini featuring Absolut Vanilia in a hands-on session, then savor the results. Come ready to shake, taste, and let your personality shine with an espresso-themed twist.

Forest City Farmer’s Market welcomes new vendors and shows appreciation for longtime vendors who are young at heart. There is excitement for fresh additions alongside gratitude for familiar faces.

Sizzlin' Suzie's makes an appearance at the location noted in the event details.

Auburn’s Homecoming features a matchup with East, with junior varsity taking the field first and varsity to follow after the opening game and festivities. Ticket pricing details will be shared once available.

An open-air concert in a seasonal series brings together regional musicians and area food trucks. The bill features Don’t Tell Mom, Eli Parker, Charlie Rae, and The Lone Canary, with Tamaleland and Jarocho’s Food Truck providing local fare in a welcoming, community atmosphere.

Runners can choose an out-and-back 5K or half marathon that starts at Leland Park and follows the Stone Bridge Trail. Early bird pricing is available for a limited time. All proceeds support the Stateline Family YMCA’s LIVESTRONG program, which helps individuals with a current or past cancer diagnosis build strength in mind, body, and spirit.

North End City Market highlights fresh produce and locally made goods with a farmer-focused lineup. Browse seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked treats, and handcrafted items from regional producers. The setting is welcoming and dog friendly, and SNAP/Link benefits are accepted to help make fresh food accessible to all.

A women’s retreat at Victory Reigns Ranch invites participants to connect while learning to set down the burden of regret. Expect supportive conversations about letting go of what-ifs and releasing responsibility for situations that were beyond personal control. The program is facilitated by FBEAP facilitator Carol Langley. The cost is 15 dollars per person, which covers breakfast and lunch. Registration is only complete once payment is received in advance, either via Venmo to steve-langley-2 or by mail to the location’s mailing address. Early signups are encouraged. Registering ahead also ensures any food allergies are noted and provides contact information in case a refund is needed if the retreat is canceled due to rain. There is no riding during this retreat. All activities are groundwork with horses, so wear clothing and footwear appropriate for working around them.

The season finale of the Outdoor Market takes place at Hidden Treasures Mall & Antiques. It is the final outdoor market before the series moves indoors. Expect cozy fall vibes and more than 50 vendors offering vintage items, handmade goods, seasonal decor, and one of a kind pieces, all within a crisp air, small town market atmosphere. Food trucks on site include Sizzlin’ Suzies and DSO’s Texas Style BBQ for comforting bites alongside the browsing. Vendors: limited spaces remain. Registration is in store at Hidden Treasures only, and spots are not sold through comments or messages.

The 62nd annual GSR Oktoberfest packs a full day of German tradition into one celebration. Enjoy authentic dishes prepared by Café 20 from Marengo along with German beer. Highlights include cultural and souvenir booths, a dedicated children’s area, stein holding and stein racing contests, a ceremonial keg tapping with Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury, and the crowning of Miss Oktoberfest. Live music will feature performances by The Deutsches Trio, Jolly Brewers, and The Ryan Keuter Band. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 on the day of the event, with sales opening closer to the event.

Entry is $10. The focus is Riftbound Constructed play, where decks contain 40 cards with no more than three copies of any unique card, plus one Legend, three Battlefields, and twelve Runes. Matches are best two out of three, and players may use an up to eight card sideboard to swap cards between games, following standard deckbuilding limits. Prize support scales with attendance, with two packs from the current set added to the pool for each registered player. Every participant receives one booster and a Nexus Night pack while supplies last, and the remaining packs are awarded to the top finishers.

A supportive workshop for families with children ages 7 to 12 focuses on common mental health challenges, encourages open communication, and builds practical coping skills together as a family. The program is part of an ongoing workshop series. Dinner is provided. Registration is requested, and responses are kept confidential.

At The Railroad Tap, this competition uses a true blind draw format and awards PRP and NADO points. The entry fee is $11 per player, and the payout is set at 200 percent.

Trinadora returns to the Freedom Through the Word Church concert series with a program of uplifting gospel spanning roughly 300 years of Christian tradition. The set blends time-honored favorites with original works and new selections not heard in earlier appearances. Vocals are supported by a colorful mix of instruments, including keyboard, guitar, fiddle, ocarina, concertina, bass, lap steel, and jSax. Some songs encourage group singing, creating moments of shared sound and spirit. Admission is free, and a freewill offering will be taken during the concert.

Poet James Hamilton marks the release of his newest album with an evening at The Clean Gallery featuring performances from standout local artists. On stage he brings high-octane energy and will sometimes pause mid-performance to trade moments with the crowd. His delivery blends warmth and vigor, with a jazz-inflected cadence and offbeat phrasing that mirrors the quick pivots of his thoughts. The result is a presence driven by visible passion and inventive wordplay, shaping a sound that feels both fresh and unforced. Hamilton is a seven-time published poet, a 2025 NSWA finalist for Spoken Word Performer and Entertainer of the Year, and a 2026 WAMI finalist for Spoken Word Album of the Year for The See Word Sessions. He also produces, directs, and hosts the Poetry on the Radio program VERSEd.

A free rockabilly show returns to Splitter's Bar & Grill inside Park Lanes in Loves Park, Illinois. Upbeat, hip shaking tunes set the tone for a lively, no cost experience.

An 80s rock deck party hits Neighbors Bar & Grill as part of a 20th Anniversary Tour. After some time away, the performers return to deliver a high energy rock and roll experience on the deck with the excitement up close.

Sheila's Daiquiri Lounge welcomes The Real Deal, an R&B band from Rockford that blends classic grooves with modern flair. The set is packed with crowd-pleasers from artists such as Keith Sweat, Bruno Mars, and Lizzo, fueling a high-energy show that keeps the dance floor moving and voices singing along. With a party-focused vibe and nonstop momentum, this performance is built to keep the celebration going from the first beat to the last.

This Pokémon League centers on Standard format play. Regular League entry is $9. Once each month, the League Challenge offers a more competitive event with a $15 entry fee and additional prizing. Participants receive prize packs when available, and prizes include booster packs from the most recent Standard set.

Handmade Harvest is a leading juried craft show in the Machesney Park area, showcasing the creativity of local makers. This curated event spotlights artisans who handcraft every piece with skill, passion, and originality. To preserve quality and variety, no more than two vendors are accepted in any product category, and every item must be handmade by the approved artisan. Commercial or resold goods are not allowed. Visitors can browse one-of-a-kind gifts, home decor, and handmade treasures while supporting local talent and discovering standout craftsmanship. Confirmed vendors include Aadoorable Creations, Alost Creations, Big Baluka Snacks, Busy Bee's Wild & Free, Colys Creations, Core Memory Co, Elements of Nature, F3D Creations, g's Creative Company, Healthy Hemp Huntley, Holy Grain LLC, Ix-Chel Boutique llc, KaLily Essentials LLC, Loaves by Lauren, Me-Ma's Crafts, Missy Makes, O.L.S. Crystals, Pixie Pie Creative, Poppy and Pine, RAD, Roses and Ruby’s Crafts, Sarita's Crafts, Unity Road Tallow, and Wonderfully Knitted.

Enjoy a relaxed park playdate for the whole family, where children can play, explore, and burn off energy while parents connect and build community. Participants can bring kids, a blanket or chairs, and anything a family might want for a morning at the park. Packing snacks or a picnic is welcome, and the atmosphere centers on casual conversation, laughter, and new friendships. Whether new or returning, all are welcome.