Events in Sangamon County today

Whenever a month includes a fifth Friend Finder Friday, an extra special gathering brings together cat lovers of all ages. Two complimentary rounds of Music Bingo create a welcoming way for families, seniors, and students to enjoy the space, meet neighbors, and share the fun. Guests are asked to be considerate of both fellow attendees and the resident cats. Pick up a bingo card, enjoy good company, and you may meet a new favorite person and a new feline friend.

Get into the Halloween spirit at The Railyard with a night of costumes, great food and drinks, lively music, and a touch of spooky fun. DJ Blake keeps the energy up with a mix of Halloween favorites and 90s throwbacks, and costumes are encouraged, questionable 90s dance moves welcome. A costume contest for ages 16 and up offers prizes across four spots, including best overall look, funniest outfit, scariest getup, and top duo or group. Registration, the contest itself, and winner announcements are part of the evening, and each person or group can take home only one prize. Please keep in mind that The Railyard is open to all ages when planning a costume. Food and drink vendors will be serving favorites throughout the event. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Friday Night Magic: The Gathering is a gathering for players, with an entry fee of $10.

Take part in a ranked Dice Throne competition using the Bring 3, Ban 1 format, set within the Age of Vitality season. The entry fee is $10. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early, as anyone showing up after matches are underway will be disqualified. Promotional items may be given out in line with the ranked program’s schedule. Matches run in a Swiss format, with three rounds for 5 to 8 players, four rounds for 9 to 16, and five rounds for 18 to 32.

Celebrate Halloween at The Railyard with a family-friendly gathering centered on costumes, candy, and playful activities. Attendees can make their way through the venue to collect treats from participating vendors and community candy stations. A parade welcomes participants to showcase their costumes for another moment in the spotlight. Throughout the space, look for themed photo opportunities, casual games, and Halloween-inspired specials from food and drink vendors. Admission is free.

Celebrate Halloween with a lineup of live music spanning folk, blues, funk, and tribute performances, including tributes to the Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead. The event also features a costume contest and a children’s arts and crafts activity where participants can make a wind chime. Children 15 and under are admitted free, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paid adult. Hotel accommodations and admission tickets are sold separately, and booking a hotel room is not required for admission.

This trunk or treat will take place in the high school’s South lot. If it rains, the event will move to the Old Gym just off the South lot. Participants can set up beforehand and should have trunks ready before attendees begin visiting.

Revel in Red brings a high-energy rock show to the Halloween Party at Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex. Expect a set that spans decades, with rock anthems and favorites from the 70s to today, including songs by Prince, Van Halen, Boston, Night Ranger, Bon Jovi, Journey and REO, along with modern hits from Pink, The Killers and My Chemical Romance. The vibe is loud and lively, with powerhouse performances, cold drinks, and a festive atmosphere.

Santa Ray returns to share holiday cheer with brief sessions at Heartfelt Flower Preservations. Each session lasts 10 minutes and includes five digital images, with the option to purchase additional images. The session fee is $150.

Play Commander with free entry and random prizing. Open to both casual and competitive players who want to have fun or put their skills to the test.

Test your wits at Boone's in Springfield with Twin City Trivia, featuring seven rounds that blend brainy challenges with plenty of laughs. It is free to play, with no entry fee and no app required. Teams compete for prizes, so gather a crew and see if your table can claim bragging rights.

Enjoy classic country hits and more with Al Kitchen, a longtime presence in the local country scene and a Nashville veteran. Fulgenzi’s Pizza and Pasta offers pizza and burgers alongside the live music, with dancing and a welcoming atmosphere for friends and family.

Bring a favorite squishy toy, whether it’s one you love or part of a collection, and enjoy an evening of sharing, chatting, and spending time with friends. Trading is optional, and both kids must agree to any trade. Trades are final, and selling squishies is not allowed. Participants can also bring a squishy just to show and talk about, or simply hang out and make new friends. Please use indoor voices, walk, respect library materials, keep belongings together, and tidy your area before leaving. Slime, Play-Doh, glitter, paint, messy crafts, and food or drinks unless specifically approved are not permitted.

Enjoy free live music in an open mic setting at The Bird Tavern, hosted by Mike Metz. Bring an instrument to take part, or stop by for pizza and drinks in the bird garden while listening.

Enjoy a free trivia night featuring seven rounds designed to challenge your knowledge and spark some laughs. No entry fee or app is required, and prizes are awarded to the top teams. Gather a team and see how you do.

Put your Friends knowledge to the test with a trivia night covering iconic moments like the break debate, Smelly Cat, and the infamous Thanksgiving trifle. Bring a team and see who remembers the most about Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe. This is a free, in person event on a first come, first served basis. Arriving early with your whole team is recommended to secure a spot, and there is time to grab dinner before the questions begin. Expect plenty of laughs and the occasional shout to pivot as the questions keep coming.

Boone’s hosts a weekly open mic night with Joel Honey and Silas Tockey. The event takes place rain or shine, with a full bar and the kitchen open until 9.