Events in Savanna, IL

Test your knowledge with a live, interactive team trivia night at 7 Hills South in Clinton, Iowa, presented by Think & Drink Trivia. Teams of up to eight play for free through four rounds that increase in difficulty and point values, with categories that include current events, history, geography, science, sports, and more. After each question a song plays, and your team has the length of that track to turn in an answer. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams, and house cash is on the line. Devices are not allowed during the game, so please refrain from using phones, web access, or smart watches. Arriving early can help secure a table.

A warm, creative meetup for people who love fiber arts. Work on crochet, knitting, weaving, embroidery, felting, or any other fiber-based project while sharing skills and learning new techniques with fellow makers. Everyone is welcome, from first-time crafters to seasoned pros, and all ages can take part. Bring a work in progress or start something new. A limited selection of yarn plus crochet hooks and knitting needles is provided, and other materials are not included. Expect relaxed conversation, fresh ideas, and a friendly space to stitch together on the 2nd floor.

Karaoke returns to Rawhide with Steve and Dawn leading the singing. Take the mic and share a favorite song.

Set aside screen time and sink into a peaceful encounter with nature and honeybees through a gentle bee and nature bathing experience. A beekeeper begins with reflections on the benefits of time outdoors and the soothing resonance of the hive, noting the key-of-C hum often associated with calm, shared as nature’s wisdom without medical claims. After a short orientation, participants put on protective suits and enter a quiet apiary. Sunny yellow Adirondack chairs offer a comfortable spot to breathe in country air, watch the bees coming and going, and simply be present. You may record the sound to take a bit of the moment home, and gloves compatible with smartphones make it easy to capture photos and video. Continue inside for a tasting at the Honey Bar, featuring as many as 20 honeys from around the globe, each with its own character. Suitable for ages 6 and up. Space is limited. The price is $55 per person.

Discover a fairytale-like castle built around a love story, set atop a wooded hill in Savanna, Illinois near the Mississippi River and close to Galena. Explore at your own pace through rooms filled with thousands of antiques, artwork, and historic objects. A complimentary audio tour app narrated by the owner is included with admission, or follow the clearly marked signs throughout the property. Open on weekends, it makes a scenic fall outing for a country drive. Tickets are available in advance or at the door, and owner-led VIP tours are also offered.

This all-ages club brings together chess enthusiasts of every experience level to connect over the board in a welcoming setting. Children, teens, adults, and seniors take part, with newcomers finding plenty of support to learn and improve while experienced players enjoy spirited games and the chance to share strategies. The emphasis is on community, inclusivity, and a shared love of chess. Activities take place on the lower level.

This fall VIP tour at Havencrest Castle spotlights a hilltop home created as a lifelong expression of love by owner and artist Alan St. George for his wife of more than three decades. Led by St. George, the experience explores the first and second floors, adds exclusive access to the fifth-floor Crystal Tower, and includes a stop in the Giant Chippendale Chair Room for photos. In total, 29 rooms are featured, and attendance is limited to 10 people.

Wreckin' Dixie performs live at Off Shore Hotel & Resort in Bellevue, Iowa, on the Mississippi River riverfront. Enjoy the band's show in a scenic waterfront setting.

This community fundraiser benefits QC Rock Academy, a program that helps musicians 18 and under learn rock music. Taking place at Poopy's, it emphasizes encouragement for local youth and support for the future of live music in the region.

Mark the New Moon with a space for fresh beginnings and intention setting focused on the future you want to cultivate. Participants will engage in manifestation practices, and blessings will be offered to anyone who wishes to receive them. This is a free experience, and children are welcome to take part. The event occurs after hours.

Designed for first-time homebuyers, this free and laid-back session explains each step of the purchase process and outlines mortgage options to help attendees feel confident about moving toward homeownership. Mexican bites and margaritas are part of the experience. Attendees receive a coupon for $200 off closing costs.

Book Buy Back Day evaluates books purchased at The Novel Bloom for potential store credit. All items must be in good condition with no highlighting, tears, or water damage. Acceptance depends on demand for each title and current stock, and books are reviewed in the order received. Store credit can be used the same day or loaded onto a gift card for a future purchase.

Unplug and relax with a guided immersion in nature and honeybees, designed as a gentle bee and nature bathing experience. It begins with an introduction from the beekeeper, who shares insights into the calming qualities of time spent outdoors and around bees, including their key-of-C buzz, offered as nature’s wisdom rather than a medical claim. After a safety overview, participants put on protective beekeeping gear and enter the quiet apiary. Settle into bright yellow Adirondack chairs, breathe the fresh air, watch bees moving in and out of the hives, and listen to the steady hum. If you wish, record the sound to take a memory home. Smartphone-friendly gloves make it easy to capture photos and videos of the moment. The experience continues inside with an exclusive Honey Bar tasting featuring up to 20 varieties from around the world, each with its own flavor and story. Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Open to ages 6 and up. The cost is $55 per person.

Experiment with a mashup plush project at an open, drop in workshop where participants take apart stuffed animals and sew the pieces together to create a custom monster. Supplies including plushies, polyfill, and basic sewing materials are provided, or bring your own if you like. This activity is for ages 12 and up and takes place on the second floor.

Catch live blues at Hawg Dogs with The Blues Deacons, a Champaign-Urbana band that blends timeless standards, modern favorites, lesser-heard cuts, and original material. No cover charge. Make it a full outing with Hawg Dogs’ complete menu, featuring appetizers, salads, pizza, burgers, wraps, specialty sandwiches, and dinners.

Dan Ramirez brings his solo performance back to Chadwick with a set at Rawhide Saloon.

Blues Deacons, a blues band from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, brings a varied set to Hawg Dogs that mixes classic staples, contemporary favorites, lesser-known picks, and original songs. Admission is free. Pair the music with Hawg Dogs’ full menu, featuring appetizers and salads, plus pizza, burgers, wraps, specialty sandwiches, and dinners.

Novel Bloom Book Club returns with a discussion centered on Slewfoot, the book of the month. Two sessions are offered, and the shop reopens in the evening for the night discussion. To participate, purchase your copy of the selection from The Novel Bloom. The bar will be open with drinks available for purchase.

A community-focused outing by the river features food, shopping, live entertainment, and riverfront views. Information on food and drink trucks is on the way, and vendor details will be announced as they become available.

Help reduce plastic waste by making Boomerang Bags at the library. Volunteers will cut and sew reusable totes and assemble take-n-sew kits that support replacing plastic bags in the building. Boomerang Bags is a global effort that tackles plastic pollution by upcycling and recycling fabric into home-sewn bags, which will be available for patrons to carry library books. This program runs on the third Thursday of the month, with a pause in November and December. It takes place on the second floor and welcomes participants ages 12 and up. Registration is required, with limited space available for nine sewing spots and nine cutting spots. When registering, indicate which role you prefer.

Set aside everyday noise for a calm bee and nature bathing experience surrounded by the gentle hum of honeybees. The visit begins with a beekeeper-led introduction to the benefits of time outdoors and around bees, including that bees buzz in the key of C, a sound said to promote relaxation and reduce stress, with no medical claims made. Suit up in a protective beekeeping suit and enter the serene apiary, where bright yellow Adirondack chairs invite you to sit, breathe in the fresh country air, and simply be. Watch the bees travel in and out of the hive, listen to their soothing buzz, and, if you wish, record the sounds to bring a bit of the moment home. Smartphone-friendly gloves are provided to make capturing photos and videos easy. Afterward, continue inside for an exclusive tasting at the Honey Bar and sample up to 20 varieties of honey from around the world, each with its own flavor and story. Limited spots are available, and registration in advance is online. Open to ages 6 and up. $55 per person.

Shenandoah Riding Center partners with Dry Creek Beekeeping for a two-part experience that pairs outdoor adventure with local flavor. It begins with a guided, one-hour trail ride through the rolling hills and woodlands of The Galena Territory. After dismounting, participants move indoors for a 60-minute honey tasting led by bee expert B'Ann Dittmar, exploring more than 20 varieties and comparing their colors, flavors, textures, aromas, and viscosities. An optional upgrade adds a charcuterie tray from Galena River Wine & Cheese with a glass of bubbly or a non-alcoholic drink for an additional 25 dollars.

Enjoy a set by The Trippin Billies, a Dave Matthews tribute band, while sampling regional brews and savoring bacon-inspired dishes. New this year is an on-site primitive camping option, and a $100 package covers two nights of camping plus two tickets to the event.

Toxic Blonde brings a live show to Off Shore Resort in Bellevue, IA.

This relaxing experience invites participants to disconnect and spend peaceful time in nature with honeybees. It begins with an introduction from the beekeeper about the benefits of being outdoors and around bees, including the soothing quality of their key-of-C buzz, with no medical claims made. After a safety briefing, participants suit up in protective beekeeping gear and enter a quiet apiary, where bright yellow Adirondack chairs provide a comfortable place to breathe deeply, watch bees travel to and from their hives, and listen to the calming hum. Those who wish can record the ambient sounds to revisit later, and smartphone-friendly gloves make it easy to capture photos and videos. The visit continues inside with an exclusive Honey Bar tasting that features up to 20 varieties from around the world, each offering its own distinct flavor. Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Open to ages 6 and up. $55 per person.

Shenandoah Riding Center teams up with nearby Dry Creek Beekeeping for an experience that pairs trail riding with a guided exploration of honey. It begins with a guided ride of about an hour along scenic paths through the hills and woods of The Galena Territory. Afterward, head indoors for a 60 minute tasting led by bee expert B'Ann Dittmar, sampling more than 20 distinct honeys while comparing their colors, flavors, textures, aromas, and thickness. An optional add on is available for an additional $25 that includes a charcuterie tray from Galena River Wine & Cheese with a glass of sparkling wine or a non alcoholic drink.

An evening of spooky fun unfolds at the Fort with hands-on haunted history. Discover old-time ways people claimed to keep witches away and the remedies once tried for cholera. Witness a frontier funeral while learning how many modern mourning practices trace back to the 19th century. Hear the ghost of John Gray recount the story of his life and his death during the Black Hawk War. Activities for all ages include a haunted history scavenger hunt and a gathering by the fire to hear a selection of chilling historical tales.

Get ready to rock with 3 On The Tree at Hawg Dogs. This upbeat event centers on music and an energetic vibe, perfect for anyone looking to turn up the volume and have a good time.

Get into the Halloween spirit with the sixth annual SxS and all-vehicle ride held for Stead Children's Hospital. The ride will set out from the Downtown Pub, and the route will be announced. Activities include a 50/50, a silent auction, a live auction, and plenty of spooky fun.

Step away from the usual routine and settle into a calming bee and nature bathing experience surrounded by honeybees. A beekeeper begins with an introduction to the soothing benefits of time in nature and among bees, including the note that their gentle buzz resonates in the key of C, a sound associated with relaxation without making medical claims. After the overview, put on a protective beekeeping suit and enter a tranquil apiary where bright yellow Adirondack chairs are set for quiet reflection. Breathe the fresh country air, watch bees as they travel to and from the hives, and listen to the steady hum. If you choose, record the sounds to revisit later. Smartphone-friendly gloves are provided so you can comfortably capture photos and videos. The experience continues indoors with a tasting at the Honey Bar, featuring up to 20 varieties of honey from around the world, each with its own distinct flavor and story. Open to ages 6 and up. The cost is $55 per person. Space is limited, so advance registration is recommended.

Shenandoah Riding Center partners with Dry Creek Beekeeping for a sweet outing that blends a scenic ride with a guided honey exploration. It begins with a one hour guided trail ride through the hills and woods of The Galena Territory. Afterward, head indoors for a 60 minute tasting led by bee expert B'Ann Dittmar, sampling more than 20 varieties while exploring differences in color, flavor, texture, aroma, and viscosity. You can also add a charcuterie tray from Galena River Wine & Cheese with a glass of bubbly or a non alcoholic drink for an additional $25, a relaxed way to savor the experience.

Family friendly and free of charge, this haunted garden showcases a colossal 20-foot-tall Frankie with his bride and other ghouls celebrating Halloween. An outdoor screen will set the mood with Halloween music videos. Bring a camera for a photo opportunity in Dracula’s coffin. Children will receive complimentary trick-or-treat bags with goodies. Some features are weather dependent. This is a drive-by experience with no parking available, and walkers are asked to remain behind the fence. Have a safe and happy Halloween.

A superhero-themed event at Stockton Park House invites kids to enjoy games, meet and greets with costumed heroes, photo opportunities, and more. Participation is limited to 25 children, so advance registration is required. The cost is $25 per child, and payment must be made in advance. Costumes are encouraged, whether that means a favorite superhero or a classic villain. To register, call or text Michelle at 815.541.3473, Darcie at 815.275.0300, or Lizzy at 815.990.1364.

A favorite on the local scene, Jordan Danielsen performs live at Rawhide Saloon, delivering a set of music to enjoy.

Novel Bloom Book Club returns with The River is Waiting as the featured read. Participation requires buying the book from The Novel Bloom. The bar will be open, and beverages can be purchased.

Rather than throwing worn or broken items away, learn simple ways to give them a second life at this community-focused workshop. Make, Mend, Repair offers hands-on guidance in basic sewing for patching, hemming, and mending, along with easy fixes using hand tools for tightening, gluing, and everyday repairs. Expect practical tips on reusing and repurposing to cut down on waste, plus a friendly space to trade skills, stories, and resources. Bring something to work on, such as a zipper that sticks, a shirt missing a button, or a well-loved toy in need of care, or come without an item and build your skills. Materials and support are provided, and no prior experience is needed. The goal is to help participants feel confident, save money, and practice sustainable habits one fix at a time. Assistance is offered, but outcomes are not guaranteed, since the helpers are librarians, not mechanics. Open to all ages, held in the makerspace on the second floor, and scheduled on the second Thursday of each month. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Korey Pepper makes his third appearance of the year at Rawhide.

Trade in eligible titles from Novel Bloom for store credit through this book buyback. Books must be in good condition, free of highlighting, page tears, and water damage. Only books originally purchased at Novel Bloom are considered, and acceptance is based on demand for each title and current inventory. Submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. Any credit issued can be used immediately or applied to a gift card for a future purchase.

Bring your best pirate attire for a themed night filled with costume contests, games, music, and specials on drinks. Richard Dean will be part of the festivities.

Young horse enthusiasts ages 5 to 15 can spend a day at The Shenandoah Riding Center learning real horsemanship through hands-on care and riding. Campers will groom, halter, lead, and tie a horse in a friendly setting, then take part in a group riding lesson that builds confidence and deepens the bond with gentle horses. The camp also features interactive games and engaging activities. Participants should bring a packed lunch, a snack, and water, along with a change of clothes. Expect a lively atmosphere with opportunities to make new friends, both two-legged and four-legged.

Guests can look forward to a performance by the QC Ukulele Club.

Travel back to 1832 and experience a German-style Christmas with time-honored traditions. Enjoy the sight of a decorated fir tree and hand-molded marzipan. Children and adults can play with period toys and games, then try bartering at the fur trading post for some of the best goods on this side of the Mississippi. Round out the visit at the Fort’s gift shop inside the Interpretive Center, where you can find unique items for everyone on your shopping list.

Eric Whitlock performs live at Rawhide.

Novel Bloom Book Club 2026 returns for a December discussion centered on Theo of Golden. Participation requires purchasing the book from The Novel Bloom. A bar will be open during the event with drinks available for purchase.

Exchange eligible books for store credit at this buy back event. Books must be in good condition with no highlighting, tears, or water damage. Only titles purchased at the Novel Bloom are eligible. Acceptance depends on current demand and stock levels, and books are evaluated in the order received. If any titles are not reviewed by the end of the event, they will be evaluated afterward. Store credit can be redeemed the same day or applied to a gift card for a future purchase.

Celebrate the season and soak up some festive cheer with a holiday-focused event that lifts spirits.

A candlelit Yule Ball brings together tea, storytelling, and time-honored winter customs in a cozy setting. Attendees sample a thoughtfully arranged progression of Nordic-inspired teas, each poured in turn and accompanied by a tale rooted in Nordic folklore, seasonal rituals, and meaningful symbolism. Hands-on moments include crafting ornaments, receiving rune readings, and hearing Nordic winter narratives that encourage reflection on intention, protection, and renewal. A styled photo spot offers a place to capture the atmosphere and the spirit of the season. Sip, create, and honor the return of the light at this immersive celebration.