Free events in Beloit, WI

Celebrate the season at a free, family friendly community festival at Bethany featuring a potluck lunch and a variety of activities. Guests who wish to bring a dish to share can sign up on the sheet in the narthex or send a message through the Bethany church Facebook page. Look forward to a bounce house, bags and other yard games, a fire pit with a s’mores station, a hot cocoa station, and crafts, along with additional seasonal fun for all ages. Enjoy good food, warm drinks, and time with neighbors in a relaxed fall setting.

A complimentary Open Commander night welcomes participants to connect and take part together. All are welcome.

New Life Food Pantry provides free groceries for anyone in need. The pantry uses a drive-up system where you line up in your vehicle and food will be brought to you, and walk-ups are accommodated for those without a car. Bring a photo ID. Proof of income or Rock County residency is not required, and you may visit weekly. Offerings vary from week to week and may include fresh produce, dairy, eggs, milk, breads, meat, canned vegetables, soups, pasta, rice, and other frozen or shelf-stable foods. Service is available only during pantry hours on Tuesdays at New Life Assembly of God Church.

Put your brain to the test with a free game that offers a chance to win great prizes from The Rigby.

At Cafe Coda, the evening centers on bachata with a lesson in the back room, followed by a lively social dance. The front room hosts tango alongside the Latin soundtrack, and dancers can move between the two rooms throughout the night. As the night progresses, a mixed social starts in the front room. Social dancing is free, while the class has a $10 cover payable to the bar staff.

The Edgebrook Farmers Market features local farmers offering high quality seasonal vegetables and fruits, colorful flowers and plants, and a range of specialty foods including fresh baked goods, honey, farm fresh eggs, jams and jellies, mixes, crunchy cheese snacks, and more.

Get started with the Pokemon Trading Card Game at a hands-on Play Lab. Professors will lead demonstrations and provide learn-to-play materials to make getting started easy. New players can keep the demo decks they use while supplies last. There is no cost to attend.

Team up for a live trivia game at Buffalo Wild Wings in Beloit. Entry is free and prizes await the top performers. A host leads an interactive format with multiple rounds, and each show includes an image round and a music round. Players use their phones to follow the game link, submit answers, and earn points. Expect a welcoming, competitive atmosphere, questions that cover topics from pop culture to history, and plenty of laughs with your team. Work together, build your score, and aim for first place to take home rewards.

Saber DJ Trivia returns to World Famous East Point Sportz Pub in Janesville with a lively general knowledge challenge packed with laughs, brain-busting questions, and upbeat energy. The game is free to play, teams can compete for cash prizes, and the event is hosted by Saber DJ.

Test your knowledge at Cardinal Bar during a weekly trivia night presented by Premier Trivia. There is no cost to participate, and awards are given to the first, second, and third place teams.

Test your knowledge at Sconnie Bar as Shelby hosts a lively general knowledge trivia game featuring categories like movies, music, history, geography, science, Disney, television, and more. Pens and scoresheets are provided, and teams are encouraged to have a representative arrive early to register. It is free to play. Music will play between questions, and some songs may contain clues. Prizes include $40, $20, and $10 gift certificates for first, second, and third place. A free answer is available for the game.

Celebrate the season at a family-friendly fall festival featuring trunk-or-treat fun. Kids can collect candy while visiting creatively decorated trunks presented by local businesses and community partners. The event also offers fall-themed crafts, games, and hands-on activities for all ages. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is free and open to everyone. Those interested in hosting a trunk can contact Michelle Adkins at 608-757-8300, ext. 216 for more information.

Madison Night Market, held in partnership with Wisconsin Science Festival and Science on the Square, celebrates the city’s fast growing downtown with artisans, entrepreneurs, and food lovers. Following a record-setting year in 2025 with more than 129,000 visits reported by Placer.ai, up 10 percent from 2024, the market continues to reflect the momentum in Madison’s Central Business Improvement District, where 56 new businesses have opened or been announced over the past 18 months. Family activities, performers, and entertainment will be announced soon.

A happy hour performance with Tony Castañeda’s Latin Jazz Band spotlights the vibrant spirit of classic Latin jazz. For more than two decades, this Wisconsin mainstay has honored the golden era of the genre. The group has received fourteen Isthmus Madison Favorite Jazz Band awards and has shared the stage with Poncho Sanchez, John Santos, Giovanni Hidalgo, and John Benitez. This is a free event.

Echo Tap & Grill features live general knowledge trivia on Thursdays. The game spans categories like movies, music, history, geography, science, Disney, TV, and more. It is free to play. Teams receive pens and score sheets, and one teammate should plan to arrive early to handle registration. Food and drinks are available while you play. Music plays between questions, and some songs may contain clues. Prizes include gift certificates valued at $30 for first place, $20 for second, and $10 for third. A free answer is also available for participants.

Open Mic Comedy at The Rigby features a sign-up list available before the show, with performances to follow. Admission is free.

Forest City Farmer’s Market in Rockford features a mix of first-time vendors and longtime participants, with appreciation for returning sellers who keep the spirit lively.

Browse a market where product selection changes with the season. For information on what may be available, visit the market website.

A seasonal celebration features a chili competition, live music, booths from local vendors, and a family friendly photo booth, along with other activities. Admission is free. More information about the activities, participating vendors, and opportunities to take part will be announced soon.

This free, welcoming space for ages 10 to 13 offers time to connect with peers, build confidence, and be themselves. The group focuses on identity, friendships, and the everyday challenges of growing up in a supportive setting. Food and refreshments are provided. Attendees can bring a friend and celebrate what makes them unique. For questions, text or call (331) 303-0818.

Dr. Ian Hutchinson, Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a leading plasma physicist, offers a free talk as the third annual Dallas A. Willard Lecture presented by the Lumen Center. Drawing on his longstanding critique of scientism, he examines how knowledge and love of God can be understood in a scientific and technological age. The lecture calls the university community to reflect on the relationship between Christianity, science, and the current cultural landscape. It considers the Christian tradition’s layered view of knowing, with love at the summit, and why that vision has dimmed in a culture steeped in science. The talk also addresses the rising influence of artificial intelligence, often shaped by assumptions consistent with scientism, and asks what a faithful Christian response should be today. The Dallas A. Willard Lecture is generously supported by Fieldstead and Co.

You are invited to stop by the Beloit Farmers Market and say hello in person.

At Spring Grove Cemetery, this work day focuses on uprighting, restoring, and cleaning headstones as part of a preservation effort now in its sixth year. New waivers are required before work begins, and project leads Mark Wendorf and Ryan Schroeder will handle that process and help direct tasks. Participants can check with Mark or Ryan to find where help is needed. Not all roles require heavy lifting, because careful headstone cleaning is also essential. Those interested in cleaning can speak with Jennifer for inspiration. The group typically works most Saturdays from May through October, weather permitting. Gratitude is extended to everyone who has helped and to those who have contributed time or funds to this cause. #DelavanHistoryMatters

Learn how to get the most from your Honda’s technology at a free clinic at Schlossmann Honda City. All Honda owners are welcome, even if the vehicle was purchased elsewhere. A team member guides participants through useful features, answers questions, and keeps the experience friendly and low pressure. It is especially helpful for new owners or anyone who did not have time to learn every feature at delivery. Topics may include Bluetooth setup and voice controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, safety systems and sensors, driver preference settings and customization, backup camera options, Carwash Mode, and more. Questions are encouraged, and the session is designed to build confidence with your vehicle’s features.

CherryVale Mall hosts a free, mall-wide celebration of pop culture with shopping and displays spread across both levels. Browse original art, meet indie authors, and hunt for action figures, plushies, posters, vintage video games, TCG cards, and a big selection of comic books. Fans will also find items from beloved franchises including Star Wars, Pokemon, GI Joe, and Transformers. A cosplay showcase is part of the festivities.

A free, in-person meditation gathering for young adults ages 18 to 39 hosted by the Wake Up Madison community. Practice follows the Plum Village tradition associated with Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, blending seated and walking meditation with simple mindfulness exercises, readings from the tradition, and time for open Dharma sharing. The group is LGBTQ+ inclusive and welcomes people from any spiritual or religious background. Meetings take place at the Friends Meeting House.

Search for signs of ancient life with In the Outdoors: Fossil Frenzy. A short walk leads to a favorite fossil-hunting spot, then it is time to sift through rocks and soil in hopes of uncovering pieces of the prehistoric past. This free event is supported by Rock River Disposal. Advance registration is encouraged and appreciated.

Admission is free for a screening of the 1982 West German thriller Der Fan in Room 4070, Vilas Hall in Madison. Directed by Eckhart Schmidt and running 92 minutes, the film centers on Simone, played by Désirée Nosbusch, whose consuming fixation on pop star R, portrayed by Bodo Steiger, leads her to walk away from school and family. When she finally meets him at a TV taping, events unfold into a stark story of seduction, rejection, and revenge. Presented via DCP, this showing features a 4K restoration of the original German version provided by Fun City Editions and also includes Simone Brahmann in the cast. The film had not previously received an official U.S. theatrical release.

Live blues returns to Bierock as Madison band Chaos in the Kitchen takes the stage. The lineup features Tim Seery on drums, Kara Rogers on bass, Eric Finchon on harmonica and vocals, and Wayne Seiter on guitar and vocals. The group previously performed at this venue in April for Record Store Day. There is no cover charge, and tips for the musicians are appreciated. During the day Bierock operates as a comfort food restaurant and bar, then it becomes a local music club that highlights emerging and live local talent and supports the creative community.