Family events in Janesville, WI

New Life offers a free food pantry that welcomes the public with a simple drive-up process. Pull into the line and remain in your car while groceries are brought to you, and walk-up service is available for those without a vehicle. A photo ID is required. There is no Rock County residency requirement and no proof of income is needed, and visitors may come every week. Each distribution features a variety of items that can include fresh produce, dairy, eggs, milk, breads, meat, canned vegetables, soups, pasta, rice, and other frozen or shelf-stable foods.

Enjoy a Play & Trade Night celebrating both Pokemon and Digimon, with space to battle, swap, and connect with fellow fans. Every attendee receives a complimentary promo pack for their preferred game, and players who participate in both can receive both, with an active BandaiTCG+ required for Digimon and a Pokemon Trainer Center ID needed for Pokemon. The fun also includes Pokemon Pinball, where the top four players earn extra rewards. Pinball costs $1 per game or $2 for three games, and replays are disabled during play and trade nights so everyone gets a turn. Prizes include three Pokemon TCG booster packs for first place, based on availability, and three Pokemon TCG Prize Packs for second through fourth.

Celebrate the spooky season with hands-on pumpkin painting, a costume parade that welcomes adults, kids, and pets, and trick-or-treating around the campsites. Show off your creativity with campsite decorating for a chance to win prizes, then wrap up the festivities with a visit to the haunted barn, which requires a separate admission.

The Milton House Museum’s Signature Event 2026 fills the Janesville Performing Arts Center with an evening of music and movement in Rock County. Headlining the program are the Grammy award-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers, the historic ensemble from Fisk University in Nashville, TN, known for more than 150 years of preserving the spirituals first sung by formerly enslaved people in the United States. Their repertoire carries themes of resilience, hope, and freedom. Also featured is Milwaukee’s Ko-Thi Dance Company, presenting dynamic African and Caribbean dance traditions through rhythm and motion. Tickets are $75, with a $125 VIP package available. A presale is offered to Milton Historical Society members before tickets open to the general public. This concert is the museum’s largest fundraiser of the year, supporting preservation of the Milton House and educational programs that share its Underground Railroad story with visitors and students.

Sunny + Olive is hosting a puppy and kitten shower in support of animals at the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin. The afternoon focuses on cuddles, cuteness, and giving back, and there may even be some kitties. Bring a donation item for the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin to receive 10% off your purchase. Most needed items include wet kitten food, kitten milk replacer, non clumping cat litter, wet puppy food, dry kitten food, wet cat food, wet dog food, puppy and kitten toys, and blankets.

The Pokémon League features activities for all ages across Pokémon GO, the Trading Card Game, and the video games. Entry is $5. Each participant receives four promo packs while supplies last, and bringing a new friend earns both of you an extra league promo pack. All players must have a free Pokémon Trainer Club account. Parents or anyone over 13 can sign up, then select the "I need an ID number" option and bring that ID to league play. Earn additional rewards by playing matches, with one extra promo prize pack available for every four matches completed, limited to one bonus pack per session.

Faith Community Church hosts a stop on the Acoustic Storytime Tour with performances by Jason Gray, Blanca, and Stars Go Dim. This up-close concert pairs music with personal storytelling, lighthearted moments, and reflections that highlight hope and faith, creating a shared experience for families and friends. Tickets are available.