National Sandwich Day is Monday, Nov. 3 Check out these award-winning sandwich shops in DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties, Illinois Valley and Sauk Valley.

Make the end of summer more memorable by planning a getaway at a unique resort or bed & breakfast in northern Illinois

Enjoy a free concert from the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, check out a Halloween-themed play at Stage Coach Players or trick-or-treat at the Ellwood mansion.

“The Haunting of Hill House” is based on the 1964 play by F. Andrew Leslie and the 1959 novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson.

Discover the colors and activities of autumn at these parks in the Illinois Valley.

Check out these delightfully frightening haunted houses in northern Illinois, guaranteed to bring the scares this season.

The DeKalb Public Library will host its third annual DeKalb Day of the Dead Celebration in honor of the Day of the Dead.

Audiences will enjoy a full-production show complete with stunning laser lighting and immersive video displays that elevate the experience.

Led by ESO Music Director Chad Goodman, the concert features works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Clara Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn.

Oddities abound at this new shop of dark art and oddities in downtown DeKalb. Mr. Willy's Dark Art and Oddities first started doing business in town on Oct. 18.

The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival runs Wednesday, Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 26.

From cinematic pumpkins to hometown VIPs and autumn vibes, the 2025 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival is poised to bring the flavor of fall to anyone who attends the festival’s 64th rendition.

Beatles tribute band Abbey Road and Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction will perform separate sets and a combined encore at their Oct. 24 show.

From the powerful guitar duel in “Hotel California” to the shimmering harmonies of “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” Heartache Tonight brings fans a true Eagles concert experience.

These northern Illinois pumpkin farms are ready to welcome guests for a day of family-friendly fall fun.

Activities are planned for every day of the five-day festival, from Wednesday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Oct. 26. Here's what to expect at Sycamore Pumpkin Fest:

This unforgettable evening of music blends country, classical, Broadway and contemporary hits.

The concert will feature vocalist José Carlos Díaz, BFH dance ensemble, cultural activities and more.

The DeKalb County History Center’s annual Historic Homes Tour Saturday will feature the theme theme is “Whimsical Houses,” showcasing some of Sycamore’s most interesting and somewhat quirky historic homes.

Watch football and baseball playoff games at one of these lively sports bars in northern Illinois.

Actors Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan and Elijah Wood will reunite with fans for "An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years," at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.

Take a guided ghost tour of the historic Ellwood House mansion in DeKalb on Friday or Saturday night.

The Kishwaukee Concert Band will open its 24th concert season with a performance to honor the late William “Bill” Schulze" of Elburn, a fellow musician and friend of the band, according to a news release.

The Illinois Valley has several haunted tours that explore the supernatural this Halloween season.

National Dessert Day is Tuesday, Oct. 14!

The Virginia hillside where Quaker Run Vineyard is located is an unlikely spot for growing grapes.

Witches Night Out is set for Thursday, Oct. 9 in downtown Sycamore.

Performances run Oct. 10-12 at the Sandwich Opera House.

All Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra concerts are held in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, in the Northern Illinois University Music Building. The season opens Oct. 11

The self-proclaimed Bozologist — he’s written the book on Bozo — has taken his massive collection of toys, merchandise, research, and historical ephemera and put it in one place in downtown Elgin.

Looking for an outdoorsy getaway this season? Check out these four destinations in northern Illinois.

The DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center will host a trunk-or-treat event for children to go trick-or-treating.

Experience some real-life haunts at the historic Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb on Friday, Oct. 10.

The DeKalb County History Center will partner with the Ellwood House Museum to host the second part of its “Dessert and Dialogue” discussion series.

NIU's Homecoming Parade and Block Party is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 in downtown DeKalb.

Looking for something fun to do in DeKalb County this season? Check out this list of family-friendly events.

Downtown DeKalb has a new spot for steaks and other food, after Florentino’s Charhouse opened this month.

Based on the comic strip by Harold Gray, “Annie” won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and features well-known songs such as “Tomorrow.”

KVAL’s “Things I Love About DeKalb County” juried art show’s artist reception and awards ceremony is Oct. 3. That, glass blowing demonstrations and other programming await in October at the Kishwaukee Valley Art League in Sycamore.

Check out these fantastic fall festivals in Sycamore, St. Charles, Utica, Aurora and more.

The DeKalb County History Center will host its annual “Etched in Stone” Cemetery Walk, touring a local cemetery next month.

For the entire month, wine lovers are encouraged to host small, casual get-togethers to celebrate their love of wine.

Fall is in the air and so is the season’s latest Back Alley Market, a downtown DeKalb shopping experience featuring more than 150 area vendors on Saturday.

The Egyptian Theatre will host "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with a live shadow cast on Friday, Sept. 26.

This year's selections include 'The Lost Boys,' 'Night of the Living Dead' and more.

From wine tastings to historic tours, Galena is the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway.

The Egyptian Theatre will host a performance of the World Ballet Company’s “The Great Gatsby Ballet” as part of the company’s fall 2025 tour.

‘Lincoln’s Ottawa: Stories from Valley View’ take guests on a tour of several historic sites in the Illinois Valley related to Abraham Lincoln.

Grammy-winning guitarist Cody Kilby will perform at the Sandwich farm's open air venue Saturday, Sept. 27 with Dre Anders and the Gibson Brothers.

The Napa Valley winery is known for high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.