The Scene - Illinois Valley

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The Jammin’ at the Clock summer concert series will return to Heritage Park in downtown Streator for its 10th year, beginning with a performance by Noreen Stark on Friday, June 6.

With everything from duck derbies to tractor treks, there is plenty to do in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

The Ottawa Special Events Committee has announced the schedule for its 2025 Music in the Park concert series, bringing live music to Washington Park every Saturday evening this summer.

Father's Day is Sunday, June 15.

The Midwest is full of beautiful national parks, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Check out these niche stays in St. Charles, Ottawa, Algonquin and more.

Your guide to some of the hottest festivals happening in communities across northern Illinois in 2025, from Joliet to Crystal Lake and Rock Falls to Geneva.

The 2025 farmers market season kicks off soon in communities across northern Illinois. Here's a list of some of the best markets in the area.

The Second City 65th Anniversary Show showcases some of Second City’s audience’s favorite songs, sketches, and characters written by some of the famed company’s illustrious alumni.

Greenfield Station will provide live music Friday, June 21 at a Reimagine Mendota event at Lake Mendota.

The Abbey Resort has everything for a family or couples getaway this summer – golf, spa, swimming, boating and more.

Sweet Tooth in Morris carries nostalgic candy, gourmet chocolate and more. Hey Sweetie in downtown Ottawa offers a variety of candies and ice cream.

Enjoy trolley rides, baseball, and more this weekend across the Illinois Valley.

Wine on the Hill events, which feature live music in the afternoons, and Cave Tasting Experiences begin in May and run through October at August Hill Winery in Peru.

Summer is here, and it's time to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of northern Illinois.

Northern Illinois offers a vibrant international food scene ready to tantalize your taste buds.

Here's a list of some of the most beautiful road trip ideas in the U.S.

Summer is filled with beer festivals, from Joliet to Princeton, Galena to McHenry and more.

May is National Burger Month, and National Burger Day is May 28. Here's a list of award-winning burgers in the suburbs, DeKalb and Illinois Valley.

Bureau County has a variety of fun activities for all ages happening all summer long.

A new Italian restaurant focusing on fresh pasta, wine and bringing a culinary twist to classic Italian dishes and drinks is opening at the former JJ’s Pub in Ottawa.

The inaugural Ottawa Food and Wine Festival is May 31 in downtown Ottawa. Enjoy award-winning wines, small bites and live music.

Northern Illinois is home to many unique distilleries that use farm fresh-to-bottle ingredients.

Kayak, sky dive, ride an ATV, rides bikes on a guided tour or take a cruise along the Illinois River during your summer adventure in Starved Rock Country.

Here's where you can find award-winning BBQ in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties and the Illinois Valley. National Barbecue Day is Friday, May 16.

The free events feature shopping, kids activities, food and drink specials and more in downtown Ottawa.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

Harbor Inn vacation rentals at Heritage Harbor, located near Ottawa on the Illinois River, give guests a relaxing getaway.

Check out these northern Illinois restaurants known for their burgers. From McHenry County to the Illinois Valley and everywhere in between, we've got you covered with a variety of places to try during National Burger Month.

Visit these award-winning breweries and wineries in Kane, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties and the Illinois Valley area.

Open Prairie United Church of Christ in Princeton will host a free concert by folk artist Bobby Jo Valentine at 7 p.m. on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11.

Utica businesses kick off the outdoor dining season by setting up patio furniture, flowers, decorations and canopies on Thursday for customers on Mill Street in downtown Utica. The outdoor dining season on Mill Street runs through October.

NCI ARTworks will host an opening reception for the month-long exhibition of art by award-winning artists Matt Jagitsch and Ryan Jandrey from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 9 at the NCI ARTworks Gallery.

Camp Aramoni in Tonica offers themed monthly brunches, weekly live music events and more this spring and summer.

A long anticipated coffee shop opened at 701 Illinois Ave. in Mendota

Beer and wine festivals around northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin offer springtime fun in the coming months.

Go back to the Prohibition era at these speakeasy bars located in St. Charles, La Salle, Elgin, Lockport and more northern Illinois locations.

Check out these classes in the suburbs for your next girls night out, family outing or date night.

Treat mom to brunch on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11.

A free kids fishing expo in Peru, vendors market in Sheffield, the Starved Rock Country marathon, a folk artist in Princeton and an art exhibit in Peru are among the activities this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Here's a list of the best Mexican restaurants in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties and the Illinois Valley, as voted on by Shaw Local audiences.

Morel Fest will take place this weekend at the Jordan Block, 100 Main Street, in downtown Ottawa.

The Down on Main Summer Street Concert Series in Princeton is set to return this summer.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will present its 75th anniversary season finale concert, “A Dazzling Finale,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre at Illinois Valley Community College.

Bring your appetite to these food truck festivals happening around northern Illinois this spring and summer.

Market on Mill will open in Utica, Morel Fest returns to Ottawa, the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will conclude its season, the MOMsemble will perform in Princeton and an Earth Day celebration will commence in an event-packed weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Dreamwave Wrestling is a professional wrestling company based in La Salle. The shows are a form of entertainment described as “theater with muscles,” combining the drama of a theater production with the athleticism of sport.

From classical music to rock, there's a concert for everyone happening in May in northern Illinois.

A list of the best steakhouses in Kane, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties, as well as the Illinois Valley, as voted on by Shaw Local audiences.