21 ideas for weekend fun in the Rockford area
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Spooky season is starting to settle on the Rockford region, with a variety of Halloween-themed events on tap this weekend.
There are trunk or treat events for the kids to put on their costumes and grab some candy, there are events and parties with live music for adults, a full moon hike and a slew of non-Halloween activities this weekend as well.
Looking for something to do in the area this weekend? Here are 21 ideas to get you started:
Trunk or Treat at Christ the Rock
What: Christ the Rock Preschool will hold its annual trunk or treat, providing children a safe way to collect candy from decorated cars.
Where: Christ the Rock Preschool, 8330 Newburg Road, Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16
Info: Go HERE
Full moon hike
What: Severson Dells Nature Center will host a full moon hike to help you learn about constellations and hopefully encounter nocturnal wildlife.
When: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford
Cost: $3 members; $5 nonmembers
Info: Go HERE
Tasting Notes
What: Jack Daniel’s Tasting Notes is a night of music from Carlos Calvo that cues tastings of a curated selection of Jack Daniel’s whiskeys. Your ticket includes one curated Jack Daniel’s cocktail, Tennessee-inspired fare, live music and admission to the “Tasting Notes” experience where you will be able to savor four distinct expressions of Jack Daniel’s.
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Where: Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Country Crooner at The Music Box
What: Country singer-songwriter Chris Bigford brings his show from California’s Bay Area to The Music Box of Rockford.
Where: The Music Box of Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Tickets: From $12.57
Info/tickets: themusicboxrockford.com
Spooky Science
What: Put on a Halloween costume and visit Discovery Center’s trick-or-treat stations, play with glow-in-the-dark slime, make your own potions and watch some spooky science demos in the science theater.
When: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $3 members; $9 non-members
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Avalon String Quartet
What: The Avalon String Quartet, which has been performing throughout the country and abroad since 1995, performs as part of the American Voices program from the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Where: Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 406 N. Main St., Rockford
How much: $21 in advance; $25 at the door; $6 student
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Trunk or Treat at Loves Park Y
What: The Northeast Family YMCA will host this free family trunk-or-treat event with themed trunks around the walking path behind the Y in Loves Park.
Where: Northeast Family YMCA, 8451 Orth Road, Loves Park
When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Info: Go HERE
IceHogs v. Admirals
What: The Rockford IceHogs take on the Milwaukee Admirals during $2 beer night. If you’re not a drinker, you can also get a soft drink for $2.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
The Thorn
What: “The Thorn” depicts the story of God’s love amid the spiritual battle for all humanity. It has been described as cirque meets the passion of Jesus, with a combination of dance, martial arts, aerial acrobatics and emotional performances.
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Tickets: Go HERE
Edward David Anderson at The Music Box
What: Americana singer-songwriter Edward David Anderson, who leads the band Backyard Tire Fire, takes the stage at The Music Box of Rockford. Anderson, who has been a regular part of the Anderson Gardens Tuesday night concert series, recently released a new full length album called “Still the River.”
Where: The Music Box of Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Tickets: $18.85
Info/tickets: themusicboxrockford.com
Holidazzle at Winnebago County Fairgrounds
What: Holidazzle is a juried arts and crafts show featuring more than 150 vendors to help you jump-start your holiday shopping and decorating season.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
Where: Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St., Rockford
Admission: $5
Info: Go HERE
Killers of Kill Tony
What: “Killers of Kill Tony” is a standup comedy show featuring fan-favorites from the top-ranked podcast “Kill Tony.” The lineup includes Kam Patterson, David Lucas, Hans Kim, David Jolly and Jessie “Jetski” Johnson.
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Children’s Dia De Los Muertos workshop
What: The Ethnic Heritage Museum will host a children’s workshop with a variety of crafts and activities celebrating and teaching about Dia De Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
Admission: Suggested donation of $10
Info: Go HERE
Hallo’deen
What: This family-friendly event includes Halloween-themed games, glow mini-putt, marshmallow long drive contest, golf cart rides on the haunted course, pumpkin decorating, treats and hot cider. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes. No golf clubs are needed.
Where: Aldeen Golf Course, 1902 Reid Farm Road, Rockford
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Cost: $20
Info/tickets: Go HERE
The Awakening
What: The Awakening Tour is a faith-based musical event featuring Casting Crowns, We The Kingdom, Mac Powell, Katy Nichole, Terrian and David Leonard.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Comedy at Hope & Anchor
What: Mo Good, a storytelling comedian from south Chicago, headlines this week’s standup comedy showcase. Also featured are Angie McMahon, Victoria Flynn and Amy Sumpter.
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Cost: $10
Reservations: Call 815-633-2552
Fiddle wizard with Rockford roots
What: Jazz violinist Randy Sabien, who has roots in Rockford including writing his first Christmas song for J.R. Sullivan’s Hometown Holiday, will bring his virtuosic fiddling to Concerts on the Creek.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Admission: $10 donation encouraged
Tickets: Go HERE
Superhero Center Trunk of Treat
What: The Superhero Center for Autism will host a free trunk or treat event.
Where: Superhero Center for Autism, 4205 Galleria Drive, Loves Park
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Info: Go HERE
Twisted Crypt trunk or treat
What: This family-friendly, non-scary event invites children to dress up in their Halloween costumes for a trunk or treat in the Twisted Crypt parking lot.
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Twisted Crypt Haunted House, 5420 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $2 (a portion is donated to Rock House Kids)
Info: Go HERE
Wicked trunk or treat
What: Wicked Elite Cheer will host its free annual trunk or treat event.
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Wicked Elite Cherry and Tumble, 5512 Elevator Road, Roscoe
Info: Go HERE
Return of the Living Toast
What: Tawdry Toast and Artcade and Gilded Cages present a Halloween-themed evening of music, dance and nostalgic vibes. This adults-only event includes a costume contest and pumpkin painting competition. Live music starts at 8:30 p.m. from Disco Mountain, Dystology and Gilded Cages.
Where: Tawdry Toast Artcade, 406 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 19
Info: Go HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
