25 ideas for laughs, scares, treats and more in the Rockford area this week
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — There are laughs, scares and celebrations around the Rockford area this weekend.
This weekend’s activities include the annual All Hallows Eve at Midway Village Museum, a comedy night at 27 Aluna, an African Cultural Fair, Spook the Blocks in downtown, and a multitude of events around the release of “The Rockford Anthology.” There is also live music, touring comedians and musicians, and charity fundraisers, among other things to do.
You can follow more things to do on our community calendar or submit your own event HERE.
For now, here are 25 ideas to get you started:
X Bar Bingo
What: Matt Hall from The Morning X on 104.9 hosts X Bar Bingo. Get your shot at weekly prizes and partake in dinner and drink specials. Bring your own markers/dabbers.
Where: Chewy’s Bar and Grill, 2233 S. Perryville Road, Rockford
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday
Comedy open mic
What: Fats Productions Presents its monthly, PG-13 comedy open mic. Each comic gets five minutes with 20 spots total.
When: 7:30 p.m. sign-up; 8 p.m. show Thursday, Oct. 23
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
Admission: Free
Northeast Y trunk-or-treat
What: Themed trucks will be parked around the walking path behind the Northeast Family YMCA for trunk-or-treating. There will be a photo backdrop and craft station indoors.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
Where: Northeast Family YMCA, 8451 Orth Road, Loves Park
Info/volunteer: Go HERE
27 Aluna Comedy night
What: 27 Aluna will host a night of stand-up comedy featuring up-and-coming LGBTQ+ comedians. The show features headliner Lyssa Laird with Shawn Banks and Queeny.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
Where: 27 Aluna, 124 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $10
Tickets: Go HERE
All Hallows Eve
What: Midway Village Museum’s annual All Hallows Eve invites families to trick-or-treat at the shops and storefronts in the Victorian Village on campus. Hundreds of costumed kids and families attend the event each year. It’s been a tradition at the museum since 1987.
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road
Admission: $6; free for children 0-2; free for members and members’ children
Photos: All Hallows Eve 2024 at Midway Village Museum
An evening with Miles and Kelly
What: Miles Nielsen and Kelly Steward will perform songs from both their catalogs and music they’ve written together. It will be a night full of songs and stories, and improv songs are bound to happen.
When: 6:30 p.m. (doors); 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23
Where: The Music Box of Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: From $12.57, go HERE
ABBA Tribute
What: Mania the ABBA Tribute have played more than 3,000 live concerts, bringing the music of the 1970s-era Swedish pop group to more than 35 countries.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Spook the Blocks
Where: More than 30 businesses across downtown Rockford. Participating businesses will be designated with an orange pumpkin at their doorstep.
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Info/participating businesses: Go HERE
Cost: Free with additional items available for purchase
Hairball XXV Silver Anniversary Tour
What: Hairball vocalists Kris Vox, Dave Moody and Patrick Stone lead the band through a two-plus hour homage to some of the biggest arena acts in the world: Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey and Aerosmith, among others.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Gigi’s Playhouse Gala
What: GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford will host its annual “I have a voice” Gala, which is the nonprofit’s flagship fundraiser generating nearly a quarter of its annual operating budget to provide programming for individuals with Down syndrome. The event includes live and silent auctions, a whiskey/vodka pull, a “Food Frenzy”
game, a special “Code Name: Cash” 50/50, dancing with TEM Entertainment, and the “Cocktails for Cause.”
When: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Cherry Valley
Tickets/info: Go HERE
African Fest
What: The Rockford African Cultural Fair is a community event designed to celebrate the richness, diversity and beauty of African culture. People from all backgrounds are invited to experience Africa’s vibrant traditions through music, dance, art, fashion and food. Guests will be able to visit with vendors, see a screen display and sample African cuisine. Invited artists include Bank Tee and the EHS Congolese Dancers.
When: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Where: Rockford University Regents Hall, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
Admission: Free
Twisted Crypt Haunted House
What: Twisted Crypt’s seasonal haunted house is in operation through Nov. 1. The haunted attraction is designed to be an immersive experience with actors that take you through a twisted storyline on your way through the various dark corners and jump scares.
When: 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Where: 5420 E. State Street, Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Ali Saddiq
What: Ali Saddiq, described by Vulture as stand-up comedy’s most prolific storyteller, is the first comedian to release a four-part comedy series. “The Domino Effect 1-4” has more 40 million views combined on YouTube.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Herbie Hancock at Hard Rock
What: Jazz musician Herbie Hancock, who has won a dozen Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for his score of “Round Midnight” in 1987, brings his USA fall tour to Rockford.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Hope & Anchor Comedy Night
What: The Hope & Anchor Comedy Night starring headliner St. James Jackson. It also features Kyrie Da Comic, Joseph Christopher and Emilio Lopez as host.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
Cost: $10. Call the Hope & Anchor at 815-633-2552 during normal business hours to reserve a table.
Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Asking for Trouble.
What: Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, the comedic duo from TV’s “Whose Line is it Anyway?,” take the stage in an unscripted improv comedy show.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Spooktacular
What: Anderson Japanese Gardens partners with Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehab & Education Center for a fun, family-friendly Halloween event. Children are invited to come dressed in costume and explore the garden in a fun and spooky way.
When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Admission: $15; $14 for seniors 62 and older; $13 for students and military; free for children younger than 5; free for garden members
Cars & Coffee Trunk-or-Treat
What: Cars & Coffee Rockford will host its third annual trunk-or-treat. Come in your costume to pick up some candy. There will also be a prize for the best decorated car.
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: 10253 N. Second St., Machesney Park
AARC at Booker Trunk-or-Treat
What: The African American Resource Center at Booker will host its trunk-or-treat. Families are invited to enjoy decorated car trunks, candy giveaways, games, and community fun in a safe and family-friendly environment.
Where: AARC at Booker, 1005 S. Court St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Rockford Record Crawl
What: Now in its 11th year, the Rockford Record Crawl invites you to spend the day exploring the shops that keep Rockford’s music heartbeat strong. Whether you are a seasoned vinyl collector or just looking for a fun day out, this is your chance to wander, discover and connect with the people who make our music community so special. Get your punch card marked at each stop and enter it to win prizes. You will also find limited edition Record Crawl T-shirts and free collectible buttons at each location.
Where: Culture Shock, 2239 Charles St., Rockford; Toad Hall Books and Records, 2106 Broadway, Rockford; CD Source, 5704 N. Second St., Loves Park
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Rockford Anthology Week events
What: “The Rockford Anthology” is a collaborative new book with poems, essays, stories and other writings from 82 current and former Rockford residents. Its release is being celebrated with a week of events.
Here’s a look at the schedule:
- Readings with contributors: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Estelle M. Black Library, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
- Virtual reading with contributors: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. Go HERE to sign up.
- Photography exhibit: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at 317 Art Collaborative, 317 Market St., Rockford. The exhibit features photos by contributor Matt Schwerin.
- Ars Pvblica event: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at The Underground Art Gallery, 418 E. State St. Rockford. Ars Pvblica will host a Rockford Anthology-inspired evening with the theme of “Home”
- Live performances: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at the African American Resource Center at Booker Washington Center, 524 Kent St., Rockford. “Celebrating Third Spaces,” or “Celebrando Tercer Espacios” is a relaxed, family-friendly event will include live performances and encourage participants to connect and foster a sense of community.
- Artist talk: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at 317 Art Collaborative, 317 Market St., Rockford. Photographer Matt Schwerin will showcase his work and include readings from “The Rockford Anthology.”
- Reading and reception: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 at the Howard Colman Library, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford.
Poke Fest
What: Pokémon, Pokémon Funko, comics, magic, sports cards, and more fill this vendor show.
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront, 416 S. Main St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Admission: $5
Info: Go HERE
Haunted Racecars and Haulers
What: The Rockford Speedway will host its annual Haunted Racecars and Haulers Trunk or Treat at the Rockford Rivets Stadium. There are spooky games, food, prizes for best car and best costume, among other activities.
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Rivets Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park
Info: Go HERE
The Stray Cats Fall Tour
What: The Stray Cats, formed by guitarist vocalist Brian Setzer, upright bass player Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom in 1979, put Rockabilly music on the record charts in the early 1980s. Their hits include “Runaway Boys,” “Rock This Town,” “Stray Cat Strut” “(She’s) Sexy + 17,” and “I Won’t Stand in Your Way.”
When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Where: Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Rockford’s Most Haunted
What: Haunted Rockford will lead a visit of three historical locations with reported paranormal happenings: Veterans Memorial Hall, Tinker Swiss Cottage and Graham-Ginestra House.
When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: Veterans Memorial Hall (starting point), 211 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: $50, must purchase in advance; 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
