Official Government Website

About: Tourism & Events

Tourism & Events

Please check the websites of each event for cancellations, changes in dates, or changes in times.

Community Event Submission Guidelines: This page was designed to promote community-oriented events open to DeKalb County residents. DeKalb County reserves the right to refuse or edit any submission made for the community events calendar.

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival

This annual event is held the last full weekend of October in the City of Sycamore

Website: Sycamore Pumpkin Festival

NIU Events

NIU’s Convocation Center – Calendar of Events
The Convocation Center is located on NIU’s West Campus, north of Lincoln Highway, south of the soccer fields and west of Huskie Stadium.
NIU’s Art/Drama/Music
NIU’s Athletics

DeKalb County Forest Preserve Events

Volunteer Days Schedule –Seasonal
Activities & Programs

DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) serves as the first point of contact for meeting planners, sports tournament directors, tour operators, special event planners, and leisure travelers.

Visit DeKalb County for a unique getaway experience rich in history and cultural diversity. Explore our natural beauty, which is founded in the rich soil of our agricultural roots. Hike, bike, camp, golf, fish, canoe, or sled. Pick your own apples and pumpkins or discover the thrill of running through corn maize. Enjoy a relaxing wine tour or tasting. Visit our museums. Shop for hidden treasures and antiques in our historical downtown shopping districts. Explore all the festivals and annual events. We invite you to come and get away…Stay and play…Make new friends and memories in DeKalb County. We’re only 60 miles west of Chicago and offer affordable family-fun all year long. We look forward to your visit.

Annual Sandwich Early Day Engine Club

This annual event is held on the Saturday of the last full weekend of June from 9-5 at the Fairgrounds, 1401 Suydam Road, Sandwich

Events include: Kid’s pedal pull, Flea market, Arts and crafts displays, Toy show/sale, Antique tractors, Antique trucks,Hit and miss engines, Equipment demonstrations, Corn shelling, Saw Mill, tractor parade, tractor ride (Sunday), food vendors and tractor parade.

Website::https://sandwichengineclub.com/

Sycamore Cinco de Mayo

May

This annual event is held on the first full weekend of May on Bill Johnson Boulevard, Sycamore, Illinois. The festival celebrates the Hispanic culture through food, entertainment and family activities. Awareness and funds are collected for the local non-profit community.

The event features live music and authentic Mexican beverages, an assortment of musical entertainment and dancers throughout the day and into the evening, games for children, Piñatas, eating contests and of course food and game tickets can be purchased at the event.

Mayors’ Memorial Day Breakfast

Annually on Monday, Memorial Day coordinated by the DeKalb County Forty and Eight, Voiture 207.

Currently held May 27, 2024 from 6:45am to 7:15am at the DeKalb Elks Lodge 765, 209 S. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, Illinois 60115.

It is recommended to arrive at the breakfast at least by 6:45am

To receive a RSVP Pre-Paid by Check ticket for $10.00, you can stop at State Representative Jeff Keicher’s Office, 158 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178 or request by email a RSVP form from ffb66@juno.com or 815-758-5788. Otherwise you can attend the breakfast as a walk-in for $15.00 pay at door.

4th of July Celebration – Kirkland

Fireworks -*Some of the Biggest in Northern Illinois*

- Huge Parade
- Food & Entertainment

DeKalb Municipal Band

July 4th Star Spangled Spectacular

Dee Palmer Band Shell
Hopkins Park –DeKalb, IL

Shabbona Lake Park

Annual 4th of July Fireworks
Donations are welcome and are tax deductible

Shabbona Lake Park Website: https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.shabbonalake.html

Annual Waterman Lions Summer Fest and Antique Tractor & Truck Show

This annual event is held on the third weekend of July. This all day family affair offers food, music, entertainment, farm tractor pull and fun for all. Plus, there will be hot air balloon rides on a weather permitting, first come basis.

Waterman Lion’s Community Park located south of Rt. 30 on Birch St.

Website: watermanlionstractorshowandsummerfest.com/

Northern Illinois Steam Show & Threshing Bee

This annual event begins the second Thursday in August

The Taylor Marshall Farm,
27707 Lukens Rd, Sycamore, Illinois 60178

Website: https://sycamoresteamshow.com/steamshow/

DeKalb County Barn Tour

This annual event is a one-day driving tour of barn sites within DeKalb County hosted by DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association, Inc. & the JF Glidden Homestead & Historical Center in August

Website: www.dekalbcountybarntour.com

Illinois State Fair

The fair is “family-friendly”, and throughout the 10-day fair (normally in August), each day will spotlight a different focus, including: county fairs, local officials, veterans, senior citizens, youth, park districts, families/violence prevention, and agriculture.