Events Calendar

Join us for a spook-tacular evening of family fun at the YMCA!

Bring the whole family for a safe and fun Halloween celebration featuring:
Trunk or Treating – Decorated cars with treats for all the little ghosts and goblins!
Games & Activities – Fun for all ages!
Food Trucks – Grab a bite from local favorites serving up tasty treats! Inflatables – Bounce the night away with our awesome inflatable attractions.
Photo Booth – Capture your Halloween memories with spooky and silly snapshots!
Costumes are encouraged – get creative and show off your Halloween spirit!

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
Get ready to TRICK THE HALLS at Grand Prairie!
Join us for a spooktacular evening of Halloween fun on October 29th from 5:00 PM–7:00 PM!

Bring your family, friends, and your Halloween spirit! We can’t wait to see everyone and make this a spooktacular night

Thursday Night Jazz at Smokin’ Willies BBQ
A Galesburg tradition for more than 30 years—every Thursday night starting Sept 17th!
Join us for Jazz Night with the Knox Cherry Street Combo, featuring special events throughout the fall term. Musicians, come sit in with the band!
Every Thursday | Sept. 17–Nov. 12
7:00–10:00 PM (some special nights begin earlier)
FREE admission | All ages welcome
Full bar + the best BBQ around
Smokin’ Willies BBQ | Galesburg, IL

Special Events:
October 15 — Matt Wilson’s Leap Day Trip
Masterclass at 6:00 PM
Jazz Night performance to follow
October 29 — Galesburg High School Vocal Jazz Ensembles and the Cherry St combo
November 5 — Mirza Residency at Jazz Night
Featuring Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade

Come join us for a night of stargazing. JWCC Astronomy Club will be there to show you the stars. Bring your telescopes and binoculars for this fun event!
All ages welcome!

Western Illinois University Theatre and Dance has announced its Fall 2026 season, featuring a lineup of classic theatre, contemporary musical theatre, original dance works, and a showcase highlighting the talents of WIU students and faculty. The Fall 2026 season will take place in the new Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, with performances in the Clow Theatre and Hainline Theatre, in Brown Hall.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN is a contemporary musical about a lonely teenager whose attempt to fit in spirals into a lie that brings him connection, compassion, and heartbreak. As the truth unravels, Evan must confront the consequences of his choices and learn what it truly means to be seen and belong.

Come enjoy beautiful Lake Argyle while taking a relaxing morning pontoon boat ride on the lake as we watch for wildlife. Life jackets, binoculars, and field guides will be available, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
**Pre-registration is required, and space is limited to 6 participants. ** 
Please email Bridget.Hinchee@illinois.gov or call (309) 776-3422 for more information or to register.

Connect with the educators shaping tomorrow's workforce at the Area Educator Expo on October 30, from 11 am – 12:30 pm at Burlington Community High School in the high school gym. Hosted in partnership with the Des Moines County Educator Conference, this event gives your business the opportunity to connect with approximately 575 local educators, showcase your brand, and highlight career opportunities within your organization.

You're invited to our next Lunch ala Art at the Fort Madison Area Arts Association!
Enjoy a creative midday break surrounded by art, conversation, and community. This monthly event offers an inspiring presentation or featured artist alongside the option to enjoy a delicious lunch in the gallery.

Lunch is optional—but the experience is priceless!

Lunch is included with registration, but purchasing a lunch is not required to attend the artist's gallery talk

FREE Family event at Jackson St Market Plaza. Join the businesses in our plaza for a spooktacular evening of candy, costumes, and community!

Come dressed in your best costume and trunk-or-treat around!

Walk of the Dead Haunted Trail opens October 2^nd and will run Fridays and Saturdays in October from 7:00 – 11:00 pm.  Located behind Lakeside Water Park (1033 S Lake Storey Road, Galesburg), the haunted trail offers patrons a terrifying walk through the woods. In its tenth year of operation, Walk of the Dead Haunted Trail is managed by the non-profit AGES Community in cooperation with the City of Galesburg.  The cost is $20 per person.

“This is our tenth year of scaring folks in the woods!” says organizer Sean Godsil. “We have new areas and new scares, but we have some old favorites too, of course. Every year we do things differently, so if you’ve come a previous year, we promise this year will be different. Actually, things can be different from night to night; you never know what to expect on the Walk of the Dead.”

Organizers recommend the haunt to children older than 13 years of age. The event is entirely outdoors and weather permitting, so please dress accordingly. No open-toed shoes, slippers, flip-flops, or slides allowed.   

Proceeds from the haunted trail help support the city’s nature programs and other recreational activities, including the Fishing Derby.  

For more information and weather-related updates, follow Walk of the Dead on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are sold at the Lakeside Water Park ticket booth or purchase them online at www.walkofthedead.org and avoid the line at the ticket booth.