Sunset Stroll
Bi-Annual Street Fest On North & South Schuyler
Sunset Stroll North - May & Sunset Stroll South - Aug
WELCOME to downtown kankakee
Downtown Kankakee offers a vibrant mix of commerce, culture, and community. From farmers markets and street festivals to live music, car shows, and seasonal celebrations, Downtown Kankakee continues to attract new businesses along with unique food and drink experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Below are signature events happening in Downtown Kankakee showcasing the energy and community spirit that's been helping make the experience of our historic town so special over the years. Click a local happening below to learn more!
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Upcoming Events
Multiple Dates11 days to the eventSat, Jan 24Jan 24, 2026, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PMYour favorite local vendors, now in the winter!
Harold & Jean Miner Festival Square
HAROLD & JEAN MINER FESTIVAL SQUARE
At the heart of Downtown is the Harold & Jean Miner Festival Square, framed by Kankakee’s 120+ year-old Depot behind it. Festival Square has become the stage for many of the community’s biggest moments. Each summer, Merchant Street MusicFest fills the district with live music and art that draws thousands of people downtown. From concerts and festivals to everyday gatherings, this is where Kankakee’s history and its future come together, always in motion just like the trains that continue to pass through.
Quick look: Festival Square is basically the centerpiece of Downtown Kankakee and the general location for many of its events.
THE DEPOT
Quick look: Kankakee literally wouldn't be on the map without this railroad station. It was built in 1853 and upgraded to the brick building that still stands today since 1898.
Kankakee owes its very existence to the railroad. When the Illinois Central line reached the banks of the Kankakee River in 1853, the first wood-framed Depot was built on July 11th, 1853 as a stop along the route. That single decision put Kankakee on the map, drawing settlers, businesses, and industry to what was once open prairie. The town quickly grew around the station, and by 1854 it was officially incorporated as a city. The building was upgraded from wood to brick in 1898 and more than 120 years later, the brick Depot is still in operation and stands as a reminder that without the trains, there would be no Kankakee. From The Depot, you can head north to Chicago’s Union Station or south toward cities like Champaign and Carbondale. It also houses the Kankakee Railroad Museum!
We're sorry, The Depot is currently no longer available to rent for private events. Allow us to suggest a nearby Downtown Kankakee venues below:
The Depot - Kankakee IL (1910) Postcard from A.C. Bosselman & Co.
News & Development in Downtown Kankakee
- Page 5
Lifestyle
February 6, 2024
Valentine's Day in Downtown Kankakee
There's something special for everyone in Downtown Kankakee!
Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love, and what better place to do so than in the heart of Downtown Kankakee? With a variety of options, from charming breakfast spots to cozy bookstores and delightful shopping experiences, Downtown Kankakee offers the perfect setting for a memorable day with your special someone. Let's explore a day-long itinerary filled with love, laughter, and shared moments in this vibrant downtown hub.
Latest Development
January 2, 2024
Kankakee Mallow and Dahlia Mural, Martinez Tacos
Location: Martinez Tacos, 348 E Station St.
Introducing the vibrant tapestry of nature woven into the heart of our downtown community, the latest Downtown Kankakee mural by artist Katie Bretzlaff is a celebration of botanical rarity and cultural diversity!
Latest Development
February 21, 2023
North Schuyler Streetscape in Downtown Kankakee
The continued revamp of South and North Schuyler Ave in Downtown Kankakee continues through the 200 block of North Schuyler Ave.
While most of the project has wrapped up, some aspects are still being finalized - such as the bike lane striping.
Lead by Piggush Engineering, Inc., the projects includes roadway, sidewalk, and landscaping improvements, enhanced lighting, bike lanes, and more.
Latest Development
November 9, 2022
Piggush Engineering Continues Office Development in Downtown Kankakee
Led by Neil Piggush, Piggush Engineering continues to play a key role in the revitalization and development of Downtown Kankakee. Their most recent projects have included the continued addition of the bike lanes and the restructuring of the North and South Schuyler streetscapes.
While the North Schuyler streetscape updates continue, the team has also been hard at work at revitalizing their soon-to-be office space on North Schuyler. Previously occupied as a bank and empty since 2006, Piggush is bringing new life to a historical piece of Downtown Kankakee.