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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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
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Latest Development
August 11, 2022
South Schuyler Streetscape in Downtown Kankakee
from the other many changes we have seen happen in downtown Kankakee in the past few years. The bike lanes already in place so far have been extended by six blocks, creating a bike path that is eleven blocks in total. In addition to the bike lanes, there are several changes being made to help the flow of traffic, as well as changes to the sidewalks accompanying those roads.
Latest Development
June 15, 2022
New Lights Installed on Schuyler Avenue
The striking round lights on Schuyler Avenue have been replaced with a higher quality version for free. These lights feature a 75,000 Hour Rated Life expectancy (approximately 20 years) and are installed on a cable system over the roadway, an improvement from the previous system that required cords along the road.
Latest Development
March 18, 2022
Remax Opens Office in Downtown Kankakee
Through her work as a realtor and with the Kankakee County Hispanic Partnership, Inc., Monica Pizano has helped many families make a home in Kankakee County and specifically in the 2nd Ward. We are thrilled to see her open her new real estate firm here as well!
Latest Development
February 25, 2022
Pathfinder Opens Office in Downtown Kankakee
Pathfinder, a full-service creative marketing agency, has opened their office in Downtown Kankakee! Their new office is located inside the newly renovated Kotek Building on the corner of E Court Street and N Schuyler Ave. From their office space overlooking N Schuyler Ave, their team has a passion for helping local small businesses find and tell their story