Festivals, Markets & Downtown Fun All Year Long
Things to Do in Downtown Kankakee
There’s always something happening in Downtown Kankakee. From live music and outdoor festivals to community gatherings and seasonal celebrations. Explore upcoming Kankakee events and discover new ways to enjoy the heart of the city with friends, family, and neighbors.
Whether you’re planning a night out, searching for fun things to do in Kankakee, or keeping track of your favorite annual events, this page brings everything together in one place. Don’t miss signature experiences like the Kankakee Farmers Market, Sunset Stroll on Schuyler, Merchant Street Music Festival and more events happening throughout the year.
Upcoming Events in Downtown Kankakee
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Annual Events Map
Discover Downtown Kankakee’s biggest events. Click the map markers to explore festival locations, concerts, and more.
Harold & Jean Miner Festival Square
HAROLD & JEAN MINER FESTIVAL SQUARE
Quick look: Festival Square is basically the centerpiece of Downtown Kankakee and the general location for many of its events.
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.
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MURALS OF DOWNTOWN KANKAKEE
Quick look: We have amazing muralists and local artists here in Kankakee. You should check them alllllll out. Event the ones not "officially" in the KDC District.
Downtown Kankakee is alive with color, thanks to the incredible talent of artists who have transformed blank walls into vibrant works of art. From bold geometric patterns inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright to the bright blossoms of our native flowers, each mural tells a story about the people, the history, and the creativity that define our community. These works are not hidden away in galleries. They are right here on the streets, waiting to be admired on a casual walk or captured in a photo.
Local artists and community partners have come together to create pieces that celebrate Kankakee’s past while reflecting the spirit of today. Whether you are discovering them for the first time or revisiting old favorites, the murals of Downtown Kankakee make the district itself a living, evolving canvas.
The Depot - Kankakee IL (1910) Postcard from A.C. Bosselman & Co.
THE DEPOT - ILLINOIS CENTRAL LINE
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: