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!
Upcoming Events in Downtown Kankakee
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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.
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
February 19, 2026
A Familiar Face Steps into a Big Role: Congratulations to Angelina Gear, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County
Downtown Kankakee has no shortage of passionate community champions, but every once in a while, someone comes along who seems to show up everywhere — sleeves already rolled up, ideas already flowing. For us, that person is Angelina Gear, and we are thrilled to celebrate her official appointment as Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.
Visit Kankakee County, the region’s destination marketing organization, recently announced Gear’s appointment after she stepped in as the Interim Executive Director in December 2025. It’s a role that feels like a perfect fit for someone who has been quietly (and not so quietly) pouring herself into this community for years.
Angelina is no stranger to the work of building up Kankakee County. Before her interim appointment, she spent more than three years as Visit Kankakee County’s Sales and Marketing Manager, developing destination marketing strategies, deepening partnerships with local businesses and municipalities, and raising the county’s profile across regional and state tourism markets. The Board of Directors’ decision to make her appointment official reflects the trust and confidence she has earned every step of the way.
Her story also has a hometown heart to it. After spending more than fifteen years living across the country — Missouri, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas — Angelina came back to Kankakee County with fresh eyes and a renewed love for the place she calls home. As Visit Kankakee County board president Dave Baron put it, that experience gives her exactly the right perspective to showcase what makes this region special and draw even more people here.
Events & Entertainment
April 22, 2025
Summer Events in Downtown Kankakee
There’s nothing like summertime in Downtown Kankakee! Whether you're looking for live music, local eats, or a laid-back night out with friends and family, there’s something happening almost every week. Here's a quick guide to the can't-miss events lighting up our streets all season long:
Events & Entertainment
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April 9, 2025
The Kankakee Farmers’ Market is Back and Better Than Ever!
The highly anticipated Kankakee Farmers’ Market is returning to Downtown Kankakee, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off another season of fresh produce, local goods, and community fun. Starting this year on Saturday, May 3rd, the market will be open every Saturday from 8:00 AM to Noon, offering an array of products from local vendors.