The weekend brings the Downtown Rockford Craft Crawl and Miracle Mile Car Show along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Rockford area.
Rockford City Market
What: The theme May 22 is: Health & Wellness. Lone Canary performs on the main stage; Reed Between the Notes will be on the Acoustic Stage. Shop more than 40 area vendors offering baked goods, vintage clothing, handmade goods, flowers and more. Enjoy food trucks, local breweries and live music all evening. The Rockford Park District is on-site every week and there is a kids’ activity that changes each Friday.
When: 4-8:30 p.m. May 22
Where: Water Street at East State Street, Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Midwestern Biennial Public Exhibition
What: Juried by acclaimed artist Laurie Hogin, the 2026 Rockford Midwestern is the 78th presentation of the museum’s survey exhibition of new work by contemporary artists from across the Midwest. Hogin selected 98 pieces by 98 artists to be included in this year’s exhibition. First choice and two Juror’s Choice awards will be announced at the opening – as well as the 2026 Dean Alan Olson Purchase Award, to the artist whose work has been selected for inclusion in the Rockford Art Museum permanent collection. The event includes a gallery walk with Hogin at 6 p.m. and public opening from 6-7:30 p.m.
When: 6 p.m. May 22
Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Young Songwriters
What: The Rock and Roll Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to use rock and roll music as a vehicle to educate and inspire young musicians to forge their own musical path. For this Spring Songwriter Showcase, students will perform original songs they have written throughout a six-week course.
When: 7:30 p.m. May 22
Where: The Music Box, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $12.57
The Divine Sister
What: From Charles Busch, playwright of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and Psycho Beach Party, The Divine Sister is an outrageous comic homage to nearly every Hollywood film involving nuns. St. Veronica’s indomitable Mother Superior is determined to build a new school for her Pittsburgh convent. Along the way, there is a young postulant experiencing “visions,” sexual hysteria among the sisters, a sensitive schoolboy in need of mentoring, a mysterious nun from the Mother House in Berlin and a former suitor intent on luring Mother Superior away from her vows. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays through June 6.
When: 8 p.m. May 22 and May 23; 7 p.m. May 24
Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Donation
Downtown Rockford Craft Crawl
What: More than 10 downtown area locations are participating in a Craft Crawl off the spring/summer season. Enjoy a day of DIY crafting. Participating venues are: Cahoots (11 a.m.-10 p.m.), Folia Rockford (noon – 5 p.m.), Inferno Clay Studio (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), Kith + Kin Art Collective (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Shoppe Loom (10 a.m. -4 p.m.), Lucette Salon + Boutique (9 a.m.-7 p.m.), Meta Beauty Collective (noon – 4 p.m.), Real Beautiful You (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), SRM Prints Studio (11 a.m.-4 p.m.), The Scrap Jar (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) and 317 Art Collective (1-4 p.m.).
When: 9 a.m. May 23
Where: Downtown Rockford
Pigs Fly Memorial Ride
What: The Rockford Steel Pig’s Annual Pigs Fly Memorial Ride benefits Walter Lawson Children’s Home. Registration opens at 9 a.m., with kickstands up at 11 a.m. The ride route will be provided when you register. Since it is the first ride to start the season, there will be a bike blessing upon arrival back to Crazy Times. Rock 5ive will then perform until 8 p.m.
When: 9 a.m. May 23
Where: Crazy Times Pub & Grub, 1520 Glen Forest Drive, Machesney Park
Cost: $20 rider; $10 per passenger
Walk with WMR
What: Park in the walking path lot off of Guilford Road and walk the 1.4 mile Midway Village Museum loop. This is not a protest, march or demonstration. This is just a walking group, focused on getting steps in and making connections, a safe space to vent about the world or just get some fresh air. Friendly pets and children are welcome.
When: 10 a.m. May 23
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Cost: Free
Adventure Trails
What: Hit the trails for this drop-in style family scavenger hunt. Check in at the ranger station to get your mission and explore the trails on a self-guided adventure packed with hands-on activities for all ages. No registration is required.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. May 23
Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford
Cost: Free
Wild Ones Native Plant Sale
What: Wild Ones of Rock River Valley offers native plants at affordable prices.
When: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. May 23 and May 24
Where: Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
Miracle Mile Car Show
What: The 9th Annual Miracle Mile Car Show is a family-friendly event in which classics, customs and everyday favorites line Miracle Mile Rockford. This rain or shine event is participant-judged. It includes food and drink, a 50/50 raffle, vendors, muffler rap and music by 3D Sound.
When: 11 a.m. May 23; registration starts at 9 a.m.
Where: Don Carter Lanes, 4007 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Free for spectators
Rock’n The Park
What: The annual Rock’n the Park event features food and music, with Last Call 815 playing from noon – 2 p.m., Dead Man’s Hand from 3-6 p.m. and Sunset Strip from 7-10 p.m.
When: Noon May 23
Where: Benny’s @Nest, 8790 N. Second St., Machesney Park
Queers Day Out
What: Bring a blanket and have a chill day making new friends at the Queers Day out picnic. This event is open to any and all.
When: 1 p.m. May 23
Where: Rock Cut State Park, 7318 Harlem Road, Loves Park
Rockford Peaches Playday
What: Watch the women of the Rockford Peaches Living History League play ball. Game time is 1 p.m. Families are encouraged to dress up like the 1940s. Light concessions and Peaches merchandise will be available for purchase. There are bleachers, but lawn chairs are welcome. Take selfies in front of images of the Peaches’ old Beyer Stadium. At 11 a.m., there will be a presenter in costume as Peaches star player Dottie Kamenshek. Rockford Peaches Playdate tickets include admission to Midway’s Victorian Village and the Museum Center for the day, so you can learn more about the Peaches — from the actual uniforms they wore and game programs to photos and other memorabilia.
When: 1-3 p.m. May 23 (gates open at 10 a.m.)
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Cost: $15; $12 for ages 5-12 and seniors age 62 and older; free for ages 4 and younger and members
Stateline Auto Bike Meet and Show
What: There is room for a few hundred bikes. Enjoy music and food from some food trucks.
When: 1-4 p.m. May 23
Where: Stateline Auto Sales & Service, 14444 Dearborn St., South Beloit
Music with Lady and the Tramp
What: Experience the music of Lady and The Tramp from 6-8 p.m. Rustic Oven Wood Fired Pizza will be available offering a variety of wood-fired pizzas, drinks and slushies. While seating is available, you are welcome to bring your own. All ages are welcome to attend this family-friendly event.
When: 5-9 p.m. May 23
Where: Rustic Acres Events, 10831 Telegraph Road, Winnebago
Stevee Nix
What: Stevee Nix will be rocking the stage with energy, emotion and an instant party atmosphere.
When: 8 p.m. May 23
Where: Neighbors Bar & Grill, 7745 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park
Rare Element
What: Rare Element is a high-energy funk band based in Madison, Wis., known for delivering electrifying live performances packed with groove, soul and tight musicianship. Blending deep-pocket grooves, bold brass and soulful melodies, Rare Element delivers an infectious sound that’s rooted in classic funk traditions while pushing into modern territory. The group’s repertoire fuses elements of jazz, soul, and R&B with funk’s irresistible groove, creating music that is equally compelling for serious listeners and dance-floor devotees. Their high-octane live performances are marked by tight horn lines, deep grooves and vibrant solos. Guests must be 18 or older.
When: 8 p.m. May 23
Where: The Music Box, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $20-$25
Rocksurfers
What: The Rocksurfers deliver classic rock favorites from artists like The Beatles, The Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Kinks, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and other Motown artists.
When: 8 p.m. – midnight May 23
Where: Rascal’s Bar & Grill, 5223 Torque Road, Loves Park
Stereotypical Sunday
What: The first dock party of the season will feature food, cold drinks and cover tunes from Stereotype. Get your boats ready!
When: 4-8 p.m. May 24
Where: Tad’s on the Rock, 10 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
Some Girls (Rolling Stones Tribute)
What: Don’t miss Rockford’s newest Rolling Stones tribute band, Some Girls featuring Josh Watson. From the ashes of Rockford’s longest running Rolling Stones tribute act, Tattoo You comes Rockford’s newest Stones tribute, Some Girls. Josh is back with his new band featuring some of Rockford’s top musicians: Andy Scarpaci, Jeff Werckle, Jim Westin and Dan Watson. Come hear all your Stones favorites.
When: 7:30 p.m. May 24
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
Wild Adventures: A Smart Zoo Experience
What: This one-of-a-kind event features hyper-realistic and fully animatronic animals, including lions, tigers, elephants, pandas, monkeys, a smoke breathing King Cobra, dinosaurs and deep dish cookies. There will also be a fully immersible virtual reality aquarium; soft play equipment for kids to play, climb and crawl through; fossil dig pits; facepainting and temporary tattoos; and endless photo opportunities.
When: Noon – 6 p.m. May 24
Where: Wild Cherries, 413 Southtowne Drive, Belvidere
Cost: One cookie purchase per person (cookies are $5 or six for $25)
Coming next week
Rockford Memorial Day parade, ceremonies
What: Events begin with the annual parade. The parade will start near the intersection of 7th Street and 6th Avenue and travel across State Street to end at Beattie Park. Following the parade, a Memorial Day program will be held on the Wyman Street side of Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum. After the program, the annual Navy Club Ship #1’s Sinking of the Ship Ceremony, will take place on the Rock River bank behind the Rockford Public Library.
When: 9 a.m. May 25
Where: Downtown Rockford
LZ Peace Memorial Event
What: Honor our fallen veterans and celebrate the LZ Peace Memorial’s 21st birthday and America’s 250th birthday by the parking lot of Central Christian Church off Guilford Road.
When: 11 a.m. May 25
Where: LZ Peace Memorial, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade
What: This is the 156th annual Pecatonica Memorial Day Parade. Food trucks can be found in the two municipal lots on Main Street.
When: 2 p.m. May 25
Where: 315 Main St., Pecatonica
Rockford Rivets
What: The Rockford Rivets is the local Northwoods League elite college wood bat baseball team. Put on your black and gold and cheer them on as they play the Kenosha Kingfish both dates.
When: 6:35 p.m. May 25 and May 26
Where: Rivets Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park
Cost: $10
Tuesday Evening in the Gardens
What: Tuesday Evening in the Gardens is a summer tradition that brings the community together through music, nature and shared experiences. It features local, regional and nationally touring artists. The opening act at the season’s first show May 26 is Kelly Steward and the main act is Swingbilly RFD. This event is held Tuesday evenings through Aug. 25. Guests can enter and set up seating areas at 5 p.m. Blankets, lawn chairs and small tables are welcome. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Carry-in picnic suppers are welcome, but carry-in beverages are not allowed. Bags will be checked upon entry.
When: 5:45 p.m. May 26
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: Free Admission for Premium Garden Members Cost of Regular Garden Admission for Basic & Non-Members Adults $13, Seniors $12, Students & Military $11, Children 5 & under FREE
An Evening with Matthew Curry
What: Matthew Curry is a singer-songwriter, who’s also known for his guitar playing abilities, writing songs that draw from personal inspirations, incorporating elements of blues, rock, southern rock, and old school country in to his repertoire. He has toured with the Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, Journey and Don Felder (of the Eagles). Curry was born and raised in Bloomington and began playing guitar at the age of four.
When: 7:30 p.m. May 26
Where: The Music Box, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $10-$23
Rockton River Market
What: Come for the shopping and stay for the music. The Rockton River Market provides a comfortable atmosphere to shop for handmade items, fruits and vegetables. Live local music is provided for entertainment and starts at 6 p.m. The entertainment May 27 is by Tony Rocker. The market runs Wednesdays through August.
When: 5-8 p.m. May 27
Where: Settlers Park, 150 Hawick St., Rockton
Cost: Free admission
Still Running
What: Still Running is a monthly gathering at Barnstormer Distillery from 5:30-9 p.m. the last Thursday of the month through October. It is a low-key, no-ticket-required gathering for people who appreciate craft spirits, conversation and a unique setting. Each month brings something new: a featured Barnstormer spirit, a signature cocktail crafted by our in-house Master Mixologist, thoughtfully paired bites from the Brasserie kitchen, and a rotating guest cigar curator. Guests are welcome whether longtime Aviator members or visiting for the first time. Must be at least 21 for alcohol service.
When: 5:30-9 p.m. May 28
Where: Barnstormer Distillery, 6969 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Rockford Register Star.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Downtown craft crawl among 21 things to do in the Rockford area
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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