The weekend brings Garden Fair, Rockford Pride Parade and Alley Party and South Main Mercado, along with fundraisers, live music and more to the Rockford area.
Rockford City Market
What: On June 5, the theme will be Pride at the Market. Entertainment on the main stage will be by Patten Pending, with Jim Thomas Music on the acoustic stage. Shop more than local vendors for baked goods, vintage clothing, handmade goods, flowers, jewelry and more. Enjoy food trucks, local breweries and live music all evening. The Rockford Park District is on-site every week, plus a rotating kids’ activity changes each Friday.
When: 4-8:30 p.m. June 5
Where: Water Street at East State Street, Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Music on the Mall
What: Music on the Mall is held in Center Court near Cora Physical Therapy. The performer June 5 is Swingbilly RFD, who will perform Honky-Tonk from the 40’s-50’s.
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 5
Where: Edgebrook Center, 1643 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Cars & Coffee
What: Cars & Coffee – Rockford is held from 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month from April through October in, from 9 a.m. to noon. A different car group is featured each month. Anyone is welcome to register and participate. Enjoy coffee and food from Katie’s Cup, conversations about cars and a sense of community.
When: 9 a.m. June 6
Where: The RPS205 Administrative Building parking lots and along Seventh Street, Rockford
Cost: Free to participate or spectate
Kilbuck Bluffs Restoration Work Day
What: Join FPWC Volunteer Site Steward Kevin Triner in restoring one of the county’s oldest forest preserves, Kilbuck Bluffs. The focus of this workday will be removing invasive honeysuckle from a project area. Please wear long-sleeved shirts, full-length pants and sturdy shoes. Meet at the Fort Chartres Shelterhouse parking lot.
When: 9 a.m. June 6
Where: Kilbuck Bluffs, 3061 S. Bend Road, Rockford
Cost: Free
Garden Fair
What: Experience a wide variety of plants, flowers, garden décor, art, educational information booths and more. Listen to live music performances in the Fountain Garden while enjoying a meal from local food truck vendors, including Cantina Taco, Mama’s Feel Good Food, Mighty Potato and Vintage Goose Café. Stop at the Clarcor Pavilion Classroom during Garden Fair to join guest speakers from The Morton Arboretum and The Chicago Region Trees Initiative to learn more about trees, horticulture, gardening and more. Each program will last 30-40 minutes. Several sessions will be repeated throughout each day to allow guests multiple opportunities to attend.
When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. June 6 and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 7
Where: Klehm Arboretum and Gardens, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $12; $10 in advance; free for members and guests age 12 and younger
Science Saturday: Sun Spectacular
What: This family-friendly, open-house style event includes hands-on, minds-on activities for guests of all ages. Learn all about the sun through UV experiments, sun printing and sun phenomenon such as rainbows and shadows. Plus, learn how to make a sundial.
When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 6
Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford
Cost: Free
Book Club and Fika
What: Come chat about “To Cook a Bear” by Mikael Niemi. All are invited.
When: 10 a.m. June 6
Where: Nordic Cultural Center,327 S. Third St., Rockford
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Rockford Pride Alley Party
What: Honor Pride Month with a party for everyone. This year’s event will feature even more retail, art and non-profit vendors, food trucks and live entertainment. Celebrate a lively, inclusive LGBTQIA+ community and allies.
When: Noon June 6
Where: Fran Kral parking Lot, 500 Block of East State Street, Rockford
Rockford Area Pride Parade
What: The third Rockford Area Pride will include floats, community organizations, local businesses and thousands of spectators and participants filling the streets with joy, color and unapologetic pride. All are welcome to celebrate diversity, self and expression. This year’s grand marshals are Shelton Kay, Norm Knott and Lien Vu.
When: Noon June 6
Where: Downtown Rockford
Cost: Free
Serb Fest
What: Enjoy a weekend full of Serbian tradition, music, food, folklore, sports and entertainment for the whole family. There will be football and 3×3 basketball tournaments, children’s activities and traditional Serbian food. The folklore program starts at 3 p.m.
When: Noon – 9 p.m. June 6; 1-9 p.m. June 7
Where: Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church, 4301 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford
Cost: Free admission and parking; donations are welcome; food and activities may have costs
Teen Pride-a-Palooza
What: Celebrate Pride in the Teen Zone with crafts and snacks.
When: 1-2:30 p.m. June 6
Where: Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Researching Revolutionary War
What: For the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, this presentation will guide you in discovering Revolutionary War ancestors using key archives, resources and strategies.
When: 1:30-3 p.m. June 6
Where: Rockford Public Library East Branch, 6685 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Shakey Graves
What: Across his career, Shakey Graves, the performance moniker of Austin, Texas-born Alejandro Rose-Garcia, has created musical adventures tailored to each fan: burning CDs and putting them in personalized decorated bags, building intricate scavenger hunts that send fans in search of unique tapes and Bandcamp-exclusive releases.
When: 7:30 p.m. June 6
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $30-$77
Roscoe Community Market
What: Shop vendors from Roscoe and the surrounding area offering fresh food, handmade goods, home items, art and more. The market is held twice a month on Sundays through September.
When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 7
Where: Corner of Main and Bridge Streets, Roscoe
South Main Mercado
What: The South Main Mercado is a family-friendly outdoor market celebrating the city’s Hispanic and Latino heritage while fostering community connections. This event features live entertainment from local artists; food trucks; local vendors offering jewelry, clothing, art and more; and community organizations providing bilingual support services.
When: Noon – 7 p.m. June 7
Where: South Main and Morgan Streets, Rockford
Cost: Free admission
Live at Levings: Southern Soul Party
What: Live at Levings 2026 is a summer-long concert and community event series celebrating music, culture and local talent on Rockford’s south side. Featuring a mix of southern soul, blues, jazz, dance and community showcases, the series brings together regional and national performers alongside local artists. From high-energy concerts and DJ battles to talent competitions and family-friendly celebrations, Live at Levings offers something for all ages. The featured performers on June 7 are DJ Neal Howard, DJ Alfresh, MC Dreadhead Cowboy, Kandrice Jackson, Theo Huff and Mike Clark Jr.
When: 5-8 p.m. June 7
Where: Levings Park, 1420 S. Pierpont Ave., Rockford
Coming next week
Cruise Night Car Meet Up
What: Got a neat ride? Show off your car, bike or truck, meet up with other drivers, grab a drink and enjoy Rockin’ Music by Joe Locke.
When: 5-8 p.m. June 8
Where: Pig Minds Brewing Company, 4080 Steele Drive, Machesney Park
Cost: Free to participate
Dockside Live
What: Dockside Live is a relaxed Monday night music series at which guests can enjoy live local and regional musicians while soaking in the views of the Rock River. Come for dinner, drinks or just the music. Entertainment June 8 is from Kayla Seeber is a 25-year-old acoustic singer/songwriter from Poplar Grove, IL. She is a Spotify artist that has original songs streaming with her latest song “Ancient Rome” reaching over 1 million streams. Kayla Seeber Music puts her own unique acoustic spin on many of your favorite songs spanning many decades and genres.
When: 6-9 p.m. June 8
Where: Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
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 the Rivets on at the Rivets Stadium. The Rivets play the Richmond Flying Mummies both dates.
When: 6:35 p.m. June 8 and June 9
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. The parking lot fills early; extra parking is available at the College of Medicine. There is a free shuttle from the college to the Visitor Center. Picnic meals, small tables and chairs are welcome; no outside beverages are permitted. Bags will be checked at entry. The opener June 9 is the Danhattans of Rockford; the main act is Too Deep, also of Rockford. This event is held Tuesday evenings through Aug. 25.
When: 5:45 p.m. opening act; 6:30 p.m. headliner June 9
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: $13; $12 for seniors; $11 for students and military; free for Premium Garden Members and children age five and younger
Rockford Jams
What: Rockford Jams (formerly Music in the Park), is a Rockford Park District outdoor summer concert series. A variety of musical performers, styles and genres is presented. The series consists of both free and admission fee shows. Shows are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays June 9 through July 30 (no show on June 11), as well as Saturdays, Sept. 12 and Sept. 19 (no shows in the month of August). The performer on June 9 is McKenna Faith Winter, an award-winning country music singer/songwriter. Seating in the concert venue is first-come, first-served. Bench seating is available but limited; arrive early for best seating or bring a lawn chair or blanket.
When: 7 p.m. June 9
Where: Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 2010 Arlington Ave., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
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 on June 10 is the Sensations. The market runs Wednesdays through August.
When: 5-8 p.m. June 10
Where: Settlers Park, 150 Hawick St., Rockton
Cost: Free admission
Music on the Rock
What: Enjoy live music along the Rock River during this outdoor summer concert series on Wednesday evenings. There is a rotating lineup of regional and national blues and roots musicians who will perform in this scenic riverside setting. Bring or buy food and beverages. In case of inclement weather, performances move indoors, ensuring the music continues rain or shine. The band on June 10 is Marty Big Dog Mercer.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 10
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission
True Stories of the Immigrant Experience
What: Hear from immigrant neighbors who have made Rockford their home! Stories and music and more. Sponsored by Coalition of Latino Leaders, Eliminate Racism 815, Rockford Urban Ministries, Table of Grace and Welcome with Dignity 815
When: 6:30 p.m. June 10
Where: Good Shepherd YMCA, 1829 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford
Once on this Island
What: Set on the vibrant island of Haiti, “Once on This Island” tells the story of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with a young man from the wealthy side of the island. Guided and challenged by the island gods of Love, Earth, Water and Death, Ti’s journey explores themes of love, sacrifice and destiny. This Tony Award–winning musical reminds us of the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.
When: 7:30-10 p.m. June 10-June 13 and July 15-19
Where: Starlight Theater at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
Cost: $28; $26 for seniors age 65 and older/military/teachers; $17 for students (jr. high – college); $12 for age 12 and younger
Garden Explorers
What: Garden Explorers is a 10-week interactive parent/child activity. Each week, there will be a story time led by a community leader, then there will be an activity, craft or children’s music. Garden Explorers is appropriate for four to six-year-olds, but children of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. On June 11, the reader will be Joe Sosnowski, Illinois State Representative, District 69. The program will be by Kantorei; Rockford’s Premier Co-Educational Youth Choir. This event is held Thursday mornings through August.
When 9-9:45 a.m. June 11
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: Free
Riding Tours of Riverfront Sculptures
What: Join the Rockford Park District’s Nicholas Conservatory volunteer docents for a drive along the Rock River Recreation Path in a seven-seat open-air cart to view an eclectic, unique collection of public sculptures that grace the campus of Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens and the riverfront. The two-mile scenic organized tour is held from 10:30 a.m. to noon the second Thursday of each month from June through October. It departs from the Nicholas Conservatory lobby. Pre-registration is required.
When: 10:30 a.m. – noon June 11
Where: Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Pride Storytime
What: Celebrate Pride 2026 with a story time for all ages.
When: 2:30-3:15 p.m. June 11
Where: Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Dinner on the Dock
What: Dinner on the Dock features food, drinks and live music. You can make reservations on the dining side and enjoy dinner by the water while the music plays. Lawn chairs are welcome on the concert side. Music is from 6-9 p.m. The performer on June 11 is Indika Reggae Band. This Midwest reggae band blends reggae, soca, calypso, R&B, jazz and more. Led by Uroy Mushla, the band has a diverse lineup and energetic performances.
When: 5-10 p.m. June 11
Where: Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission, parking and entertainment
250th Anniversary Film Series
What: This film series celebrates 250 years of American independence. The film June 11 is the PG-13 rated Superman. There will be a cash bar.
When: 5:30-9 p.m. June 11
Where: J.R. Sullivan Theater at the RPL Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission and free popcorn
George Frazier: Riverine Dreams
What: Author George Frazier takes guests on a journey through the winding waterways and lost grassland rivers of America featured in his book, “Riverine Dreams: Away to the Glorious Grassland Rivers of America.” There will be a book signing after the presentation.
When: 6-7:30 p.m. June 11
Where: Former Elliot Clubhouse, 888 S. Lyford Road, Rockford
Cost: $8; $5 for members
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Rockford Register Star.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: South Main Mercado, Pride parade among 16 Rockford area things to do
Reporting by Kathi Edwards, Special to the Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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By Kathi Edwards, Special to the Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
