The Student Silent Film Festival is a film competition in which students from 12 Chicago area high schools create original motion pictures.

Eagle Watch Weekend events happen at locations throughout the Illinois Valley Saturday, Jan. 24 and Sunday, Jan. 25.

The Premier Card Show is Saturday at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.

The Fire & Ice Festival and Chili Cook-Off is Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Sycamore Community Center.

Pinz in Yorkville will host an evening of stand up comedy and the Sandwich Opera House welcomes Bad Momz of Comedy, both events are Saturday, Jan. 24.

The Rusty Alehouse & Wine Bar will host the 4th annual Hops on the Fox Beer Festival on Saturday, Jan. 24.

The Chicago Home Show is Saturday and Sunday at the Kane County Fairgrounds, while the Arcada Theatre will host Pink Floyd Night on Friday.

KC and the Sunshine Band, known for hits like "Boogie Shoes," "That's the Way" and "Get Down Tonight" will be at Hollywood Casino Joliet on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Cantigny in Wheaton will host a dueling piano performance and Valentine's Day dinners this winter.

The event includes

Historians will recreate some of Poe’s most famous tales, including “The Cask of Amontillado,” “Annabel Lee,” “The Pit and the Pendulum” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

Special events director Ann Sylvester provided a preview this week of activities planned for the new Joliet City Square.

The 31st annual Winterfest is Jan. 28-Feb. 1 in downtown Lake Geneva. It is free to attend.

Open Space Gallery in Ottawa will host a Craft & Chill Journaling and Collage event on Jan. 15, as well as an oil painting workshop on Jan. 18.

The Next Picture Show in Dixon will host Dixon Poetry Night on Friday, Jan. 16.

The 'Illuminated Concerts' on Saturday, Jan. 17 in Glen Ellyn will feature the music of The Beatles and music inspired by 'Bridgerton.'

Hairbanger's Ball will play the biggest rock hits from the '80s at the Arcada Theatre, while the Paramount Theatre in Aurora will host the ultimate Elvis tribute.

Fox Valley Winery will host the event 'All Things Wine and Cheese, Please' on Thursday, Jan. 15.

The Forge in Joliet will host Botas and Brushes Sip & Paint at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17.

Kendall County is home to several coffeehouses where you'll find unique and original coffee beverages.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Natural Resource Education Center in Russell Woods.

“All in for Art” celebrates the work of Water Street Studios, a community art center that provides resident artist studios, a ceramics lab, School of Art, award winning galleries, community outreach and public art.

Outdoor ice rinks are a great way to have fun, fit in some physical activity and enjoy fresh air this winter.

You don't need to travel too far to enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing.

The Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority's board of directors on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve a resolution determining the intent to issue revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $50 million.

New city events director discusses plans for 2026 after New Orleans North and Taste of Joliet have been canceled

“Are You Ready For It: A Taylor Swift Experience” will headline the Sandwich Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.

Country music band Roseland will perform at The Idle Hour on Jan. 10.

Naperville's BrightSide Theatre presents 'Phantom in Concert' Jan. 9-11.

The Nu Wave – The Ultimate '80s Experience will perform hits from New Wave bands from the '80s Friday, Jan. 9 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles.

Camp Aramoni will host the 'New Year, New You' brunch on Sunday, Jan. 11.

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center will host Eagle Watch, which includes plenty of family activities, on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Sample a variety of unique cocoa flavors and freshly-roasted coffees.

These 15 stories from The Scene saw the most visitors this past year.

The annual event in downtown Joliet featured New Orleans-style music, food and street entertainment.

The neighborhood bar and live music venue marks the one year anniversary of new ownership.

The Starved Rock Lodge Winter Wildlife Trolley Tours take guests to several areas where they can view majestic bald eagles and more.

Sample a variety of whiskeys paired with a five-course dinner on Jan. 16-17.

Twenty-five grappling matches featuring 50 athletes, including 16 women, are planned, with the middleweight championship bout, or main event, featuring Michael Mutter of Team Curran and Jeff Serafin of Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Evanston.

From the passing of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan to county historian Jack Klasey, the Kankakee County community experienced the loss of beloved people.

Anderson’s Bookshop will host a Q&A with the Emmy-award winning actress best known for her role as Erica Kane on “All My Children.”

Start the New Year off right with a First Day Hike at one of DuPage County's many forest preserves.

Start the New Year off right with a First Day Hike in one of the area's state parks or in one of the Forest Preserve District of Will County parks.

Get the New Year started off right with a First Day Hike at one of Kane County's many forest preserves and nature trails.

Enjoy nature on a First Day Hike Jan. 1 at Silver Springs State Fish & Wildlife Area in Yorkville.

Start the New Year off right with a First Day Hike at Franklin Creek State Natural Area, which has over four miles of trails.

Start the New Year off right with a guided winter hike at Starved Rock State Park.

National Bloody Mary Day is Jan. 1. Celebrate with a cocktail at one of these award-winning bars in Kane and McHenry counties, the Sauk Valley and the Illinois Valley.

Cantigny flips the switch to a movie themed light show, backed by the soundtracks that have made Hollywood famous with 'Lights, Camera, Action!' until Jan. 4.

The Morris Theatre Guild will hold auditions for “Steel Magnolias” on Jan. 4 and 5 at the theater.