Ottawa, IL - The Middle of Everywhere

Rusty Halo Snowman Express 2025
2025-11-08 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Rusty Halo, 3277 E. 18th Road, Ottawa, IL 61350, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Enjoy a unique shopping experience against the backdrop of a 1920s town. The Snowman Express Show will offer antiques & primitives, home-made goodies, jewelry, artwork, custom made items, soaps, seasonal, home decor, candles, and more.
Santa Claus: Nov 9. 11am to 1pm
Bring the kids to visit Santa Claus at this year’s Snowman Express. Young and old can enjoy Santa Claus.
Check out the vendor list below:

parkrun
2025-11-08 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-11-01 09:00 - 10:00 | Heritage Harbor Ottawa, 2 Great Loop, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Heritage Harbor parkrun, Ottawa is a FREE weekly 5k event for participants of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 8:00 AM, May – September, & 9:00 AM, October – April, in Heritage Harbor. It offers an opportunity for all the local community, regardless of age or gender, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy the outdoors and get physically active. We want to encourage people to run, jog, walk and volunteer together – this event is truly open to all and best of all it really is FREE! Taking part is easy – just register before your first ever parkrun. The great thing is that you only ever need to do this once! Then just set your alarm for Saturday morning and get yourself there! Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in the Bluegill Boathouse & Marina Bar – please come and join us! Maybe swap stories about your parkrun that day, chat to other parkrunners over a cup of tea or coffee and just be an part of this community. So whether you’re a complete novice looking to get yourself started or a regular wanting to use this as a part of your training schedule, you’re welcome to come along and join us. Please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don’t forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won’t get a time. You can visit the event website link to register.

Blood Pressure and Glucose Checks
2025-11-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join OSF OnCall Connect for a free health screening and receive results in two
minutes. Hydrate before testing; fasting is not needed. This walk-in event offers
screenings for blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels.

Shop, Sip, and Sparkle Weekend
2025-11-07 - 2025-11-09 | Downtown Ottawa
Kick off the holiday season in the Middle of Everywhere with a magical weekend full of festive fun!

Happenings All Weekend Long

Downtown Ottawa Christmas Open Houses

Ornament Hunt & Lamp Light Carolers (Friday)

King Carriage Rides (Friday 4-9 PM)

Freshly Baked Cobbler by the Ottawa Boy Scouts (Friday)

Wine & Art Walk at Heritage Harbor (Saturday, Nov. 8, 2–6 PM)

Exploreum’s Sparkle Spectacular Christmas Tree Auction

Shop Local & Win!
Bring 5 receipts from any downtown Ottawa businesses you shop at during Shop, Sip & Sparkle Weekend to the Ottawa Visitors Center. Each set of 5 receipts enters you for a chance to win a $250 Downtown Discover Gift Card!
Drawing will be held Tuesday, November 26 at noon.

Wine & Art Walk
Sip, stroll, and shop as you enjoy wine tastings and beautiful works from local artists at Heritage Harbor. Tickets are on sale now—don’t wait!

It’s the perfect way to jumpstart your holiday spirit, find unique gifts, and make magical memories with family and friends.

Bingo
2025-11-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Have a blast at bingo with chances to win gift card prizes. This free event is
for adults only.

DINO EXTRAVAGANZA (Preschool- grade 2)
2025-11-06 16:00 - 16:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Celebrate Dino-vember with us by building a dinosaur and making a dino mask.

DIY BUTTONS
2025-11-05 16:30 - 17:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Bring your creativity and use our button maker to design your own buttons.

SHAKE , RATTLE, READ!
2025-11-05 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us every Wednesday for stories, songs, and a craft!. Stay and play after
the craft if you have time. Find each week’s theme on the Events Calendar
on our website. This event is for children ages birth to 3 years.

T-REXPLORERS
2025-11-04 17:00 - 18:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
T-Rexplorers will be here at the library to show off authentic dinosaur fossils,
share stories from their digs and some of their latest finds. Special guest
Ranger the T-Rex will greet everyone as they arrive for the presentation.
Registration is required. Please register in person at the library or call 815-434-0509.

READY, SET, READ!
2025-11-04 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs, and a craft!. Stay and play after the
craft if you have time. Find each week’s theme on the Events Calendar on our
website. This event is for children ages 3-5.

STORY TIME @ THE WOODLAND
2025-11-03 10:30 - 11:30 | Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us at Nell’s Woodland for a naturethemed story time. Enjoy stories, music,
and crafts followed by a short hike through the park. Please register in
person at Reddick Library or call (815) 434-0509.

GIRLS WHO CODE CLUB (Grades 3-5 & 6-12)
2025-11-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
This club isn’t just for girls, but uses the Girls Who Code Curriculum. At this
month’s gathering, we’re learning about AI. Sign up for online tutorials at
https://hq.girlswhocode.com/ and then come join us at the library for a fun get together.

MANGA CLUB
2025-11-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Hey Anime and Manga fans! We’re getting together to discuss our favorite manga
(and the anime series they’ve inspired). This month, we’re talking Delicious in
Dungeon!

The Loop Group
2025-11-01 13:30 - 15:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Learn to knit or crochet in a friendly environment with knowledgeable people.

DAY OF THE DINOSAUR STORYWALK
2025-11-01 09:00 - 16:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Kick off Dino-vember with a delightful Dinosaur StoryWalk! Join us anytime
during our open hours for an outdoor stroll around the library while enjoying a
story along the way. This event is designed for children of all ages. Feel
free to wear your dinosaur costumes, but it’s not a requirement!

Ottawa Trick or Treat 2025
2025-10-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Ottawa, IL, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Dust off those costumes, stock up on the good candy, and get ready — Ottawa’s Halloween fun will take place Friday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Families are encouraged to use flashlights, glow sticks, or other bright accessories to help stay visible once the sun goes down — and of course, to enjoy the magic (and the chocolate) that comes with this beloved community tradition.

17th Annual 24 hr Veterans Guard Vigil
2025-10-31 16:45 - 2025-11-01 17:00 | Washington Square Park, 100 West Jackson St, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
The Ottawa American Legion Post 33‘s 17th Annual 24 hour Veterans Honor Guard Vigil will be held at the War Memorial in Washington Square, on Friday, Oct. 31st at 4:45 PM.

A Command Post tent will be near Columbus & Lafayette Streets, provided by IL Valley Labor Management. Courtesy coffee and snacks will be available. Military vehicles and an “Avenue of Flags” will be on display. The John F. Kennedy Sea Cadets/Chicago will share duties on Sat., 11AM-1PM. The “Tunes of Glory” Bagpipers will play on Saturday, 3 to 5 PM. The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) will have a Field Day Exercise. “Flutes for Vets” will also demonstrate throughout the event.

The Vigil is held before Veterans Day as a reminder to thank all veterans for their service; for veterans to thank their fellow patriots for their support at home and abroad; for us all to honor those who have paid the greatest sacrifice, all, while celebrating our service careers.

Camp Tuckabatchee Haunted Camp 2025
2025-10-31 16:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-25 16:00 - 22:00 | Camp Tuckabatchee, 1973 N 35th Road, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Experience the classic Haunted Camp at Camp Tuckabatchee! Not scary from 4 to 6:30 pm, scary from 7 to 10pm.

Your Concert Series: Aria Nouveau
2025-10-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Central Intermediate School, 711 E McKinley Rd, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Aria Nouveau transports audiences on a journey through crossover hits, Broadway blockbusters, mainstream opera favorites and popular music in an elegant and artful evening perfect for music lovers of all ages. Artists like Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli pioneered the “classical crossover” genre, where elements of pop and opera seamlessly blend into a lush landscape of soaring vocals, rich orchestrations, and unbridled emotion. For tickets and Ottawa Concert Association membership information, please visit the OCA website or Facebook. You can also call Beth at (815) 228-6474. Adult membership is $60 each or $130 for the whole family. Membership includes four concerts in Ottawa and four in Pontiac.

Halloween Bash
2025-10-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us for Halloween family fun! Drop in to trick or treat through
the library, play games, do a craft, and more! Costumes are welcome
but not required.

Kid’s Book Club
2025-10-29 16:00 - 16:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
At this month’s book club, we will be discussing The Night Before
Halloween by Natasha Wing and creating a few monsters of our own.
Copies of the book will be available for checkout in the Children’s
Department.

Shake, Rattle, Read
2025-10-29 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join the Reddick Library for stories, songs, and a craft! Stay and play after the craft if you have the time! Find each week’s theme on the Events Calendar on the Reddick Library website. This event is for children ages birth to 3 years.

LEGO Club
2025-10-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Make a spooky-themed creation with library LEGO pieces and have
your build displayed in the Children’s Department. This event
is for children of all ages.

Silent Book Club
2025-10-28 16:30 - 17:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Need a place to study after school or somewhere to hang out with friends?
Bring schoolwork, a project, or a book to read for fun! There’s no pressure here,
just friends, snacks and time to get something done at the library.

Ready, Set, Read!
2025-10-28 10:00 - 10:45 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us every Tuesday for stories, songs, and a
craft! Stay and play after the craft if you have the time! Find each week’s
theme on the Events Calendar on our website. This event is for
children ages 3-5 years.

Homeschool Art
2025-10-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Come and learn about an artist and create a masterpiece inspired
by their style. Wear clothes you don‘t mind getting messy.

Teen Halloween
2025-10-26 13:30 - 15:30 | Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Join us for a Halloween hangout, with a scary movie, creepy crafts and spooky
games. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

A Victorian Haunting
2025-10-25 14:00 - 20:00 | Reddick Mansion, 1000 W. Lafayette Street, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Step back in time to a shadowy night of intrigue, secrets, and suspense at A Victorian Haunting: Murder at the Mansion. Someone has met an untimely end inside the grand Reddick Mansion… and it’s up to you to uncover the truth.
Follow a trail of clues hidden throughout downtown Ottawa. Each stop reveals another piece of the puzzle—and brings you closer to solving the mystery. Experience even more Victorian parlor activities, from palm readers to mediums and more. Don your finest Victorian attire and be entered to win a $100 Discover Ottawa Gift Card in our Second Annual Costume Contest! Get tickets and/or more information here or at the link below.
New this year:
🕰️ Extended Hours!The event is starting earlier—festivities now begin at 2 PM, giving visitors even more time to explore Victorian-era Ottawa and immerse yourself in the mystery.
📲 Skip the Check-In Line!No need to wait in line! Just show your pass and start your haunting adventure.
🎩 Now Open to Ages 13+!This year’s event is designed for guests 13 and older, so teens and adults alike can join in the mystery, thrills, and Victorian fun!
🍴 Enjoy a Gourmet Snack!Grab a gourmet charcuterie cup filled with easy-to-eat snacks. Savor the flavors while you sleuth!
