As events may be canceled or rescheduled at the last moment, please first check with the host or venue when making plans to attend an event.
"Negro Leagues Beisbol" Through Oct. 30. Open during normal museum hours. This traveling exhibit was developed to explore the connections of African American baseball history with Hispanic cultures, communities and countries. Features profiles of significant baseball players, including several local players. spiaahm.org. Free. Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum, 1440 Monument Ave., 217-391-6323.
Give 'Em Hell, Harry! Fri.-Sat., Sep. 24-25, 7pm. Academy Award-nominated play performed by President Harry S. Truman's grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel. Seating is limited. aasr-spi.org. $30. Springfield Masonic Center, 1020 Rickard Road, 217-793-7728.
APL Upscale Collectible Sale Fri., Sep. 24, 3-8pm and Sat., Sep. 25 8am-3pm. Two year's worth of donated furniture, antiques, jewelry, tools, books, home goods, children's items and clothes. Mobile adoption unit on site. apl-shelter.org. In the former Bergner's location, White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 217-544-7387.
International Route 66 Mother Road Festival Fri.-Sun., Sep. 24-26. This festival brings street machines, muscle cars and hot rod enthusiasts to historic downtown Springfield for an incredible weekend of family entertainment. Downtown Springfield, between Washington and Capitol streets and Fourth and Seventh streets. route66fest.com. 217-789-2360.
Fall Festival and Steam Show Fri.-Sun., Sep. 24-26. Horse-powered equipment, antique tractors, gas and steam engines, demonstrations on bailing, blacksmithing and more. Prairie Land Heritage Museum, Jacksonville, 1005 W. Michigan Ave., 217-243-7262.
Let Our Prayers Arise Sat., Sep. 25, 3pm. A special outdoor program of Liturgical Arts Festival Springfield. Art kites and interfaith prayers. Music by local folk group Wild Columbine. Light refreshments. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.
Escape to Margaritaville Tue., Sep. 28, 8pm. Welcome to Margaritaville, where people come to get away from it all and stay to find something they never expected. $24-$89. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Central Illinois Fall Senior Celebration Wed., Sep. 29, 1-4pm. Seventy exhibitors and health screeners. Food trucks. Rain or shine. Shuttle transportation will be available. Presented by Senior Services of Central Illinois. centralilseniors.org. Free. Donations welcome. Illinois State Fairgrounds Commodities Pavilion, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-528-4035.
State of Sound: Red Prairie Ramblers Thu., Sep. 30, 7-8pm. An evening of fiddle tunes and country songs from central and southern Illinois. Visit the website for tickets. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. $7. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.
The Audience Fri.-Sun., Oct. 1-3 and Oct. 8-10. For 60 years Elizabeth II has met each of her 12 prime ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said. This play was the inspiration for the TV series The Crown. Presented by the Spencer Theatre Company. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
Boo Crew Haunted House Open every Friday and Saturday night through October. Both the Trail of Lost Souls and the haunted house are back this year. Recommended for ages 10 and over. Box office opens at 6:30pm. Haunting begins around 7pm. Rain or shine. Admission $20 or $35 VIP. Boo Crew Haunted House, Mechanicsburg, 11083 Buckhart Road, 217-551-6969.
Sangamon Watercolor Society Annual Exhibit Mon.-Sat., Oct. 1-30. Open during normal gallery hours. Check out all new works by members of the Sangamon Watercolor Society. Free and open to the public. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.
Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show Sat., Oct. 2, 10am-6pm and Sun., Oct. 3, 10am-5pm. Amazing agates from around the world. Mineral and fossil dealers, demonstrators, kids' activities, silent auction, exhibits and more. loess.org. Adults $2, seniors $1 and kids age 12 and under are free. Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., 309-838-7782.
Cemetery Walk Sun., Oct. 3, 12-4pm. Echoes of Yesteryear: A Walk Through Oak Ridge Cemetery. Eight actors dressed in period costumes will tell the personal stories of individuals who made significant contributions to our community. Last tour at 3:15 p.m. Parking available. Refreshments available for purchase. Sponsored by the Sangamon County Historical Society. Free. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 217-525-1961.
Paul Page Tue., Oct. 5, 7pm. A meet and greet with the man behind the voice of the Indianapolis 500 and ABC and ESPN announcer. Hear about the racing legends, his broadcasting career and his new book, Hello, I'm Paul Page, It's Race Day in Indianapolis. Proceeds benefit the Children's Dyslexia Center. aasr-spi.org. $10. Springfield Masonic Center, 1020 Rickard Road, 217-793-7728.
Conference on Illinois History Thu.-Fri., Oct. 7-8, 8:30am-6pm. Two full days of panels highlighting research on Illinois history, culture, politics, geography and archaeology. Open to everyone with an interest in the past. Visit the website or call to register. Lunch presentations require additional registration. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. $25 - $90. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.
Arsenic and Old Lace Fri.-Sun., Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 15-17. A clever combination of the farcical and the macabre. Written by Joseph Kesselring and directed by Kim Shafer. Springfield Theatre Centre, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
Fat Ass 5K & Street Party for Charity Fri.-Sat., Oct. 8-9. Craft beer and cigar festival on Friday. 5K and street party on Saturday. Food and live music. Downtown Springfield, South Second Street and East Capitol Avenue.
Youth Charity Horse Show Fri.-Sun., Oct. 8-10. Class sessions are 8am-10pm Friday and Saturday and 8am-6pm Sunday. The organization donates its annual proceeds to an area charity. Free. Coliseum, Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., 217-494-1215.
Juried Artisan Fair Sat, Oct. 9, 10am-3pm. Artisans, live music, food vendors, beer, wine and mimosas. Central Park Plaza, Jacksonville, 32 N. Central Park, 217-243-5678.
Outstanding Opening Sat, Oct. 9, 7:30pm. Season opening performance by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. ilsymphony.org. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Roasted Sat, Oct. 9. Join in this unique ceramic raku fundraiser event. Glaze a pot, fire it in an outdoor kiln and then it is ready to take home. Enjoy the fire, food and live music. Admission $20 or $30 + pot, children 12 and under $15. Members receive 10% off. All prices increase $5 on the day of event. springfieldart.org. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.
Illusions, Magic and Spirits Fri.-Sat., Oct. 15-31, 7-8pm and 9-10pm. A unique haunting stage show presented by Terror on the Square. Set in an old art deco theatre, expect a mix of illusions, magic and spirits to mystify all ages. $18.00. Salem on Seventh Theater, Petersburg, 119 S. Seventh St., 217-632-7068.
Prairie River Dog Shows Fri.-Sun., Oct. 15-17, 8am-4pm. AKC conformation. Cheer on your favorite breed to Best in Show. Free. Illinois State Fairgrounds Exposition Building, 801 Sangamon Ave., 217-725-3647.
The Weir Fri.-Sat., Oct. 15-16. Written by Conor McPherson (1997) and first produced at The Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in London, England. Hoogland Center for the Arts Club Room, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
Springfield Out of the Darkness Walk Sat., Oct. 16, 2-4pm. Walk to increase mental health awareness, support those who struggle and honor those lost to suicide. It's important to be there for one another and take steps to safeguard our mental health and prevent suicide. Visit the website to register and be part of the movement. afsp.org/SpringfieldIL. Free, donations accepted. Hope Pavilion at Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 312-890-2377.
#IMOMSOHARD: The Getaway Tour Thu., Oct. 21, 7pm. #IMOMSOHARD began as a popular web series by real-life best friends, comedians and moms, Kristin and Jen. The phenomenon that they created has since been nabbed for development by Warner Brothers TV. $49-$60. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Honoring Our Heritage Awards Fri., Oct. 22. Sponsored by the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum. Recognizing African American businesses, churches and organizations that have an extensive history of significant and momentous contributions, achievements and activism. All that submit the requested information will be recognized for their contributions to our community. View on the museum's YouTube channel or website at spiaahm.org.
Fall Festival Sat., Oct. 23, 10am-4pm. Period-clothed interpreters will demonstrate daily tasks such as dipping candles, making soap, baskets and brooms, spinning wool and gardening. Step into the tavern cellar to see how fruits and vegetables were preserved during the winter. lincolnsnewsalem.com. Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, Petersburg, 15588 History Lane, 217-632-4000.
Jacksonville Main Street Pumpkin Festival Sat., Oct. 23, 10am-2pm. Petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin painting, blazing wings challenge, pie eating contest, kid's costume contest, pet costume contest, pumpkin patch, cornfield. $10 per child includes all activities and contests. Central Park Plaza, Jacksonville, 32 N. Central Park, 217-245-6884.
Rochester Fall Festival Sat., Oct. 23, 8am-3pm and Sun., Oct. 24, 12-3pm. Local vendors, food trucks, free games and activities, plus live music. Saturday's 5k starts at 8am. Free. Rochester Community Park, Rochester, 90 Wild Rose Lane, 217-498-8454.
Straight No Chaser Tue., Oct. 26, 7:30pm. Back in the High Life Tour. The captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense and with a sense of humor. $36-$60. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Route 66 Film Festival Fri., Nov. 5-Mon., Nov. 15. The 20th Route 66 Film Festival, featuring independent films from around the world (13 countries), will be online at Film Festival Flix. $10-$50. Award ceremony to be held Nov. 13, 2-4pm, at The State House Inn and on Zoom. 217-494-1279.
Arboriculture and Mine Wars Tue., Nov. 9, 11:30am-1:30pm. In this online program, arborist Guy Sternberg will discuss habitats of Illinois and the Starhill Forest Arboretum in Petersburg. Taylor Pensoneau will discuss the 1930s mine wars of Illinois. Part of the UIS Lunch and Learn Series. 217-206-6058. uis.edu.
Leanne Morgan: Big Pantry Tour Sat., Nov., 13, 7pm. Leanne's style of comedy combines her southern charm and hilarious story telling about her own life into an act that keeps them coming back for more. The fact that everyone can relate to her comedy has made her a hit even among the strangest of audiences. $39.50-$49.50. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Autumn Artisans Fair Sun., Nov. 14, 9am-4pm. Indoor art fair featuring local artists. Upscale resale boutique, temple sanctuary tours, artisan raffle, lunch and bake sale. Temple B'rith Sholom, 1004 S. Fourth St., 217-525-1360.
Josh Turner Fri., Nov 19, 8pm. Holiday and The Hits Tour. $19-$85. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.
Jim Gaffigan: The Fun Tour Sun., Nov. 21, 7pm. $37.75-$77.75. BoS Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.
