The LASER

Parents Night Out
2025-12-19 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Lakeside Recreation Facility, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: Friday, December 19, 2025
Time: 5:30-8:30PM
Early Bird Cost: $15 by November 29
After November 29: $20 by December 18
Ages: 5-12 years old
Location: Lakeside Recreation Facility
Parents, need to do some last minute holiday shopping or just want an evening out? Enjoy a few hours kid-free while knowing your children are engaged and active with a fun craft night and Indoor Mobile Playground on the multipurpose courts at Lakeside Recreation Facility. This special holiday edition of Parent’s Night Out gives kids the chance to make a craft that they can create as a gift, and we will package gifts in a peek-proof bag!
Pizza will be provided.
Register as: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/activities/5611388

Nature at Night: Winter Solstice Celebration
2025-12-19 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Lakeside Nature Center, 1033 South Lake Storey Road, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: December 19, 2025
Time: 6:30-8PM
Cost: $5 by December 18
Location: Lakeside Nature Center Area
The Winter Solstice is Sunday, December 21, so we will celebrate on Friday! We will talk about the science behind the annual solstices, take a walk through our luminary-lit woods, enjoy some hot chocolate and s’mores around the yule log! All ages are invited to attend!
Register at: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/activities/5600778

Keepsake Christmas Frames
2025-12-20 10:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Come in and create your very own Christamas frame!
$1.00 with admission

BINGO at the Galesburg VFW
2025-12-20 12:45, 2025-12-27 12:45, 2026-01-03 12:45, 2026-01-10 12:45, 2026-01-17 12:45 (America/New_York) | Galesburg VFW Post 2257, 1001 Michigan ave, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Come and have some fun at the Galesburg VFW with BINGO each Saturday. Doors open at 10:30a and BINGO starts at 12:45p.

Winter Wonderband
2025-12-20 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Knox College, Kresge Hall, Center for Fine Arts, 2 East South St., Galesburg, 61401
Local area community band members gather to present a concert of Christmas and Holiday music!

Origami Dreidels
2025-12-21 12:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Make an origami dreidel of your very own in our Art Studio! This event is free with admission.

STEM Fun Design a Gumdrop Tree
2025-12-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Make your own tree for the Holidays!
Free with Admission

1st Lutheran Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
2025-12-24 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | First Lutheran Church in Galesburg, Seminary and Water Street, Galesburg, IL, United States
We invite you and yours to Galesburg First Lutheran for our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with communion at 5:30 pm.
All are welcome, invite your friends, family and loved ones along as we celebrate the reason for the season!

Indoor Mobile Playground
2025-12-27 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-01-10 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-01-24 10:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Lakeside Recreation Facility, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Dates: December 13 & 27, 2025. January 10 & 24, 2026. February 14 & 28, 2026. March 14, 2026.
Time: 10:30AM-12:30PM
Cost: $5 daily admission for ages 3-12; ages 2 and under are free
Location: Lakeside Recreation Facility
We will set up a variety of toys and activities to challenge and entertain your kiddos (and adults)! Who doesn’t love a good game of giant frisbee or jumbo Connect 4? Each week we will feature a large game (inflatable game or obstacle course) or fun guests/special activities!
Pre-registration encouraged, but drop-ins allowed, as space permits. Please register each person individually. All ages are welcome. Children age 6 & under must be directly supervised. Adults can stay in the play court area or walk around the tennis courts while their children play if direct supervision is not required. Adults must stay in the facility while minors are playing.
*Certain dates may be cancelled, depending on facility bookings and holidays.
Register at: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/programs/122415?subCategoryIds=6297334

Adult Pickleball Lessons
2025-12-27 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Lakeside Recreation Facility, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
Time: 11am-12:30pm
Cost: $20
Location: Lakeside Recreation Facility
This class is designed for adult players who are new to the game. It will cover the fundamentals of scoring, serving, point play, and dinking. Please come dressed to play and remember to bring a water bottle.
Register at: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/activities/6252815

Science Saturday = Density Towers
2025-12-27 12:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Come check out this science experiment!
Free with admission

Wibit Swim
2025-12-27 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Hawthorne Pool, 2331 Veterans Drive, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: December 27, 2025
Time: 1-4PM
Cost: $5 per person
Location: Hawthorne Pool
Join us at Hawthorne Pool for a special family swim! A partial WiBit will be in the water and available for use by all level swimmers. The diving board will not be open during this swim time.
Swimmers age 8 and under must have an adult within arms reach at all times unless a swim test is passed. Swimmers age 12 and under must have an adult in the building at all times.

Karaoke Kontest
2025-12-27 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | El Barril 3, 325 E Main St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Calling all karaoke singers! All proceeds go to Walk to End Alzheimer’s, winner will be announced at the end of the event.

Melting Snowman Craft
2025-12-30 10:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Spend the end of the year creating an adorable snowman craft at the Depot!
$1.00 with admission

Swim and Gym
2025-12-30 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Hawthorne Gym, 2265 Veterans Dr, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Time: 1-4PM
Cost: $10 per participant
Ages: 9-12 years old
Location: Hawthorne Gym and Hawthorne Pool
Spend a day this winter break at Hawthorne Pool & Hawthorne Gym for a Swim & Gym! Coming this December 30th, Swim and Gym will include option of swimming on the Wibit and watching a movie in the golf simulator room or playing in the Gym.
Register at: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/activities/6460682

Count Down To Noon
2025-12-31 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Discovery Depot, 128 S Chambers St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Celebrate the New Year with Discovery Depot’s Annual Balloon Drop! Crafts, Games & Fun with a Balloon Drop at Noon!
$9.50 nonmembers / $6.50 members

Wibit Swim
2025-12-31 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Hawthorne Pool, 2331 Veterans Drive, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: December 31, 2025
Time: 1-3PM
Cost: $7 per person
Location: Hawthorne Pool
Join us at Hawthorne Pool for a special family swim! A partial Wibit will be in the water and available for use by all level swimmers. The diving board will not be open during this swim time.
Swimmers age 8 and under must have an adult within arms reach at all times unless a swim test is passed. Swimmers age 12 and under must have an adult in the building at all times.

Ooey Gooey Science: Winter Break Fun
2026-01-02 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Lakeside Recreation Facility, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
Time: 1-2:30PM
Cost: $5 per scientist by December 29
Ages: 5-13 years
Location: Lakeside Recreation Facility
School Day off? Don’t sit around the house! Come to Lakeside Recreation Facility and have some frosty science fun! We will have some festive fun with experiments, games, and much more!
Register at: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-galesburg-pr/shop/activities/6424220

First Lutheran Church Food Pantry
2026-01-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-21 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | First Lutheran Church, 364 E Water St, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
First Lutheran Church Food Pantry, 364 E. Water St., Galesburg.

DECADE OF DECADENCE at The Orpheum
2026-01-17 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Orpheum Theatre, 60 South Kellogg, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
DECADE OF DECADENCE rocks the historic Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg on Saturday, January 17, 2026!
Decade of Decadence isn’t just a band—it’s an electrifying experience! With over 250 shows under their belts, they’ve rocked stages all across the Midwest, bringing the sights, sounds, and energy of ’80s arena rock to life. From sold-out tours to unforgettable performances, Decade of Decadence is the Ultimate 80’s Rock Party! A Live Concert event playing the biggest and best anthems of the 80’s Era of Arena Rock and Hair Bands like Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison, and more.

Give Back, Galesburg Gold-Out Game
2026-01-22 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | GHS Thiel Gym, East Fremont Street, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Give Back, Galesburg will sponsor the Streaks girls basketball game vs. Sterling on Thurs. Jan. 22 in Thiel Gym. T-shirt sales close by Jan. 12 and there will be a variety of events happening at the game. Raffles and the Paper Airplane Fly-In will be highlights of the night, in addition to 3-points shooting contests and relay races for all students! Proceeds will benefit the Kleine Pediatric Wellness Center and its programs supporting youth in our area.

Mirza Residency Concert: Shadowlands with S. Carey (Bon Iver) & John Raymond
2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Orpheum Theater, 60 South Kellogg, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency Concert: Shadowlands with S. Carey (Bon Iver) & John Raymond
📅 Friday, January 23, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 The Orpheum Theatre, Galesburg, IL
🎟️ Free and open to the public
The thirteenth annual Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency culminates in a special performance by Shadowlands, the captivating collaboration between Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter John Raymond and Bon Iver sideman S. Carey.
Blending the warmth and beauty of Carey’s sound with Raymond’s lyrical, improvisational approach, Shadowlands transcends genres—melding indie folk, forward-thinking jazz, lush pop, and atmospheric electronic textures into a truly one-of-a-kind musical experience. Their performances move effortlessly between soaring, anthemic moments and intimate, meditative soundscapes.
The residency brings world-class artists to Knox College each year for a week of workshops, masterclasses, and community engagement, made possible through the generosity of the Jerome Mirza Foundation.
✨ Don’t miss this immersive concert experience that bridges jazz, indie, and contemporary sound worlds.
Free admission – no tickets required.
Learn more about the residency: knox.edu/jazzyear

Healthy Living Fest '26
2026-01-24 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Cornucopia 176 S Seminary St, 176 S. Seminary Street, Galesburg, IL, 61401, United States
Join us for our annual Healthy Living Fest! We’ll have a full day of demos, presentations, & contests, plus opportunities to win prizes. Learn about fermented foods, mushrooms, protein, herbs, movement practices and more. This is a free event open to all.
Inclement weather date of February 7th
