City Square: Downtown Joliet’s Gathering Place

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Performer & Instructor Application

Submissions are now open for 2026 programming. Artists, performers, instructors, or arts organizations looking to share their talents with the community are invited to complete the Performer & Instructor Application to be part of the City’s 2026 lineup of performances, classes and cultural experiences. Performers and instructors will be compensated for their time if selected for inclusion in the 2026 lineup.

Sponsorship

The City of Joliet is inviting businesses, community leaders, and philanthropic partners to take part in the City Square Partnership Recognition Program through naming opportunities, sponsorships, and donor recognition tied to signature features and beloved programs.

This is your chance to leave a lasting legacy, show civic pride, and help bring this transformative public space fully to life.

Learn how you can be part of Joliet history in the making.

City Square Donor & Sponsorship Opportunities

Memorial Day Commemoration

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The City of Joliet invites the community to join in honoring our nation’s heroes at the annual Memorial Day Commemoration, a solemn ceremony dedicated to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Representatives from all branches of the United States Armed Forces will be present to pay tribute, and a ceremonial wreath will be laid in their memory. The event will also feature a performance by the renowned American Legion Band, providing a moving musical backdrop to this important day of remembrance.

Memorial Day

Chicago Street Farmers Market

Fridays, May 22 – September 18, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Now in its third year, the Chicago Street Farmers Market returns to its home in the heart of historic downtown Joliet. A curated, locally driven market dedicated to elevating small businesses and supporting farmers, makers, bakers and growers, the market offers a wide selection of fresh produce, artisan foods, handcrafted goods and locally made products every Friday morning throughout the summer and into fall.

Sounds on 66

This Friday night concert series brings a dynamic lineup of musical styles to the inaugural season in City Square. The series will highlight a diverse mix of performers, creating an inviting space for residents and visitors to gather, listen, and celebrate local culture. Presented in partnership with Chicago Street Pub.

Fridays, June 5 - August 28 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

June 5: Righteous Hillbillies | Southern Rock/Americana

June 12: Johnny Rustler & The Beach Bum Band | Party Anthems/Beach Music

June 19: TBD

June 26: The Selectones | Reggae/Ska

July 3: Eve Casino | Rock/Psychedelic/Blues/Alt Rock

July 10: Invisible Cartoons | Funk/Hip Hop/Rock/Jazz

July 17: Irish Night | Traditional Irish/Rock/Folk

July 24: Grupo Avanzado | Norteño Chaka/Modern Norteño/Corridos + Covers

July 31: Wood Fired Boys | Folk/Rock/Country

August 7: Sheryl Youngblood Band | Blues

August 14: Furthur Blues Band | Jam/Rock/Classic Rock

August 21: The Rangers | Honky Tonk/Country/Grassroots/Outlaw Country

August 28: The Steepwater Band | Dirty Rock/Delta Blues/Classic Rock/Alt Rock

Sounds on 66

Star Wars Day

Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Joliet Public Library, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Renaissance Center & Joliet City Square

The Force returns to downtown Joliet for Star Wars Day, a free, all-ages event spread across multiple downtown venues including City Square. Returning favorites include a parade of costumed characters, games, food vendors, Artist and Author Alley, and merchandise vendors.

Remembering Our Fallen

June 11-14, 2026

The National Iraq - Afghanistan Memorial - Remembering Our Fallen - is a photographic war memorial with over 5,000 Fallen that honors our country’s military Fallen from The Global War on Terror (9/11/2001 - 8/30/2021). This memorial also includes those who died in training accidents, whether stateside or overseas, as well as those who served in the combat zone during this time, but succumbed to Post-Traumatic Stress. Unlike brick-and-mortar memorials, Remembering Our Fallen is designed to travel and includes military and personal photos. Its legacy will be that these men and women will be remembered and their names will be spoken, while helping to lessen the grief of their families.

Remembering Our Fallen

Tall Tales and Silly Songs with Todd Downing

Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Joliet Public Library Presents

Get those muscles moving with Joliet musician Todd Downing in an exciting live performance full of movement, music and laughter. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs. In the event of rain, the performance will move to the library.

Official Dedication of City Square

Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Mayor Terry D'Arcy and other city officials will be on hand for the Official Dedication of City Square on June 18, marking a major milestone in downtown Joliet’s revitalization. The Square transforms a once underutilized parcel into a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly civic space with a central turf lawn, wide walkways, landscaped plantings, water elements, and a signature “red carpet” promenade.

Cars & Guitars

Thursdays, June 4, June 18, July 2 (Race Ran Rally), July 16 & August 6 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 brings Cars & Guitars for its City Square debut this summer, just in time to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial. Classic and custom cars, live bands, and the unmistakable Mother Road vibe take over downtown, turning City Square into Joliet's newest hotspot for music, engines, and high-energy fun. Families, car lovers and visitors are all welcome for a night of heritage and hometown pride.

Outdoor Family Storytime

Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | June, July & August 2026

Birth – 6 years with adult | No registration required
Joliet Public Library Presents
Experience story time in the great outdoors at City Square all summer long! Families are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs. In the event of rain, story time will move to the library.

Bilingual Magic Show with El Mago

Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Joliet Public Library Presents
El Mago brings wonder and excitement to City Square with a fun, family-friendly bilingual magic show full of illusions and surprises. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs. In the event of rain, the show will move to the library.

City Square Celebration

Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2026 |11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

This two-day event honors Joliet’s new downtown gathering space, highlighted by a Friday night drone show and live entertainment across two stages featuring local talent. Performances include The Selectones and Love’s Labours Lost: Shakespeare 90’s style presented by the Joliet Drama Guild. City Square reflects the community’s vision for a dynamic hub for events and everyday connection while advancing long-term plans to reimagine Chicago Street as an inviting, pedestrian-friendly corridor.

Wellness Workouts

Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.

Jump-start your day with workouts featuring instructor‑led movement designed to energize your body and lift your mood. *Bring your own mat if needed

June 2nd: Gene Hicks - Hip Hop Fit | Hip Hop Fitness

June 9th: Kelly Fowler – Sage Bodywork & Wellness |Yoga

June 16th: Samantha Ramirez | Pilates

June 23rd: Fanny Sanchez |Yoga

June 30: Charles Murray | Get Your Body In Motion (Silver Cross)

July 7: Liz Weber | Jazzercise

July 14: Charles Murray | Get Your Body In Motion (Silver Cross)

July 21: Camilo Arraya | Latin Zumba/Rumba

July 28: Trinita Stevenson | Body Rehab Fitness

August 4: Charles Murray | Get Your Body In Motion (Silver Cross)

August 11: Fanny Sanchez - IZXOTI | Yoga & Pilates

August 18: TBD

August 25: TBD

Workouts

Dancing in the Square

Wednesdays, 5:00 –7:00 p.m.

City Square transforms into a vibrant dance floor where residents mingle, visitors join the fun, and the community comes alive. This lively series features a variety of dance styles, with each event beginning with an hour of instruction from dynamic teachers, followed by a DJ or live band that invites everyone to jump in and show off their new moves.

June 3: Swing Dancing | The Lockport Swing Thing featuring The Rusty Gates Band

June 10: Salsa & Bachata | I Just Wanna Dance Studio

June 17: Line Dancing | Line Dancing with Ton featuring The Muzician DJ

June 24: Swing Dancing | Sunny Side Swing

July 1: Line Dancing | Lines N’ Motion featuring The Muzician DJ

July 8:Salsa & Bachata | I Just Wanna Dance Studio

July 15: Stepping In The Square | ChocolitGents featuring DJ B

July 22: Country Line Dancing | Killin' It With Kristi

July 29: Line Dancing | Joliet Community Line Dance

August 5 - Country Line Dancing | Killin' It With Kristi

August 12: TBD

August 19: Line Dancing | Joliet Community Line Dance

August 26: Line Dancing | Line Dancing with Ton featuring The Muzician DJ

Square Dancing

Race Fan Rally

July 2, 2026 | 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.

The Race Fan Rally returns to Joliet, bringing high-energy excitement and a celebration of motorsports back to downtown. Fans of all ages can experience race cars up close, meet drivers, enjoy live entertainment, and take part in interactive activities that capture the spirit of racing. This beloved event once again showcases Joliet’s pride in its racing heritage while creating a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for the entire community. Presented by City Center Partnership.

City Square brings new energy to Downtown Joliet as a vibrant, welcoming destination for connection, culture, and community. Located across from the iconic Rialto Square Theatre at the corner of Clinton and Chicago Streets, City Square sits at the crossroads of Joliet’s rich history and its future—anchored along historic U.S. Route 66 and surrounded by dining, entertainment, and regional attractions. At its center will stand the Unity Dome, a signature public art sculpture by internationally recognized artist Sijia Chen.

Designed as Joliet’s central gathering place, City Square will offer year-round programming through a dynamic mix of weekly activities, recurring monthly events, and signature marquee celebrations. Through strong partnerships and inclusive programming, City Square invites residents and visitors alike to come together, stay awhile, and be part of Joliet’s next chapter.

Project Overview

City Square will bring a vibrant gathering place to Downtown Joliet. Located across from the Rialto Square Theater, at the corner of Clinton and Chicago Streets, City Square is uniquely positioned to take advantage of regional destinations and to build upon the historical significance of U.S. Route 66.

The development of City Square is complementary to the Chicago Street Reconstruction project, and the streetscape plan for this project is being constructed simultaneously. The Chicago Street Reconstruction project implements a redesign of Chicago Street from Jefferson Street to Webster Street to reestablish the identity of this corridor as a street that is safe for all types of transportation. Both projects advance the high-level conceptual designs from the Chicago Street Corridor Plan (2018).

City Council approved final design and construction contracts in July 2024. Construction will be completed in phases throughout 2024, 2025,

and 2026, with the City continuing to coordinate closely with local businesses, institutions, and stakeholders throughout the process.

The design envisions a welcoming plaza-like park that will become a vibrant gathering place for residents and tourists alike. It will feature trees and casual seating, creating a comfortable environment for everyday enjoyment. At the heart of the space is a central green area crossed by wide pathways, encouraging easy movement and leisurely strolls. A prominent “red carpet” promenade will connect the Square to the Rialto Square Theatre, creating a striking visual link between the two spaces.

The Square will include a permanent main stage for performances, alongside a smaller interactive stage for community programs and intimate events. Throughout the area, planters, water features, and landscaped plantings will enhance the park’s beauty and create a sense of place. Ultimately designed for outdoor gatherings and activities, the space is intended for daily use while also accommodating larger-scale and seasonal events.

Chicago Street Reconstruction Project – Partial Cross-Section

This partial cross-section shows the future dimensions of the Chicago Street public rights-of-way components.

Unity Dome by Sijia Chen

Unity Dome, a 12-foot-tall, 19-foot-wide stainless-steel sculpture by internationally recognized artist Sijia Chen, will serve as the signature centerpiece of the new City Square. Installation is on schedule, with completion expected in May 2026. Chen describes the sculpture as capturing “the rich and diverse history, culture, aspirations, and spirit of the Joliet community,” weaving together personal stories and shared themes of commerce, resourcefulness, natural beauty, and daily life.

Selected through a competitive process led by the Joliet Arts Commission, Unity Dome was chosen from more than 50 proposals following public voting and finalist presentations. Designed to be interactive and community-driven, the sculpture will function as a focal gathering point within City Square.

Developed through months of community engagement, Unity Dome reflects Joliet’s history, culture, and identity. Public feedback informed visual elements inspired by local natural resources such as limestone and the Des Plaines River; architectural icons including Old Joliet Prison, the Rialto Square Theatre, and the Jefferson Street Bridge; and cultural touchstones like Route 66 and The Blues Brothers. These influences appear as intricate paper-cut–style cutouts—such as hammers, bridges, wheels, sunglasses, a Route 66 sign, and a chair from the Rialto Theatre—integrated into the stainless-steel dome to represent themes of industry, commerce, family, identity, and community pride.

“Unity Dome will not only be an iconic piece of art, but also a reflection of Joliet’s identity, history, and future,” said Mayor Terry D’Arcy.

Unity Dome Rendering - wide view

City of Joliet, IL

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City Square: Downtown Joliet’s Gathering Place