City of Joliet, IL
Home MenuCity Square: Downtown Joliet’s Gathering Place
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Sounds on 66 Friday, May 1, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Kick off the Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor weekend at City Square with "Sounds on 66," presented by the Joliet City Center Partnership. Guests can experience an era-spanning musical journey at the City Square concert stage and local downtown venues as part of the "Sounds of the Century" series. The evening will also feature "Legends of the Lane," a premier auto show on Chicago Street showcasing cars from across the decades, giving guests the chance to experience the evolution of the automobile along historic Route 66. |
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Rialto Square Theatre 100th Anniversary FREE Celebration May 3, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. In collaboration with the 100th Anniversary of the Rialto Square Theatre, City Square will be activated with a live DJ and interactive family fun outdoors in the heart of downtown. Guests can celebrate 100 years at the historic Rialto Square Theatre with behind-the-scenes tours, demonstrations, children’s activities, and a Centennial ribbon-cutting. The celebration will be followed by a screening of Disney Pixar’s Cars (G). The event at the Rialto Square Theatre is free to attend but tickets are required and are available at the Rialto Square Theatre Box Office at no cost. Limit four tickets per person, distributed first-come, first-served while supplies last. |
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Memorial Day Commemoration Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Outdoor Family Storytime Wednesdays, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | June, July & August 2026 |
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Bilingual Magic Show with El Mago Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 3rd: Swing Dancing | The Lockport Swing Thing June 10th: Country Line Dancing | TBD June 17th: Line Dancing | Line Dancing with Ton followed by DJ The Muzician June 24th: Swing Dancing | Sunny Side Swing July 1st: Line Dancing | Lines N’ Motion |
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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.