Kane County Reporter

Visit downtown Aurora in 2023 for events and more. Enjoy 40+ events organized and hosted by Aurora Downtown, a nonprofit of business and property owners. The downtown group is known for its wildly popular and one-of-a-kind events such as First Fridays, Food Truck Festival, Alley Art Festival, Sugar Skull City, and more.

Get these dates on your calendar and stay tuned for more info! Sign up for our newsletter HERE.

January

No First Fridays

19 Boss Babes | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House, 80 S. River St.

Local women are invited to support and lift up other Boss Babes on the third Thursday of the month. Boss Babes welcomes all, and is a partnership between Aurora Downtown and Wyckwood House. No cost to attend.

February

1 to 14 Love Local Days

Enjoy specials and lots of love from downtown businesses during Love Local Days at participating businesses throughout downtown Aurora.

3 First Fridays | Love Local

February’s First Fridays celebrates our love for community. We heart local.

16 Boss Babes | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

25 Art and Market Aurora | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Society 57, 100 S. River St.

Shop an indoor, highly curated local makers market hosted and organized by Aurora Downtown. The market features the best local makers, bakers, artists, and artisans in the valley.

March

3 First Fridays | Women in the Front: Women who stand up, take charge, and inspire us

Join Aurora Downtown and participating business venues as we celebrate Women’s History Month with special exhibits, local artists, and more.

16 Boss Babes Field Trip | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fox Valley Mall

Meet up at Tapville Social to grab a drink, then walk the mall and visit small businesses with Marissa and Shannon.

25 Art and Market Aurora | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Society 57

April

1 Egg Hunt on the Island | 1 to 3 p.m. 

Visit downtown businesses for fun and activities that are hoptastic! A map will be posted with participating businesses prior to the event. FREE!

1 Easter Bunny at the Gazebo | 1 to 3 p.m. 

Take your photo with our famous Easter Bunny at Millennium Plaza gazebo on Stolp Avenue. FREE!

7 First Fridays

20 Boss Babes | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

22 Art and Market Aurora | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Society 57

May

5 First Fridays + Food Truck Festival | 5 to 9 p.m. on Benton Street

Aurora Downtown invites more than two dozen food trucks to park along the gorgeous Benton Street bridges for one evening. Rain or shine. FREE!

16 Taco Crawl

Join us for a spring Taco Crawl brought to you by Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry. This is a ticketed event. Stay tuned for more info!

17 Volunteer Planting Day

Help plant downtown pots. No experience necessary. Sign up HERE.

18 Boss Babes | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

June

2 First Fridays | PRIDE + Food Truck Court | 5 to 9 p.m.

3 Downtown Saturdays (runs through Sept 2)

This summer, spend your Saturdays in downtown Aurora. Participating businesses will offer specials and fun activities.

15 Boss Babes | 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

July

No First Fridays

12 Wednesdays at the Plaza | TBA

Wednesdays at the Plaza is a free concert series at Millennium Plaza on Stolp Avenue.

19 Wednesdays at the Plaza | TBA

20 Boss Babes | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

26 Wednesdays at the Plaza | TBA

Outdoor Movie Night TBA

August

2 Wednesdays at the Plaza | TBA

4 First Fridays + Stolp Block Party | 6 to 10 p.m.

First Fridays takes over Stolp Avenue for an outdoor block party featuring local artists, live bands, and a handful of food trucks. Stop in participating businesses along Stolp Avenue and visit First Fridays locations throughout downtown.

9 Wednesdays at the Plaza | TBA

16 Wednesdays at the Plaza | TBA

17 Boss Babes Field Trip | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Homestead 1854

Boss Babes will support a Boss Babe who owns an idyllic event space. Be ready to get inspired.

26 Alley Art Festival | Noon to 5 p.m.

Celebrating its 13th year, Alley Art Festival brings more than 70 artists to Downer Place and Water Street Mall on the last Saturday of August.

September

1 First Fridays with Roots Aurora + Food Truck Court | 5 to 9 p.m.

Enjoy a celebration of cultures hosted by Family Focus on Water Street Mall during September’s First Fridays.

19 Taco Crawl

It’s time for a fall Taco Crawl to benefit Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry. This is a ticketed event. Stay tuned for more info!

21 Boss Babes | 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

October

6 First Fridays + Food Truck Court | 5 to 9 p.m.

15 Sugar Skull City begins (runs through Nov 5) | 2023 theme is BUTTERFLIES

Sugar Skull City is a downtown-wide celebration of Day of the Dead. Find out more HERE.

19 Boss Babes | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

28 Trick or Treat Downtown | 1 to 3 p.m.

All ages and abilities are invited to trick or treat at participating downtown businesses. Look for orange paper pumpkins displayed on business doors. A map will be posted prior to the event. FREE!

November

3 First Fridays + Sugar Skull City + Food Truck Court | 5 to 9 p.m.

Sugar Skull City at First Fridays photo by Amy Nelson Photography

11 Art and Market Aurora | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Society 57

16 Boss Babes | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wyckwood House

17 Winter Lights | 6 to 9 p.m.

Winter Lights is a celebration held by the city of Aurora that kicks off the holiday season along Downer Place and Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora. Aurora Downtown is a proud partner.

25 Small Business Saturday

December

1 First Fridays + Cocoa Crawl + Food Truck Court | 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are required for Cocoa Crawl participation. A mug and a button, which acts as a ticket, are required. Mugs and buttons are limited, and they go on sale at First Fridays in November.

2 Art and Market Holiday | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Society 57

2 Santa at the Gazebo | 1 to 3 p.m.

Visit Santa at Millennium Plaza gazebo on Stolp Avenue for free photos and a candy cane.

9 Santa at the Gazebo | 1 to 3 p.m.

16 Art and Market Holiday | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Society 57

21 Boss Babes Holiday Party | TBA

Holiday Saturdays | Christkindlmarket | TBA

Stay tuned for holiday fun. Christkindlmarket returns to RiverEdge Park for the holidays. The outdoor market is run by German American Events. Find more info HERE.

Looking for another event? Find additional events HERE. Events are subject to change. Check Aurora Downtown’s social media pages for the latest event info.

Check back for more info on summer and fall events soon!

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