Welcome to Rockford Buzz! Your Guide for Things to Do in Rockford IL

Welcome to Rockford IL's ultimate guide to things to do! Whether you're a local resident or just visiting, Rockford IL has a wealth of activities and attractions to offer. From outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to shopping, dining, and entertainment, this website is your one-stop-shop for discovering the best things to do in Rockford IL. We've handpicked the most popular and unique experiences to bring you an extensive list of activities to suit every interest, age group, and budget. Whether you're looking to have a family day out, a romantic getaway, or an exciting solo adventure, you'll find it all right here. Get ready to discover Rockford IL like never before, and make your next trip to this amazing city unforgettable!

Welcome to Rockford IL's one-stop-shop for today's events! This website is your go-to source for finding the latest and greatest happenings in Rockford IL. Whether you're looking for a fun family activity, a night out with friends, or a unique cultural experience, you'll find it all right here. We've handpicked a variety of events to suit every interest and budget, so you can easily plan your day and make the most of your time in Rockford IL. From festivals and concerts to exhibitions and workshops, there's always something exciting happening in this vibrant city. So check out our calendar of events and get ready to experience Rockford IL like never before!

Bourbon Street Lounge

Sat

21

Dec

Breakfast With Santa

9:00 AM @ Bourbon Street Lounge

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Anderson Japanese Gardens

Sat

21

Dec

Coffee Shop & Fireside Music

11:00 AM @ Anderson Japanese Gardens

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Coffee Shop & Fireside Music

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Lino’s

Sat

21

Dec

Illinois Vintage Fest & Smiley's Vintage Supply Presents: Screw City Vintage Market

12:00 PM @ Lino’s

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Illinois Vintage Fest & Smiley's Vintage Supply Presents: Screw City Vintage Market

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Anderson Japanese Gardens

Sat

21

Dec

Cocoa with Santa

12:00 PM @ Anderson Japanese Gardens

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Cocoa with Santa

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Rockford Public Library

Sat

21

Dec

STEAM and the Winter Solstice

2:00 PM @ Rockford Public Library

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STEAM and the Winter Solstice

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The Pottery Lounge

Sat

21

Dec

Paint Till You Faint Christmas Edition

7:00 PM @ The Pottery Lounge

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Paint Till You Faint Christmas Edition

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Coronado Performing Arts Center

Sat

21

Dec

RSO Holiday Pops

7:30 PM @ Coronado Performing Arts Center

$33.00 - $77.00

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Rockford Buzz

Send Us Your Event

If you know of an upcoming event, please send us an email with the details and we'll add it to the website ASAP!

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Welcome to Rockford IL's guide to today's lunch, dinner, and drink specials! If you're looking for the best food and drinks in town, you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find a comprehensive list of the latest specials and promotions offered by Rockford IL's top restaurants and bars. Whether you're in the mood for a delicious lunch, a romantic dinner, or a night out with friends, you'll find the perfect meal or drink to suit your taste and budget. From classic comfort food to gourmet cuisine, and from refreshing cocktails to local brews, Rockford IL has something for everyone. So check out our list of specials and get ready to indulge in the best that Rockford IL has to offer!

Barnstormer Distillery

Captain's Reserve Now Available

Always Available

Hours Today: Closed

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Captain's Reserve Now Available

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Inzombia Coffee

Birthday Club

Always Available

Hours Today: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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Birthday Club

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Bourbon Street Lounge

Night Shift Diff

Always Available

Hours Today: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM

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Night Shift Diff

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Baked Wings

Munchie Hour 4:20pm-6:00pm

Always Available

Hours Today: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

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Munchie Hour 4:20pm-6:00pm

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Reel Nutrition

Share a Gift of Reel Saturdays

Every Saturday

Hours Today: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Share a Gift of Reel Saturdays

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Franchesco’s Ristorante

Saturday Lasagna Deal

Every Saturday

Hours Today: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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Saturday Lasagna Deal

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Rockford Buzz

Send Us Your Lunch/Dinner/Drink Special

Don't see your favorite special? Please send us an email with the details and we'll add it to the website ASAP!

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Welcome to Rockford IL's ultimate shopping guide! We're your one-stop-shop for the latest deals, sales, and shopping experiences in Rockford IL. Whether you're looking for a unique gift, a stylish outfit, or just a great deal, you'll find it all right here. From trendy fashion and home goods to electronics and toys, Rockford IL has something for every shopper. So check out our list of deals and get ready to hit the shops in Rockford IL!

Hulsebus Rockford Chiropractic

Take the Same Supplements Your Doctor Uses

Always Available

Hours Today: 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

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Take the Same Supplements Your Doctor Uses

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MembersAlliance Credit Union

Save to Win Account

Always Available

Hours Today: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

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Save to Win Account

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Varo Fence Co.

Free Estimates

Always Available

Hours Today: Closed

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Free Estimates

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John Berlin Agency

GET A FREE QUOTE

Always Available

Hours Today: Closed

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GET A FREE QUOTE

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Moving Guys

Power Washing free estimate

Always Available

Hours Today: 24 Hours

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Power Washing free estimate

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Inzombia Coffee

Zombie Discount

Always Available

Hours Today: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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Zombie Discount

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SPoRT Makeup, Apparel, & Collectibles

Use Code "BUZZ20" to Get 20% Off All Products

Always Available

Hours Today: 24 Hours

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Use Code "BUZZ20" to Get 20% Off All Products

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Rockford IceHogs

Hamboni Rides

Always Available

Hours Today: Closed

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Hamboni Rides

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Reel Nutrition

Share a Gift of Reel Saturdays

Every Saturday

Hours Today: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Share a Gift of Reel Saturdays

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First Class General Contracting

Free Home Inspection

Every Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Hours Today: 24 Hours

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Free Home Inspection

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Rockford Buzz

Send Us Your Sales/Promotions

If you know of an upcoming sale or promotion, please send us an email with the details and we'll add it to the website ASAP!

Let Us Know

Welcome to Rockford IL's Random Adventure Generator! Every time you refresh the page, you'll be presented with a new set of four randomly selected destinations, each offering its own unique experience. Whether you're a local resident or just visiting, these random draws will inspire you to explore Rockford IL in new and exciting ways. From outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to shopping, dining, and entertainment, there's always something new to discover. So join us on this journey and get ready to explore Rockford IL like never before!

Bobby's On Broadway

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Today: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

With two Rockford locations to serve you, 1327 Broadway and 4600 W. State St., Bobby’s on Broadway has been the place to buy or sell nearly anything of value for over 25 years.Bobby pays top dollar for your gold, vintage guitars and musical gear, tools, DVDs, games, electronics, and more!Rockford Pickers, a division of Bobby’s on Broadway, now makes house calls for larger items that can’t easily be brought into one of our stores. Got something you’d like us to have a look at? E-mail us some photos, or drop us a line describing what you’re interested in selling.Please be aware that we will not give quotes over the phone or by email. We must inspect merchandise in person before making an offer.

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M Spinello & Son Locksmiths Safe & Security Experts

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Today: Closed

We are your complete security source in Northern IL. We sell and service locks, safes, door closers, intercom systems, keyless access, closed circuit television monitoring systems, remote viewing CCTV systems, card access systems, electric strikes, power operated door closers, magnetic locks, fire exit devices, handicapped door openers and more. You can deal with one vendor for all of your security needs. We also repair existing equipment you may already have in place. Ask us about our PRICE MATCH POLICY.

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M Spinello & Son Locksmiths Safe & Security Experts

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The Pumpkin Patch

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Today: Closed

Come join us for fall fun out at the pumpkin patch!

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The Pumpkin Patch

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815 Outside

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Today: Closed

815 Outside is the area’s comprehensive resource for outdoor recreation; inviting residents and visitors of all walks of life to connect with the county’s natural areas in fun, new ways and develop healthy lifestyle habits.

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Our goal is to shed light on the Rockford IL's rich history, vibrant culture, and bright future. From local events and attractions to restaurant reviews and positive movements, this website has got you covered. Take part in our polls and have your voice heard, and stay informed with our articles written by us. Join us in celebrating everything that makes Rockford IL the incredible place that it is.

Best Hot Chocolate In the 815

It's that time of year when nothing warms the soul quite like a rich, creamy cup of hot chocolate. We're on the hunt for the best hot chocolate in Rockford!Who’s got the most decadent, marshmallow-topped masterpiece in town? Vote for your favorite and let us know where you’re sipping on the ultimate hot chocolate this season!

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Some good news to report in battle with opioid addiction

The third annual Blue Christmas service will have a mix of emotions on Dec. 23.The 10 a.m. service at Brooke Road UMC & Community Center, 1404 Brooke Rd., gives families who lost loved ones to opioid overdose a chance to remember and grieve together. This Blue Christmas, though, will also have a message of hope. For the first time in decades, public health data shows that drug overdose deaths are declining. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths are expected to decline by more than 10% this year.The drop in Winnebago County is even more striking. There were 149 drug overdose deaths in 2023 and there have been just 63 so far this year with two weeks to go. That's a decline of more than 55%.Most experts agree that the widespread distribution of naloxone or Narcan is making a real difference. Narcan is an over-the-counter drug that treats opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the body. It can be administered by injection or as a nasal spray.The Winnebago County Health Department offers free Narcan training and, since October 2022, Rockford has had several vending machines in the city give out free Narcan kits. On average, more than 200 kits are claimed monthly.While it's clear that overdose deaths are declining, it's not clear yet if drug use is falling. Still, it's a small victory worth celebrating.

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Ambrose Santa has made a few stops!

Much like the actual year that Santa Claus was born - or created - isn't really clear, the year that the fiberglass Santa that sits outside of Ambrose Christmas Store first started waving to Rockford is also unclear.Its original home was Goldblatt's Department Store at 616 Hollister Ave., in the Rockford Plaza Shopping Center, which is now home to the Stockholm Inn, among others. Goldblatt's was a department store chain that started in Chicago and by 1956, when it opened in Rockford, had more than 20 stores across several states.Sometime in the late 1950s, early 1960s, Goldblatt's bought the two-piece fiberglass Santa that it would mount on a roof facing its Charles Street parking lot. Unfortunately, by the time the Santa began appearing annually in Rockford, Goldblatt's was past its peak. Retailers such as Kmart and Sears were cutting into its profits. In 1981, Goldblatt's in Rockford closed when the company declared bankruptcy.That's when the Charles Street Santa became a traveling Santa. William Lidster of Pecatonica went to the liquidation and bought Santa. For the next 16 years, Santa would bounce around. Some years it was put on display at Lidster's business, Advanced Window Systems on Windsor Road in Loves Park, and other times sitting outside the Lidster's home on Illinois Route 70 west of Rockford. Occasionally, the Lidsters would display Santa as part of the Festival of Lights at Sinnissippi Park.In 1997, the Goldblatt's Santa found a permanent home. The Lidsters reached out to Ambrose Christmas Store in Loves Park to see if there was interest and a deal was quickly reached. Now, for many people in Rockford, Loves Park, and Machesney Park, the first real sign of Christmas is when the Ambrose Santa is brought out of storage and put on display.It's a perfect marriage because Ambrose is only slightly younger than Santa. Ambrose opened in 1969 and is on its second generation of family ownership. Once you pull into the parking lot, give Santa a wave and head inside, you find more than 150 Christmas trees on display, specialty and novelty Christmas lights, collectibles, custom-decorated wreaths, and thousands and thousands of ornaments.An annual trip to Ambrose is a family tradition all its own.

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Ambrose Santa has made a few stops!

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Rockford Archaeologist Played a Role in King Tut’s Tomb Discovery

On November 4th, 2024, the world celebrated the 102nd anniversary of the first archaeologists to enter King Tutankhamun’s tomb and Rockford native Dr. James Breasted was part of the party.British archaeologists Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon were the first two to enter King Tut’s tomb in more than 3,000 years, discovering a sealed burial chamber completely intact with a collection of several thousand priceless objects, including the gold coffin containing the mummy of the teenage king.Breasted, who was a nationally renowned archaeologist, was right behind them. He aided in the opening and translated the tomb’s runes.Breasted was born in Rockford in 1865 and went to local schools before graduating from North Central College, earning a master’s degree from Yale and a doctorate from the University of Berlin, where he became the first American to earn a PhD in Egyptology.His academic accomplishments are long, including becoming the first director of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago, publishing dozens of articles and several books on archaeology, and being the first to compile a book on Egyptian hieroglyphics.He was so well regarded in his profession that in 1985 the American Historical Association created the James Henry Breasted Prize which is awarded annually to a book in English that covers any period of history prior to 1000 AD. Breasted died in 1935 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery where his headstone simply has his name and the description “historian and archaeologist.”

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Whether you're a local resident or just visiting, our videos will inspire you to explore Rockford IL like never before. From outdoor adventures and scenic drives to shopping and dining experiences, we've got it all covered. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the latest videos about Rockford IL. Get ready to experience the city in a whole new way!