09/19/2026
There is A LOT happening in and around Downtown Springfield today! Here's your guide to Saturday, September 19 in Downtown Springfield!
EVENT: Old Capitol Farmers Market
DESCRIPTION: Springfield's longest-running downtown farmers market and the largest producer-only market in Illinois outside Chicago.
ADDRESS: Fourth and Adams streets
TIME: 8:00 AM~12:00 PM
EVENT: The Road to Adventure: Exploring Route 66
DESCRIPTION: Vibrant, hands-on exhibit bringing the magic of the historic Mother Road to life for the whole family.
ADDRESS: Kidzeum of Health and Science, 412 E. Adams St.
TIME: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
EVENT: Book Discussion
DESCRIPTION: Discussion of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
ADDRESS: DeFrates Room, Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.
TIME: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
EVENT: Citizen City Learning Series: Good Neighbor
DESCRIPTION: Hands-on children's program about being a good neighbor and contributing to a positive community, designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
ADDRESS: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St.
TIME: 10:00 AM–2:30 PM
EVENT: Edwards Place Fine Art Fair
DESCRIPTION: Artists from across the country show and sell their work. Includes live music, art demonstrations, food trucks, a used-book sale, self-guided Edwards Place tours, children's activities and more.
ADDRESS: Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St.
TIME: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
EVENT: Enos Park Historic Home Tours
DESCRIPTION: Tour historic homes in various stages of renovation. Tickets include a tour-guide magazine and are sold at the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association booth at the Edwards Place Fine Art Fair.
ADDRESS: Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St.
TIME: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
EVENT: It's A-mazing, What Art Feels Like
DESCRIPTION: Interactive art exhibition built within a maze. Unlike a traditional exhibition, the artwork is specifically designed to be experienced through touch. Presented in cooperation with the Educational Center for the Visually Impaired.
ADDRESS: M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St.
TIME: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
EVENT: Mini Chess Tournament
DESCRIPTION: Chess for all ages and skill levels. Three games are planned, with additional games possible if time allows. Registration is 10:00–10:25 AM and play starts at 10:30 AM. Beginners are welcome.
ADDRESS: Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.
TIME: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
EVENT: St. John's Breadline
DESCRIPTION: Weekend lunch meal service.
ADDRESS: St. John's Breadline, 430 N. Fifth St.
TIME: 10:30–11:30 AM
EVENT: Church Car Show
DESCRIPTION: 40 M.P.H. car-club display, hot dogs and children's activities. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for Kumler Food Pantry.
ADDRESS: Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 S. Second St.
TIME: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
EVENT: Interludes and Transitions
DESCRIPTION: Exhibition featuring ceramicist Scott Day and pastelist Tracey Maras, exploring cycles of reflection, technique, experimentation, growth and creative risk.
ADDRESS: SAA Collective Gallery, 105 N. Fifth St.
TIME: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
EVENT: Bob Waldmire Art Exhibition
DESCRIPTION: Exhibition celebrating iconic Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire through displays of his life story and original artwork.
ADDRESS: The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St.
TIME: 12:00–6:00 PM
EVENT: DREAMS
DESCRIPTION: Exhibition exploring the purposes of dreams, from memory processing to emotional release, and inviting visitors to identify works that appear dream-inspired.
ADDRESS: The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St.
TIME: 12:00–6:00 PM
EVENT: Elijah Iles House Tours
DESCRIPTION: Tour Springfield's oldest surviving house, built in 1837 by Elijah Iles, one of the city's earliest settlers.
ADDRESS: Elijah Iles House, 628 S. Seventh St.
TIME: 12:00–4:00 PM
EVENT: Capitol Creations
DESCRIPTION: Art class hosted by Studio on 6th. Today's theme is sunflower painting projects. Reservations are strongly recommended.
ADDRESS: Old State Capitol State Historic Site, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza
TIME: 1:00–3:00 PM
EVENT: Edwards Place Historic Home Guided Tours
DESCRIPTION: Guided tours through the restored historic home interpreted to 1857, with Victorian furnishings, Edwards family pieces, the authentic Lincoln Courting Couch and a piano likely played at Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd's wedding.
ADDRESS: Edwards Place, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St.
TIME: 1:00–2:00 PM and 2:00–3:00 PM
EVENT: Pop-up Kids Variety Show
DESCRIPTION: Kids who sing, tell jokes or have another talent can perform on the mobile Rolling Laughs stage. The show also includes magicians, other performers and face painting.
ADDRESS: Old State Capitol Plaza, between Fifth and Sixth streets at Adams
TIME: 1:00–3:00 PM
EVENT: Mansion Tours
DESCRIPTION: IDNR-trained interpreters lead tours of the official governor's residence focusing on the history of the mansion. No self-guided tours are permitted.
ADDRESS: Illinois Governor's Mansion, 410 E. Jackson St.
TIME: 1:45–2:45 PM and 3:00–4:00 PM
EVENT: Intermediate Sewing Class: Apple Plushie
DESCRIPTION: Learn to make an apple buddy using fleece and smaller seams. Some previous sewing experience is recommended and registration is required.
ADDRESS: Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.
TIME: 2:30–4:30 PM
EVENT: History Nights: Historic Art of the Old State Capitol
DESCRIPTION: After-hours self-guided Old State Capitol tours with presentations at 5:00, 5:45 and 6:30 PM. Today's program focuses on portraits of generals.
ADDRESS: Old State Capitol State Historic Site, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza
TIME: 5:00–7:00 PM
EVENT: A Night on Broadway 2026 Gala
DESCRIPTION: An evening with Tony and Grammy Award winner John Lloyd Young.
ADDRESS: Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St.
TIME: 6:00–9:30 PM
EVENT: Johnnie Owens and Butter
DESCRIPTION: Live music performance.
ADDRESS: Boone's, 301 W. Edwards St.
TIME: 6:00–9:00 PM
EVENT: Old-time Community Barn Dance – Capital City Contra
DESCRIPTION: Family-friendly traditional folk dancing to live fiddle and banjo music performed by Peaches & Bacon. No experience or partner is required; dances are taught and called.
ADDRESS: First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St.
TIME: 7:00–9:00 PM
EVENT: Pop-up Comedy Show
DESCRIPTION: Rolling Laughs mobile-stage comedy show featuring Sara Smola, Tim Laffey, Robbie Quance and Cassandra Simpson. Bring a chair. Adult material.
ADDRESS: Old State Capitol Plaza, between Fifth and Sixth streets at Adams
TIME: 7:30–9:00 PM
Your go-to resource for discovering all live events happening in downtown Springfield. Find music, trivia, markets, art, community gatherings, and more, all in one collaborative calendar!
