Calendar

Each month, we invite our youngest visitors (0-5 years) and their caregivers to participate in Little Lincoln’s Fireside Tales. This early learning program focuses on reading stories and engaging children in activities and play around a fun theme that changes monthly.

Do you ever daydream? Join the ALPLM’s Education Team on Tuesday, July 28 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library as we share stories and activities that dive into a world of imagination!

This program is free, but advance registration is required. Due to increased demand, we now offer two sessions of Little Lincoln's Fireside Tales. Just select the session you'd like to attend. If your first choice should happen to be "sold out," please select the other time.

Get ready for a BIG day of hands-on fun as you get up close with the BIGGEST wheels in town! Explore ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, and more service vehicles. Meet the drivers and operators while learning how these vehicles are used daily to support and serve the community. Test your aim at the dunk tank and try your luck at Plinko for prizes inside our SCHEELS van!

Enjoy a little trip around the Jacksonville square as you read a book with your preschool-elementary aged kids. 20 businesses have offered to put a page in their windows for the summer, so start reading July’s book, “Tales of the Dairy Godmother”, at the NW corner through July 31st.

Fill out the Story Walk on the Square form with questions for all ages and submit to be entered into the drawing.

This free kids’ activity is presented by Cass-Morgan Agriculture in the Classroom.

Come back in August for a new story each month.

Parents, caregivers, community partners, teachers, daycare providers, and medical professionals, join the Tri-County AOK Network as we learn more about the connection between play and social-emotional learning! The Tri-County AOK Network is excited to host two sessions of Play with Purpose on Wednesday, July 29: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Two Gateway credits will be available when you attend one of the sessions. This event is in-person at the Tazewell County Health Department - Tremont and is an adult only event. This event is FREE but please register for which session you will attend, so we know how many people to expect. Share this presentation with your coworkers, friends, neighbors, and clients or anyone who has kids or works in the Early Childhood System.

Registration Form: https://forms.office.com/r/9NHaDuGkgp

Learn more about Play with Purpose:

The Why Behind Play – Supporting Regulation Through OT & SEL

This training explores the connection between play, sensory processing, and social-emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood. Participants will learn how children use play to develop regulation, communication, and problem-solving skills. The session highlights how sensory experiences influence behavior and provides strategies to distinguish between sensory-driven responses and intentional behavior. Attendees will engage in interactive activities and leave with practical, easy-to-implement tools to support children’s development through both indoor and outdoor play.

Social Emotional Learning in Early Childhood: The OT Connection to Mental Health & Regulation

Early childhood is a critical time for developing the emotional, social, and self-regulation skills that support lifelong success. This interactive training explores how occupational therapy and social-emotional learning work together to help children understand emotions, build relationships, develop coping skills, and navigate everyday challenges. Participants will learn about the role of sensory processing in behavior, explore strategies for supporting emotional regulation, and discover practical tools that can be used immediately in early childhood settings. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the whole child and actionable techniques to foster confidence, connection, and resilience in young learners.

Join the Illinois Governor's Mansion for a lively evening of discussion of the Work, People, Art exhibition, featuring artworks created during the Great Depression.

During this national crisis, President Roosevelt created the Works Progress Administration, one of whose goals was to support artists in their time of need. This exhibition explores the themes of work, people, and artistic innovation, highlighting how artists of the era captured the American scene through a bold, new visual language. Illinois State Museum Curator of Art Doug Stapleton will lead the talk and discussion.

Step into a world of stories with Land of Stories, the Illinois State Museum’s America 250 exhibition, and a new recurring after-hours series celebrating the art of storytelling. Imagine pulling up a chair around a campfire or family table, where stories are exchanged, memories are shared, and everyone has something to contribute. Here, you'll experience that same sense of connection through a vibrant mix of storytellers, each sharing their own traditions, perspectives, and experiences.

On Thursday, July 30, join us for Land of Stories: Singer-Songwriter Night, featuring performances by Rick Greer and Tom Irwin. Discover how stories become songs, hear where these artists find inspiration, and enjoy an evening of live music.

Bring your lawn chairs and picnics! Enjoy 10 weeks of free, live concerts in downtown Springfield right across from the Governor’s Mansion.

ASL Interpreters
Family-Friendly Activities
Food Trucks & Tents
Maker’s Row & Community Row

Details: https://springfieldartsco.org/levittampspringfield/

The Springfield Area Arts Council has been a driving force behind the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series since its launch in 2019, when we partnered with local organizations, including Downtown Springfield Inc., among others, to bring free, live music to the heart of our community. In 2025, SAAC became the official host organization of the series, building on that foundation to further expand its impact. As we return in 2026 with a renewed three-year grant, we are proud to continue working alongside our dedicated partners to present a vibrant, inclusive concert series that brings people together and strengthens our local arts and cultural landscape.

Every summer, the Springfield Area Arts Council presents Artist in the Park, a free, outdoor performance series in downtown Springfield. For 10 weeks, enjoy live music, dance, poetry, and more alongside local food trucks serving lunch for Food Truck Fridays. This family-friendly, accessible, and sensory-friendly event is presented in partnership with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Magnets of the earth covers the basics of magnetism inside and outside of our planet. Visitors will receive a summary of how magnetism is generated inside our Earth’s core and how that magnetism transforms into our magnetosphere, how magnetism can be tracked through history using geology, and some of the day-to-day uses of magnetism. Visitors will be able to create a temporary magnet with common materials and use it to orient themselves in the museum and the outdoors!

The 13th Annual Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show is set for Saturday, August 1st (Cruise fun Friday, July 31st). The show is at CHERRY HILLS CHURCH at 2125 Woodside Rd.

Don't miss all the classic cars, truck and motorcycles at the Powerlight Abe Lincoln Car Show! Joining this year's show will be Candy Clark who starred in American Graffiti and Larry Wilcox & Robert Pine stars of CHiPs