Live It Up La Salle

09/02/2026

🎉📸 EXCITING NEWS: We’re thrilled to announce the installation of our brand-new tourism signs and sidewalk stickers! Beginning this week, you’ll start seeing them appear at locations throughout La Salle.

Each tourism sign features a QR code directing visitors to liveituplasalle.com, where they can learn more about the location and discover other must-see destinations nearby. The signs will be installed at several popular attractions, including Rotary Park, the Hegeler Carus Mansion, the I&M Canal, and the Fire Station No. 2 ladder truck display.

Tourism sidewalk stickers will also be installed at select locations along First Street. They also feature QR codes, which will direct visitors to business listings highlighting the many incredible restaurants, shops, attractions, and experiences La Salle has to offer.

Keep an eye out for them around town! We’re excited to connect the real world with the digital platforms we’ve been building for the past few years.

09/01/2026

Happy September, La Salle! Fall officially begins later this month, and we’ve got a great lineup of events coming your way! Learn more below 👇

🤘🎸 Rock the Block
The La Salle Business Association’s brand-new event, Rock the Block, debuts on Friday, September 18th, 2026! Free admission and free parking! Wine tasting, craft beer, and cocktails in the beverage tent with delicious food vendors as well. Both events are family-friendly, but please, no pets. This event is rain or shine.

🎶🎆 BBQ N Blues
The 12th Annual BBQ-n-Blues kicks off Saturday, September 19, 2026, with great tunes and the BBQ & a Rib Cook-Off Contest! Held on First Street between Marquette & Gooding in historic downtown La Salle. Enjoy some of the area’s best blues bands, and don’t forget to grab some fantastic food! Free admission and free parking on all city streets and lots. Fireworks at 10:00 pm to finish out the weekend, courtesy of the City of La Salle!

💐📚 Books and Botanicals
Book lovers: this one’s for you. On September 12 and 13, create a fresh floral arrangement in one of Petals by Peyton’s bestselling ceramic book vases, then stick around for some after-hours shopping with your favorite people. This workshop is all about pairing flowers with literature; mixing textures, colors, & titles to design something that feels personal and totally unique.

🧑‍🌾🌽 City of La Salle’s Farmers Market
La Salle’s Farmers Market is back, hosted by Chef Sara’s Table! Join us at 502 First Street every other Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Upcoming market dates include September 13 and September 27. Stop by to shop from local vendors and support small businesses. We hope to see you there!

☀️🎶 Third Thursday Concert Series: Big Uproar
Bring your chairs, blankets, and your favorite people for an awesome time under the tree canopy! The final Third Thursday Concert of the 2026 season will take place on Thursday, September 17, in the Grove at the Hegeler Carus Mansion. The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Food trucks, popcorn, and a brand-new tour add-on will be offered.

👗📜 2026 Gala: Biergarten & Steampunk Fashion Show
Gear up for an evening of German-inspired food & fashion! Step into The Grove at the Mansion for a night where Victorian elegance meets steampunk artistry. Enjoy exquisite food and drink, live music, and fashion inspired by the Mansion’s 19th-century heritage. Proceeds support the legacy of this architectural treasure. Ticket includes dinner, a drink ticket, live entertainment, and a live auction.

❤️💚 La Salle Peru High School 2026 Homecoming Parade
La Salle Peru Township High School’s Homecoming Parade is back this year! The parade makes its way from the school to First Street in La Salle, where City officials will launch confetti and the community will come together. The parade begins at 4:00 pm. We hope to see you there!

08/24/2026

La Salle has an exciting lineup of events coming your way! From Rock the Block and BBQ N Blues to the City of La Salle’s Farmers Market and History of the I&M Canal, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Explore our full event calendar below! 👇

📆 Learn More:

Events Year-Round Fun In La Salle, every season brings a vibrant tapestry of events and celebrations that captivate locals and visitors alike. From cultural festivals to outdoor adventures, our city pulsates with excitement year-round, offering something for everyone to enjoy.  

08/22/2026

Renovations are officially underway at Nova Restaurant in La Salle, located at 901 First Street! In the coming weeks, the space will be fully transformed into an elevated fine-dining destination. We’re thrilled to welcome this exciting new addition to Downtown La Salle and can’t wait to share more details soon!

08/19/2026

🗺️📸 We’re putting La Salle on the map with our brand-new tourism rack cards, part of our larger summer marketing campaign! Designed to encourage Starved Rock visitors to explore beyond the park, these cards showcase some of La Salle’s top attractions, restaurants, shops, and local businesses.

📍🏕️ Thanks to the generosity of visitor centers and tourism destinations throughout Starved Rock Country and across various Illinois counties, the cards are now available at their wonderful properties. We’re incredibly grateful for their support in sharing everything La Salle has to offer.

We created several versions of the rack cards, each featuring different attractions on the front and a mix of local businesses on the back. The versions were distributed evenly to ensure fair representation for every featured business. 🍽️💐🛍️

We can’t wait to welcome more visitors to La Salle and encourage them to continue their adventures here after exploring the trails at Starved Rock! 🥾🏞️

08/18/2026

It’s that time of year again! We’re just one month away from the La Salle Business Association’s two-day music festival on First Street, and this year, there’s a brand-new twist! On Friday, September 18, the LBA will kick off the weekend at 5:00 p.m. with Rock the Block, an all-new event bringing even more live music and fun to downtown La Salle. Then, at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, BBQ N Blues returns, featuring some of the best blues music you’ll hear in Illinois outside of Chicago. Make plans to join us on First Street for a weekend full of great music, food, and fun!

Highlights:
🍷 Wine from August Hill Winery
🍸 Cocktails from Star Union Spirits
🍺 Unique craft beers
🍖 Great food from local restaurants
🎸 Incredible Rock and Jazz music
🎆 Fireworks Display

Friday, September 18:
REO Survivor & co. Tribute
Chicago Rewired - The Premier Chicago Tribute Band
Ben & Kate

Saturday, September 19:
Ivy Ford
The Jimmys
Steve Cerqua & the Crossroads Blues Band
Jimmy Nick

Comment “Schedule” for the weekend’s full schedule of events!

08/13/2026

🥪🥂 From cozy downtown bistros and upscale dining to casual eateries, La Salle has something to satisfy every palate! Whether you’re here for a day or longer, savor the flavors of Illinois and create memories that will linger long after your visit.

These are just a few of the many incredible restaurants in La Salle! For the full list, comment “Restaurants,” and we’ll send you the link! 🍽️

08/12/2026

💐🥾 La Salle is home to plenty of local boutiques and shops for our visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a new outfit, a unique gift, something for your home, or just want to browse local shops, you’ll find everything you need here.

This is just a small sample of the incredible small businesses you can enjoy. For a complete list, comment “Shop” 🛍️

08/07/2026

This is your sign to take a weekend trip to La Salle, Illinois, just minutes from Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks! Shop at one-of-a-kind small businesses, enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants, explore historic attractions, and take in the beautiful scenery at Rotary Park. La Salle is a city full of charm, adventure, and something for everyone.

08/05/2026

began on Sunday, and we celebrated in the best way possible with the City of La Salle’s Farmers Market on First Street! The community came together to support local vendors and small businesses, shop for fresh produce and delicious pastries, and connect with each other. We cannot wait for the next market on Sunday, August 16! We hope to see you there! 🌽🧑‍🌾