DeKalb offers a unique blend of offerings from events offered through having Northern Illinois University (NIU) as part of the community to local historical and cultural activities to local hidden treasures. Whether your visit is collegiate, leisure or business, feel the energy of a City rich in history and full of opportunities. Events such as Corn Fest, Kite Fest, band concerts and numerous events at the 10,000 seat premier multipurpose venue, the NIU Convocation Center.
Citizens at all levels work together to make DeKalb a great community filled with great places to live & work. As the western anchor of the booming I-88 corridor, DeKalb is a hotspot for growth and opportunity in Northern Illinois. While the edge of the City bustles with new residential and commercial development, other parts of town pay homage to its distinctive history and create an atmosphere for higher learning as home to Northern Illinois University (NIU).
Easy access to DeKalb from Chicagoland and Rockford adds to its appeal as an ideal, centrally-located Northern Illinois community. Yet despite its proximity to major urban areas, DeKalb maintains its own unique character as an economically stable City with both urban and rural roots. Community spirit is alive and well in DeKalb, with a level of dedication and volunteerism that is unmatched.
From downtown DeKalb to outlying shopping centers, sweet treasures abound throughout DeKalb. Some treasures you will enjoy tasting, while others you will use to decorate your home, office or garden. Quaint and welcoming shops line historic Lincoln Highway and a recent surge in national retail shopping and dining establishments have added to DeKalb’s appeal, making it more convenient for residents to easily find whatever they need right in their own backyards. Whether you’re looking for national brands or eclectic treasures from retail merchants, DeKalb offers a plentiful and diverse mix of shopping.