Upcoming Events

Events happening at the DeSoto House Hotel!

Every Saturday – Galena Farmers Market

City Hall Parking Lot
Directly Behind DeSoto House Hotel
Saturdays
June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28

Experience the bounty of local agriculture and artisanal crafts at the Galena Farmers Market, conveniently located at the Galena City Hall parking lot in the heart of downtown.

Every mid-May through late-October, from 7 AM to noon, the market comes alive with the vibrant colors and aromas of freshly harvested produce, fruits, and organic foods.

The market is a celebration of the region’s agricultural richness, showcasing an assortment of specialties from local farmers and artisans. Whether you’re looking for juicy heirloom tomatoes, freshly baked bread, or handmade artisanal crafts, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye.

Admission to the market is free, so you can explore the many stalls and stands at your leisure, sampling the offerings and chatting with the friendly vendors. The Galena Farmers Market is the perfect destination for those seeking a taste of local flavor and a chance to support the community’s farmers and artisans.

Every Saturday – General Grant’s Walking Tour

Join General Ulysses S. Grant (portrayed by Bob Buman) for a one-hour walking tour of Galena’s Historic Main Street.

Enjoy fascinating factual stories of early Galena, lead mining, steamboating, and General Grant in the Civil War. He’ll share the stories associated with the many buildings on the National Historic Registry and his experiences when his family owned a leather and saddlery shop more than 150 years ago.

Regularly scheduled walking tours with General Grant are available every Saturday from May through October. Tours operate at 10am and begin at the DeSoto House Hotel at 230 S. Main Street.

No reservations are necessary. Tours run rain or shine!

June 6th – Hat & Honey Bar

Hat & Honey Bar
DeSoto House Hotel
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Cost: $65
Date: June 6, 2025

Gather your friends and family for a one-of-a-kind experience at Dry Creek Beekeeping’s Hat Bar & Honey Bar Event held at the DeSoto House Hotel in Galena!

Create Your Custom Hat: Choose from Western, Fedora, or Flat-Brimmed hats and try your hand at burning a gorgeous bee and sunflower design onto your hat using specialized tools. Your hat will be pre-stenciled with a custom-made bee and sunflower design, so you can easily burn in the design with the help from expert instructor, Marie McDonough from Marie’s Wood Carvings. Plus, you’ll add your personal touch by choosing a hat band, feathers, and other accessories to make your hat truly unique!

Honey Bar Tasting: Sip, savor, and sample up to 20 varieties of delicious honey from around the world! Learn about the distinct flavor notes of each variety and discover where they come from. Once you’ve found your favorite, you can purchase your top picks to take home!

All-Inclusive Fun: Your registration fee of $65 covers everything: instruction, tools, hat, band, accessories, and honey tasting. By the end of the event, you’ll be rocking a stylish, custom-burned hat that’s all your own—and you’ll be buzzing about your honey finds!

Don’t miss out on this creative and sweet event. Space is limited—reserve your spot in advance!

Food and drinks are available to purchase through the DeSoto House Hotel. Maybe you’d like to order a charcuterie board or try a glass of honey mead wine as you enjoy this workshop.

Children ages 8+ are welcome. The felt burning of the hat requires the use of a hot tool, so please consider this when booking for children.

For tickets and more information, please click here!

June 21st – Corkless in Galena

Grant Park
June 21, 2025
11 AM – 6 PM
$25

Celebrate the wines and food of Northern Illinois and beyond at this awesome outdoor event!

Sample selections of unique wines produced by family-owned Northern Illinois Wineries. Bring your chairs and spend the day outside, under the trees. Dance barefoot on the grass to the live music on stage, browse through the different art and craft exhibits by talented local artists, grab some delicious treats from food vendors and of course enjoy the wine!

For tickets and more information, click here!