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PROPOSED CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Department: Department of Conservation and Experiential Programming
Summary: Forest Preserves of Cook County Calendar of Events and Activities 9/9/2025-10/20/2025
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Friday, 9/12; 4pm─7pm
Faire at the Square, Cummings Square, River Forest
Drop in and enjoy our creative-reuse carnival! The games will be made from repurposed materials. You can win prizes, learn about local plants and animals and explore other activities. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Friday, 9/12; 7pm─9pm
Movie Under the Stars, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Attention all movie lovers! Join us on our front lawn for a special movie viewing. Registration required. Please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 9/13; 9am─4:30pm
Fall Nature Fest, LaBagh Woods, Chicago
Join us and learn from environmental groups while enjoying food. You can see performances by the Jesse White Tumblers, animal ambassadors and more! This event will be held at groves 1-4 and it is presented with Cook County Commissioner Bridget Degnen. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 9/13; 9am─4:30pm
Celebration of Roots, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Celebrate the region’s rich migration history during National Hispanic Heritage Month with music, games, food and more. This is a bilingual program that will be held in English and Spanish. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Thursday, 9/18; 7pm
Adult Night Hike, Spears Woods, Willow Springs
Bring a beverage and take a guided 2-mile hike in the night sky and view nocturnal animals. Registration required. Ages 21 and up. Please call (312)533-5751.
Friday, 9/19 through Saturday, 9/20; 9am─4:30pm
Fall Nature Camp, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Participants can learn about the significance of harvest season in Native American culture while participating in various activities. The program is presented by Trickster Cultural Center. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 9/19; 6pm─9pm
Acoustics under the Stars, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Join us for a night celebrating folk music. Enjoy musical performances, a guided walk and hot dog roast. Everyone is welcome to bring their own instruments and join in the musical fun! There are limited camping spots available. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Friday, 9/19; 7pm
Sunset Night Hike, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a guided hike and learn about nocturnal animals. Registration required by 9/17. Ages 6 and up. The cost is $5 per person. Please call (847)824-8360.
Friday, 9/19; 5pm─10pm
Annual Palos Night Sky Picnic, Pioneer Woods, Willow Springs
Explore Palos Preserves at night, nestled within the largest Urban Night Sky Place. Bring your own food, beverages and chairs. The activities will include live entertainment, exhibits, presentations and viewing the night sky on telescope. Registration required. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 9/20; 9am─3pm
National Clean Up Day, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us and help care for our natural world by making River Trail and the surrounding preserves cleaner. Registration required. Supplies will be available onsite. Please call (847)824-8360.
Saturday, 9/20; 1pm
Hasta luego, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for a presentation about the bird migration journey from the Chicago region to Mexico.
Registration required. Please call (630)257-2045.
Sunday, 9/21; 1pm
Music in Nature, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Enjoy the sounds of the violin and cello in the forest! Missing Piece, a musical ensemble dedicated to making music in conversation with our environment, will be performing a 2021 composition "Diminishing 5ths" by Chicago composer and sound artist Shi-An Costello. The piece is a meditation on the natural materials of our instruments and an imaginative journey into how we make music in a changing environment. The event will also include an educational talk, and a guided nature walk. Registration required. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 9/26; 5pm─7pm
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Irene C. Hernandez Family Picnic Grove, Chicago
Join us and celebrate the vibrant Hispanic culture of Chicagoland. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 9/27; 9 am
Trash Bash, Bunker Hill Groves 1 & 2, Chicago
Our event partners will be collecting electronics, prescription drugs, books, musical instruments, bikes, clothing and more. The first 25 donors receive a free, “Don’t be Trashy” t-shirt. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Forest Preserves, enjoy green giveaways courtesy of the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability & MWRD and participate in a self-led litter cleanup. Supplies will be provided!
Saturday, 9/27; 11am─2pm
Party for the Preserve: Salsa Dance, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a Salsa Dance Party! Participants can enjoy live music, dance lessons, food and more. This is a bilingual program that will be held in English and Spanish. For more information, please call (312)533-5751.
Saturday, 9/27; 11am─5pm
Every Child Matters Powwow, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Join us to celebrate Native American culture while recognizing the theme ‘Every Child Matters.’ Enjoy traditional Powwow, Native food, and listen to stories of culture from the area. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange and bring lawn chairs. For group registration or information. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 9/27; 12pm─9pm
Party for the Preserves, Camp Bullfrog, Willow Springs
Celebrate National Public Lands Day with paddling adventures, games, fishing, stargazing and night hikes. 10-person canoes provided by Wilderness Inquiry. For more information about the schedule for activities, please visit the website.
Sunday, 9/28; 10am─2pm
Party for the Preserves: Canoeing, Powderhorn Lake, Burnham
Celebrate National Public Lands Day with paddling adventures! Enjoy the outdoors and paddle at Powderhorn Lake. For more information, please call (224)763-4317.
Wednesday, 10/1; 4pm─6pm
Archery, Dan Ryan Woods-Central, Chicago
Participants can learn how to use a bow and arrow from certified staff. Ages 10 and up. Junior archery will be available for those under 10. This event will be held at Grove 5. For more information, please call (224)763-4317.
Friday, 10/3; 5pm─7pm
Halloween Hoot and Howl, Keystone Park, River Forest
Join our partners, for slightly spooky family activities, live music, pumpkin painting and more! The event is presented with the River Forest Park District and River Forest Public Library. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 10/4; 9am─4:30pm
Art, Nature, and Culture Series: Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Explore how art can intertwine with nature and culture by enjoying and learning about various art forms with options for all skill levels. Participants can celebrate this special month by making unique skulls, flowers and banners in preparation for Day of the Dead traditionally known as Día de los Muertos. Registration required. Supplies and materials will be provided. Please call (708)839-6897.
Saturday, 10/4; 9am─5pm
Southbound Migration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Explore an interactive program about the Central and South American destinations of our migratory birds. This is a bilingual program that will be held in English and Spanish. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 10/4; 10:30am─12pm
Art and Nature, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Participants can create healing art inspired by nature. The program is presented with Light of Loving Kindness.
Saturday, 10/4; 11am─5pm
72nd Annual Powwow, Schiller Woods-East, Chicago
Celebrate Native American culture and enjoy traditional Powwow, food and more. The program is presented with American Indian Center of Chicago. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 10/4; 11am─2pm
Pumpkinpalooza, Caldwell Wellness Center, Chicago
Participants can enjoy pumpkin painting, bowling, leaf rubbing, fall-themed obstacle course, and more. The program is presented with Jerome Witte from My Town Realty Group. Registration required. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 10/4; 11am─3pm
Awe of Nature, Midlothian Meadows, Midlothian
Join us and connect people to nature through environmental engagement and community partners. The program is presented by The Nature Conservancy. For more information, please visit the website.
Saturday, 10/4; 1pm
Oak Ecology Hike, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Explore the area by hiking under ancient oaks. Participants can learn about their natural history and why they are keystone species. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 10/4; 4pm
Sounds Natural Creative Retreat, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Enjoy art activities, food and music with the option of camping overnight. Registration required. There is a limited number of spaces available. The program is presented by Sounds Natural. Please visit the website.
Sunday, 10/5; 9am─5pm
Southbound Migration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Explore an interactive program about the Central and South American destinations of our migratory birds. This is a bilingual program that will be held in English and Spanish. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 10/5; 1:30pm
Autumn Nature Walks, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Enjoy the autumn season on a guided walk with a naturalist and view the color intensifies on our trails Registration required. The program is a family program. Please call (708)366-6530.
Saturday, 10/11; 10am─12pm
Fall Photography, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a guided walk to view and photograph fall colors. Registration required by 10/9. Ages 13 and up. The program is for all skill levels. Please call (847)824-8360.
Saturday, 10/11; 7pm─8:30pm
Introduction to Afro-Brazilian Music, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
Participants can learn basic rhythms on percussive instruments as well as songs in Portuguese while in a call-and-respond setting. Registration required. All instruments will be provided for Capoeira music, samba and maculelê during this workshop. The program is presented by Beto de Freitas. Please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 10/11; 11:30am
Day Hiking Leadership Training, Bemis Woods-North, Oak Brook
Participants will be given the tools to take groups into the preserves for the day. Registration required. The program is for teachers and youth educators. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 10/11 through Sunday, 10/12; 4pm─11am
Family Campout, Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland
The program is an introduction to camping for families and it will include meals, camping gear and outdoor fun. Registration required. The cost is $75 per family of 6 or less. Please visit the website.
Sunday, 10/12; 10am─11:30am
Seed Collecting, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us in our prairies to help in the restoration process by collecting native seeds. Registration required. Ages 8 and up. Please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 10/12; 10:30am & 1:30 pm
Fall Changes, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Enjoy a casual walk in the woods and view the spectacular fall colors. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
Sunday, 10/12; 1pm─2:30pm
Seed Collecting, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us in our prairies to help in the restoration process by collecting native seeds. Registration required. Age 8 and up. Please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 10/12; 1:30pm
Autumn Nature Walks, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Enjoy the autumn season on a guided walk with a naturalist and see the color intensifies on our trails. Registration required. The program is a family program. Please call (708)366-6530.
Wednesday, 10/15; 6:30pm
Owl Prowl, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Join us for a guided walk and search for owls. Registration required. Please visit the website.
Sunday, 10/12; 1pm─2:30pm
Mental Health First Aid Training, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Participants can learn about mental health and the skills to assist other individuals. Registration required. Age 18 and up. The program is presented with the Kenneth Young Center. Please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 10/18; 10am─2pm
The Great Sand Ridge Tiny Pumpkin Hunt, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home your own pumpkin. Supplies are limited. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 10/18; 11am─2pm
Hispanic Heritage Paddle. Powderhorn Lake, Burnham
Enjoy paddling, storytelling, and connecting nature and culture. The program is presented with Friends of the Chicago River. For more information, please call (224)763-4317.
Saturday, 10/18; 1pm
Seed Collecting at Wolf Road Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve, Westchester
Join us for a prairie seed collecting workday. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Ages 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Please call (708)366-6530.
Sunday, 10/19; 10am─3pm
Fall Festival, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Celebrate the autumn season with a special fun day! Participants can view and enjoy beekeeping demonstrations, animal encounters, pumpkin painting, honey sales, activities and more. For more information, please call (847)824-8360.
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