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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 11/14/2023 - 12/12/2023
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Thursday, 11/14 through Tuesday, 12/12; 4:30pm - 9:15pm
Lightscape, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe
Bask in the glow of thousands of twinkling lights in favorites like the Winter Cathedral and new delights you have never seen before. Lightscape is reinvented each year. Please check the website for cost.
Wednesday, 11/15; 5pm - 7pm
Knitting in Nature: Teen Exploration Day, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Learn about the basics of knitting and simple techniques through a tutorial led by staff. Supplies provided. Ages 13 and up.
Thursday, 11/16; 5pm
Woodworking with Invasives, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Repurpose the common European buckthorn into something new. Registration required. Equipment provided. Ages 10 and up. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Friday, 11/17; 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Thankful for the Dark, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Enjoy a nocturnal walk followed by relaxing time by a fire.
Friday, 11/17; 4pm
National Take a Hike Day, Sauk Trail Woods, Chicago Heights
Celebrate National Take a Hike Day with an evening stroll. Walk is 3.4 miles on a paved loop.
Friday, 11/17; 10am
National Take a Hike Day, Country Lane Woods, Willow Springs
Celebrate National Take a Hike Day by hitting the trail with a naturalist on a 5-mile hike.
Saturday, 11/18; 10am - 2pm
Sand Ridge Heritage Day, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Join us as we explore the heritage of the Calumet Region with guided walks, regional activities and displays.
Saturday, 11/18; 9am - 1pm
Geology of the Sag Valley, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Come along for a tour of the Sag Valley to observe and interpret its geologic formations. Registration required. Participants will drive their own vehicles to each location. Ages 16 and up.
Sunday, 11/19; 1:30pm
Nocturnal Hunters - Owls, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn about the different attributes that make owls unique and fascinating.
Sunday, 11/19; 1pm - 3pm
Teen Volunteer Stewardship Day, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Earn your service hours while helping the environment. Registration required. Ages 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Sunday, 11/19; 1pm
The Smokey Bear Effect, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Come learn about America’s history of wildfire management and how a little bear influenced the whole nation.
Registration required. Call (630)257-2045.
Monday, 11/20; 4pm
Deer at Dusk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Find out more about whitetail deer and what unique survival adaptations they have on a guided walk. Registration required. 8 years and up.
Tuesday, 11/21; 1pm - 3pm
Archery, Brookfield Woods, Brookfield
Attend this session to learn the basics of archery. Ages 10 and up. Equipment provided.
Friday, 11/24; 1:30pm
Annual Turkey Trot Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Walk off that extra helping of turkey and stuffing on this annual post-holiday hike. Registration required. Call (708) 366-6530.
Friday, 11/24; 1pm - 2pm
Walk Off That Turkey, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Rustle through the fallen leaves on a guided 1-mile fitness walk. Registration required.
Friday, 11/24-26 & 30; continuing 12/1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31; 3pm - 9pm
Holiday Magic, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
This holiday season, get ready to visit Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival featuring over two million twinkling LED lights! Please check the website for cost. Separate fees may apply.
Saturday, 11/25; 10am
Nature Lens, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Use your camera to observe nature on a guided photography walk. All levels and camera types. Ages 13 and up.
Sunday, 11/26; 1:30pm
Winter Bird Feeding, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Learn some basic winter bird feeding tips including which birds will visit your feeders this winter.
Saturday, 12/2; 10am
Winter Wellness Walk, Sauk Trail Woods, Chicago Heights
Experience the health benefits that nature provides on a crisp winter walk. 3.4-mile distance with a slow walking pace. Registration required. Ages 13 and up.
Saturday, 12/2; 1pm
Fire Basics, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Learn the basics of starting a fire and explore the different types of campfires. S'mores and hot cocoa provided. All ages.
Saturday, 12/2; 1pm
Cross-Country Ski Seminar, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn the basics of cross-country ski equipment and how to prepare for your first cross-country skiing experience.
Registration required. Call (630)257-2045.
Saturday, 12/2; 1:30pm
History Hike: Isabel Bassett Wasson, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Explore Thatcher Woods while learning about the inspiring life of a local pioneering environmental educator. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 12/2; 4pm - 8pm
Winter Bonfire, Camp Dan Beard, Northbrook
Celebrate the start of the winter season with a giant bonfire under the night sky. Enjoy S’mores, winter craft, and star gazing (weather permitting). Food will be available for purchase onsite. All event attendees will park at Potawatomi Woods and will take a shuttle to and from the event.
Sunday, 12/3; 2pm
Teens Behind the Scenes, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join a naturalist and learn how we care for our animals at the nature center. Ages 13-19.
Sunday, 12/3; 1pm
Conservation@Home: Promoting Pollinators In Your Winter Garden, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
An introduction to some practices that benefit overwintering pollinators in your garden.
Sunday, 12/3; 11am - 3pm
Holiday Past, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Visit our pioneer cabins as we celebrate winter holiday traditions. Play with handmade toys, make a craft, and see what’s cooking on the open fire.
Sunday, 12/3; 11am - 2pm
Bird Feeding, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Drop in to learn the basics about winter bird feeding and pick up a do-it-yourself pinecone bird feeder craft.
Wednesday, 12/6; 10am - 12pm
Nature Treasure Hunt, Bemis Woods-South, Western Springs
Kids and families are invited to search for various natural items on a short-looped trail. Find all the treasure and win a prize!
Thursday, 12/7; 1pm - 3pm
Winter Workshop: Phone-tography 101 Walk, Harms Woods, Glenview
Enjoy an afternoon in the Preserves and learn the basics of photography using a smartphone. Registration required.
Friday, 12/8; 7pm
Owl Prowl, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us for a short presentation to learn about our local owls and observe them on the trail. Registration required. Ages 12 and up.
Friday, 12/8; 6pm - 8pm
Candle Lantern Walk, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Walk the trails with a candle lantern as you discover signs of nighttime forest activity.
Saturday, 12/9; 11am - 2pm
Stairs, Stories & S’mores, Swallow Cliff Woods -North, Palos Park
Families, drop in and challenge yourself by climbing to the top of Swallow Cliff stairs. Then, try the story trail, sledding, snowshoeing, s’more making and more. Sledding/snowshoeing weather permitting.
Saturday, 12/9; 1pm
DIY Holiday Bird Feeder Wreath, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Make a festive birdseed wreath to help our feathered friends this winter! Registration required. Materials provided. Ages 13 and up. Call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 12/10; 1pm
Cross-Country Ski Seminar, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Learn the basics of cross-country ski equipment and how to prepare for your first cross-country skiing experience.
Registration required. Call (630)257-2045.
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