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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 12/17/2024 - 1/13/2025
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Tuesday, 12/17 through Sunday, 1/5; 4:30pm - 11pm
Lightscape, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe
Join us and embrace the spirit and beauty of the season with glowing of lights, art, and music! We are celebrating the sixth year of this annual holiday celebration. We are taking this year’s celebration to new heights and lights with our re-imagined trail that will have dazzling installations debuting in the U.S. for the first time. You can leave your to-do list at home and make lasting memories at Lightscape. This event has tiered cost and timeslots. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 12/20; 6pm - 9pm
Winter Solstice Night of Lights, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Join us and celebrate the longest night of the year! You can choose a timeslot to walk along our candlelit paths. Registration required. Please call (847) 381-6592.
Saturday, 12/21; 10:30am - 12pm
Winter Solstice Day, Thatcher Woods, River Forest
Join us and learn about the Winter Solstice through indigenous storytelling and songs. The activities include snowshoeing, tracking, shelter building and other winter-related activities. There are some activities that are weather dependent. This event is presented with American Indian Center. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751.
Saturday, 12/21; 1pm
Winter Workshop, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Calling all creatives! Join us for our themed sessions as we explore pottery. Registration required. For more information, please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 12/21; 1:30pm
Winter Solstice, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us and celebrate the shortest day of the year while unlocking winter’s secrets. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Saturday, 12/21; 1:30pm
Animal Homes Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Bring the family on a guided hike to discover where our local animals will spend the winter. Registration required. This is a family program. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 12/21; 5pm - 7pm
Winter Solstice Celebration, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us and celebrate the longest night of the year with a bonfire and a self-guided walk along our Farm Pond Trail. Registration required. S’mores and hot cocoa will be provided. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Sunday, 12/22; 1pm - 3pm
Winter Play Date, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Drop-in for fun family activities, which include self-guided activity stations and learning through play. This event is held indoors and outdoors. For more information, please call (847) 381-6592.
Sunday, 12/22; 1pm - 3pm
Cozy Crafting, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Stay warm inside while making arts and crafts using natural materials. Registration required. Light refreshments will be provided. Please call (708) 868-0606.
Friday, 12/27; 9am
Winter Bird Watch, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a walk to discover which birds are winter residents and then get warm by a cozy fire. Registration required. Ages 14 and up. Hot cocoa will be provided. Please call (708) 839-6897.
Saturday, 12/28; 9:30am - 11:30am
Restoration Workday, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join a naturalist and help restore our ecosystems by removing invasive species. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Tools and safety gear will be provided. Please call (630) 257-2045 or visit the website for more information.
Saturday, 12/28; 11am - 2pm
Winter Nature Days , River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Drop in for fun family activities that are centered around nature. The activities will include pinecone bird feeders, walking sticks and more. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 12/29; 9:30am - 11:30am
Restoration Workday, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join a naturalist and help restore our ecosystems by removing invasive species. Registration required. Ages 12 and up. Tools and safety gear will be provided. Please call (630) 257-2045 or visit the website for more information.
Sunday, 12/29; 11am - 2pm
Winter Nature Days , River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Drop in for fun family activities that are centered around nature. The activities will include pinecone bird feeders, walking sticks and more. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 12/29; 1pm - 3pm
Winter Play Date, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Drop-in for fun family activities, which include self-guided activity stations and learning through play. This event is held indoors and outdoors. For more information, please call (847) 381-6592.
Monday, 12/30; 1:30pm
Winter Secrets Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
The winter can appear barren of wildlife, but surprisingly there is so much happening. Join us for a walk to see what is going on within nature during the winter and beneath the snow. Registration required. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Tuesday, 12/31; 10am - 2pm
Kwanzaa Celebration, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Join us and celebrate community and honor Pan-African Heritage while embracing the seven principles of Kwanzaa. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317 or visit the website.
Thursday, 1/2; 10am
Winter Secrets Hike, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Fulfill your resolution of being more active by taking a brisk guided walk. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Thursday, 1/2 through Saturday, 1/4; 10am - 2pm
Winter Camp, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Join us and learn about the significance of the winter season in Native American culture while participating in various activities. This event is presented by Trickster Cultural Center. For more information, please call (773)758-8899 or visit the website.
Thursday, 1/2; 1pm - 3pm
The Bare Bones, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Check out this jaw dropping interactive display of animal skulls and bones. For more information, please call (847) 381-6592.
Friday, 1/3; 11am - 2pm
Winter Exploration Day, Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, Chicago
Get outside and enjoy winter! This is a great opportunity for the whole family to experience snowshoeing, hikes, art making, campfires and more. There are some activities that are weather dependent. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317 or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/4; 10am - 12pm
Winter Workshop: Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Calling all creatives! Join us for our themed sessions and learn about woodworking with invasive species. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899.
Sunday, 1/5; 1:30pm
Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire, Trailside Museum, River Forest
Enjoy a winter afternoon on a self-guided hunt for signs of animals and plant life on your Scavenger Hunt List. You can conclude the fun activity by relaxing around a campfire and enjoying snacks. Registration required. This is a family program. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Monday, 1/6; 11am - 12pm
Winter Bird Watch, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us and learn about the mammals of Cook County by examining our skin and skulls collection. For more information, please call (708) 839-6897.
Friday, 1/10; 6:30pm
Winter Fire Building Workshop, Camp Reinberg, Palatine
Join us and learn fire building skills indoors, then try out your new talent outdoors. Ages 10 and up. Ages 10-17 with an adult. For more information, please visit the website.
Friday, 1/10; 6pm - 7:30pm
Creative Sustainability Workshop, Swallow Cliff Pavilion, Palos Park
This program will teach you about creative reuse methods and mending techniques. You can give items a second life by turning them into an ornament, decoration or bird feeder. Supplies will be provided, or you can bring your own. For more information, please call (312) 533-5751.
Saturday, 1/11; 8am - 10am
Sit and Sip: Winter Birds, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Drop in to see who is visiting our feeders and learn from a Sand Ridge bird nerd! Warm drinks and cookies will be provided. For more information, please call (708) 868-0606.
Saturday, 1/11; 11am - 2pm
Winter Exploration Day, Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago
Join us for activities that educate and celebrate the impact of Lunar New Year. You will learn about this year’s cycle, which is the Year of the Snake. For more information, please call (224) 763-4317 or visit the website.
Saturday, 1/11; 1pm
What I did on my Winter Migration, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Discover what migratory birds do at their Central and South American wintering grounds. For more information, please call (847) 381-6592.
Saturday, 1/11; 1pm
Winter Insects, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Believe it or not, some insects are active through the winter. You can search for these cold-hardy survivors. Registration required. Ages 14 and up. Please call (630) 257-2045 or visit the website for more information.
Saturday, 1/11 through Monday, 1/13; 4pm - 9pm
Moonlight Ski, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Enjoy skiing by the light of the full moon. Registration required. Ski rentals are limited. Skiers with their own equipment must wear a free trail pass. Please call (630) 257-2045 or visit the website for more information.
Sunday, 1/12; 12pm - 2pm
Conservation at Home: Seed Swap, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us at this free seed swapping event. You can bring some seeds, take some seeds home or both. There will be experts on-site to provide advice and recommendations. Ages 13 and up. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Monday, 1/13; 6pm
Women’s Night Out: Full Moon Walk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Join us for an evening of empowerment in this first series of women-centered programming. Registration required. This program is for women ages 18 and up. The cost is $10 per person. Please call (847) 824-8360.
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