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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 10/20/2026-11/16/2026
Please check the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website for updates and changes.
Wednesday, 10/21; 10am
Nature Art Meetup, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Participants can create independently with other artists. Participants can bring their own supplies, chairs, and laptops. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Saturday, 10/24; 2pm─5pm
Spooky Stories and S’mores, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Participants can trick-or-treat, paint a pumpkin, listen to spooky stories and more. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. This program is presented with the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 10/24; 6pm
Birding is Accessible: Owl Edition, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can enjoy a slow-paced accessible stroll to search for owls. Registration required. Please call (708)868-0606 or visit the website.
Sunday, 10/25; 10:30am
The Un-Haunted Forest, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can enjoy a whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Registration required. The program is for children ages 10 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 10/25; 10:30am
Oak-tober, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for a hike to celebrate Oak Awareness Month. For more information, please call (708)839-6897.
Sunday, 10/25; 11am─3pm
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Participants can enjoy a self-guided search for hidden pumpkins on the trail. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Sunday, 10/25; 12pm─4pm
Trunk or Treat, Eggers Grove, Chicago
Participants can enjoy a family-friendly Halloween event with candy. This event is presented by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the East Side Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please call (224)763-4317.
Sunday, 10/25; 1:30pm
Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Participants can wear their costumes while walking through our autumn woods while finding nut free treats. For more information, please call (708) 366-6530.
Sunday, 10/25; 1:30pm
The Un-Haunted Forest, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can enjoy a whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery. Registration required. The program is for children ages 10 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Monday, 10/26, 7pm
Women’s Night Out: Full Moon Empowerment, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can enjoy an evening designed to empower, connect and inspire us. Registration required. Ages 18 and up. The cost is $10 per person. This program is for women and is led by certified forest therapy guide Gayle Byck. Please call (847) 824-8360.
Tuesday, 10/27; 5:30pm─7:30pm
Little Red Rocks, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Patrons can perform or listen to music and poetry during an open-mic night. Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897.
Wednesday, 10/28; 3pm─5pm
Hike, Read, and Write, Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest
Join a naturalist for a hike, followed by a poetry writing workshop. This program is presented with Poets and Patrons. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Thursday, 10/29; 7pm─9pm
Night at the Museum, Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Patrons can step into the shadows for eerie animal encounters, explore the 1876 mansion, enjoy live musical performances, and partake in the strange wonders lurking in the night woods. Registration required. Ages 13 and up. Please call (708) 366-6530.
Friday, 10/30; 6pm─9pm
Owl-oween Bash, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Patrons can enjoy a Jack-o’-lantern walk, campfire stories, and festive fun. Registration required. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. Please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 10/31; 12pm─4pm
The Great Sand Ridge Tiny Pumpkin Hunt, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home their own pumpkin. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 11/1; 12pm─4pm
The Great Sand Ridge Tiny Pumpkin Hunt, Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can discover hidden pumpkins on a fun scavenger hunt and take home their own pumpkin. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Sunday, 11/1; 1pm─3pm
Dia de los Muertos Craft, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
Participants can decorate a sugar skull to celebrate Day of the Dead. Supplies are limited. For more information, please call (847)381-6592.
Tuesday, 11/3; 10am─11am
Garden Days, Rolling Knolls, Elgin
Want to get your hands dirty? Patrons can learn about gardening and help create a beautiful and sustainable space for the community. The program is presented by the Trickster Cultural Center. For more information, please visit the website.
Thursday, 11/5; 6:30pm─8:30pm
Native American Heritage Month History, Sauk Trail Woods-Central, South Chicago Heights
Patrons can learn about the origin of the Sauk Woods name. The program is a 3.4-mile hike. For more information, please call (224)763-4317.
Friday, 11/6; 6pm─9pm
Pride Night, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington
LGBTQ2SIA individuals and allies can connect, unwind and celebrate nature around the campfire. Registration required. This program is presented with the Kenneth Young Center. Please call (847)381-6592.
Saturday, 11/7; 8am
Fishing Derby, Horsetail Lake, Palos Park
Join us for a fun family day of fishing. This program is presented by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Village of Palos Park. For more information, please call (312)533-5751 or visit the website.
Saturday, 11/7; 10am─2pm
Calumet Heritage Day Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
Patrons can explore the Calumet Region’s heritage with guided walks, historic skill demos, and programs celebrating native flora and fauna. For more information, please call (708)868-0606.
Saturday, 11/7; 11:30am
Day Hiking Leadership Training, Bemis-Woods-North, Oak Brook
This program trains teachers and youth educators by giving them all the tools to take groups out into the preserves for the day. Registration required. Please visit the website.
Tuesday, 11/10; 6pm
Qigong and Urban Stargazing, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Participants can start with grounding Qigong, followed by celestial viewing at an Urban Night Sky Place. Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897.
Wednesday, 11/11; 1pm
Everyone in Nature, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Join us for an inclusive sensory-based experience where individuals of all abilities and homeschool learners can explore and connect with nature through hands-on activities. Participants must be with an adult companion. Registration required. Please call (708)839-6897.
Thursdays, 11/12; 4pm─8pm
Fall Open Climb, Camp Sullivan, Oak Forest
Participants can scale the indoor climbing wall. Registration and waivers required. Participants must be over 40lbs. This program is for all ages. Ages 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Accessible climbing equipment will be available. Please visit the website.
Saturday, 11/14; 5:30pm─7:30pm
Buckthorn Dye Workshop, Caldwell Woods Wellness Center, Chicago
Patrons can learn about the invasive buckthorn plant, how to process it for dye and take home their own naturally dyed textile. Registration required. Please call (773)758-8899.
Saturday, 11/14; 5:30pm
Night Hike, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Join us for an evening walking through nature with a naturalist. Registration required. Please call (630) 257-2045.
Sunday, 11/15; 10:30am
Nature Detective, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook
Participants can learn how to look for clues to figure out nature’s mysteries. For more information, please call (847) 824-8360.
Sunday, 11/15; 11am
Autumn Stories in Chinese, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
The Naperville Chinese Storytellers share stories and activities. Registration required. The program is for all ages, but ages 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Please call (708)839-6897.
Sunday, 11/15; 1pm
Fall Color Walk, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont
Enjoy a leisurely naturalist-led nature hike to view fall colors. For more information, please call (630) 257-2045.
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