• The State of Water: Our Most Valuable Resource

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    This ongoing program runs from Wednesday, Nov. 12, to Wednesday, Jan. 7. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Only 0.007% of the planets water is available to fuel and feed its 8 billion people. Brad Temkin's photography puts visitors face to face with

  • Charley Harper: The Geometric Genius

    Hidden Oaks Nature Center 419 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook, IL, United States

    This ongoing event will be held from Friday, Jan. 2, to Saturday, March 29. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays.View a rare and delightful playfulness in the prints of renowned American illustrator Charley Harper. Known as a modernist wildlife artist, Harpers unique minimalist

  • First Friday Hike

    Hammel Woods Black Rd. east of Rte 59, Shorewood, IL, United States

    Start the New Year off right with a First Friday Hike! Get your heart pumping and enjoy the beauty of the forest on a brisk winter day. Join a naturalist on a guided hike to check Hammel Woods off your list. Be inspired to take advantage of

  • Full Moon: Wolf Walk

    O'Hara Woods

    Every full moon tells a story of tides, time and seasonal changes. Join us across Will County for a night where science and wonder meet beneath the glow of the moon. The January full moon is known as the wolf moon. Join an interpretive naturalist for a

  • Hygge Hangout

    Little Red Schoolhouse

    Join a cozy, indoor community filled with activities, games and refreshments. Inspired by the Danish practice of Hygge. Admission is free.  

  • Bonne Année – A New Year Celebration

    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    Celebrate the New Year with French traditions of Illinois Country! Cozy up with stories, play games, dance and enjoy a warm drink and king’s cake around a toasty fire while listening to fiddle music. Make a vintage craft to take home as a keepsake of this family-friendly

  • Hygge Hangout

    Little Red Schoolhouse

    Join a cozy, indoor community filled with activities, games and refreshments. Inspired by the Danish practice of Hygge. Admission is free.    

  • Submarines on the Illinois River, a History

    Illinois Waterway Visitor Center 950 N. 27th Rd., Ottawa, IL, United States

    Join us to hear from local historian Joe Tokarz about Word War II submarines and their connection to the Illinois River. In the 1940's, 28 submarines were made in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and floated down the Illinois River to the ocean. These submarines went on to support the

  • Moonlight Ski

    Sagawau Learning Center 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont, IL, United States

    Ski by the light of the full moon. Ski rentals limited. Reservations required via SignUpGenius, available the Sunday before. Skiers with their own equipment must wear a free trail pass. Weather Dependent (Snow): Program runs only when trails are skiable (requires frozen ground and 5 inches of

  • Moonlight Hike

    Sagawau Learning Center 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont, IL, United States

    Hike by the light of the full moon. Weather Dependent (No Snow): Program runs only when trails are non-skiable due to insufficient snow or ground conditions; call/email organizer to confirm.  

  • Sunrise Hike

    Sagawau Learning Center 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont, IL, United States

    Join a naturalist to experience the stillness and peace of a winter sunrise. Ages 18 & up.  

  • Eagle Watch

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    As the rivers freeze over, bald eagles head to the open waters around Four Rivers. Join us as we celebrate these exceptional birds of prey with guided hikes, live bird presentations, Talon Talks, family activities and more! Ongoing activities will include family crafts, an Eagle Eye Scavenger

  • Sunrise Hike

    Little Red Schoolhouse

    Join us for an early morning hike to witness the beauty of a new day.  

  • Backyard Winter Birds

    Hidden Oaks Nature Center 419 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook, IL, United States

    In winter, some of Illinois native birds migrate south, others stay and some birds arrive. Learn about the birds that spend the winter months in our area and how to attract them to your yard. Take a guided hike in the forest to search for some of

  • Craft & Chill

    Open Space Art Gallery & Studios 223 W. Madison St., Ottawa, United States

    Unwind and get creative at Craft + Chill: Journaling & Collage, a laid-back evening designed for reflection and connection. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this cozy event offers a variety of materials—from magazines and washi tape to stickers and markers—to help your imagination

  • Lorwyn Eclipsed Prerelease Tournament

    Critical Grind Board Game Cafe 852 Sharp Dr., Shorewood, IL, United States

    Greet the Magic Multiverse with open arms in our first set of 2026: Lorwyn Eclipsed! This hotly anticipated return to the twinned plane of Lorwyn-Shadowmoor takes everything you love about our first visit—typal themes, dazzling traditional artwork, and a strangely beautiful setting—and combines it with the brilliance

  • Chicago Maritime Museum Open House

    Chicago Maritime Museum 1200 W. 35th St., Chicago, IL, United States

    The Chicago Maritime Museum, Bridgeport Art Center, and entire neighborhood open up to the public for free for Third Friday. Explore the museum and the rest of the building with docents positioned around our galleries to answer questions.  

  • Birds & Beans

    Isle a la Cache Museum 501 E Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL, United States

    Embrace winter morning birding from the comfort of Isle a la Cache's library. Chat and birdwatch at the feeders through the large picture windows while enjoying a cup of warm, bird-friendly coffee and early morning treats. Isle a la Cache Museum is an accessible facility. Ages 16

  • Moss & Lichen: Hide & Seek

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    While many species become dormant over the winter, lichens and mosses are thriving! Come enjoy a winter morning learning about these unique and hardy species. This program will begin outside, hiking and searching for species in the wild. Then well head indoors for warm beverages and a

  • Duck Discovery Day

    Rock Run Rookery Preserve 23065 S. Youngs Rd., Joliet, United States +2 more

    Ages 18 and older. Did you know winter is a good time to learn how to identify migrating ducks? Well, suit up for this half-day program where we will travel to three different locations to see how many ducks we can find! After our duck-viewing adventure, we

  • Ice & Lights Book Signing

    Smokey Row Antique Shop 112 Stephen Street, Lemont, IL, United States

    We are pleased to welcome Pat Camalliere, author of the Cora Tozzi Historical Mystery Series . Pat writes about and lives in Lemont. Learn about the fascinating history of Lemont while enjoying Pat’s award-winning and bestselling novels. Each takes place in a different time period and brings new memorable

  • Lemont’s Ice & Lights Fest

    Historic Downtown Lemont Canal & Stephen St, Lemont, IL, United States

     The sixth annual Ice & Lights Fest will return to downtown Lemont featuring a day of ice carving displays, eventgoers can enjoy the shops, restaurants and holiday lights downtown. There will be over 20 ice sculptures, sponsored by businesses, on display. The sculptures will remain on display

  • Yoga & Hike

    Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 S Walnut Ln., Channahon, IL, United States

    Start the day off right with yoga and a hike! This program includes a 35- to 45-minute all-levels yoga session and a 35- to 45-minute hike along our scenic trails. Ages 14 or older. Participant younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required by