Events

Join a naturalist for a morning bird hike. Binoculars available for loan. Registration required; call/email organizer to sign up at (630) 257-2045.  

Established in 1969, the Burgoo Festival is one of the longest-running, and largest, fall festivals in northern Illinois. The Burgoo Festival is best described as an annual village street party featuring antiques sellers, craftsmen, musicians, and food vendors. More than 350 vendors will present their wares at

Don’t miss the 52nd Annual Historic Pullman House Tour at Pullman National Historical Park. This beloved tradition offers visitors a rare opportunity to step into some of the most historically significant and beautifully restored homes in one of America’s most celebrated planned industrial communities. Pullman House Tour

Birdwatch with hot, fresh-brewed, bird-friendly coffee from the comfort of Isle a la Cache Library. Chat about the birds that show up at the feeders through the picture windows and enjoy the company of others over winter morning muffins. Registration required by Friday, Dec. 12: 815-722-9301. Ages

One night only! Great comedy and incredible bluegrass music. Get ready for a night of laughter unlike anything you’ve seen before! The FOIA Comedy Show is coming to Pontiac, and it’s turning public records into pure comedy gold. With over 10 years of performances in New York,

Join us for an evening of spooky cake decorating. Decorate your very own 6-inch round, vanilla or chocolate Halloween-inspired cake in the Hegeler Carus Mansion in LaSalle, IL. All supplies included! Just bring yourself, an apron, and your creativity! This event is a partnership between the Hegeler

Say cheers! to this cozy and chilly time of year. Guests will meet at the museum to view the exhibits and then join naturalists for a guided experience along our trails to trick or treat for some mocktails! End the night by relaxing around the campfire. Light

Get ready to unleash your inner superstar! Start your weekend on a high note with delicious food, a self-serve beer wall, craft cocktails, and awesome giveaways! Don’t miss out on the fun – bring your friends and let’s make some unforgettable memories!  

Dust off your broom and grab your pals for a fun night out in Utica! Good witches and bad are all welcome! YOU NEED A WRISTBAND TO PARTICIPATE: You'll need to purchase a ticket to participate in all the fun activities. Only witches with our official Witches

As the days get shorter, the forest gets busier. Squirrels scurry to cache their winter food, birds are bulking up for migration and deer are showing off their antlers. Bring your binoculars to O'Hara Woods to get a closeup of the busy wildlife. Registration required by Wednesday,

Where Glamour Meets Mischief 🧙‍♀️ 💫 $85 Ticket & Group Tickets Includes: 🌙 6:30 PM – Enchanted Entry: Step through mystical doors as the night of magic begins 🍴 7:00 PM – Feast of the Coven: A family-style banquet fit for witches & friends 🔥 8:00 PM

Join us for a fascinating discussion by CMM’s very own Bill Derrah on how the Erie Canal opened Great Lakes shipping to the world and built Chicago into a major city. Two hundred years ago the Erie Canal opened, completely transforming western settlement, economic development and Chicago. Bill Derrah

Its fall trout season at Hidden Lakes! To celebrate, we are opening the gates and concessions building for fishing at 6 a.m. Find your perfect spot along the two stocked lakes. Head to the Tackle Box bait shop for a free hot chocolate, tea or coffee. Plus

Join our recreation coordinator on the trail for some fun, leisurely bike rides this fall! Meet at McKinley Woods Kerry Sheridan Grove in Channahon for a 12-mile ride at a comfortable group pace. Register and complete all four Rec Bike Club rides in this series and receive

Learn the lost art of Bobbin Lacemaking with Donna, a seasoned lace artist that has been working in lace for over 20 years providing demos and classes, and a member of the Lacemakers and Collectors Exchange. In this 3-hour class you will learn the fundamentals of lacemaking

Join us for a solo and family-friendly celebration filled with fun, shopping and resources designed to lift up the community. This year's theme is Wealth Wellness & Wisdom. Tickets are $20.

Hop on your broomsticks and fly over to Clow Airport for a day of family-friendly Halloween fun!Our Haunted Hangar is designed especially with younger visitors in mind — perfect for kids of all ages who love a little Halloween excitement without too much fright.  Activities include: Spooky

October is the perfect time to start decorating our homes for the season, but no fall display is complete without a jack-o-lantern. But have you ever wondered where this tradition comes from? Join us at Isle a la Cache for a short presentation exploring the history of

What better way to start your day than breathing the crisp morning air while watching the sunrise in the prairie. A morning hike provides many physical and mental benefits and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Get early access into the preserve and

This ongoing event will be held from Tuesday, Oct. 21, to Friday, Oct. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Pick up some dirty tricks to earn some treats! Help Hidden Lakes Trout Farm look its best by picking up litter in the

This big, beautiful, fragrant flower has wilted, but now the roots are ripe and ready for harvesting. Join us on a lovely fall evening to learn about this native aquatic plant, a historical food of our region. After a brief presentation, the tasting will begin. The roots

Digging up the history of the dead! In this fully immersive experience, the macabre aspects of death in the Victorian era will come back to life!The Mansion is NOT Haunted Tour: As you move through the Main Floor, stationed and costumed guides will entangle you in a