BYOB Nature Stories Around the Campfire

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

Do you have memorable, magical moments in nature that have inspired, amazed or surprised you? Come celebrate National Storytelling Day with an evening campfire and the camaraderie of fellow nature lovers. Bring a camping chair, beverages (beer and wine only for alcoholic drinks) and a story to

Stone & Steel Spooky 5K

Joliet City Center 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL, United States

The Joliet City Center Partnership (CCP) is excited to host the 3rd annual Stone & Steel Spooky 5K on Sunday, October 6th, 2024 at 8 a.m. This chip-timed race starts in Downtown Joliet and runs through the Joliet Iron Works Historic Site. Walkers and runners are welcome

Junior Archeologists

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

Celebrate International Archaeology Day with a naturalist as we dig deeper into the role of an archaeologist. What do they do? Where do they go? What do they find? Participants will have the chance to be archaeologists themselves as we piece together clues about history and humankind.

Sensory Sunday

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

Experience the exhibits and trails of Four Rivers on your own terms. This independent program is for guests with sensory-processing needs, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and those who would benefit from a small-group experience. Buddy bags with sensory gadgets and a limited supply of noise-canceling headphones

Meet a Beekeeper

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Meet local beekeeper Mike Rusnak to discuss the art of beekeeping. Ask questions, chat and troubleshoot. Rusnak has more than 18 years of beekeeping experience. Pick up specific beekeeping tips or simply learn more about the world of bees. Fee: Free! Age: All ages. No registration required.

Waterfowl Cruise

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Board a trolley outside of the Great Hall of the Lodge. The Trolley takes you to the Eagle 1 to enjoy an hour long boat ride where you will get to spy the Waterfowl of the Illinois River. The trolley will return you to the Lodge. Reservations

Autumn on the River

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Tour begins with lunch at 11am in the historic dining room at the Lodge, followed by a narrated trolley tour with history and legends of the area. The trolley will then take you to the new river boat, The Eagle I where you will see the beautiful

Nature Play Day After Hours: Mushrooms and More

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds. The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out the important jobs they do. Fee:

Needle Felting Workshop

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

Fiber Artist- Jacqueline JoAnn will be showing you how fun and interesting needle felting is. Needle felting is the process of taking raw fibers with a special barbed needle to sculpt into any desired form. Flat or 3 dimensional. In this class we will be making needle

Nature Play Day: Mushrooms & More

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve 27064 Dutton Rd., Beecher, United States

Join us for this monthly nature-themed program for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers to enjoy together! The flowers may be fading, but something else is popping up on the forest floor – mushrooms! Let's look for fungi in all different shapes and sizes while finding out

Event Series Autumn on the River

Autumn on the River

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Tour begins with lunch at 11am in the historic dining room at the Lodge, followed by a narrated trolley tour with history and legends of the area. The trolley will then take you to the new river boat, The Eagle I where you will see the beautiful

Graveyard Garden Workshop

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

Like a fairy garden but spookier! Get ready to blend whimsy with a touch of Halloween magic in our Graveyard Garden Workshop! This enchanting class is perfect for those who adore the charm of fairy gardens and the thrill of Halloween. Join us as we guide you

Think & Drink – “Okterberfest: A History (with Beer)!”

Gaylord Building, Lockport 200 W. 8th Street, Lockport, IL, United States

Tickets are almost sold out for this fun history presentation that pairs the story of Oktoberfest with samples of delicious, seasonal beers. Host Michael Pezan explores the history behind the German festival and the many refreshing and robust beers this annual event provides. Michael is a professionally certified

Indige-Facts

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

This ongoing program runs from Saturday, Sept. 21, to Sunday, Dec. 8. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Are Native Americans U.S. citizens? How many Indigenous people live in this country? Do all American Indians live

Autumn on the River

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Tour begins with lunch at 11am in the historic dining room at the Lodge, followed by a narrated trolley tour with history and legends of the area. The trolley will then take you to the new river boat, The Eagle I where you will see the beautiful

Historic Trolley Tour

Starved Rock Lodge & Convention Center 2680 E. 875th Rd., Oglesby, United States

Relax and enjoy one of our various trolley tours! Trolley transportation is included with every tour. It’s the perfect way to learn about the rich history of the Starved Rock area. Reservations are required. Book online or call our Activities Office at (815) 220-7386. *Online bookings subject

Witches Night Out

City of Princeton Princeton, United States

Spooky season is upon us with the popular Witches Night Out shopping event.

Trick-or-Treat in the Woods: Hickory Creek Preserve

Hickory Creek Preserve 10537 W. LaPorte Rd., Mokena, IL, United States

Experience the woods like never before! Come dressed in costume and hike along a glowing trail to learn what goes bump in the woods at night. Visit spooky stations, but beware! Will tricks or treats await? Enjoy a crackling fire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores. This program

A Murder is Announced

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre 201 W Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL, United States

Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather for … “A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED” A Miss Marble Mystery by Agatha Christie Directed by Elana Carmine OCTOBER 11, 12 & 13, 2024 Friday & Saturday – 7:00 pm Sunday – 2:00 pm Indoor theatre performance.

Hayride of Horror & The Curse of the Bayou

Dellwood Park Woods Drive, Lockport, United States

Explore the most haunted place in Lockport with two thrilling attractions: Hayride of Horror and the Curse of the Bayou! � Fridays & Saturdays | 7 PM - 10 PM | In October (October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26) � Last 2 Sundays (October

Cold Case Live

Rialto Square Theatre 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, United States

This fall, true-crime fanatics and web sleuths will have their chance to be in the detective’s shoes with COLD CASE LIVE (www.coldcaselive.com), a brand-new live show that will take audiences on a fascinating journey to unlock the mysteries of – and potentially help solve – America’s most

Shadows of the Blue & Gray

City County Park IL 126, Princeton, IL, United States

Visit beautiful City-County park in Princeton, IL as Shadows of the Blue and Gray presents our 28th year of family friendly Civil War Living History. This event is open to the public for a nominal fee of $5 per person with those 3 years old and under,

Monster Mash Balloon Bash

Bureau County Fairgrounds 811 W. Peru St., Princeton, IL, United States

Join us on Saturday, October 12th as Princeton Tourism, Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Bureau County Fair reimagine Scarecrow Festival. We are ecstatic to announce that the hot air balloons are making a grand return to be part of Princeton’s first-ever…. • MONSTER MASH BALLOON

Fall Migratory Bird Hike

Messenger Woods Nature Preserve 13800 W. Bruce Rd., Homer Glen, IL, United States

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day in the fall! Join other birders, beginners and experts alike, for a hike into the woods to see some of Will County's favorite migratory birds. Birds migrating in the fall may not sing so loudly or be so brightly colored, but that