Events

Are Native Americans U.S. citizens? How many Indigenous people live in this country? Do all American Indians live on reservations? What are the right words to describe the people who have always lived here? It is common for people to have questions about the lives and experiences

Stroll under the twinkling lights as you immerse yourself amongst sparkling boutique windows filled with soft sweaters, brightly colored ornaments, fresh greens and new novels, all waiting to be wrapped with a bow. Grab a market mug filled with fresh Belgian hot cocoa to warm your hands

The new Home for the Holiday Light Show is a family drive-thru experience featuring light displays and a few special guests to greet you.  

Take a 2-mile walk in the world’s largest Urban Night Sky Place. Dependent upon trail conditions. Ages 14 & up.  

This traveling exhibition presents the work of landscape photographer Miles Lowry. Through remarkable photographs, Lowry captures the grace and grandeur in what remains of the vast forests and savannas that once covered the eastern half of the United States. Since 2001, he has searched out and documented

How will you choose to make discoveries in the preserve? By listening, feeling or using another one of your senses? Choose a search card or two inside the nature center before heading out to explore. After your successful search is complete, return to the nature center for

Explore the Art of Creating with Wool! Dive into the captivating world of wet felting with our hands-on workshop designed for beginners. In this class, you'll discover the ancient craft of transforming raw wool fibers into beautiful felted creations using water, soap, and agitation. Led by experienced

Christmas in America in the mid 1900s meant aluminum trees, department store Santas, and iconic toys like slinkies and Easy Bake Ovens. Look back at this optimistic era in a fun lecture by historian Leslie Goddard using nostalgic images to explore its importance for holiday celebrations as

Explore the timeless beauty of everyday objects in our still life painting class. Learn the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and color theory as you bring inanimate objects to life on canvas. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, discover the artistry in the ordinary and unleash

Enjoy a swanky Christmas party with a local favorite, Nova Soul! Start the evening with cocktail hour (Cash Bar) and then be escorted to your table of two in the Esplanade where you will be served a charcuterie board and a bottle of wine from the local

For decades, Christmas in Chicago meant a trip to State Street to see the incredible Christmas displays in the department stores. Photographs, ads, and other memorabilia illustrate many beloved traditions like the animated window displays and the Christmas parade, told by historian Leslie Goddard. Lunch Entree: Traditional

Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the world of cyanotype printing in our immersive Cyanotype Workshop! Discover the magic of this historic photographic process that harnesses the power of light to create stunning blue-hued prints. Our knowledgeable instructor will guide you through each step of the process,

The extended show will feature a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs—religious, romantic, and fun holiday tunes—as well as some of the Grammy Award-winning quartet's classic country-pop hits like Elvira, Bobbie Sue, and Thank God For Kids. This Oak Ridge Boys' musical production with its beautiful visuals,

Experience Christmas in Princeton!!

Join Marjorie Myers, a local artist who has learned from Dana Jester, Steve Ross and Kevin Hill as she helps you step by step create a beautiful landscape oil painting. All materials provided. We will be painting on a 16x20 canvas. Ages: All ages welcome | Instructor:

Take a step back in time and experience a Victorian Christmas at the Reddick Mansion located at 100 W. Lafayette Street in Ottawa, Illinois. Come any time between 6pm and 8pm and see the Jewel of Ottawa at her finest. Costumed docents will be scattered throughout the

Step into a world of enchantment this holiday season with the all-new Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, the perfect fusion of circus artistry and beloved holiday melodies. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the magical holiday extravaganza filled with music, marvels, and merriment will ignite the festive spirit in all

Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Enjoy Breakfast! And so much more!  

Lemont High School Athletic Boosters are excited to host their 2nd annual craft show Dec 7-8. The show features over 200 vendors which includes holiday crafts, jewelry, woodcrafts, fashion, home decor, art, candles, beauty, and so much more. Free pictures with Santa on Sunday from 12pm-2pm. Location:

Breakfast with the Grinch will be in the Mendota Elks Basement from 10am-11am. Breakfast includes one donut, one juice box, and photo with the grinch.  

Sankt Nikolaus has confirmed he will make three special visits to the Mansion. You and your family will have the opportunity to take a photo with him. Allow 10-20 minutes for each photo session. Friday, December 6th, 6pm to 8pm | Cocoa and Cookies with St. Nicholas