Events

Join us for Plant Bingo the last Wednesday of each month! $30 buy in for 10 games, equaling $3.00 a game. One card per person, per game! 3 FREE games after the initial 10! Win Rare Plants, Hand-painted pots, Gift Certificates, Home Goods, Workshop Gift Certificates, Cool

Please save the date for the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Benefit Reception. The event will feature the art exhibition Purvis Young: Messenger of Salvation and Liberation, showcasing never-before-seen paintings, drawings, and personal artifacts by Purvis Young from the Larry T. Clemons Collection, with select paintings by celebrated Bronzeville artist Raymond A. Thomas.  

Join us for an unforgettable evening of fine French wine and exquisite cuisine at our exclusive Taste of France event! Indulge in 5 expertly paired wines and 5 dishes that capture the rich flavors and traditions of France, all in the intimate and elegant setting of Tallgrass.

Join us for Karaoke with Host Joe Son! Start your weekend on a high note – Food, Fun, Self Serve Beer Wall, Craft Cocktails & Giveaways!

Get your paws and whiskers ready for March Mammal Madness at Four Rivers! This day is a celebration of our furry friends in the fields and forests. The festivities include two 45-minute live animal presentations by Big Run Wolf Ranch featuring a wolf. Throughout the event, enjoy

IT'S BACK! Join the Utica Business Association for a fun filled night celebrating Mardi Gras! Parade starts at 4pm at the south end of town and concludes downtown. Check back for more details about Mardi Gras Specials, entertainment and deals!  

An exclusive art exhibition featuring artwork from members of the Chicago Society of Artists. The CSA is a non-profit organization started in 1887. Now well into its second century, CSA is the oldest continuing artist association in the United States. Since its incorporation in 1889, the primary

Join our recreation coordinator for our 2025 Wellness Series featuring workshops on themes of wellness and connection to nature. Workshops will be offered on the first Tuesday of the month through April at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. Come for one or come for all.

Attend the Billionaires' Club Annual Masquerade Ball, and reveal the partygoer who killer their unsuspecting victim. With a mystery under each feathery facade, unmasking the killer may be quite a challenge. Come be a part of this exclusive gala! Lunch Entree: Jake's Cordon Bleu: Grilled chicken breast

You can come if you want. If not, whatever. You'd probably have a sh!tty time anyway. Free Sh!tty crafts. Next Page Book Store Grand Opening. Crappy Beer. More unexciting activities.The biggest excitement of the evening will be the opening of Next Page- an independent book store @

Join us for Karaoke with Host Joe Son! Start your weekend on a high note - Food, Fun, Self Serve Beer Wall, Craft Cocktails & Giveaways!  

Mother Earth isn't the only woman in the woods. Explore the positive impacts determined women have had on nature throughout history and learn who is making an impact in the field now. Discover how our daughters and granddaughters can become the most emboldened and wild generations yet.

ALL ABOARD for an evening of food, drinks and dueling pianos at Joliet's newest museum! The Joliet Railroad Museum, a repurposed switching tower that has stood at one of the busiest rail intersections on the continent for over a century, will open for a special evening event

Illinois Valley Sports card and Collectibles Show - 80+ Tables - Free Admission -  Special Autograph Guest TBA - Email: ridgecards@yahoo.com  

Join The Village of Lemont for their 33rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Fest will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Historic Downtown Lemont. Details are subject to change but preview the event below. The parade begins at 1:00

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. Registration required by Saturday, March 8: 815-722-9470. With the cold weather, yoga will take place in the

Enjoy an invigorating morning by taking time for yourself and discovering the wonders of the natural world. This program includes a 30- to 35-minute all-levels seated yoga session and 25- to 30-minute natural world exploration. Both sessions will take place in the Grand Hall. Fee: Free! Age:

The LaSalle County Historical Society presents a special exhibit entitled The Civil War and LaSalle County being displayed from March 9, 2025 to October 3, 2025. This exhibit features special regional and local Civil War memorabilia including flags, currency, local soldier stories and much more. The exhibit

March is all about mammals! What are mammals and what makes them special? Let's find out what makes them truly magnificent! Join us for this nature-themed program series for 3- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers. Fee: Free! Age: Ages 3-5. Children must be accompanied by a registered

Welcome all homeschool families! Join other middle and high school-aged homeschoolers to experience a naturalist-led field trip at McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove. Talk about hands-on! This award-winning program brings students into a forest preserve to participate in an active restoration project. Students learn how non-native

Welcome all homeschool families! Join other elementary school-aged homeschoolers to experience a naturalist-led field trip at McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove. Adaptations are like superpowers that help a living thing survive in its habitat. A bat using echolocation to hunt, a hummingbird using its long beak

Welcome all homeschool families! Join other middle and high school-aged homeschoolers to experience a naturalist-led field trip at McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove. Students will take a look at the beautiful diversity of spring wildflowers during this seasonal offering. They will review the plant life cycle

Stroll through Downtown Joliet and enjoy Irish food and beverage specials, sales, and entertainment at over 15 participating businesses. Our downtown business owners treat guests like friends and family. Whether you're Irish or not, come downtown and enjoy an evening of Irish food and entertainment with some

NCI ARTworks to host an opening reception for the month-long exhibition of art by Tony Seabolt and Jeanne OMelia on March 14 at the NCI ARTworks Gallery from 6 to 8pm. Jeanne OMelia studied art at Iowa State University and Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, and The

Celebrate the upcoming lunar eclipse under the full moon at Whalon Lake. Discover the wonders of a lunar eclipse and unearth the importance of the namesake of this month's moon — the worm moon — while on a night hike with a naturalist. Note: This program does

Join fellow women of the woods on this hike to celebrate women's role in nature. Along the trail, learn about the historical women who have quite literally paved the way. Discover the women blazing their own trails today and explore the paths chosen by women of the

Woods, dirt, mud, roots, and maybe some other adventurous trail stuff will be experienced at the 4th annual Trail Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon @ The Forge: Lemont Quarries. And now that we've earned the 4th leaf in our clover, the race is now named the MUDDY

Which city carried the nickname City of Steel and Stone? Joliet's once-thriving industrial plant rivaled Pittsburgh's steel power. Explore the stone foundations that are more than 100 years old. An interpretive naturalist will share the fascinating stories of the men and machines who worked at the Joliet

Bring the whole family to The Forge: Lemont Quarries for a St. Patrick's Day adventure! Embark on a self-guided Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt and follow an enchanting story to uncover where the mischievous Leprechaun is hiding at the end of the rainbow. Complete the hunt and return to

Come down and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Utica style! The UBA will be hosting our annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. There will be many specials throughout town all weekend long! More details to come. If interested in participating in the parade please use the following link to

Participate in a group reading by Psychic Medium Michael Gourley, one of the Top 10 Chicago Psychics. Michael uses his gifts to deliver messages from loved ones in spirit and will deliver messages that come through for our guests. There may even be a message for you!

Need a break in your day? We are here for you! Grab your lunch and enjoy warblers with a naturalist. After a long winter, spring is finally here, bringing warblers to our woods. The tricky thing is that most of them look very similar. Learn the subtle

You won't need to sail off through night and day or in and out of weeks. Will County is where the wildflowers are! Anemone, Dutchman's breeches, trillium, hepatica – our wildflowers have stories to tell! Journey to Raccoon Grove, a top spot to seek wildflowers. Join a

Join us for Karaoke with Host Joe Son! Start your weekend on a high note - Food, Fun, Self Serve Beer Wall, Craft Cocktails & Giveaways!

Demanding a romantic light, the male woodcock waits until dusk before performing his theatrical display. The woodcock sky dance is quite a sight to see! We will start the evening learning about the American woodcock, then we'll take a hike to see if we can catch a

Spring is here, and it's time for our early bird migrants to arrive! Join us at Plum Creek Nature Center first thing in the morning to see our visiting flyovers. This location is a great stop for birds heading home for the nesting season. All birders are

There is a big, beautiful world of birds, and we are going to learn all about them! Junior naturalists will learn about different species of birds found here in Will County, their calls, their adaptations and some clues to spotting them in the wild. Participants will play

Sounds of Summer tells the story of America's band - The Beach Boys. These four incredibly talented performers have shared their love of the Beach Boys' harmonies since 2015, giving audiences an authentic depiction of the 1960's. Lunch Entree: Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken - Chicken breast with with

As the VOICE of all the classic Guess Who hit songs, Burton has toured with his long-time band, for the past twenty-three years across North America as well as joining Randy Bachman onstage as Bachman Cummings, performing the songs from the original The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive

This program tells the story of the Keeley Institute and the Keeley Cure for Alcoholism, otherwise knows as the Double Chloride of Gold Cure for Addictions. The presentation will tell the story of the Keeley Institute--from its beginnings in Dwight, through growth and franchising around the world,

Include Plum Creek Nature Center in your spring break staycation plans! Visit each day from Tuesday to Friday to join in a new adventure. Pack a picnic lunch and extend your day. Hidden beneath the surface of the pond is an abundance of life that awaits discovery.

Join us for Plant Bingo the last Wednesday of each month! $30 buy in for 10 games, equaling $3.00 a game. One card per person, per game! 3 FREE games after the initial 10! Win Rare Plants, Hand-painted pots, Gift Certificates, Home Goods, Workshop Gift Certificates, Cool

Include Plum Creek Nature Center in your spring break staycation plans! Visit each day from Tuesday to Friday to join in a new adventure. Pack a picnic lunch and extend your day. On Thursday we fly into the world of flowers and pollinators. Join a naturalist to

The Four C Notes were created by John Michael Coppola, known for his appearance in Chicago's production of the Broadway hit, the Jersey Boys. The Four C Notes are the Midwest's only tribute to the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons! Price: $60 per guest.

Join us for Karaoke with Host Joe Son! Start your weekend on a high note - Food, Fun, Self Serve Beer Wall, Craft Cocktails & Giveaways!  

We are taking Wild Child on the road this season, visiting different preserves around Will County. Answer the call of your wild child by getting outside with this monthly nature-themed program geared toward children ages 3 to 5. Join a naturalist for hands-on activities such as games,

Include Plum Creek Nature Center in your spring break staycation plans! Visit each day from Tuesday to Friday to join in a new adventure. Pack a picnic lunch and extend your day. On Friday, it's humans vs. wildlife in the challenge of survival. Led by a naturalist,

Kick off spring break with outdoor family fun! Hike with a naturalist through the trees at Messenger Woods. At designated stops along the way we'll pause to try our hand at fun early-spring activities. We might investigate the creek, play animal Simon says, discover the age of

Celebrate International Day of Zero Waste at the Forest Preserve District of Will County! Learn how your everyday choices can — and do — make a big impact! See how small changes can make you a zero waste hero! This program will begin with a presentation followed

Our spring preserve challenge returns with the Bridges of Will County! This ongoing Forest Preserve District of Will County program runs from Tuesday, April 1, to Monday, June 30. This spring, adventure out to five select preserves and find your way to each bridge to earn a

This ongoing program runs from Wednesday, April 2, to Sunday, June 22. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Pollinators are an essential part of the natural world. One in three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators. From butterflies and bees to

Ocean's Rat Pack is the ultimate tribute to the music of Dean Martin, by Tony Ocean, Frank Sinatra, by Bill Serritella, and Sammy Davis Jr., by Elliot Wimbush. Enjoy their authentic performances that prove that these classics will never go out of style. Lunch Entree: Pork Chop

In the 1950's, actress and comedienne Lucille Ball captured the hearts of television viewers across the nation, while her production company brought new innovations off screen. You won't want to miss this portrayal by historian Leslie Goddard. Lunch Entree: Chicken Apricot - Seasoned breast of chicken dressed

Join us for Karaoke with Host Joe Son! Start your weekend on a high note – Food, Fun, Self Serve Beer Wall, Craft Cocktails & Giveaways!

This ongoing event will be held Saturdays and Sundays from April 5 to April 27. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To celebrate Earth Month, do a little bit to help your mother (Earth)! Staff at The Tackle Box bait shop at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm

The Rough Road 100 Spring Classic returns to the region April 5th. The ride draws hundreds of cycling enthusiasts to Morris, where the race will start and finish Downtown. Morris Retail Association member stores and restaurants are ready to welcome participants with special discounts. The race benefits

Introduction to Lace Making Workshop April 5th, 9am-12pm | Open Court Office (Ground Floor) at the Hegeler Carus Mansion Cost: $65 for new participants; $55 for returning participants. For New Students: What to bring: Bring yourself and your desire to learn this lost art form, and well