Events Calendar

European-style market offers unique eats, treats and treasures in Geneva.    For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Farmer’s Markets.

Enjoy festivities, dance party and carolers to welcome Santa along with North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni and the NRPD and NRFD. Santa arrives at noon at Entrance 1, but the celebration continues until 1pm throughout the Mall. Disfrute de festividades, bailes y villancicos para darle la bienvenida a Santa junto con el alcalde de North...

Watch out as you explore the Conservatory – you may run into a Budding Botanists! on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am to 3:00pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists station. These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required. You can stop by and interact with...

The Family Sensory Hour offers the opportunity for children with special needs to use the Kids' Library in a safe and welcoming environment before the Library opens. Live in-person. Registration required.

Do you love pizza as much as we do? Stop by the Library to create your own pretend pizza and do some fun pizza activities. Stop by anytime between 12 and 4 and join us for some imaginative play, art activities, and fun. All activities are designed for our friends under aged five to explore...

Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to celebrate the holiday season with Santa visits at the shopping center from Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. While visits with Santa are always free, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will also offer a variety of keepsake photo packages available for purchase. Pet owners can bring their...

Enjoy a 30-minute ride while learning about the forest preserve’s heritage and natural areas. Rides begin at 1, 1:45, and 2:30 p.m. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $5 per person ages 5 and up; under 5 free. No registration. Questions? Call 630-580-7025.

Learn about the different attributes that make owls unique and fascinating.

Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.

DuPage Children’s Museum is dedicated to being an accessible, inclusive environment for children to thrive through extraordinary learning experiences. Adaptive Play Time provides a modified environment for play and learning for children and their caregivers. This program is intended for families with disabilities, on the autism spectrum, and/or sensory processing disorders.

Join us for GrownUp & Me Story Time—enjoy engaging stories, songs, and fun activities led by Miss Kathy! There are designated play areas for kids and opportunities to connect with other families. Complimentary coffee and tea will be available for adults. Feel free to bring snacks for your little ones. Fall Sessions: Kick-off! Mon, Sept...

Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to celebrate the holiday season with Santa visits at the shopping center from Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. While visits with Santa are always free, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will also offer a variety of keepsake photo packages available for purchase. Pet owners can bring their...

Let's do Lego! Use the library's Lego collection to build whatever you'd like! We'll have some building prompts and activities but let your imagination be your guide. This is a drop-in event. Feel free to stop by between 3pm and 6pm to participate.

Bring your furry friends to capture a memorable photo with Santa while helping support PAWS Chicago. Fashion Outlets of Chicago will donate $10 for each visit with Santa during Pet Nights.* Dates: Mondays, November 18, 25 & December 2 Times: 4-7PM Location: Santa HQ, near the Food Court *Pets must be on a leash or...

Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, treat your furry friends to the spirit of Christmas. Stop in for pet photos with Santa and create a new holiday tradition that’s totally un-fur-gettable.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Pet Photos with Santa.

Let your imagination run wild! Drop-in for a Lego building block challenge! Stop by the Ask Me Desk for supplies.

Meet to play and talk Pokémon with other trainers. Participants are welcome to bring along Pokémon art, cards or other Pokémon items for show and tell. Ages 6 and older, caregiver participation required.

We supply Legos and a theme, you supply the imagination! Children under 8, please bring your caregiver. Registration required.

Join other BRICK enthusiasts creating and building with Library supplied LEGO® bricks. Themes and challenges will be provided but ingenuity and creativity is encouraged. Grades K-5 with an adult caregiver.

Drop in, learn, play, and have fun developing strategies with Brad Smith, retired teacher and chess expert. Chess Club welcomes newbies, novices and chess masters. Walk-ins welcome!

Únete a nosotros durante una hora de historias, canciones y comunidad en esta celebración semanal de la cultura y la familia hispana.

Enjoy the classics of modern cinema on the magnificent two-story screen at Paramount Theatre…for the incredibly low price of just $1 per ticket! Buy tickets at the door. Cash only ($20 bills or less). Concessions available for purchase. Credit/debit cards accepted at concessions. Movies and showtimes are subject to change. Please check back here for...

Join us for dinosaur-themed games, crafts, and a tea party with a very special guest!

Illinois residents receive free admission on Tuesdays.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Museum Free Days.

Free admission is available to guests on the following dates: October 1 - November 26, 2024: Tuesdays and Thursdays December 2 - December 24, 2024: Mondays and Tuesdays January 3 - February 27, 2025: Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays For more information about events like these, check out our roundup of Museum Free Days.

Nature stories, crafts, and activities.  Children ages 3 to 6 with adult.

Stop by the visitor center to learn about reptiles, mammals, and birds from the residents of Misericordia – Heart of Mercy.

Join us in celebrating DINOvember with T-Rex Tea Party inspired crafts!

Our favorite holiday tradition is back! Bring your furry friends to Yorktown Center for Pet Photos with Santa! Join us on November 19, December 3, and December 10 during all Santa hours to capture a festive memory with your pets! Well-behaved pets are welcome, but please note that pets other than dogs must exit the...

Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to celebrate the holiday season with Santa visits at the shopping center from Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. While visits with Santa are always free, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will also offer a variety of keepsake photo packages available for purchase. Pet owners can bring their...

Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, treat your furry friends to the spirit of Christmas. Stop in for pet photos with Santa and create a new holiday tradition that’s totally un-fur-gettable.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Pet Photos with Santa.

Build up your STEM skills using different materials at this monthly building challenge! (Grades K–5)

Our Illinois Resident Free Days include access to all open animal and permanent exhibit and seasonal Stingray Touch. Take a deeper look at our current available exhibits here. We offer several reservation options for Free Days. For those who prefer to plan ahead, online ticket reservations are available with a $5 convenience fee per order....

Have you read the book by Peter Brown or seen the new movie, The Wild Robot? Join us for a Roz and friends themed party with crafts and snacks! Ages 8-11. ** **Tickets will be available at the Children's Services Desk 30 minutes prior to the event.

Free Wednesdays are the perfect opportunity for you to explore our general admission exhibitions with your family or a group of science-loving friends. Adventure through the wilderness on a desert safari, explore ancient civilizations, and come face-to-face with prehistoric creatures— all in one place. The Field Museum has so much to explore, you’ll need more...

The Museum offers free days to Illinois residents throughout the year, including commemorative days like Presidents’ Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Fourth of July. Upcoming 2024 Illinois resident FREE days include: August 28; September 2, 25; October 14, 23; November 5, 11, 20; December 18   For information on more events like this,...

Wednesdays are Free Admission Days sponsored by RBC Wealth Management.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Museum Free Days.

A special program for little naturalists. Read a story, make a craft, and go on an adventure. Ages 3 to 6 with adult; siblings welcome. Tickets on a first come, first served basis starting at 9:30 am.

Spark your child's imagination with stories, songs and other fun activities. After storytime, learn more about our Bookmobile as you browse through our collection.

DuSable Museum of African-American history is free to Illinois residents to visit on Wednesdays. We also give free admission to military and to first responders. That means Police, Fire, EMT’s. With valid ID.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Museum Free Days.

Stop by the Desk and pick up a fun STEAM craft to make at home. Ages 5 and up. While supplies last. Drop in.

Drop in to the Crown Family PlayLab for free weekly activities for 2-6 year olds! Please note: There are no PlayLab PlayDates on Wednesday, Nov 27, Wednesday, Dec 18, and Wednesday Dec 25. The Crown Family PlayLab offers families with 2-6 year olds a weekly PlayLab PlayDate on Wednesdays in 2024. PlayLab PlayDates are free,...

Join us Wednesday, November 20th for some fantasticallly fall themed fun! Ages 3-5! 12:00-12:30, Cost $20 fun obstacle course pin the leaf on the tree leafy parachute fun create a thankful thought leaf for our Gemini community created gratitude tree in the lobby! Call us at 708-352-2977 to sign up and we will take care...

Join Miss Rose for some fun stories, songs, and rhymes! Ages 3.5-6. Limit 12. Registration required.

Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to celebrate the holiday season with Santa visits at the shopping center from Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. While visits with Santa are always free, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will also offer a variety of keepsake photo packages available for purchase. Pet owners can bring their...

The Adler is excited to announce that we will be free for Illinois residents (with proof of residency) every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm (our new Wednesday hours.) Stop by after work or school, or for date night and enjoy everything the Adler has to offer at night, for free as part of our Illinois...

Wild Wednesdays are back for the season at Garfield Park Conservatory! Join Family Programs staff outdoors in Play and Grow Garden for free, drop-in activities, such as fort building, bug hunts, chalk drawing, and more! Find us every Wednesday evening from 4:00-7:30 pm. Just head outside through our Desert House doors and follow the giant...

Pokémon fans unite! We will play games and complete crafts, all with a Pokémon theme. For grades K - 4. Registration required.

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to go on a paleontological dig by exploring museum-quality fossil specimens from species like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex! Come 15 minutes before the program and get to meet Ranger!

Drop by the library and build with LEGO. Each Wednesday we will have a different LEGO challenge you can try, or build whatever you want!

Celebrate all things musical theatre with trivia, activities, and more! Drop-in event for grades 6-12

Come in your pajamas or your play clothes; just be sure to bring the whole family for this evening storytime that features a different activity each week.   For kids up to 6 with caregiver. Siblings welcome.

Don’t miss Marmion Academy’s Open House on November 20th at 6:30pm! This Open House will focus on Marmion’s Brotherhood, Spirituality, Academics and Leadership and will be approximately two hours in length. There will be time to speak with teachers, moderators, and current students about Marmion's programs and activities before and after the Open House. All...

In this monthly program, geared for 3-5 year olds, we’ll explore the natural world through a variety of activities specific to the theme of the month. Sessions include a combination of stories, nature hikes, songs, games, or crafts. A parent or caregiver must accompany child.

Enjoy preschool stories, puppet plays and songs with our newest partner, Chick-fil-A. (Ages 2–6 with an adult)

Get to know some other homeschool families in the area while playing games, trying out hands-on activities, and more! For families. No registration necessary.

We are pleased to offer weekly Donation Days—every Thursday the museum is open—for Illinois residents. Illinois residents can enjoy free admission during these Donation Days, or support us with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission. Illinois residents can reserve their Donation Day tickets online or in person.   For information on...

Free admission is available to guests on the following dates: October 1 - November 26, 2024: Tuesdays and Thursdays December 2 - December 24, 2024: Mondays and Tuesdays January 3 - February 27, 2025: Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays For more information about events like these, check out our roundup of Museum Free Days.

Set your Thanksgiving table with a few special, festive touches! We will be making a fun felt pumpkin pie table runner and kraft paper silverware bag with autumn leaf place cards.

Acompáñanos para una presentación de cuentos y música en Español e Inglés.

Namaste! Come downward dog with us twice this month during Yoga for children with Miss Kelly. We'll be doing lots of fun animal poses as we learn about how to move our bodies using yoga! Much gratitude to Kelly McCreary for her yoga introduction for children. We're so grateful for a grant from Oak Park...

Join us in the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration for a story and craft on the last Thursday and Friday of the month. Free (with Museum admission). In May we will be reading The Swedish Girl of Motala, written and illustrated by Eric Basir.

Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to celebrate the holiday season with Santa visits at the shopping center from Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. While visits with Santa are always free, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will also offer a variety of keepsake photo packages available for purchase. Pet owners can bring their...

Drop in between 6-7:30 pm to try out some STEAM activities as a family. You are welcome to stay as long or as little as you would like. Recommended age: 5 years and up with a caregiver

Enjoy books, puzzles and popcorn in celebration of Illinois State Family Reading Night.

Join other BRICK enthusiasts creating and building with Library supplied LEGO® bricks. Themes and challenges will be provided but ingenuity and creativity is encouraged. Grades K-5 with an adult caregiver.

An open gaming club, with snacks! Come play retro and new video games. Sometimes even board or card games! Every other Thursday from 5-6:30 pm.

Spend quality time with your whole family enjoying books and other activities during this statewide reading event. Families of all ages are invited to participate in this drop-in program.

Come make bookish crafts together with your family. Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event held on the third Thursday in November to encourage families to spend time reading together.

¡Sumerja a sus hijos en un nuevo idioma o aumente la fluidez durante este divertido programa lleno de historias y rimas en español! Immerse your kids in a new language or increase fluency during this fun program full of stories and rhymes in Spanish!

Celebrate Illinois' Family Reading Night! Bring a blanket, pillows, and stuffies and enjoy a cozy night of crafts and reading with your family. Walk-ins and new friends always welcome!

Put on your jammies, grab a blanket and come join us for story time! We will snuggle in to enjoy some of the IReads titles.

Rialto Square Theatre is excited to announce our year-round movie series called “Reels at the Rialto.” This movie series is a nod to our Vaudeville movie palace past. “It’s important for us to offer a wide variety of entertainment options for the residents of Joliet and surrounding areas,” says Wade Welsh, Rialto Square Theatre Executive...

Celebrate Family Reading Night! Wear your pajamas, bring a blanket, get cozy and read with your family. We will share a story, provide snacks and then your family can spend time cuddled up reading together. Please register as a family and indicate how many people will attend.

Celebrate Family Reading Night! Wear your pajamas, bring a blanket, get cozy and read with your family. We will share a story, provide snacks and then your family can spend time cuddled up reading together. Please register as a family and indicate how many people will attend.

Drop-in activities recommended for ages 3-5, with a participating adult. Pop by the Library for a playful morning of popular activities!

Join us for a playdate at the Wheaton Public Library. While children and families socialize, we'll have DuPage County community partners present to share resources including developmental screening, early childhood programming, and more! In partnership with the Wheaton/Warrenville Early Childhood Collaborative and World Relief. No registration required.

Join us for a sunny day and sweeping the clouds away! Explore different activities based on the show "Sesame Street!" (Ages 3–5 with an adult)

Hosted by Little Steps Pediatric Therapy, this program targets age appropriate fine motor and communication skills. Tickets will be available at the Children's Services desk at 9:30am the morning of the program.

Bring your little one for some developmentally friendly - and fun - sensory play stations. Dress to get messy. Please register each child separately.

Learn through play! Join us for early literacy, sensory, and STEM activities that are just right for preschoolers.

Babies, babies, everywhere! Hang out, play and read. We'll have toys and books available while parents meet other area families.

Start your Friday morning off at the library with a fun storytime all about animals. A new animal each week! Some bilingual Spanish.

Join us in the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration for a story and craft on the last Thursday and Friday of the month. Free (with Museum admission). In May we will be reading The Swedish Girl of Motala, written and illustrated by Eric Basir.

Mark your calendars for two visits from Miss Molly and her ukulele this month! Come sing and dance while Molly plays songs such as If You're Happy and You Know It. Miss Molly's visits are such a special treat. We're so grateful for a grant from Oak Park Township and River Forest Township Youth Services...

Admission is free for Illinois residents on the dates listed below. You can reserve your free tickets online in advance; your resident status will be verified using the zip code associated with the billing address provided. Our next free hours for Illinois residents will be the following days: Monday, November 4, 11:00–5:00 Monday, November 11...

Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to celebrate the holiday season with Santa visits at the shopping center from Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. While visits with Santa are always free, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will also offer a variety of keepsake photo packages available for purchase. Pet owners can bring their...

Ali’s Reptile Den will bring new snakes and reptiles to view and learn about. Children of all ages with an adult. Registration required for each attendee.

Learn the art of bargello and make a bookmark! Grades 4-8.

Ring in the holiday season with Deck the Green! This holiday event will take place outdoors on the Village Green, at the Burr Ridge Village Center in partnership with the Village of Burr Ridge. Join us on the Village Green for our annual tree lighting! Sip hot cocoa and take a magical ride on the...

Join us on select Friday nights for a little extra family fun at DCM! DCM is open until 8:00pm every Friday during the school year. Friday, November 8: Let’s do some moving & grooving with Family Yoga at 5:30 and 6:15, explore musical instruments, or make a ribbon wand to sway to the music. Friday,...

The Merriest & Cheeriest of Seasons Starts with Winter Lights When: 6:00 p.m., Friday, November 22nd, 2024 Parade steps-off at 6:30 p.m. Where: Downer Place, from Water Street to River Street, in downtown Aurora Parking: Free parking available in all public Downtown lots Tips: Be sure to arrive early, as streets will begin to close...

All ages. Enjoy a family-friendly movie in the Poet Tree Corner on the second floor. October 25: Hotel Transylvania, animated, 91 minutes, PG November 8: Wreck-it Ralph, 2012, animated, 108 minutes, PG November 22: Moana, 2016, animated, 103 minutes, PG December 6: Madagascar, 2005, animated, 86 minutes, PG December 20: Ice Age, 2002, animated, 81...

Fresh flowers, artisan foods, music.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Farmer’s Markets.

Discover the owls that live in our area year-round and the ones that might visit during the winter months. Investigate the amazing adaptations owls possess to hunt at night, play owl games, make an owl craft, touch owl feathers, read books about owls and more! Free, drop-in program Self-guided activity stations Designed for ages 4-10...

Bring your family-building skills to Kids Landing during our Saturday Stay and Play! Your family will enjoy an endless variety of play patterns like construction, pretend play, role-playing, and inventing your own games while building with our new Blue Blocks. Most importantly, you will be deeply engaged and active and have hours of fun with...

Drop in anytime between 9:30am-4pm to celebrate Dinovember! Take a trip back millions of years. Play with dinosaurs and create a thrilling Jurassic world with our colorful LEGO building blocks.

Supported Storytime is for children with disabilities who need sensory, visual, or communication support.

For thousands of years, the place now known as Chicago was a thriving center of Indigenous life. Potawatomi people lived on and took care of the land until they were forced out by non-Native settlers. The Ojibwe, Odawa, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Miami, Mascouten, Sac and Fox, Kickapoo, Ho-Chunk, Menomonee, and tribes whose names have been lost...

Join us as we explore the heritage of the Calumet region with guided walks, regional activities and displays.

Macerich's Fashion Outlets of Chicago invites visitors to celebrate the holiday season with Santa visits at the shopping center from Friday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 24. While visits with Santa are always free, Fashion Outlets of Chicago will also offer a variety of keepsake photo packages available for purchase. Pet owners can bring their...

Saturdays are family days! Spend your morning together at the Library as we share stories and songs followed by a craft project. Drop in.

Join us for these free family movies throughout the months on November and December at Glen Art Theatre!

For thirty-two years, The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® has been a thrilling celebration: A day-through-night, mile-long holiday extravaganza. Its centerpiece is the largest nighttime parade in the United States. Led by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse of Walt Disney World® Resort, the spectacular parade down North Michigan Avenue features fabulous floats, giant helium balloons,...

Come in to build cool LEGO creations. LEGOs will be provided by the library. Ages 6-11.

Watch out as you explore the Conservatory – you may run into a Budding Botanists! on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am to 3:00pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists station. These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required. You can stop by and interact with...

Tiny Great Performances™ bring professional and community performers to the Museum to promote a life-long love of the arts in children and their families. Performances feature a variety of subjects including dance, music, storytelling, theatre, and more. Tiny Great Performances are designed to be an integration of play and performance. Guests are welcome to stop,...

Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district is thrilled to kick off the holiday season with the return of its Chicago Wolves Ice Rink Saturday, November 23. Admission to the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink is free. Guests are invited to bring their own skates or rent skates on-site for $8. The Chicago Wolves Ice Rink will...

This accessible play time is designed to provide an inclusive, supportive environment for children with disabilities and their families! We will have several sensory stations to explore and enjoy together. Recommended age: 3-7 years with a caregiver.

Your pet's photo with Santa.  Professional photographer Souvenir photos Treats for you and your pet Gift voucher for your next purchase   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Pet Photos with Santa.

Join the library and enjoy a newer released movie. B.Y.O.S. -Bring your own snacks! Times posted and movie ratings may vary.

Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district is thrilled to kick off the holiday season with the return of its Chicago Wolves Ice Rink Saturday, November 23rd Visitors can enjoy ice skating beginning at 11 a.m. in addition to several other holiday offerings available throughout the afternoon leading up to the Park’s annual “Light Up The...

Get kids excited about science and nature! Meet Ranger the T-Rex outside the Library at 1:45 p.m. See dinosaur bones up close and get a glimpse of what it’s like to go on a Paleontological dig with authentic dinosaur fossils from species like Triceratops and T-Rex.

Join other chess fans for a mini lesson and guided instruction to sharpen your skills, or just stop by for a match! Best for ages 7-17; children ages 11 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy a short lesson and practice session for beginner players led by a Chess Scholars coach from 2-2:30...

Enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and a simple craft on the weekend. No registration required. Crafts available while supplies last.

Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor animal ambassadors. Available in both English and Spanish.

Santa, food, gifts for kids, free event. Fireworks in front of Village Hall at 7:30pm. 3:00-4:00pm (special needs only), 4:00 - 7:30pm. 

Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.

Join The Village of Woodridge, Curated Collections Events, the Woodridge Public Library, the Woodridge Park District, and the Woodridge Special Events Committee for a spectacular evening featuring a dazzling tree-lighting ceremony with a 20 Ft. Christmas tree, photos with Santa, a vibrant maker’s market showcasing over 20 vendors, delicious offerings from food trucks, festive holiday...

Enjoy festive live holiday music, a children’s craft, and meet-and-greets inside the library with Anna, Elsa, and Rudolph. FREE LIBRARY ACTIVITIES: 4:30 p.m. Live Music: Guitarist & Singer John Boda 5 - 8 p.m. Children’s Craft at the Library 6 - 7 p.m. Meet Anna & Elsa at the Library 7:15 p.m. Live Music: Keyboardist...

For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Holiday Walks and Tree Lighting Ceremonies.

Come and join us for a splashtastic family night. Enjoy a night of water slides, our awesome inflatable obstacle course, splash zones, zero entry pool, music and more. A Thanksgiving themed craft area will be set for all ages. Refreshment will be available. This event is great for all ages. All Ticket Sales are final...

Drop-in for an exciting meet-and-greet with beloved characters Anna and Elsa inside the Library! No registration required. This special event is part of the Woodridge Winterfest. Don't miss this enchanting experience! For more information about the Woodridge Winterfest visit Woodridge Winterfest! (woodridgeil.gov)