Events Calendar

CARING SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN Caring Santa is back! Make your reservation for a private photo experience for chidren with special nees by Clicking Here! Woodfield Mall will be hosting 2 Caring Santa events this year. To make your reservation for this private event for children with special needs, go to the Reservation Page, scroll...

Carriage rides are one of our most beloved activities during our Vintage Holidays season. Passengers are invited to sit back and take in the nostalgia of our historic downtown as the clattering of horse hooves lead the way. Ride Dates November 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23...

Stop by with your family to create light up paper bag houses, perfect for fairies or other small creatures! Supplies are limited to 50 participants.

Enjoy the sounds of strolling carolers in downtown Downers Grove. Confirm times as schedule varies daily. 

In partnership with Temple Har Zion, join us in celebrating Chanukah with candle lighting, a Chanukah story, and of course, some candy!   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Hanukkah Events.

Add Immanuel to your holiday lights and sights list. Stop by the parking lot to drive through our nativity scenes featuring live actors and hear the true story of the first Christmas! (In the case of a rainout, this event will be rescheduled for Dec 17.)     For information on more events like this,...

REGISTER BY THE FRIDAY BEFORE. Do you hear those bells jingling and ring ting tingling too? Come on, it's lovely weather for a cozy campfire with you! Bring the family for a night of spreading cheer by singing loudly for all to hear around this winter campfire. We will sing holiday songs, tell stories and...

Celebrate Hanukkah at NEWCITY! Menorah Lighting | DJ Ken's Disco Party | Arts & Crafts | Jelly Donuts & Latkes | Adult Beverages Join us for a dazzling celebration of light and joy at our Menorah Lighting Extravaganza! This festive event promises an evening filled with warmth, laughter, and the spirit of Hanukkah. Gather with...

Calling all dog lovers! Get ready for some tail-wagging fun. Starting on June 5, we’re thrilled to announce that Mondays will be designated as “Paws in the Park Days” (excluding holidays like Labor Day and Indigenous People’s Day). So, grab your four-legged companion, hop in the car, and get ready for some Barks and Recreation...

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a story from 5-5:30 pm. Then, learn how to play the classic Hanukkah game of dreidel. Twenty name tags (children only). For grades 3-5.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Hanukkah Events.

Introduce your little one to a new language as we enjoy songs, stories, and a craft presented by teachers from The Language Labs. This story time will feature a Las Posadas Celebration!

Drop-in and create a dome refrigerator magnet perfect for gift giving. If you want to personalize it with a picture of yourself then bring one that can be trimmed to no more than 1.5-inches. We will also have pictures you can choose from, as well as some you can draw or color. This drop-in program...

Create a drinking straw dreidel. We will be using hot glue guns. Ages 7 and up.    For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Hanukkah Events.  

Enjoy listening to a Gingerbread story while strolling through the library, followed by refreshments and a special activity. Open to ages 3-12, Limited seating. Registration required.

Enjoy this fun storytime in Polish. Recommended age: 3-7 years.

The best way to spread holiday cheer is reading aloud for all to hear. Join us at the library for fun stories, songs, and crafts about December holidays! Please register each child who will attend.

Musician Todd Downing is back with his Tall Tales & Silly Songs – this time with a holiday twist! Ages 0-11 — Registration required.

For all ages. For over 100 years, The Nutcracker has been performed globally as a Christmas tradition. If you can't make it to a live production this year, join us as we watch the filmed performance of the Nutcracker Ballet, danced by the Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre. Light refreshments. Doors open at 5:45...

...Are you ready for it? Celebrate Taylor Swift's birthday with a listening party, crafts and snacks! Make the friendship bracelets, paint your own mirrorball, dress up as your favorite Era and have fun being a Swiftie with fans just like you! Registration Required.

Join us for a special night of holiday magic as we watch The Polar Express on the big screen! Each child will also receive a Golden Ticket! Hot chocolate will be served, and additional snacks and non-alcoholic & alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Whether your family prefers board games, card games, or anything in between, we've got something everyone will enjoy! Games vary from session to session. Caregiver participation is required. Limit 50 participants. No registration is required. Participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Experience the magic of our green screen and travel to a winter wonderland!

Celebrate the season and experience all that Aurora has to offer when visiting the Christkindlmarket. The Aurora Regional Fire Museum will offer FREE admission on Thursday evenings from 4-7pm as part of our extended hours November 17 - December 23.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Museum Free...

Join downtown Downers Grove businesses for Merry Madness from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Join Red Cross volunteers to learn personal and family preparedness and safety skills, local hazards, and basic coping skills through a “Learn, Practice, Share” framework. Gain useful disaster preparedness and survival skills. This program is part of Red Cross' Pillow Case Project and each participant will receive a sturdy pillowcase to be able to build...

Drop by anytime to wrap your holiday gifts! We'll provide wrapping paper, supplies to decorate bags, and wrapping assistance! Kids can drop by to have Library staff help them wrap their holiday gifts. We'll have a wrapping station, gift bag decoration, and staff will be available to provide assistance! All you need to bring is...

A burglar on the run is mistaken for a Santa hired to promote a Christmas tree farm. He decides to stick around for the 3-week run and ends up casing the local bank. He finds himself torn between his criminal past and the widowed woman and her daughter whom he is growing close to.

You'll be laughing out loud as nationally known family entertainer Chris Fascione brings children's stories to life with his high-spirited and innovative performances. Full of energy, humor and imagination, Chris creates colorful characters through his unique combination of acting, storytelling, comedy, and juggling. Fun for the whole family! Sponsored by The Friends of the Library.

The Ice Fairy will visit our library for this magical winter storytime! We'll read stories, sing songs, and stay to take photos with the Ice Fairy. For children of all ages and their caregivers.

Wear your PJs and enjoy our winter themed activities! Ages 12 and under with an adult. No registration required.

Bring a flashlight to hunt down candy canes after dark! Participants will be divide into three age groups; each group has a designated time. This even will occur "rain or shine", so please arrive dressed for the weather with your own flashlight and collection bag. 

Brrr.. it's cold out there. Stay inside and win some prizes while we play Winter BINGO! Note: There are 2 sessions of this program, please only sign up for one time slot.

Ages 3 and older with a caregiver. Enjoy hands-on activities before settling in for a short movie with a snack. Limit: 20. Free tickets distributed 30 minutes before the program.

Oswego Presbyterian Church has a Live Nativity Fri, Dec 15 and Sat, Dec 16, 6-8pm. Come anytime to see the performance, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, pet the animals and listen to music.  Free to everyone.    For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Churches with a Live Nativity.

REGISTER IN ADVANCE OR PAY AT THE DOOR Did you know that next to cookies and milk, Santa’s favorite food to eat is PIZZA! Santa’s joining us for a pizza party & we want you to be there! This drop in event includes pizza, crafts and a visit with the jolly guy himself, Santa. Both...

Come see the Christmas story come to life on December 15th and 16th from 7pm-8:30pm! Drive through and experience beautiful scenes with real actors that tell the story of our Savior Jesus' birth!   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Churches with a Live Nativity.

Allegro’s annual Winter Chorus Concert.  Under the direction of Kevin Kelly, join us for an evening of beautiful music and lively songs! This show is live only. Tickets are $11.00.

Drive-Thru Toy Drive Collection! Help Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire fill a trailer full of new, unwrapped gifts for the township's annual Toy Drive! Accepting toys for ages newborn - 15 years old.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Toy Drives and Donations.

Enjoy storytime, activities, and holiday cheer with Mrs. Claus! Brought to you by Party Like a Princess.

Watch out as you explore the Conservatory – you may run into a Roving Naturalist! On Saturdays from 10:30am to 2:30pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at Roving Naturalist stations. This program is included in all reservations to visit the Conservatory, book your reservation ahead of time here: here (link opens in...

Come join us and enjoy the simple pleasures of the holiday season with your child! Sip an indulgent cup of cocoa while working together to make gifts for family and friends. You’ll leave with a set of handmade treasures to enjoy and share! Guidepost Montessori is proud to host this free event for the wider...

On December 16, between 11-11:45am, the CAC will feature a pop-up performance by the Amundsen High School string quartet! The ensemble will perform classical and contemporary music, bringing holiday cheer.

Carriage rides are one of our most beloved activities during our Vintage Holidays season. Passengers are invited to sit back and take in the nostalgia of our historic downtown as the clattering of horse hooves lead the way. Ride Dates November 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23...

Help artist Gloria Contreras of Xicantl paint an 8 foot tall Axolotl Alebrije. This is a free activity, and all paints will be provided. This experience can only be found at the Latin American Marketplace at the Fox Valley Mall. Gloria started Xicantl in 2021 and has already made a huge splash in Chicago with...

All ages. Chicago Cossacks is a Ukrainian music and dance ensemble that showcases formally trained musicians with traditional instruments and dance from around the world. Their music highlights a variety of styles including Eastern European, French, Greek, Italian, Klezmer, Latin, Romani and more. Limit 120. Free tickets distributed 30 minutes before the program.

Mark your calendars, the DuPage Hispanic Alliance is hosting the Midwest's largest artisan Latin American Marketplace at Fox Valley Mall from December 16 to 17. Find authentic, unique and rare items from a variety of countries south of the border. Vendors will be selling everything from hand-crafted clothing, artisan jewelry, bi-lingual literature, mouth-watering pastries and...

Enjoy the sounds of strolling carolers in downtown Downers Grove. Confirm times as schedule varies daily. 

Come to Veteran’s Park and explore the Bensenville Train Museum! The train will be open one Saturday per month with drop-in hours from noon to 4 p.m. Explore the history of trains in Bensenville on a real 1920s engine! Complete a different craft or activity each day. Try them all!

Bring the family on a guided hike to discover where our local animals will spend the winter.

This episode of Bluey is called Play Day! Grab your families and join us for an afternoon of playing family games made popular by the hit TV show, "Bluey!" (Babies–Grade 5 with an adult)

Join us in the Arts & Culture Center on the main floor for our Gingerbread House Contest! Bring your creation between 11 am - 12:30 pm or stop by and vote for your favorite house between 1-3 pm. Enjoy a showing of Elf at 1 pm!

Are you YETI to party? Chill out and enjoy an afternoon family movie and a sweet treat. Rated PG; 97 minutes. Caregiver required.

Have you ever wondered why most of our Christmas songs have a decidedly English Victorian feel to them? Discover the origin stories or your favorite carols while listening to some of your favorite songs!

Schaumburg’s award-winning youth orchestra teams up once again with the Schaumburg Choral Programs’ excellent ensembles for a heartwarming family concert. Classical compositions, holiday pops and contemporary works will help create a harmonious, welcome break to the busy season. Shows are at 3:00pm and 7:00pm. 

Enjoy retro-themed activities from the '80s and '90s. Listen to vinyl records, play retro video games, read old-school comics, or watch old cartoons. Drop-in event for grades 6-8.

REGISTER IN ADVANCE Enjoy the festive season like they would have back in the day by a cozy campfire with friends and family. Enjoy hot cider or hot chocolate and try your hand at roasting chestnuts. Stroll around the island for an optional starlit hike or hang back by the fire, where caroling will take...

Oswego Presbyterian Church has a Live Nativity Fri, Dec 15 and Sat, Dec 16, 6-8pm. Come anytime to see the performance, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, pet the animals and listen to music.  Free to everyone.    For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Churches with a Live Nativity.

Have you ever wanted to travel to another realm? Wear your pajamas, put on your slipper socks, and get cozy with us for a cozy movie night of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms to kick off Winter Wonderland Week at the library! There will be popcorn and other snacks to munch on.

Come see the Christmas story come to life on December 15th and 16th from 7pm-8:30pm! Drive through and experience beautiful scenes with real actors that tell the story of our Savior Jesus' birth!   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Churches with a Live Nativity.