Astronomy
Events
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Flickering Fireflies
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480As part of America 250: See fireflies, nature's fireworks, glow in the dark before a 1-mile adventure to catch and release these incredible creatures.
Free • Registration Required -
Summer Stargazing
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Take a short walk and learn how to read a sky map and identify summer constellations.
Free • Registration Closed -
Majestic Moths
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Let’s celebrate these under-appreciated insects. Moths are one of the most diverse groups of insects on the planet. From stunning luna moths to rosy maple […]
Free • Registration Required -
Naturalist Night Out: Fireflies
Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Join us for a themed stroll under the World’s Largest Urban Night Sky Place.
Free -
Full Moon Paddle
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Enjoy an exclusive after-hours sunset and moonlit paddle through the Skokie Lagoons.
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Women’s Night Out: Full Moon Empowerment
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062An evening designed to empower, connect and inspire. Led by Gayle Byck of InTune with Nature. Cost: $10/person. Ages 18 & up.
$10 • Registration Required -
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Canceled Naturalist Night Out: Senses
Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Join us for a themed stroll under the World’s Largest Urban Night Sky Place.
Free -
Nighthawk Watch
Plum Creek Meadow • Cook County, IL 60411 (near Chicago Heights)Join us at Plum Creek for an evening spotting Common Nighthawks on their migration route to South America! A nighthawk watch is as laid back […]
Free • Registration Required -
Partial Eclipse of the Moon
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Bring a chair and experience a breathtaking partial total lunar eclipse as it slowly transforms the night sky.
Free • Registration Required -
Night of Nature Play
FeaturedEggers Grove • Chicago, IL 60617Experience nature at night through open play, star gazing and s’mores.
Free -
Bat & Nighthawk Walk
Camp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Join us for a walk around our 1-mile dogwood trail and look for and listen to bats and nighthawks.
Free • Registration Closed -
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Autumn Equinox Celebration
Caldwell Woods Wellness Center • Chicago, IL 60646Experience the health benefits of being in nature with guided forest meditation. Led by Gayle Byck from InTune with Nature.
Free • Registration Required -
Moth Picnic
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a nighttime moth attraction hike and see which moths appear on our white sheet under black light.
Free • Registration Required -
Canceled Adult Night Hike
Spears Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)BYOB (no glass) and enjoy the night sky before taking part in a guided hike. Ages 21 & up. 1.5 miles.
Free -
Palos Night Sky Picnic
FeaturedPioneer Woods • Cook County, IL 60480 (near Willow Springs)Join us for the 3rd Annual Palos Night Sky Picnic! Explore the Palos Preserves at night, nestled within the largest Urban Night Sky Place. Bring your […]
Free • Registration Required -
River Trail Nightlife: Night Hike
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Learn about nocturnal animals and more on a guided hike. Cost: $5/person. Ages 6 & up.
$5 • Registration Required -
Canceled Solar Day – Drop-in
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Meet our partners from NW Suburban Astronomy as we safely view our nearest star. Scopes will be setup near the parking lot.
Free -
Native American Fall Equinox
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305A green corn celebration focused on traditional foods and the harvest season. Presented with the American Indian Center of Chicago.
Free -
Fall Equinox Forest Bath
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Welcome fall with a guided forest therapy walk with certified forest therapy guide Gayle Byck.
Free • Registration Required -
Harvest Moon Evening Walk
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Celebrate the September harvest moon with a peaceful walk through the woods as twilight descends. Ages 18 & up.
Free • Registration Required -
Owl Prowl
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Introduction to owls followed by a relaxing walk to search for owls.
Free • Registration Required -
Moon Festival
FeaturedCrabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Celebrate the season under the glow of the full moon with guided forest‑therapy walks, moon‑viewing and sharing of traditional mooncakes during this Asian cultural festival. […]
Free • Registration Required -
Party for the Preserves
FeaturedCamp Bullfrog Lake • Willow Springs, IL 60480Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a day of activities. Paddle in 10-person canoes with Wilderness Inquiry. Funkadesi brings joyful tunes blending music from around the world. View the night sky with telescopes and walks. Noon–3 pm: 4H Kick off, […]
Free • Registration Required -
Full Moon Paddle
Tower Road Boat Launch • Cook County, IL 60093 (near Winnetka)Enjoy a sunset and moonlit paddle through Skokie Lagoons.
Free • Registration Closed -
Party for the Preserves: Acoustics Under the Stars
FeaturedCamp Shabbona Woods • South Holland, IL 60473Celebrate the connection between public lands and folk music with performances, a guided walk and hot dog roast. Bring your own instruments and join in […]
Free • Registration Required -
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Owl Prowl
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Introduction to owls followed by a relaxing walk to search for owls.
Free • Registration Required
