Events
Art in Nature Festival
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Come observe artists at work. Art activities for both kids and adults. Music, dance and artwork for sale.
Migrating Monarchs Celebration
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Learn about the migration route to Mexico and how you can help monarchs and other pollinators! See how monarchs are […]
Wellness Walks in Thatcher Woods
Thatcher Woods Pavilion • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy a mindful and meditative guided nature walk in Thatcher Woods, led by Roberta Jannsen, Univ. of IL Extension volunteer, […]
Live Healthy, Discover Nature! Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Venture out on our scenic trails for a 3- to 4-mile guided walk.
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Sunrise Hike
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us for a “before hours” hike to experience the dawning of a new day.
Conservation@Home: Herbal Tea Party
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Walk our gardens to learn about native plants then sample different infused teas made from them.
Meet Our Birds
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn more about our flighted ambassador animals and discover their unique adaptations.
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Tuesdays are for the Birds!
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Join us as we seek out fall migrants. Binoculars available for loan.
Wellness Days at Kickapoo
Kickapoo Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Forest Therapy
Deer Grove-West • Cook County, IL 60010 (near Barrington)Immerse yourself in nature, fostering mindfulness and wellness with a certified guide. Ages 16 & up. Registration: thatforestfeeling.com/register
Wellness Days at Whistler
Whistler Woods • Riverdale, IL 60827Reconnect with nature during relaxing mindfulness and meditative practices.
Wee Wonders
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about nature through music, movement, stories, and artmaking. Ages 2-5 w/adult. Sep 11: Gardening Oct 9: Changing Colors Nov […]
Nature Play Day
Bemis Woods-South • Cook County, IL 60558 (near Western Springs)Bring your little one for open nature play time!
Open Nature Play Day
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center • Chicago, IL 60620Bring your little one for open nature play time and help your children connect with nature. Enjoy stories, art, and […]
Weekly Caldwell Woods Wellness Center Programming
Caldwell Woods • Chicago, IL 60646An exciting new program will take place every Thursday! Check fpdcc.com for weekly offerings including time, age appropriateness, and other […]
S.E.N.I.O.R.S.
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Seniors Enjoying Nature Inside/Outside Rain or Shine! Join us for a nature-inspired adventure for seniors. Ages 55 & up.
Faire at the Square
Cummings Square • River Forest, IL 60305Enjoy our "creative-reuse carnival" with games made from repurposed materials! Win prizes, learn about plants and animals, & more. Ice […]
Silver Creek Prairie Walk
Silver Creek Family Picnic Area • Melrose Park, IL 60160Learn about restoration efforts, goals, and ways you can get involved. Ages 12 & up.
R.I.P. Stewardship
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center • Willow Springs, IL 60480Join us as we Remove Invasive Plants with bow saws or loppers. Equipment provided. Ages 17 & up.
Restoration Workday
Crabtree Nature Center • Barrington, IL 60010Help protect our natural areas by collecting seeds or removing invasive species. Equipment provided. Ages 8 & up w/ adult. […]
River Trail Workdays
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Help us work to make River Trail even better. Ages 10 & up. Children under 15 w/ adult. Register by 9/11 […]
Archaeology Day
Sand Ridge Nature Center • South Holland, IL 60473Learn about Calumet Region’s cultural history. Activities include archaeology displays, a mock archaeology dig, and more.
A River Thru History Rendezvous
Columbia Woods • Willow Springs, IL 60480A River Thru History is an early American party with all the trimmings! Join this festive gathering of fur trappers, […]
Fall Nature Fest
LaBagh Woods • Chicago, IL 60630Enjoy food, drinks, games, Jesse White Tumblers, animal ambassadors, free give-a-ways, and much more. Presented by the Forest Preserves of […]
Monarch Migration
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center • Lemont, IL 60439Monarch butterflies are headed to Mexico. Learn how monarchs make this journey and how to support their migration.
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center • Northbrook, IL 60062Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Bone Appetit
Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor animal ambassadors.
Event Locations
Nearly all Forest Preserves events are free; some require registration and/or a low fee. Residents may qualify for free admission opportunities at our partners: Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Event Categories
- All Events
- Adaptive
- Animal Encounter
- Archery
- Arts & Crafts
- Astronomy
- Bicycling
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Education
- Film
- Fishing
- Fitness
- Food & Beverage
- Nature Play
- Gardening
- Hiking & Walking
- History & Culture
- Music
- Paddling
- Photography
- Senior
- Storytelling
- Volunteer
- Wellness in the Woods
- Yoga
Events Guide
Printed copies of our quarterly Events Guide are available at our Nature Centers and General Headquarters. They may also be available at your local city hall or library. Know a location that should have our Events Guide? Contact us.
Events Guide (PDF)Nature Express Bus
Get free transportation to the Forest Preserves for your group.
Learn MoreMonthly Newsletter
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Sign UpEvent Accessibility
The Forest Preserves is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Nature Center hosting your event or program 72 hours in advance to request reasonable accommodations or inquire about site accessibility.
Please contact Experience.Nature@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1573 about accommodations for specific camping and outdoor recreation activities.