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Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Free family art-making day inspired by works of Kenzi Shiokava and Mike Cloud.
ASL interpretation provided.
Details at MCA Chicago ↗Thatcher Woods Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn how to carve a linoleum block and learn about Americana folk art.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Smart Museum of Art — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Free STEAM family day: observe the microscopic world and make cell-inspired drawings with a University of Chicago scientist.
Details at Smart Museum of Art ↗Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
The Naperville Chinese Storytellers share stories and activities.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sagawau Environmental Learning Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Enjoy a leisurely naturalist-led nature hike to view fall color.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sand Ridge Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
What happened here?! Learn how to look for clues to figure out nature’s mysteries.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Crabtree Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Meet the animals that call Crabtree home.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Millennium Park — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
The 113th official City of Chicago Christmas Tree lighting, with performances and fireworks.
Festivities begin 4pm; ceremony 6pm, tree lit around 6:30pm. The tree stays lit through Jan 10, 2027.
Details at City of Chicago DCASE ↗Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile) — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Lights Festival Lane, a parade with Santa, and fireworks along Michigan Avenue.
Festival Lane 11am–4pm; parade 5:30pm; fireworks 7:30pm.
Details at The Magnificent Mile ↗Daley Plaza — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
German-style outdoor holiday market with food, gifts and mulled drinks.
Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun–Thu 11am–8pm.
Details at Christkindlmarket ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
A guided walk on our trail to search for local owls.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Bring your family and friends to enjoy a night under the stars.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Swallow Cliff Woods-North — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about Americana folk art, then how to carve a linoleum block.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn how to grow your own fresh herbs, salad greens and more.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Trailside Museum of Natural History — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s ambassador animals.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Daley Plaza — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
German-style outdoor holiday market with food, gifts and mulled drinks.
Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun–Thu 11am–8pm.
Details at Christkindlmarket ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Daley Plaza — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
German-style outdoor holiday market with food, gifts and mulled drinks.
Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun–Thu 11am–8pm.
Details at Christkindlmarket ↗Camp Reinberg — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about our local owls and hear who’s hooting.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Camp Dan Beard — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Celebrate the start of winter with a giant bonfire.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Crabtree Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Meet the animals that call Crabtree home.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
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291 events listed as free by their source over the next 4 weekends. Some may still need venue admission or registration; we note those when the source says so.
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