Weekend Windup {Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs January 6 - 8, 2023}

 

Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs January 6 - 8, 2023

The weekend is almost here! This weekend features some great winter outdoor events to help you celebrate nature in winter. Here are my picks for the weekend:

Ongoing

Through February 12, 2023 Sentrock: The Boy Who Wanted to Fly, Elmhurst Art Museum, the exhibition includes a mural, video projections, a sculpture, paintings, a life-sized bird house and more about the Bird City Saint character and life about Pilsen artist Joseph Perez, included in regular admission

November 19-January 15 Arcade Age Exhibit, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, learn the history of arcade games and even play some, free

Winter Lights at Fabyan Japanese Garden: Enjoy the historic Geneva garden in a new light Fridays and Saturdays, November 25-December 16 and Fridays January 7-28. $8 pp, must register, kids 5 and under are free.

December 21-January 8 Gnome Hunt at Emily Oaks Nature Center, Skokie, find 26 gnomes, free

Ongoing through January 8, 2023 Victorian Christmas at the Clayson House in Palatine treats visitors to a Victorian Christmas display. Hours are Tuesday 9AM-4PM, Thursday 12PM-4PM and Sunday 1:30PM-4:30PM. Admission is free.

Ongoing - January 15 Historic Holiday at the Durkee Mansion in nearby Kenosha will certainly dazzle you. The 1861 mansion is just marvelous decorated to the hilt with Victorian holiday decor. Holiday Tours of Durkee Mansion are also available December 10, 17 and January 7 and 14 10AM-2PM as well as December 11 and 18 and January 8 and 15 1:30PM-4:30PM.

Friday, January 6

January 6 Visit Pleasant Prairie on January 6 to enjoy a true village tradition -- Twelfth Night Holiday Tree Bonfire! Twelfth Night or January 6th is traditionally the day decorations are taken down. Join the village for a burning of bare, dry holiday trees at Wruck Beach on the shores of Lake Andrea. The free event runs 5:30PM-6:30PM and hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

January 6 Winter Fire Building Workshop, Camp Reinberg, Palatine, 6PM, ages 10 and up, children accompanied by an adult, must register experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov

Saturday, January 7

January 7 The Chili Open, Des Plaines Golf Center, 9AM or 12PM, play 9 holes, contests, raffles, chili lunch 11AM-12PM, $28 pp, ages 8 and up, must register

January 7 - 8 Farmhouse Tours Keeping Your Family Healthy in Winter, Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago, 10AM-4PM, learn about "sick foods" and how candy was used as medicine, free, $5 donation suggested

January 7 Winter Reptiles and Amphibians, Trailside, River Forest, 11AM, check out the indoor reptile and amphibian residents and see where they winter outside, free but must register  708-366-6530

Sunday, January 8

January 8 Animal Trackin', Crabtree, Barrington, 1PM, take a 1.4 mile hike looking for animal tracks, for ages 6 and up, free

January 8 Winterfest at Volo Bog, Ingleside, 1PM-4PM, winter nature crafts, bog tours, live music, photo contest awards and more, free