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winter events
winterlights at Fabyan Japanese Gardens
Fabyan Japanese Garden, 1925 S Batavia Ave, Geneva, IL
DATES: Fridays and Saturdays, November 25 - December 16; and Saturdays, January 7 - 28 | 5pm - 7pm
DETAILS: There might be a fresh cover of snow, an icy sheen of sleet, or even a partial moon peeking through the winter clouds. Whatever the weather, stepping into the ethereal winter landscape of the Fabyan Japanese Garden is a winter delight. Your lighted path will take you past the Waiting Bench, then give you a peek into the Teahouse and a view of the Moon Bridge, before leading you around the pond to view the chilling beauty of the garden. Entry to this event will be timed at 15-minute intervals. Purchase tickets online.
COST: $8; kids 5 and under are FREE.
geneva
Winter SolSTICE Celebration
Fabyan Japanese Garden, 1925 S Batavia Ave, Geneva, IL
DATES: December 17, 2022 | 5pm - 7pm
DETAILS: Join us as we say goodbye to short days and long nights while looking forward to a warmer season in the tranquil confines of the Fabyan Japanese Garden. Journey through the Garden – lit with thousands of lights! This special event includes live music. And, to keep you extra warm, each ticket includes a cup of hot cocoa or tea. Bring the family!
COST: $15; kids 5 and under are FREE.
geneva
Winter Wonderland at Weathered Ways
Weathered Ways Farm, 39W270 Keslinger Rd, Geneva, IL
DATES: December 3 & 4, 2022 | 10am - 2pm
DETAILS: Come and enjoy this year's Winter Wonderland featuring: many local vendors to shop from, food trucks, hot cocoa, coffee, crafts for the kids! Bring the whole family to this free event!
COST: FREE!
geneva
Just dad + me dance
Geneva High School, 416 McKinley Ave, Geneva, IL
DATES: February 19, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm
DETAILS: Enjoy an evening of dancing, entertainment, and refreshments. All couples will receive a keepsake photograph from this memorable night. PLEASE NOTE: Event open to all very important adults in your child’s life. Ages 3+
COST: $15 (NR $20)
geneva
mom + Son night
Geneva High School, 416 McKinley Ave, Geneva, IL
DATES: March 11, 2023 | 6pm - 8pm
DETAILS: Enjoy an evening of dancing, entertainment, and refreshments. All couples will receive a keepsake photograph from this memorable night. PLEASE NOTE: Event open to all very important adults in your child’s life.
COST: $$15 (NR $20)
geneva
bagpipes & Bonfires
Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Rd, Geneva, IL
DATES: December 20, 2022 | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
DETAILS: Winter Solstice traditions all around the world feature bagpipes playing traditional music. Join us as we bring this special music to a winter bonfire! Celebrate the longest night of the year and the beginning of longer days! Price includes bonfire, bagpipe show, and a hot beverage to keep you warm! Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Two years old and under free!
COST: Children: $5R/$7NR, Adults: $10R/$15NR
geneva
February Sky Concert
Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 102 S 2nd St, Geneva, IL
DATES: January 20, 2023 | 7pm
DETAILS: An evening of folk music with February Sky. Cure the winter blues with an evening of traditional, modern, and original folk and Celtic music with February Sky. Songs include accompaniment by guitar, mountain dulcimer, cittern, banjo, and percussion. Sponsored by the Geneva Park District.
COST: FREE!
geneva
Slingshot Biathlon
Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Rd, Geneva, IL
DATES: January 28, 2023 | 11am - 2pm
DETAILS: Experience the Winter Olympics sensation, with a twist! The first annual Slingshot Biathlon will take you through the rolling prairie trails of Peck Farm Park to a series of slingshot targets that will test your skill. Slingshots and biodegradable BBs are provided for this fun and family-friendly program, as well as a warming station and hot beverages. Just bring a set of skis and your “A-game” and be a part of history for this first-ever event of its kind!
COST: $20 R ($25NR)
geneva
Geneva Restaurant Week
Various, see website for participating businesses
DATES: January 23 - 29, 2023
DETAILS: Geneva Restaurant Week is pleased to highlight culinary excellence by offering an entire week of delicious discounted dining at some of Geneva’s finest restaurants! No coupon or ticket is necessary. Just mention to the server at one of the participating restaurants that you would like the Restaurant Week offering. Please visit the website of the participating restaurant for their special(s). For those that accept reservations, please be sure to call.
COST: Menu prices vary
geneva
Winter Tinkergarten
Geneva, IL (location TBA upon registration)
DATES: Tuesdays, January 17th, 2023- March 14, 2023 | 10am - 11am
DETAILS: Tinkergarten is an outdoor, nature-based class for kid , beginning in January in a local Geneva park. It will be on Tuesday mornings from 10am-11am, from January 17th, 2023- March 14, 2023. Tinkergarten is a class for children ages 1.5-8 (and their adult!) to learn, explore, and grow together through outdoor play!
COST: $219 for series (25% discount for siblings)
geneva
Daddy Daughter Dance: A Night Under the Stars
Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave, St. Charles, IL
DATES: February 25, 2023 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
DETAILS: Twinkle twinkle little star, do you know how loved you are? Spend the evening with your guy, you are the sparkle of his eye. Enjoy a night filled with dancing, entertainment, refreshments, and fun.
COST: $29 per person
st. charles
Get Hooked: Ice Fishing Derby
East Side Sports Complex Pond, 3565 Legacy Blvd, St. Charles, IL
DATES: February 4, 2023 | 9am - 12pm
DETAILS: Venture on down to the local watering hole with your pals and a fishing pole for this first ever catch-and-release ice fishing event! Catch as many fish as you can to win prizes and receive awards: Largest Fish Caught, Smallest Fish Caught, and Most Variety of fish.. Ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 5 and under are free with paid adult registration. Only one fishing pole per person. Bait sold on site. Bring your own bucket or cooler for fish transportation. AGES 5+
COST: $10R / $12NR
st. charles
January Jamboree: A Winter Break Celebration
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Dr, St. Charles, IL
DATES: January 7, 2023 | 11am, 12pm, or 1pm
DETAILS: Enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor winter activities, games and crafts. It’s going to be SNOW MUCH FUN … with or without the white stuff! All ages welcome. Ages 15 & under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Guided Hikes – 11:15am, 12:15pm & 1:15pm | Turtle Races – Times TBD | Snowman Toss | Snow Painting | Critter Meet & Greets | Story Time | S’mores & Cocoa Station | Popcorn Post | Special appearances by Ollie, June and Stanley with a chance to win passes to Otter Cove Aquatic Park or Swanson Pool
COST: $7, babies under 1 are free
st. charles
st. charles restaurant week
Various
DATES: February 20 - 24, 2023
DETAILS: St. Charles will showcase many restaurants throughout town. It's a great opportunity to explore restaurants you've been craving to try. Or go to your favorite local spot. No matter what you choose, we hope you can get out and support the amazing St. Charles restaurants we have here. Stay tuned as we update the participating 2023 restaurants.
COST: Menu prices vary
st. charles
Secret of Snow Workshop
Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles, IL
DATES: January 4, 2023 | 10am - 12pm
DETAILS: Drop your middle school student off at Creek Bend Nature Center to discover the outdoor world and uncover the secrets that an Illinois winter holds. This workshop will incorporate hands-on experiments, scientific activities, fun games, and an adventurous hike through a winter wonderland. Come prepared for indoor classroom activities as well as outdoor exploration.
COST: $20/person
st. charles
Ramble at Twilight Hike
Shelter 1, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL
DATES: December 15, 2022 | 10am - 12pm
DETAILS: The winter solstice is almost upon as the hush begins to fall on a crisp winter day. Join us for a hike as the sun starts to dip below the horizon. We will look for tracks and listen for animals as we make our way thru the woods. Warm up with some hot chocolate at the end of the program.
COST: FREE!
st. charles
maple sugaring days
Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles, IL
DATES: March 4 & 5, 2023 | 12pm - 3pm
DETAILS: Mark your calendars for our annual Maple Sugaring event! We'll hold two days of maple tapping fun on Saturday, March 4 & Sunday, March 5, from noon - 3 p.m. at Creek Bend Nature Center in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve.
COST: FREE!
st. charles
frosty fest
Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St, Batavia, IL
DATES: January 28, 2023 | 4pm - 7pm
DETAILS: Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean you can't celebrate winter! Families are welcome to join us at Red Oak for Frosty Fest where you can go for a snowman scavenger hunt on our own snowflake trail, build your own Frosty friend, and enjoy seasonal snacks while warming up by the fire. Everyone attending must purchase a ticket for entry.
COST: $5 Adults, $10 Children
batavia
Ties and Tiaras Daddy Daughter Dance
Rotolo Middle School, 1501 S Raddant Rd, Batavia, IL
DATES: February 3, 2023 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
DETAILS: For moms, dads, kids, and more! Join us for a fun-filled evening of entertainment, dessert, photo booths, dancing, music and much more! Get dressed up in your fanciest attire for a magical night. For children ages 3-12. Please register using the child's name. An additional child can be registered for $18. Optional pre-dance dinner at Pal Joey's available for purchase.
COST: $40 per couple
batavia
maple fest
Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St, Batavia, IL
DATES: TBA
DETAILS: Join our annual tradition of turning Maple sap into Maple Syrup! After a short indoor presentation, head out onto the trails to learn some of the history behind how this delicious product was made throughout the years before ending with a scrumptious tasting! Additional refreshments will be available for purchase. Everyone 3 years and up must have a ticket for entry to their timed presentation.
COST: $3 per attendee
batavia
ice castles in lake geneva
1221 Geneva National Ave S, Lake Geneva, WI
DATES: January - February 2023, closed Tuesdays | Times TBA
DETAILS: *** THIS EVENT IS WEATHER DEPENDENT. DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. *** Ice Castles is bringing fairy tales to life at Geneva National Resort & Club. Let your imagination run wild as you explore caverns and tunnels made entirely from ice. Race down an ice-carved slide and squeeze through crawl spaces and slot canyons to discover new experiences around every corner. With fountains, thrones, wishing wells, and more, you'll be mesmerized by this unique, and family-friendly attraction. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic!
COST: Weekdays: $25 for Ages 12+, $17 for ages 4 - 11 | Weekends and Holidays: $29 for Ages 12+, $22 for ages 4 - 11
lake geneva, WI