ice castles in lake geneva

1221 Geneva National Ave S, Lake Geneva, WI

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DATES: January - February, 2022 | Times TBD

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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!

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COST: Weekdays: $21 for Ages 12+, $16 for ages 4 - 11 | Weekends and Holidays: $27 for Ages 12+, $22 for ages 4 - 11

winterlights at Fabyan Japanese Gardens

Fabyan Japanese Garden, 1925 S Batavia Ave, Geneva, IL

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DATES: Fridays and Saturdays, November 26 - December 7, 2021; and Fridays, January 7 - 28, 2022 | 5pm - 7pm

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DETAILS:  Step into an ethereal winter landscape at the Fabyan Japanese Garden this season. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through an evening light display that highlights the historic Garden in its winter splendor. Entry to this event will be timed at 15-minute intervals. Registration required.

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COST: $5

Just dad + me dance

Geneva High School, 416 McKinley Ave, Geneva, IL

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DATES: February 20, 2022 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm

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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+

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COST: $12 residents/$17 nonresidents

mom + Son night

Geneva High School, 416 McKinley Ave, Geneva, IL

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DATES: March 12, 2022 | 6pm - 8pm

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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.

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COST: $12 residents/$17 nonresidents

winter sing + dance along with miss jamie

Geneva Public Library District, 227 S 7th St, Geneva, IL

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DATES: December 30, 2021 | 10:30am - 11:30am

DETAILS:  Young kids and families, come join Miss Jamie and her farmyard friends for a Winter Sing & Dance-along that everyone is sure to love! Sing and dance to songs both familiar and new, and celebrate the winter season … farm-style! Presented by Miss Jaime's Farm. *One ticket per person will be required for entry. Tickets will be available at the Kids Landing service desk (while supplies last): GPLD cardholders- starting at 9:00am on Thursday, 12/16/21 General public- starting at 9:00am on Thursday, 12/23/21

COST: FREE!

bagpipes & Bonfires

Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Rd, Geneva, IL

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DATES: December 21, 2021 | 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: TBD

winter solstice at Fabyan Japanese Gardens

Fabyan Japanese Garden, 1925 S Batavia Ave, Geneva, IL

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DATES: December 18, 2021 | 5pm - 7pm

DETAILS:  Celebrate the winter solstice in the tranquil confines of the Fabyan Japanese Garden. Join us for the last opportunity in 2021 to experience Winterlights, a lighting display that highlights the Garden’s ethereal winter landscape. This one-time event will include music, refreshments, and information about the importance of the Winter Solstice in Japanese culture.

COST: $10

primrose kohlfart

Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles, IL

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DATES: January 15, 2022 | 2pm - 4:30pm

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DETAILS:  Directly translated as “cabbage walk”, Kohlfahrt is an eating & drinking tour that’s a winter tradition in northwest Germany. Take a winter hike on the trails of Primrose Farm, stopping to warm up from with some games, snacks and spirits. Finish up with a hearty German meal from Bella European Bistro at Riverlands Brewing Company. Ages 21+ Welcome. Must register.

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COST: $45/person

Winter woodlands scavenger hunt

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL

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DATES: January 16, 2022 | 10am - 11am

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DETAILS:  Bring the whole family for a scavenger hunt in the winter woodlands! District naturalists will lead the search for nature's hidden "treasures." From mouse tracks to maple seeds to glacial rocks, there will be plenty of clues to discover! We'll end our time with a cozy fireside search in the Durant House Museum, seeking out evidence of human activity. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

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COST: FREE!

TIES & TIARAS

Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave., St. Charles, IL

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DATES: March 12, 2022 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm

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DETAILS:  Family entertainment at its finest: music, dancing, balloon artist, craft station, photo keepsake, refreshments, and fun! Get dressed up in your fanciest attire for a memorable night! Wear whatever fits your style! Participants must be accompanied by a registered adult. One adult may accompany many children from the same household. ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

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COST: $25/resident and $38/nonresidents

norris cultural arts saturday night lights concerts

Baker Community Center 101 S. Second St. St. Charles, IL

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DATES: Winter Shows: February 19, March 19; Spring Shows: April 16, and May 21, 2022 | 7:30pm

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DETAILS:  Join Norris Cultural Arts as we begin our 2022 season of “Saturday Night Lights” concerts in the Collins Auditorium of the historic Baker Community Center in downtown St. Charles. Your $25 ticket includes two coupons for complimentary beverages of your choice, including beer, wine and soft drinks. Your $30 ticket includes four beverage coupons.

February 19: NIU Steelpan Studio – Mid-Winter Warmup | March 19: Dean-Dorhauer Jazz Orchestra: “The Wiz vs. Diz” | April 16: Dennis O’Brien…and Friends | May 21: Joan Ellison Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial

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COST: $25-$30/ticket

maple sugaring days

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL

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DATES: March 5 & 6, 2022 | 12pm - 3pm

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DETAILS:  Mark your calendars for our annual Maple Sugaring event! We'll hold two days of maple tapping fun on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6, from noon - 3 p.m. at Creek Bend Nature Center in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve.

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COST: FREE!

st. patrick's day parade

Downtown St. Charles, IL​

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DATES: March 12, 2022 | 2pm

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DETAILS:  The St. Patrick's Parade will be returning this year on Saturday, March 12th at 2pm in downtown St. Charles. Check link for updates and more details on day of events and specials around town!

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COST: FREE!

Winter solistice celebration

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL

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DATES: December 21, 2021 | 4pm - 5pm

DETAILS:  Embrace the seasons and celebrate the arrival of Winter! We'll ramble through the woodlands and prairies of the wintertime preserve, discussing the natural and cultural significance of the Solstice, then gather round a roaring campfire to hear the story of the traditional yule log. Dress for winter weather!

COST: FREE!

Candlelight at Durant House and Sholes School

Durant House Museum, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL

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DATES: December 4 and 5, 2021 | 2pm - 6pm

DETAILS:  Come take a step back in time and enjoy the warm glow of the hearth, music in the parlor, old-fashioned ginger cake, and fragrant evergreens in every nook. Take in a simpler time and some of our favorite things. Please join us for our most popular yearly event. More information is to be announced.

COST: TBD

frosty fest

Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St, Batavia, IL

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DATES: January 29, 2022 | 4pm - 7pm

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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.

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COST: $12 per child, $6 per adult

daddy daughter date night

1501 S Raddant Road, Batavia, IL

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DATES: February 4 and 5, 2022 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm

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DETAILS:  Valentine season is a great time to take your daughter, ages 3-12, on a special date! Join us for a magical night in with entertainment, dessert, dancing, guessing games and a photo booth. Price is per couple. Please register using daughter's name. An additional daughter can be registered for $16. Ages 3 - 12. Optional corsage and dinner at Pal Joey's beforehand is available for an additional fee.

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COST: $38 per couple

maple fest

Red Oak Nature Center, 2343 S River St, Batavia, IL

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DATES: March 19, 2022: 9am - 12pm, March 20, 2022: 12pm - 2pm.

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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.

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COST: $3 per attendee

lantern walk

Batavia Boardwalk Shops, 114 E Wilson St, Batavia, IL

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DATES: Saturday, November 14, 2021 | 3pm

DETAILS:  Shine your light into Winter! The Lantern Walk is a time to honor the seasonal transition from Autumn to Winter and our beautiful lanterns represent us taking our light into the darker, shorter days. Proceeding peacefully along a downtown walking path from the Batavia Boardwalk Shops to the Batavia Riverwalk and back, we carry our handmade lanterns, and all those walking sing traditional Lantern Walk songs that encourage us to be the warmth and light for ourselves and for others. This festival celebrates hope and kindness, and reminds us all of our shared humanity. The walk will begin at dusk (sunset is 4:33p on November 14th) Come early to make your own lantern for a small donation, purchase hot beverages and enjoy other fun on the boardwalk beginning at 3p.

COST: FREE, but donations accepted

cocoa crawl

Various locations - Downtown Aurora, IL

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DATES: December 3, 2021 | 5pm - 9pm

DETAILS:  First Fridays is art, music, and cocoa in December. Come to downtown Aurora and enjoy hot cocoa sampling from 5 to 9 p.m. at Aurora Downtown’s 3rd annual Cocoa Crawl. A mug and a button can be purchased for only $15! See link for purchase locations and more details.

COST: $15 per participant