Groundhog Days 2024: What To Know If You Go

WOODSTOCK, IL — It's almost that time of year again.

One of McHenry County's most beloved annual traditions happens every where on Groundhog Day in Woodstock. This Friday, the town's Woodstock Willie will be pulled out of his tree stump on stage at Woodstock's Square and will make its annual prognostication.

The festival plays homage to the 1992 film, "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray, which was filmed in Woodstock. Four days of festivities will kick off on Thursday and continue through Sunday.

For those hoping to make the stop out to Woodstock, here is what you will need to know if you go:

Friday's Prognostication

The prognostication will be held at 7 a.m. Friday and those hoping to get a spot closest to the beloved Woodstock Willie will need to arrive early.

And, of course, be sure to bundle up. This year's high temps in Woodstock will be 42 degrees and partly sunny and it's anyone's guess at this point if the festive groundhog will see its shadow, or not, and call for an early spring, or not.

Allow for time to find parking, this can also be a challenge in Woodstock Square on the morning of the prognostication.

Tom Skilling Comes To Town

Chicago weatherman, Tom Skilling, will be out at this year's Groundhog Days festival. He will be on stage when Willie makes his initial appearance and will translate the rodent's prediction and share it with the crowd.

Skilling, who has been a meteorologist with WGN for decades, will be retiring at the end of February and it's his first time out to the festival.

Woodstock Willie did travel to the WGN studios this past week to meet with Skilling and the WGN crew.

If You Can't Make It Friday...

... don't fret! The festival will be running for Thursday through Sunday with plenty of fun events planned.

Here is a look at the schedule of events:

Thursday

• Groundhog Storytime: 5:15 p.m.
• Welcoming of the Groundhog: 6 p.m.
• Groundhog Trivia: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• “Groundhog Day” the Movie: 7 p.m.

Friday

• Groundhog Day Prognostication: 7 a.m.
• Drink to World Peace: 7:30 a.m.
• “Official” Groundhog Day Breakfast: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• Walking Tour of Filming Sites: 10 a.m.
• “Groundhog Day” the Movie: 12 p.m.
• Groundhog Day Movie Memorabilia & Memories: 3 to 5 p.m.
• Groundhog Day Dinner Dance: 6 p.m.
• Groundhog Day” the Movie: 7 p.m.
• Cocktails with Willie: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

• “Groundhog Day” the Movie: 10 a.m.
• Groundhog Tales: Storytelling with Jim May: 10 a.m.
• Groundhog Day Bags Tournament: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Walking Tour of Filming Sites: 1 p.m.
• Groundhog Day Bingo: 4 p.m.
• Groundhog Day Pub Crawl: 6 to 10 p.m.

Sunday

• Groundhog Day Pancake Breakfast: 8 a.m.
• “Groundhog Day” the Movie: 10 a.m.
• “Groundhog Day” the Movie: 10 a.m.
• Walking Tour of Filming Sites: 1 p.m.

More information on this year's festival can be found here: woodstockgroundhog.org.

The History of Groundhog Days Fest

According to the Groundhog Days website, 1992 marked a fun time for the city of Woodstock. Here is what festival officials have to say about the history of the fest and why Woodstock celebrates to this day:

In 1992, something astonishing happened in the historic city of Woodstock, Illinois. People came to town and roped off the picturesque city square, moved all sorts of equipment into the park and started playing the Pennsylvania Polka, over and over and over again. They were filming a movie that has become a favorite of young and old for almost 30 years, and the city gathers each year to remember the fun and celebrate the special community that Woodstock has always been. We’ve had visitors from as far away as Australia, celebrities from the Groundhog Day movie and local media and everyone agrees that this festival is a great way to shake off the gloom of Winter, if just for a few days. Click here to read the history of Groundhog Days.

MORE ON PATCH

• Woodstock Willie Makes His Prediction: 2022
• Woodstock Willie Did Not See His Shadow: 2022
• 'Biggest Fans' Of 'Groundhog Day' Get Engaged At Woodstock Fest: 2021
• Even In Pandemic It's 'Groundhog Day' All Over Again In Woodstock: 2021
• 2 Groundhogs, 2 Different Views: Willie, Phil Disagree: 2020
• Woodstock Willie Sees His Shadow: 2018
• Woodstock Willie Makes 2016 Prediction: 2016