DuPage County Forest Preserve District Celebrates Holiday Season

From DuPage County:

“Let the Forest Preserve District help you get in the holiday spirit with programs that offer fun for the whole family,” said Forest Preserve District Commissioner Tim Whelan, District 4.

• A Cast-Iron Cooking Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, 11 a.m. ‒ 1:30 p.m., Churchill Woods. Celebrate Thanksgiving by helping prepare a traditional meal over an open campfire as you learn tips for cooking with cast iron. Ages 7 and up; under 18 with an adult. $10 per person ages 13 and up; $5 ages 7 ‒ 12. Register online or at 630-933-7248.
• Holiday Sweets, Nov. 26 and 27, 12:30 ‒ 3:30 p.m., Kline Creek Farm. Learn how to make bright, colorful hard candies, and take home recipes to start your own holiday tradition. Programs begin on the half-hour. All ages. Free. Registration not required. For more information, call 630-876-5900.
• Christmas Memories House Tour, Dec. 1 ‒ Jan. 2 (except Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1) Thursday ‒ Monday 10 a.m. ‒ 4 p.m. on the hour, Kline Creek Farm. Enjoy the historic 1890s farmhouse decked in festive greens, savor the aroma of holiday treats and see the table set for company. All ages. Free. Registration not required. For more information, call 630-876-5900.
• Talons and Claus, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. ‒ 3 p.m., Willowbrook Wildlife Center. Have your picture taken with Santa and his wildlife friends during a holiday open house. Enjoy horse-drawn hayrides (weather permitting) and free refreshments, and then shop at Willowbrook’s wildlife-themed gift shop. All ages. Free admission. $10 per photo. Registration not required. Call 630-942-6200 for more information.
• Music at Mayslake: Acappellago, Dec. 3 7:30 ‒ 9:30 p.m., Mayslake Peabody Estate. Join a cappella chamber choir Acappellago for “Escape to … Where Angels Sing,” a holiday concert with a mix of familiar carols and new music for the season. The concert includes a piece being written especially for Acappellago by New York composer Robert Convery. Ages 10 and up; under 18 with an adult. $12 ‒ $15 per person. Purchase tickets at acappellago.org or 708-484-3797.
• Holiday Art and Craft Market, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. ‒ 6 p.m. and Dec. 11, 10 a.m. ‒ 4 p.m., Mayslake Peabody Estate. Find original gifts for friends and family from a wide variety of quality artisan goods. Part of the proceeds benefit the restoration of historic Mayslake Hall. All ages. Free admission. Registration not required. For more information, call 630-206-9566.
• Christmas on the Farm, Dec. 10 and 11, 1:30 ‒ 3:30 p.m., Kline Creek Farm. Celebrate a Victorian Christmas. Visit the animals in winter, enjoy hot spiced cider and carols by a warming fire, and admire the farmhouse decked in garlands and greens. Stop in the visitor center to take your picture with Santa in his sleigh. All ages. Free. Registration not required. For more information, call 630-876-5900.
• “Make a Snake” Ornament Open House, Dec. 11, 1:30 ‒ 3 p.m., Willowbrook. Get in the holiday spirit Willowbrook style by crafting a fun, colorful snake ornament, and then meeting some of DuPage County’s snakes face-to-face. Ages 3 and up with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Questions? Call 630-942-6200.
• Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, Wednesday ‒ Saturday, Dec. 21 ‒ Jan. 7, 2 ‒ 3:30 p.m., St. James Farm. Enjoy cultural and natural history stories on these 20-minute guided rides, weather permitting. Rides are first-come, first-served and start at 2, 2:30 and 3 p.m.Rides use sleighs if there’s ample snow on the trails. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $5 per person ages 5 and up; under 5 free. Registration not required. Questions? Call 630-580-7025.

“Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and join us as we celebrate the holiday season by connecting to nature,” said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 145 miles of trails, five education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagramand YouTube pages.

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