Neighborhood News: Polar Adventure Days, Nature Walks at the Chicago Park District highlight Chicago’s winter wonders, International Puppet Festival
While this weekend‘s temperatures may well delve into negative digits, you and your family can still celebrate the magic of winter with the Chicago Park District at Polar Adventure Days and other FREE programs sponsored by the Chicago Park District and its partners throughout the city!
The first Polar Adventure Day takes place this Saturday, January 24, from 11am-3pm at Northerly Island Park, 1521 S. Linn White Drive, next to Chicago’s Museum Campus.
Since 2005, Polar Adventure Days has celebrated Chicago’s winter wildlife and natural beauty. The Chicago Park District is planning a full day of family-friendly outdoor and indoor fun. Bundle up and enjoy the following activities and warm up with hot cocoa by the bonfire!
Polar Day Activities:
- Husky Sled Dog Demonstrations take place every half hour from 11am to 2:30pm.
- Ice Sculptures Live ice sculpting will feature a Snowy Owl and a Jumping Buck at Northerly Island Park.
- Arts at Polar Adventure Days The Jabberwocky Marionettes will stage a puppet shows inside Northerly Island Park’s fieldhouse from 12pm to 2pm.
- Art activities include puppet making, specifically shadow puppets and a puppet mudpuppy, a native amphibian similar to axolotls that hibernates in the waters near Northerly Island.
Another Polar Adventure Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 21 at Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island.
Polar Days are free, and pre-registration is not required. For more information, click here.
In Edison Park, the indoor Blizzard Bash at Olympia Park, 6566 N. Avondale Avenue Saturday, will enchant children and their parents alike with indoor winter! There’ll be crafts, games and a bounce house from 10am – 11:30am. While event registration is closed, you can still add your name to the waiting list by clicking here.
In North Park, the sights and sounds of nature are alive at North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Road. This Saturday, from 10:30am-11:30am, they’re sponsoring a ‘Nature Resolutions’ guided hike along the Main Loop, intended as a thoughtful time to reflect on what you’d like to accomplish in 2026. Afterwards, warm up in the Nature Center and create a nature-themed BINGO card, a fun way to display your New Year’s resolutions! All are welcome to attend this free program. To register, click here.
Chicago International Puppet Festival at the Chicago Park District
The Chicago International Puppet Festival and Chicago Park District’s Free Neighborhood Tour brings free, family-friendly performances to locations outside of Chicago’s theaters. Two family-friendly shows will make appearances throughout the city. NOTE: No Tickets Necessary – First Come, First Served!
Upcoming Puppet Shows Scheduled:
Show 1: Stone by Stone by Tian Gombau (Spain)
Spanish puppet artist Tian Gombau was walking barefoot on the beach one day when he suddenly realized there are so many stones on earth. He started to classify them and keep them as precious treasures, thinking, if you look at what’s inside them, one realizes there is something more than just a stone. The result is a 30-minute imagination-awakening experience for children using only inanimate objects. He’ll perform at the following locations:
Friday, January 23 at 4:30pm at Marshall Field Garden Apartments/Art on Sedgwick, 1406 N. Sedgwick Street in Old Town.
Saturday, January 24 at 4pm at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage Avenue in Hermosa.
Sunday, January 25 at 2pm at 345 Gallery, 345 N. Kedzie Avenue, in East Garfield Park.
Show 2: Happy Birthday, Mon Ami by Alex & Olmsted (Baltimore/U.S.)
As they say on their website, the story combines class, cultures, and expectations when Jacques’ American cousin Sam visits him in Paris for a birthday celebration. Happy Birthday, Mon Ami combines glove puppetry, live music, and audience participation to create a delightful hour of fun for the whole family. Performances include:
Wednesday, January 28 at 6pm at Center on Halsted/John Baran Hall, 3656 N. Halsted Street in Lakeview.
Thursday, January 29 at 4pm at Tuley Park, 501 E. 90th Place, Chesterfield
Friday, January 30 at 4:30pm at Loyola Park Fieldhouse, 1230 W. Greenleaf Avenue, Rogers Park.
Saturday, January 31 at 1 pm at Austin Town Hall Cultural Center, 5610 W. Lake Street, Austin.
Sunday, February 1 at 11am at Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Avenue, Woodlawn.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
