Docents in the Showrooms
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-20 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-04-27 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Every Sunday from 1-3 pm: When you visit the Oak Park Conservatory, ask our volunteer for information about plants growing in our showrooms. Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory volunteer docents share their knowledge about our collection and welcome your inquiries. This is a new free service for the community. All ages. Free.

Learn and Grow: Preparing for the Growing Season
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
You’re ready to get into the garden, but there’s a lot to do besides deciding which plants you’re interested in. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to find out how to prepare your soil, tools, pots, and compost to get the most out of the upcoming season.
Register here.

Learn and Grow: Setting your Veggie Garden up for Success
2025-04-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
How can you help your veggie garden be successful, starting with veggie seedlings now and planting more later in the year? Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory for info on prepping the beds, planting and tending the initial plants, and creating a succession planting plan for additional crops throughout the growing season.
Register here.

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2024/2025
2025-04-11 09:30 - 11:15 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, April 11, 2025. Leaving The Nest. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.*
Friday, May 16, 2025. Blooming. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.*
*Note: Registration for April and May have a different format. Access the correct time for your session, and select date on the calendar.

Learn and Grow: Companion Planting 101
2025-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
How do others make their containers of annuals look so great? Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Plant Sale Committee Members for tips on how to match up plants with complementary colors, textures, and heights to design a container you’ll be proud of. Plants from the Annual Plant Sale will be showcased.
Register here.

2025 KidsFest
2025-04-27 10:00 - 12:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Join us for KidsFest, the popular family event sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.
Help us celebrate Earth Day with live raptors! Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education is our featured presenter. Celebrate the wonders of our planet with activities from our partners: Trailside Museum, University of IL Extension, Brookfield Zoo, and the Oak Park Public Library.
Learn more here.
Tickets are required for this free event.
10 am: SOLD OUT
10:30 am: SOLD OUT
11 am: SOLD OUT
11:30 am: SOLD OUT
Noon: SOLD OUT

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2024/2025
2025-05-16 09:30 - 11:15 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Young learners (18 months – 5 years) will be delighted with stories, lessons, and crafts led by FOPCON’s education docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Each month is a different topic. Advanced registration for 9:30-10:15 or 10:30-11:15 is required. Limited to 30 children and their caregivers. FREE.
Themes:
Friday, May 16, 2025. Blooming. Register HERE for 9:30. Register HERE for 10:30.*
*Note: Registration for May has a different format. Access the correct time for your session, and select date on the calendar.

Garden Lecture: Pollinator Perennial Gardening
2025-05-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Do you want to attract more pollinators to your garden? Incorporating perennial plants that attract birds, bees, and butterflies will increase your garden’s biodiversity and enhance its beauty. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to learn about gardening with pollinator plants. A Zoom link will be sent out to participants on the day of the lecture. Register here.

Discovery Garden Exploration Time 2025
2025-06-05 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-24 10:00 - 12:00 and 4 more dates
Explore summer in the Discovery Garden! Enjoy hands-on activities led by our garden docents outside. Learn about native Illinois ecosystems and have fun playing in the garden!
June: Pollinators.
July: Water Play
August: In the Dirt
FREE. Register for all sessions here.

31st Annual Garden Walk
2025-06-22 10:00 - 16:00
Join Us for the 31th annual Garden Walk in Oak Park and River Forest. Enjoy an exciting self-guided tour featuring unique private and public gardens. The walk will take place rain or shine. Advance tickets will be available on May 15 until 5:00 PM on June 21, for $20.
Members of FOPCON and GCOPRF are eligible for discounted tickets until 5:00 pm on June 21. FOPCON members should email director@fopcon.org to receive the code. Children 12 and under are free. Participants must provide their own transportation.
Online purchases will end at 5:00 pm on June 21. All tickets are $25 on the day of the event (cash, credit, debit or check). On Sunday, June 22 you may purchase tickets in person at the Oak Park Conservatory or the Cheney Mansion from 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
This is a joint venture of the Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest (GCOPRF) and the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON) and benefits the missions of both groups.
For more details visit our Garden Walk page.

Uncorked June 2025
2025-06-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Summertime is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks at the Oak Park Conservatory. Celebrate summer in the Rubinstein Garden with friends under the night sky. Admission includes two drink tickets, an appetizer, and a guided tour of the showrooms.
Tickets are $25. Advance sales only. Tickets will not be sold at the door. FOPCON members receive a 20% discount. Contact operations@fopcon.org for a discount code before registering. Tickets are $25 ($20 for FOPCON Members). Ages 21+
Register HERE. Vendors: Happy Apple Pie Shop & Olive and Well. Music by AcoustiCats.
Upcoming dates:
July 25: Register here. Vendors: Broken Tart & Crumb Crusher Cupcakes. Music by Tim Lowery Trio.
August 22: Register here. Vendors: Empanadus & Todd & Holland Tea Merchants. Music by James Robinson-Parran.
September 26: Registration coming soon. Vendors: Taco Mucho & BlackOut Bakery. Music by The Replays.

Garden Lecture: Succulents & Cacti 101
2025-07-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Succulents and cacti are remarkable and fascinating houseplants. Their varied native habitats, ranging from the desert to the rainforest, result in challenges for the Midwestern grower. But with their wide range of sizes, their fun, funky forms, and their occasional colorful and unique blooms, they are worth the effort! Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to learn about succulents and cacti for your home. A Zoom link will be sent out to participants on the day of the lecture. Register here.

Uncorked July 2025
2025-07-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Summertime is the best time to enjoy an evening of music and drinks at the Oak Park Conservatory. Celebrate summer in the Rubinstein Garden with friends under the night sky. Admission includes two drink tickets, an appetizer, and a guided tour of the showrooms.
Tickets are $25. Advance sales only. Tickets will not be sold at the door. FOPCON members receive a 20% discount. Contact operations@fopcon.org for a discount code before registering. Tickets are $25 ($20 for FOPCON Members). Ages 21+
Register HERE. Vendors: Broken Tart & Crumb Crusher Cupcakes. Music by Tom Lowery Trio.
Register for the upcoming dates:
August 22: Register here. Vendors: Empanadus & Todd & Holland Tea Merchants. Music by James Robinson-Parran.
September 26: Registration coming soon. Vendors: Taco Mucho & BlackOut Bakery. Music by The Replays.

Garden Lecture: Planting Bulbs for Spring Blooms
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory to learn about the basics of planting fall bulbs for spring blooms at this free, virtual event. Participants will learn when and how to plant bulbs, how to select bulbs for your garden, and how many you need for full effect. Ask your questions on growing bulbs and how to get started. A Zoom link will be sent out to participants on the day of the lecture. Register here.
