Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory

Story Time at the Conservatory
2025-08-13 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-08-06 10:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Every Wednesday enjoy stories, songs, and puppets led by our volunteer docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Enjoy story time in the garden during the summer months.
NEW: Bilingual Story Time on the first Wednesday of each month.

This program is presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. Free with a suggested $5 donation at the door.
Registration links:
August : Register here.
For all Bilingual Story Time sessions, register here.

Discovery Garden Exploration Time 2025
2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-19 10:00 - 12:00 and 1 more date
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.

Plant Help Desk
2025-08-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-23 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-16 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-02 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-25 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Every Wednesday from 1-3 pm: Plant Help Desk at the Oak Park Conservatory. Bring your plant questions and issues to our Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory volunteer expert who will help you on the spot. Bring a plant to be repotted too. Email inquiries to oakparkconservatory@pdop.org or call 708-725-2456, ext. 2. This is a new free service for the community.

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: 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.

Story Time at the Conservatory
2025-07-23 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-07-09 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-07-02 10:00 - 10:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Every Wednesday enjoy stories, songs, and puppets led by our volunteer docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Enjoy story time in the garden during the summer months.
NEW: Bilingual Story Time on the first Wednesday of each month.

This program is presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. Free with a suggested $5 donation at the door.
Registration links:
July : Register here.
August : Register here.
For all Bilingual Story Time sessions, register here.

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.

Story Time at the Conservatory
2025-06-25 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-06-18 10:00 - 10:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Every Wednesday enjoy stories, songs, and puppets led by our volunteer docents at the Oak Park Conservatory. Enjoy story time in the garden during the summer months.
NEW: Bilingual Story Time on the first Wednesday of each month.

This program is presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. Free with a suggested $5 donation at the door.
Registration links:
June : Register here.
July : Register here.
August : Register here.
For all Bilingual Story Time sessions, register 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.

2025 Annual Member Meeting
2025-06-12
Join us for our Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Annual Meeting and a summer celebration of dried flowers. Friends member and flower enthusiast Gigi Rowe (Pickle Hill Parties) will talk about easy ways to dry flowers at home, the many ways to use them, and members will create one of their choice of flower craft or artwork to take home.

This event is for FRIENDS MEMBERS ONLY in person at the Oak Park Conservatory. Space is limited. A sign up/RSVP will be emailed to members.
