Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory

Story Time at the Conservatory
2025-09-24 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-09-17 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-09-10 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-09-03 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-08-27 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-08-20 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:
January : Register here.
February : Register here.
March : Register here.

For Bilingual Story Time sessions: (Feb 4, Mar 4)
February – March: Register here.

Registration links for Spring/Summer coming on March 2026.

TET (Toddler Exploration Time): 2025/2026
2025-09-19 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:
September 19, 2025. Fall Seeds.
October 17, 2025. Night Flyers.
November 21, 2025. Treeing Around.
January 16, 2025. Frosty.
February 20, 2025. What’s That Sound?
March 20, 2025. Pitter, Patter, Splash.

Registration Links:
September – November 2025:
Register HERE for 9:30.
Register HERE for 10:30.

January – March 2026:
Register HERE for 9:30.
Register HERE for 10:30.

Plant Help Desk
2025-09-17 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-10 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-20 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-06 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-30 13:00 - 15:00 and 1 more date | 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.

Gardening Lecture: Growing Garlic
2025-09-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Garlic is usually harvested in July, but did you know that it is planted in the fall? Join us as we learn about this easy-to-grow crop: what type of garlic to grow, when and how to plant it, and how to harvest your bulbs and scapes. Register here.

Fall Plant and Tool Exchange
2025-09-07 09:30 - 11:30 | Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield, Oak Park, IL, 60304, United States
Join other gardeners and share your favorite plants and tools at the Fall Plant and Tool Exchange. Save your garden plastic pots and drop them off at our Garden Pot Return so they can be reused and kept out of landfills. Please bring at least one plant to participate in the plant exchange. Ages 18+
Drop Off, 9:30-10:30A
Pick Up, 11:00-11:30A
Register here.

Discovery Garden Exploration Time 2025
2025-08-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-31 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-24 10:00 - 12:00
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.

Uncorked August 2025
2025-08-22 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: Empanadus & Todd & Holland Tea Merchants. Music by James Robinson-Parran.
Register for the upcoming dates:
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.

Story Time at the Conservatory
2025-08-13 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-08-06 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:
August : Register here.
For all Bilingual Story Time sessions, 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: 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.
