Wintertime in the Chicago area means cold weather and tons of snow, but it also means fun seasonal activities are here! Enjoy a nice light show, take the kids sledding, or grab some skates and show off your ice-skating skills. Don’t let the chilly days keep you indoors, grab the family and head to one of these destinations!

Ice Festival | Downers Grove

Enjoy viewing almost 50 pre-carved ice sculptures that will line the streets! This year, they are adding a twist. They are opening up to the community if a family, organization, or neighborhood would like to purchase an ice sculpture.

The Annual Ice Fest Downtown Downers Grove will be held February 13-14, 2021.

Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports | Lisle

If you are looking for the perfect spot to go snowboarding or skiing, check out Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports! Families are able to rent and use other equipment on the slopes. They even offer season specials such as throwback deals, 12 and under ski free program, and $21 Lift Fabulous Friday.

All tickets and rentals are first come first served. In-person sales at the cashier only. Online ticketing is not available at this time. All runs are available. Check out the season rates HERE.

Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing at The Morton Arboretum | Lisle

Take a hike through a winter wonderland at the beautiful Morton Arboretum! Bring your own snowshoes and skis or check out the rental options available there. Families can rent snowshoes and cross-country skis on days when there is more than four inches of snow on the ground. This activity is available from 7:00 AM through sunset from now through mid-March. Make sure to also check out their Know Before You Go webpage before you visit.

Timed-entry admission is required for all members and guests and must be reserved in advance. Timed-entry admission does not guarantee rental equipment availability. Rental season runs now through March 21st.

Snow Tubing at Blackwell Forest Preserve | Warrenville

Looking for an outdoor activity that is bit more challenging? Try snow tubing at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville! Take a fun ride down Mount Hoy, an 800-foot hill located in the preserve. Inner tube rentals are at the base of the hill and cost $10 per tube per day. Tubing hill is open from 10:00 AM through 4:00 PM with rentals ending at 3:30 PM (as long as the ground in the area has more than three inches of snow). Only District tubes are allowed on the hill. Snow tubing is available through February on weekends and on school holidays.

*There is also snowshoeing available when Mount Hoy is open for snow tubing. Rent snowshoes at the base until 2:00 PM.

Ice Skating

There are many ice rinks scattered through the western suburbs that offer public skating, skating classes, hockey programs, and other fun activities! Below is a list of few places to check out!

• All Seasons Ice Rinks in Naperville
  • Public skating (no walk-ins), freestyle ice, hockey leagues and classes, learn to skate, and private lessons
• Center Ice DuPage in Glen Ellyn
  • Private training freestyle ice, learn to skate classes, stick and puck
• Rocket Ice in Bolingbrook
  • Rockin’ public skate (sign up online), stick and puck, freestyle, learn to skate and learn to play hockey classes, and freestyle
• Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge
  • Stick and puck, rat hockey, learn to skate and learn to play hockey classes, and freestyle ice
  • Public skating is currently closed

FREE Outdoor Ice-Skating Rinks

• Harvester Park in Burr Ridge
  • Outdoor ice-skating area for younger children and parents. Not suitable for teen or adult play.
• Whitlock Park and Doerhoefer Park in Downers Grove
  • Hours are 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
• Lake Ellyn, Lake Foxcroft, and Newton Park in Glen Ellyn
  • Lights are on from dusk until 9:00 PM.
• Rinks in Naperville
  • Centennial Park, Nike Sports Complex, and Wolf’s Crossing
    • Lighted and open until 10:00 PM
  • Meadow Glens and Gartner Park
    • Not lighted and closes at dusk

*Please be sure to review all safety measures and guidelines for each location. For the free rinks, make sure to look for GREEN flags for safe ice-skating conditions.

Winter Lights at Central Park | Oak Brook

Do you miss the holiday cheer? The beautiful lights throughout your neighborhood? You’re in luck! Grab the family and enjoy a ½ mile walk through the beautifully lit Central Park in Oak Brook! There will be photo opportunities throughout the walk and dogs are allowed on a leash. The holidays may be over, but the magic is still in the air!

The Winter Lights at Central Park will take place through February 28, 2021, every evening from 5:00-9:30 PM. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are free.

Sledding Hills

Simple yet incredibly fun, sledding is one of the best activities to enjoy when there is a lot of snow on the ground! Grab the family and head to one of these sledding hills for the day.

• Naperville

  • Arrowhead Park (711 Iroquois Avenue)
  • Brook Crossings (1015 95th Street)
  • Country Lakes Park (1835 North Aurora Road)
  • Gartner Park (524 W. Gartner Road)
  • May Watts Park (804 S. Whispering Hills Drive)
  • Riverwalk Sled Hill at Rotary Hill (440 Aurora Avenue)

• Wheaton

  • Northside Park (1300 North West Street)

• Lisle

  • Lisle High School (1800 Short Street)
  • Kingston Park (5601 Kingston Avenue)

• Glen Ellyn

  • Newton Park (707 Fairview Avenue)

• Elmhurst

  • Berens Park (493 Oak Lawn Avenue)
  • Crestview Park (245 E. Crestview Avenue)
  • Eldridge Park (363 Commonwealth Lane)
  • Ben Allison (444 S. West Avenue)