The Oakton Community Center and the Exploritorium are transformed into a miniature Times Square, complete with a DJ and a “countdown to noon” balloon drop. The perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve with the kids, the Skokie Park District’s “Itty Bitty New Year” kicks off at 10 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m., on the Thursday prior to the New Year, at 4701 Oakton St. For a list of activities, times and dates call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2700

Emily Oaks Nature Center hosts two days of old-fashioned winter fun and food, one weekend in early February. Families enjoy ice skating on the pond (weather permitting), hay rides on the trail, snow and ice games, wildlife treat trees, and roasting marshmallows over a campfire. Delicious chili dinners are served indoors by a roaring fire, overlooking the Emily Oaks pond. The Emily Oaks Nature Center is located at 4650 Brummel St. For ticket or more event information call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2500.

The beginning of spring means it is time for our Saturday ‘Breakfast with the Bunny' at 9 a.m., followed by an egg hunt 'EGGstravaganza' led by our furry friend at 10:30 a.m. The event is held at the Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton St. To register or for more event information call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2700.

Skokie's celebration of the earth, Emily Oaks Nature Center annually commemorates Earth Day on or near April 22. The entire family will celebrate nature through annually changing themes. The event includes games, activities, music, food and a native plant sale. The Emily Oaks Nature Center is located at 4650 Brummel St. For ticket or event information call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2500.

The Skatium Ice Arena annually hosts a rare, small-venue show featuring world and Olympic champion figure skaters such as Kurt Browning, Sasha Cohen, Todd Eldredge, Irina Slutskaya, and Yuka Sato. Held in mid-May, tickets sell out weeks before the event. For up-to-date show and ticket information, call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2900, after March 1.

Since its inception in 1991, the Skokie Festival of Cultures has become one of the premier ethnic festivals in Illinois, attracting more than 300,000 visitors and dozens of cultures, all representing Skokie's tremendous diversity. Attendees will 'tour the world' with their stamped passport and enjoy two days of ethnic folk music and dance, a wide range of food, unique arts and crafts, international children's games, a merchandise bazaar, and dozens of cultural booths and displays. The Skokie Festival of Cultures is held the third weekend in May and is a free event.

Held the first Sunday in June at Pooch Park, Skokie's canine event of the year offers dogs and their owners a chance to experience contests, food and treats, ‘60s tunes and other free doggie fun. Pooch Park is located at 3220 Oakton St. and can also be accessed east of McCormick Boulevard from Main Street to the north of the park. For more event information call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2700..

Skokie's Fourth of July parade kicks off at noon and features marching bands, tumblers, live animals, drill teams, clowns, vintage automobiles, and more. The parade runs north from Oakton Community College on Lincoln Avenue to Oakton Street, then east from downtown to Oakton Park. At 5:30 p.m. the fun moves to Niles West High School (Oakton Street just west of the Edens Expressway) featuring food, drinks and live bands until dusk. Finally, the spectacular 3-D Fireworks Fest begins, with the first 10,000 patrons receiving a free pair of 3-D glasses. (The fireworks rain date is Tuesday, July 5.) For more event information call (847) 674-1500.

Emily Oaks Nature Center hosts an early July sunrise breakfast among the oak trees! The menu includes delicious pancakes served hot off the griddle with syrup or strawberries, turkey sausage, and beverages. You are welcome to complete your morning by taking a leisurely stroll along the Nature Center trails. Advanced tickets are recommended and can be purchased at Emily Oaks. In the event of heavy rain, the event will be held indoors. The Emily Oaks Nature Center is located at 4650 Brummel St. For ticket or more event information call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2500.

The Skokie Park District annually offers a summer filled with fantastic free musical entertainment at the Sunday Sundown Concert Series at Devonshire Park and the Wednesday Magical Merry-Go-Round Children’s Concerts, held at various parks. All performances begin promptly at 7 p.m. For event and ticket information call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2400.

Skokie's annual downtown summer party features blocked off streets full of live bands, food, beverages, a carnival, classic auto show, and more! For more information regarding this three-day, late August event, call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2715 or go to www.backlotbash.com.

On Backlot Bash Sunday (see above), Chicagoland runners will compete in Skokie's Backlot Dash 5K Run and Walk, only two miles from the downtown Backlot Bash grounds. The event includes a children's half mile run. For more information, call (847) 674-1500, ext. 3510.

The Skokie Park District annually offers perhaps the widest range of Halloween events in Chicagoland. Events include:

• Scream Scene Haunted House
- Rated as one of Illinois' best haunted houses, Scream Scene features more than 20 unique rooms. From crazed butchers to insane clowns, the faint of heart will not want any part of this “scene.” (Not recommended for children under 10.) The event is located at the Skokie Water Playground, 4701 Oakton St., and runs the last two weeks of October. For times and dates call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2700. For more info go to www.screamscene.com.
• Ex-SCARE-Itorium - A Halloween costume parade, treats, art projects and more, will entertain the entire family! Rated as the "best rainy day activity site" by Chicago Magazine, the Exploritorium is a place where children and adults explore together through interactive play. It features an arts area, a costume dress-up area; a water play area, computer stations and a massive, multicolored, two-and-a-half story tube and tunnel playground. The event is located at the Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton St. For times and dates call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2700.
• Scooter's Halloween Party- The Skatium Ice Arena is the place to be for a ghoulishly good time! Featuring ice skating, a fun fair, storytelling, costume contests, and hayrides, the Skatium has been haunting the whole family at Halloween for more than 30 years. The Skatium Ice Arena is located at 9300 Weber Park Pl. For times and dates call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2900.
• Things That Go Bump In the Night - A non-frightening, educational look at our furry and feathered creatures of the night, your family’s visit will end with a campfire, snack and songs! Advance ticket purchase advised. The Emily Oaks Nature Center is located at 4650 Brummel St. For ticket and event information call (847) 674-1500, ext. 2500.

The above represent some of the larger special events your family can enjoy at the Skokie Park District. For information regarding other fun events throughout the district, see our seasonal brochures on the homepage, or call (847) 674-1500. To discuss sponsorship of one the above events, call Janet Rosenberg at (847) 929-7156.