12 things to do in Chicago this November

CHICAGO — The weather is starting to change, but there’s still time to get outside and enjoy nature in and around Chicago before it gets too cold.

This month, you can participate in the Skokie Lagoon Restoration Project with Shedd Aquarium, take a bird watching excursion to Jackson Park’s Wooded Island, enjoy dinner under the stars in LaBag Forest, and more.

Here are 12 outdoor community events in the city and beyond in November:

Southside Critical Mass: Group Bike Ride

17:45–22, November 1.

Nichols Park Plaza, 1300 E. 55th St.

Every first Friday of the month, join Southside Critical Mass for a group ride through Southside neighborhoods. Dozens of cyclists gather for this massive public ride at 5:45 pm and leave around 6:15 pm from Nichols Park Plaza in Hyde Park. The monthly ride focuses on using bicycles as a means of transportation to make Chicago neighborhoods more bike-friendly and ultimately more livable for community members. Cyclists can join for the whole trip or part of it. Book your free seat in advance online.

Chicago Bicycle Collective: 5th Annual Bike Ride

18:00 November 1

Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park, 2700 S. Halsted St.

Ride with the Chicago Bike Collective Ride, a holiday ride that brings together cycling collectives serving Black and Brown communities in Chicago, including community bike shops, clubs, organizations and retailers. The ride begins at the beautiful Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park, explores the Bridgeport and Pilsen areas on two wheels, and ends at Palmisano Nature Park. No reservation required.

Chicago Bird Alliance: Wooded Island Bird Walk

8-10 am November 2

Jackson Park’s Wooded Island, 6147 S. Evans Ave.

Join the Chicago Bird Alliance for its recurring Saturday morning guided bird walk in Jackson Park. The 2-mile trail takes you through Forest Island and Bobolink Meadow in search of migratory birds, making this a popular pit stop on the south side. During the walk, bird watchers look for water and land birds throughout the park. Organizers encourage participants to bring binoculars and a guidebook if you have them, and dress for the weather. No registration required. Find out more online.

Museum of Nature: Yoga at the Butterfly Sanctuary

8:30–9:45, November 2.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive

Find balance among the butterflies at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. As you stretch and breathe among the lush exotic plants at the Judy East Butterfly Sanctuary, you’re sure to feel rejuvenated and energized. The 2,700-square-foot greenhouse is home to more than 40 species of free-flying butterflies and several species of birds. Admission to the museum is included in the ticket price: $24 for members and $30 for non-members. This class is held every Saturday morning in November. Entry is prohibited; you must be at least 18 years old. Reservations are required. Buy your ticket in advance online.

Femmes + Thems: November Social Trip

13:30, November 2

Bronzeville Bike Box, 320 E. 51st St.

Grow the idea of ​​Femmes + Thems, an accessible and empowering community of women, femme, non-binary and/or trans-identifying bikers. Meet at the Bronzeville Bike Box powered by South Shore Bicycle Works, then head out for a Halloween-themed ride to Wild Blossom Meadery. The group ride will last 11 miles and end at the meadery for drinks. Riders can take the Metra back to the city from the 91st St. Rock Island station. Bicycles are allowed on the metro at all times and will move towards the city center at 15:51 and 17:51. and 19:51 Registration is not required.

Cook County Forest Preserves: Stars, Stories and S’mores

17:00–20:00, November 2.

LaBagh Woods, N. Cicero Ave.

Join the Forest Preserves of Cook County for the annual Stars, Stories & S’mores event at LaBagh Woods. Gather around the fire for storytelling, go on night walks, cook snacks, and watch the stars within the city limits. This event is in partnership with Haughan Elementary School and American Indian Health Service in Chicago. No registration required. Find out more online.

Chicago Ornithological Society: Chicago Owls on Big Marsh

10–11 am November 9

Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island Ave.

Did you know there are eight species of owls in Chicago? You can find them everywhere, from deep woods in your local forest preserve to an alley. Learn from the Chicago Ornithological Society at the Ford Calumet Ecology Center in Big Marsh Park, where they will tell you what they eat, their nocturnal habits and how to keep an eye out for owls in your backyard. This program is an entirely indoor presentation and does not include a walk or hike, but participants can enjoy a self-guided walk through Big Mark Park at their leisure before or after the event. Response required; Register for free in advance online.

Outdoor Color Team: Winter Waxing and Sip

11:00–16:00 November 10.

Ark’teriks, st. 1007 N. Rush St.

Prepare for the upcoming winter season of adventure with free ski and snowboard polishing at Arc’teryx Downtown. This event is in partnership with the Outdoor Color Crew, a Chicago-based collective of people of color breaking down barriers to getting outdoors. Attendees can purchase gear, attend a free waxing workshop (waxing, minor base repairs and edge adjustments) and enjoy free drinks in the store. The ski and snowboard waxing workshop is open from 14:00 to 16:00, and the number of places is limited. Register for free in advance online.

Forest Preserves of Cook County: A Historic Walk for National Indian Heritage Month

16:00 November 15

Sauk Trail Woods-Central, Forest Preserve Drive

Celebrate National Indian Heritage Month with a guided historical walk through Sauk Trail Woods Central. Cook County Forest Preserve staff will lead a 3.4-mile guided walk along a paved loop trail through the forest, teaching hikers about the history of Native Americans throughout Chicago and the region, including the origins of the name Sauk Woods. No registration required. Find out more online.

RiverLab: Family Fishing Friday with River Park

November 16 from 13:00 to 16:00.

River Park, 5100 N. Francisco Ave.

Join RiverLab for the last family fishing day of the season. This free event for all ages offers fishing lessons on the Chicago River at the River Park Boathouse. The Park District’s RiverLab program provides educational activities and events to reconnect Chicagoans with our home river. No registration required, all equipment and bait are provided. Find out more online.

10:00–13:00 November 20.

Skokie Lagoons – Forest Way Picnic Grove No. 1, North Branch Trail System

Want to make a positive environmental impact in Chicago’s natural spaces? Attend Shedd Aquarium Day to restore and protect local habitat for native plants, amphibians and other wildlife. In partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, a day of action to restore forest habitat helps ensure Chicago’s natural spaces thrive. You’ll help make room for native flora and fauna by using hand tools to cut and burn invasive bushes such as sea buckthorn. Register for free in advance online.

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center: Fire for the Forest

10–11:30 November 23.

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs

Listen to forestry experts at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center discuss the benefits of prescribed burns and explore the equipment used to perform them. The guided lesson will take place 1 mile through the nature center. Call the Little Red Schoolhouse reservation number at 708-839-6897 to reserve your free spot. Reservations are required. Find out more online.

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