Crystal Lake Park District News

Registration deadline is 3 days in advance

of program date unless noted otherwise

Labor Day Holiday: The Administrative Office is closed for Labor Day on Mon, Sep 2. For all other Labor Day Weekend hours of operation, visit our website.

Labor Day Hours of Operation

FALL 2024 Activity Guide: Click the program heading to link directly to each section of the fall guide. Register online by clicking on the program code in the digital guide.

It's Back for 2024! Don't Miss It!!

Flannel Fest at Crystal Lake Main Beach on Sat, Sep 21, 10 am-4 pm

Your admission ticket gets you free Axe Throwing opportunities from Axe Legends plus 3 Timberworks Lumberjacks Shows, live music by Third Coast Bluegrass (presented by Valvoline), Kids Activities, Food Trucks, Beer Garden, Cheeky Jones Best Beard Contest, Corn on the Cob Eating Contest, Birds of Prey Raptor Show, Craft Vendors

Click on the button below for more info, Beard and Corn on the Cob Contests entry links and ticket purchase link. Ticket prices increase $2 at the entry gate.

Event Tickets plus Contest Entry

Check out the program and event titles below

to see what catches your eye!

-click on the program heading to browse digital guide-

Special Events

Wagon Rides

Flannel Fest

Bio Blitz

Truck or Treat

Puzzle Palooza

Firewood Sale

Christmas Ship Holiday Tea

Luminaria Walk

Tot Athletics

Youth Athletics

Boys & Girls Basketball Leagues

Tennis Lessons

EVP Volleyball Skills & Drills

Gymnastics & Tumbling

Hot Shots Sports

T-Ball
Ninja Warriors
Dodgeball
Hockey
Flag Football
Lil Dribblers
Total Sports
Nerf Elite Battle
Soccer

Nature Center Programs

FREE Monthly Drop In Crafts

Agents of Discovery Scavenger Hunts

Birthday Party Packages

Nature Tots

Fall Full of Science
Trying to Love Spiders
Beaver Moon

Nature Explorers

Happy Paws
Mud Pies
Explore and Experiment

Colonel Palmer House Programs

Taffy Pulling

Autumn Harvest Tea

Fall Pioneering

The Art of Chocolate

Secrets Behind Pickling & Canning

A Christmas Ship Holiday Tea

Tea Fest

CL Historical Society Lunch and Learn Series

Green's Houses
Pomeroy Avenue

Youth/Teen Art

Adult Art

Art Attack

Art Attack Sip & Paint

Watercolor Painting

Crafternoons

Cardmaking & Scrapbooking

Martial Arts

Hapkido

Pre-Karate

Shotokan Karate

Women's Self Defense Clinic

Tot Variety

Youth-Teen Variety

Barlina House Preschool

Baby Rock/Tot Rock/Kid Rock

Kids Yoga

Magic Class

Art Attack

STEAM

Let's Code It

Electricity & Magnetmania

Cyber-Crawler Robot

Baton Twirling

Little Vet School

Wilderness Medicine School

Crafternoons

Kids Cooking

Glitzy Girls Pop Stars Dance Night

Giltzy Girlz Glam Night

Glitzy Girlz Holiday Giftmaking

Halloween Gore-Tastic Hour

Thrills and Chills of Ice Cream

Have the Slime of Your Life

Chess

Slime Lab

Fitness/Yoga

Zumba

Zumba Gold

Zumba Flow Party

Zumba Toning

Wall Pilates to Tai Chi

RowFit

Barre Fitness

Bodypower

Sit, Stand & Swing

Move It, Shake It, Lift It

Beginning Yoga

Yoga

Walking Yoga

Plyo-Flow

Kundalini Yoga for Chakras

Restorative Yoga

Yoga & Wine Social

Stretch Yoga

Elements Workshop

Yoga Into Pilates

Dance

Itty Bitty Ballerina

Dance with Me

Baton Twirling

Pre-Ballet

Ballet

Pre-Ballet/Tap

Poms

Hip Hop

Dance Mix

Adult Line Dance

Couples Social Dance

Adult Social Dance Nights

Adult Athletics

Tennis Lessons

Volleyball Leagues

Fall Baggo League

Softball Leagues

The Racket Club

Fall Pickleball Classic

Adult Variety

Watercolor Painting

Art Attack Sip & Paint

Dog Obedience

Dog Therapy Class

Cardmaking & Scrapbooking

Healthier Knees Workshop

Day Trips

Royal Oaks Farm Apple Picking

Horicon Marsh

Full Monty at The Paramount

Starved Rock Waterfall Cruise

Chicago Architecture Tour

Active Adults

Fit at 55

Sit, Stand & Swing

Move, It, Shake It, Lift It

Cycling Without Age Trail Rides for Seniors

Senior Baton Twirling Party

Beanbag Baseball & Lunch

Holiday Brunch Party

Drop-In Activities at Grand Oaks Active Senior Center

Check Out Our Birthday Party Packages!

Create an unforgettable birthday party at one of our many Park District locations and leave the planning and mess to us! Parties are filled with different activities to suit many ages and interests. Or rental a facility or picnic shelter and plan your own.

Nature Center Parties
Colonel Palmer House
Lippold Family Golf Center (seasonal)
Facility Rentals/Picnic Shelter Reservations

Facility/Picnic Rentals

Birthday Party Packages

Grand Oaks Active Adult Center Drop-In Opportunities

Questions?

September Opportunities

Did you know pollinators require specific plants to provide food and shelter for their offspring? That's why the Crystal Lake Park District is hosting a BioBlitz to learn what pollinators live in our community and if our parks have the habitat they need to thrive.

Help us document on the Inaturalist app by taking and uploading photos of the pollinators and plants you find.

This event will go on all month long but join us in person on Sept 7 at the Nature Center as we document Veteran Acres and Sterne's Woods and Fen parks. FREE to participate, just drop in.

Questions?

Now Booking Fall Wagon Rides!

Gather your family and friends for a wagon rides through Sterne's Woods followed by a campfire.

Booking Dates: Sep 22- Nov 10.

Make a reservation online or in person at the Crystal Lake Park District Admin. Office.

More Info & Registration

Call for Trucks and Vehicles!

More Info

Do you own a truck or a specialty vehicle and want to make Trick or Treating special for Crystal Lake kids?

Here's a chance to market your business to our residents and pass out candy at beautiful Crystal Lake Main Beach at the 2024 Truck or Treat event!

Sat, Oct 26, 10 am-Noon at Main Beach

Please contact Emma Koenig, ekoenig@crystallakeparks.org for more information

End of Season Updates

Family Golfing Fun just FORE you at Lippold Family Golf Center!

1251 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake

Stop by for a round of miniature golf or time on the driving range.

Please note: Mini Golf groups will not be allowed to start 45 minutes before close. Driving Range patrons will not be allowed to start 30 minutes before close

Fall Hours: thru Sep 29 (weekends only)

Fri: 3:45-8 pm

Sat & Sun: 9 am-8 pm

Mon, Sep 2 (Labor Day) Closed

Plan Your Visit

Good News! Due to expected warm weather, we will extend splash pad operation through Mon, Sep 16.

Acorn Alley

Located at Veteran Acres Park, corner of Walkup Ave and Rt 176

Crystal Castle

850 Willow Tree, Crystal Lake

9 am-7 pm daily

By request from families looking for a quieter, less active time for toddlers and tots, stop by Tot Time, 9-10 am daily at both Acorn Alley and Crystal Castle.

More Info

The sun sets on Crystal Lake Main Beach swim operations for the summer after this weekend. ☀️

Aug 31-Sep 2

(open Mon for Labor Day),

9 am-5 pm

West Beach is closed for the season.

BIG, HUGE thank you to our 2024 Beach Staff, Boat Rental Crew and Lifeguards! We couldn't have done it without you.

Please note: Main Beach Park and Playground area are open year round, 7 days/week, 9 am-dusk.

Admission Info