Allerton provides the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and reconnect with your body and spirit at Fall Yoga on Tuesdays, Sept. 2 through Oct. 28 from 9 to 10 a.m. in The Meadow. All levels are welcome for this donation-based class. Josie Heck from Yoga Off the Square will lead students through strengthening poses and […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn to paint on a beautiful surface at Santorini Stone Painting on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium. Mined in Greece, Santorini stone is a strikingly white and sparkling natural stone, often cut and polished for construction and landscape purposes. Instructor Sara Gentry will show how this smooth […]

Experience Level: BeginnerLearn the skills of improvisation, including scene creation and team dynamics at Improve Your Improv on Thursdays, Aug. 21 through Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Music Barn. Instructor Kyle Tasch returns to The Farms to teach this popular course, which will be jam-packed with improvisational fun that uses both short-form games […]

Experience Level: Beginner Join Allerton Natural Areas staff for Fall Bird Hikes on Fridays, Sept. 5 through Oct. 31 from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet in the Main Parking Lot*. As birds begin […]

Experience Level: Beginner Use inspiration from Allerton to create unique pieces of jewelry at Botanically Inspired Pendant & Necklace on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Morning) on Saturdays, Sept. 6 through Oct. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon) on Saturdays, Sept. 6 through Oct. 4 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become familiar […]

Experience Level: All levels Step into a world where nature meets creativity at Mushroom Mosaics on Sunday, Sept. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House. In this workshop perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, instructor Danielle Reed will guide students through the process of designing and making their own decorative mushroom […]

Experience Level: BeginnerNeed a good place to relax and concentrate on your latest read? Then swing for our Silent Book Club on selected Mondays* from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening will begin with a brief group discussion of what we are currently reading and to swap recommendations. Then participants will break up to do what […]

Experience Level: Beginner Need a good place to relax and concentrate on your latest read? Then swing out for our Silent Book Club on selected Mondays* from 5 to 7 p.m. The evening will begin with a brief group discussion of what we are currently reading and to swap recommendations. Then participants will break up […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to arrange flowers like a pro at Flower Arranging on Tuesday, Sept. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Carriage House. Gather with friends and friendly folks to learn about a variety of late summer/fall flowers from instructor Maggie Taylor. Students will experiment with fresh-cut flowers grown on […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn what tools to have on-hand when tackling simple home repairs at Fix It! Create a Home Repair Toolbox on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. in The Studio. In this hands-on course, instructor Lou Ann Koebel will help students learn how to safely use the proper tools for several […]

Experience Level: Beginner (16+) Learn about various stitching methods at Intro to Hand Sewing on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. in The Studio. Instructor Jennie Ingram will help students learn the basics of practical hand sewing including the basting stitch, running stitch, back stitch, whip stitch, hem stitch, slip/ladder stitch, and how […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to jam with other musicians at Beginner Jam Sessions on Saturdays, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in The Studio. Learn to play as a group and learn new songs at a gentle pace in a friendly environment. Jams sessions are open […]

Get ready for a delightfully unpredictable time at an Improv Show on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mansion Library. The show provided by Zoo Improv is part of our Sept. 13-14 Weekend Wind Down, where you can extend your stay with discounted lodging and take part in other optional activities. […]

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 13+) Learn about crocheting at Granny Squares 101: Crochet for Beginners on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Led by fiber artist Billie Theide, students will learn the basics of crochet, create basic stitches, change colors, read work, fix mistakes and bind off. Each student will leave […]

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages) Get a first-hand look at how honey bees manage hive activity at Beehive Observation on Sundays, Sept. 14 & Sept. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium and outside at the beehives. (Each class will cover the same material). Instructor Maggie Wachter will provide an overview of […]

Experience Level: Beginner Give the beloved PBS series Downton Abbey a proper sendoff at Historical Dancing: A Downton Abbey Ball on Monday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Library. This evening soiree — led by instructor Jeanette Watts — will feature fun and easy-to-learn dances covering the era of 1912 to […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn what stars and constellations can tell you at a Beginner’s Guide to Astrology on Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. In this introductory class, instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf will share the background of astrology, the different types of astrology and astrological signs and planetary correlations. Students […]

Experience Level: Beginner Explore the botany, natural history and flavors of several local wild edible plants at Edible Midwest Natives on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in The Studio. Heidi Leuszler, the owner and head chef of Berries and Flour in Champaign, will focus on native plants that are harvestable at the time of class. […]

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but they are encouraged to be present for those 13 and younger.) Create a unique piece of art out of locally sourced alpaca fiber at Needlefelt Cardinal on Friday, Sept. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. Stephanie Block of Sundrop Alpacas will […]

Experience Level: Beginner Lean to identify trees and other woody plants in the forest at Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of Allerton on Saturdays, Sept. 20 (in The Studio) and Sept. 27 (at the McDonald Family Trailhead) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In the first class of this two-part course, instructor Fran Harty of the […]

Experience Level: Beginner Explore the high-quality, picturesque forest on the Park’s south side at a Tree Identification Hike on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m.  Meet at the Lost Garden/McDonald Family Trails Parking Lot. (View on Google Maps here.) Allerton Natural Areas Manager Nate Beccue will share identification strategies to help students learn how to identify a variety of tree species […]

Experience Level: BeginnerLearn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sundays, Sept. 21 or Oct. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House. (Each class covers the same material.) Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it means to a sourdough culture, […]

Experience Level: BeginnerUse artwork to make a wardrobe accessory at Silk Scarf Painting on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Library. Instructor Sally Walsh will lead this relaxing and creative workshop where students will use tips and tricks to paint on silk. All students will take home a one-of-a-kind scarf. […]

Experience Level: All levels Celebrate the beginning of autumn at Arboretum Fall Equinox Yoga on Monday, Sept. 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Oak Grove at the Illinois […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the high-energy dances that dominated the early 20th century at Historical Dancing: Titanic to the Talkies on Tuesdays, Sept. 23 through Oct. 28 from 6 […]

Experience Level: Beginner/Intermediate Achieve that goal of learning to play a musical instrument at Learn Guitar: Get Started the Right Way on Tuesdays, Sept. 23 through Nov. 25 from 6 to […]

Experience Level: Beginner Explore trees native to Illinois as well as species introduced to the area at Arboretum Tree Identification Walks on Wednesdays, Sept. 24 or Oct. 15 from 4 […]

Experience Level: Beginner Observe a variety of migrating bird species at our Arboretum Fall Migration Bird Hikes on Thursdays, Sept. 25 or Oct. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to craft a unique and functional basket at Basket Weaving: Lunch Tote on Friday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor […]

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 13+) Whether you want to learn to knit or just need a refresher, enroll in Knitting 101 on Sundays, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 from 1 to […]