Opening Festivities: November 16, 17, & 20
Saturday, November 16
9am-noon, Windy City Mermaids
10am-1pm; 2-4pm, Costumed Characters
1pm, Storyteller Kelly Campos
2-4pm, Airbrush Tattoos
Sunday, November 17
1pm, Mythical Music: The Hurdy Gurdy
2pm, Birds of Prey Presented by Wings and Talons (R) Register Here
Wednesday, November 20
6-7:30pm, Free Kettle Corn, while supplies last
7-8pm, The Harp Twins ft. Volfgang Twins (R) A one-of-a-kind electric harp concert featuring Nordic-fantasy originals to ancient Celtic tunes. Register Here
Exhibit Programs for Kids and Families
Mythic Creatures Trading Cards
Drop in to design unique trading cards as you compose creatures with special powers and skills.
5-8pm Mon., Dec. 2
Continue creating cards by asking for supplies at the Children’s Desk.
Dec. 3 through Jan. 26
Return to the library to play games and trade cards with new friends.
5-7pm Mon., Jan. 27, grades K-5 (NR)
Fantastical Bingo
Get ready to roar, hiss and shout out BINGO! at this family-friendly game full of fantastical creatures! Games are ongoing; drop by for friendly competition and a chance to win awesome prizes.
4-5pm Thurs., Dec. 5
2-3:30pm Thurs., Jan. 2, ages 5 and up with an adult (NR)
Mythic Creature Party
Dance like a dragon, stomp like a giant, sing like a mermaid! We’ll do all this and more at a legendary party. Costumes are optional but encouraged.
1-3pm Mon., Dec. 16, ages 2-5 with an adult (NR)
Adopt-a-Creature
Choose your very own mythic pet to care for! We will create everything your stuffed creature needs for a cozy home—from toys to food.
4:30pm Tues., Dec. 17, unaccompanied kids in grades K-2 (R) Register Here
Story Acting with Paddy Lynn
Become a mythic creature and help save the world! Join storyteller Paddy Lynn in this interactive program where you will transform into griffins, faeries and more while putting your creativity and storytelling skills to the test.
9:30am or 11am Fri., Jan. 3, unaccompanied kids in grades K-4 (R) Register Here
Registration for this event will open Dec. 1 at 9am
Giant Squid: An Author Visit with Candace Fleming
The giant squid is one of the most widely discussed yet little understood animals found on land or in the sea. Learn more about this strange and sometimes fearsome creature with Candace Fleming, author of the book Giant Squid.
1:30pm Sun., Jan. 5, ages 6 to adult (R) Register Here
Chinese Lion Dance
Experience the excitement of the Chinese Lion Dance, and learn more about the power of this mythical creature.
1:30pm Sat., Jan. 18, all ages (NR)
Family Book Club with Candace Fleming
Meet award-winning author Candace Fleming as she answers all our questions about her new nonfiction picture book Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic! We’ll make a fun narwhal craft while learning more about these fascinating creatures. Registered families can pick up their own copy of the book (to be signed at the program!) at the Children’s Desk starting Jan. 2.
10am Mon., Jan. 20, families with children in grades K-4 (R) Register Here
Mythical Magical Storytimes
Stop by to enjoy imaginative stories featuring fantastical creatures.
9:30am Thurs., Dec. 5 – unicorns
9:30am Thurs., Dec. 12 – giants
9:30am Thurs., Dec 19 – mermaids, all ages with an adult (NR)
Fantasy Terrarium
Create your own magical world! Have fun customizing a terrarium habitat for your very own mini mythic creature using artificial plants, pebbles, moss and more.
4:30pm Tues., Dec. 10, unaccompanied kids in grades 3-5 (R) Register Here
Watercolor Dragon (Zoom)
Join artist Victoria Elizabeth for this step-by-step class and learn to draw and paint a colorful dragon.
Pick up supplies at the Children's Desk beginning Dec. 1. The Zoom link will be sent to your email the morning of the program.
10:30am Fri., Dec. 27, ages 8 to adult (R) Register Here
Exhibit Programs in the FORGE
Needle Felted Baby Dragon [Exhibit, Forge, Teen]
Create an adorable baby dragon with Natasha Lehrer Lewis, of Esther’s Place! Walk through the process of using wool to sculpt a 4” tall figurine with needle felting. All supplies are included in this beginner-friendly craft. Please choose between the afternoon or evening class. Only one registration per patron.
5pm or 7pm, Wed., Dec 18 (R) Register Here for 5pm Register Here for 7pm
Dragon Pillow
Make a double sided dragon pillow out of felt pieces.
2pm Sat., Dec. 21 (R) ages 14+ Register Here
Unicorn Door Sign
Embellish a wooden unicorn silhouette with an array of artificial flowers to create a charming door decoration!
6pm Tues., Jan. 14 (R) ages 14+ Register Here
Plushie Workshop
Join Georgia from HeatFelt for a hands-on Plushie Workshop, where you'll learn to sew and create your very own magical friend. (R) Ages 14+
2pm Saturdays
Jan. 18 Bigfoot or Yeti Register Here
Feb. 1 Pride Mothman Register Here
Exhibit Programs for Teens and Young Adults
Sea Serpent Cardboard Automata
Join us at this STEM workshop, where you'll design and build a moving sea serpent automata using cardboard and recycled materials! This hands-on program encourages creativity while exploring the mechanics of motion. Teens 6-12 grade
6-8pm, Thursday, Dec. 12 (R) Register Here
A D&D One-Shot Adventure
Ready to embark on an epic quest? Join us for a one-shot Dungeons & Dragons adventure perfect for beginners. Dive into a world of imagination, teamwork, and fun. No experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and a sense of adventure. Teens 6-12 grade
6-8pm, Thursday, Jan. 2 (R) Register Here
Mythical Mystery Quest
Presented by the Teen Leadership Committee. Unleash your inner detective in this hands-on mystery. Join us for a thrilling adventure as you and your teammates solve puzzles, gather clues, and uncover the secrets of legendary creatures. Perfect for those who love challenges and mythical tales. Sign up for only one 45-minute time slot per group.
Saturday, Jan. 25, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1pm, 2:15pm, 3:30pm (R)
20s & 30s Dragon Diamond Art Coasters
Create stunning sparkling dragon-themed coasters at this relaxing event.
6:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, Jan. 29 (R) Register Here
Exhibit Programs for Adults
Fantastic Creatures in the History of Art (Zoom)
Art historian Jeff Mishur explores the relationship between art history and fantastic creatures drawn from myth, religious tradition, and legend. From symbolic unicorns in European tapestries to dragons chasing pearls in Chinese royal vestments, this program features a broad range of subjects, cultures and materials. Mishur is co-owner of Art Excursions. He earned his M.A. in art history from Northern Illinois University.
7pm Thurs., Dec. 12 (R) Register Here
Lost Cities (Zoom)
Join Lynette Reiner, science director at McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, as we explore what lost cities are, through ancient ruins, myths, legends, and folklore. Some of the interesting lost cities we will examine are Petra, Camelot, Atlantis, Pompeii, Cliff Palace of Mesa Verde and many more.
7pm Tues., Dec. 17 (R) Register Here
Sea Serpents, Lake Monsters and the Search for “Hidden Animals” (Zoom)
Cryptozoology, the study of so-called “hidden animals” (or cryptids) examines many unexplained creatures—the Loch Ness Monster, Abominable Snowman, and Mbolel Mkembe, a miniature dinosaur from swamps in central Africa. The highlight of this presentation is an in-depth discussion of Cadborosaurus, an aquatic cryptid frequently seen along the Pacific Northwest coast. Presented by David George Gordon.
7pm Thurs., Jan. 16 (R) Register Here
Chinese Lion Dance
Experience the excitement of the Chinese Lion Dance and learn more about the power of this mythical creature. All ages welcome!
1:30-2pm Sat., Jan 18 (NR)
Shodō (書道) Calligraphy
Come celebrate the Year of the Serpent by learning how to write Serpent in kanji, as well as, taking home your own artwork on shikishi. Space is limited. Registration opens Jan. 2.
6pm Wed., Jan. 22 (R) Register Here
Hurdy Gurdy
Mary Vanhoozer returns with a lecture-recital program of live hurdy gurdy music. Hear French and English songs and dances from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance plus visuals. All ages welcome
2pm Sun., Jan. 26 (R) Register Here