Special Events
When Does Registration Begin?
Registration for all 2025 winter and spring events and programs begins Monday, December 30th at 9:00am for residents, and Monday, January 6th at 9:00am for non-residents.
How Do I Register?
The Wildwood Park District offers multiple ways to register, including online, email, fax, mail, and in-person. Registering online is always fastest. For more details on registering, or to register once registration opens, please visit:
How Quickly Do Spots Fill?
Quickly! We recommend viewing our website and 2025 Winter/Spring Brochure (digital and hard copy coming mid-December) prior to open registration and having all your favorite events and programs picked out ahead of time so you can enroll as soon as registration opens.
Gages Lake Ice Fishing Derby & Winter Fun
Join us on Gages Lake and at Pebble Beach Park for a day filled with ice fishing and free winter fun! Register for the ice fishing derby or enjoy free activities including ice and snow painting, ice jug curling, ice skating, ice darts, lawn games, food truck, and a visit from a special costumed character! Cozy up by the bonfire to sip hot cocoa and roast s’mores provided by the Wildwood Park District. Ice cleats and hand warmers also provided. Please park at Pebble, Rule, Sunset, or Willow Point Parks. Walking encouraged. 50/50 raffle benefits the Gages Lake Conservation Committee.
Pre-registration is only required for the ice fishing derby by Friday, January 17th.
| Location | Ice Fishing Derby: Gages Lake (Check-In 8-10am at Pebble Beach Park, 33399 N. Sears Blvd.)
Free Winter Fun and Food Truck: Pebble Beach Park (33399 N. Sears Blvd.) |
Day | Saturday |
| Time | Ice Fishing Derby: 8am-3pm
Free Winter Fun and Food Truck: 11am-1pm |
Date | 1/18 |
| Min/Max | Ice Fishing Derby: 5/No Max
Free Winter Fun: N/A |
Instructor | Park District Staff/Volunteers
Gages Lake Conservation Committee |
| Fee | Ice Fishing Derby: $10R Per Person/$12NR Per Person | Class ID: | 2517.09.01 |
Daddy Daughter Dance
Put on your dancing shoes, dress in your best formal wear, and join us for a special evening at our Daddy Daughter Dance! Enjoy a night of dancing, laughing, and making memories with your little girl. Fee includes a catered buffet dinner, beverages, dessert, and a keepsake framed photo for each child. Price is based on one adult/child pair.
Please pre-register by Friday, January 24th.
| Location | Warren Township Center (17801 W. Washington St., Gurnee, IL 60031) | Day | Friday |
| Time | 6:30 – 8:30pm | Date | 2/7 |
| Min/Max | 50/100 | Instructor | Park District Staff/Volunteers |
| Fee | $49R/$54NR Per Pair
$10 for Each Additional Child |
Class ID: | First Pair: 2517.06.01
Additional Child Class ID: 2517.06.02 |
Hit the Hills
Winter have you feeling cooped up? We’re taking the party outside! Bundle up and join us for some FREE good old fashioned neighborhood sledding, ice skating, and bonfire. Bring your own sled and hit the hill at Willow Point Park, ice skate in the cove, or cozy up by the bonfire with a cup of hot cocoa and s’mores provided by the Wildwood Park District. Hand warmers and ice cleats also provided. Meet at the end of Rule Ct. by the walking path entrance. No pre-registration required.
| Location | Willow Point Park- End of Rule Ct. by the walking path entrance | Day | Saturday |
| Time | 11am – 12:30pm | Date | 3/8 |
| Min/Max | N/A | Instructor | Park District Staff/Volunteers |
| Fee | FREE | Class ID: | N/A |
Parents Night Out
Parents, are you looking for an evening without the kids? Need a break during spring break? We’ve got you covered! Drop the kids off (age 5+) for a fun movie night (pajamas encouraged!), pizza dinner, dessert, activities, games, and crafts
Please pre-register by Thursday, March 27th.
| Location | Rule House, Oak Room | Day | Friday |
| Time | 6:00 – 8:30pm | Date | 3/28 |
| Min/Max | 5/10 | Instructor | Park District Staff/Volunteers |
| Fee | $17R/$20NR | Class ID: | 2512.01.01 |
Spring Tea Party
You are cordially invited to dress in your best tea party attire and sip coffee, tea, and lemonade while enjoying tasty pastries at our elegant tea party! There will be a photo op area and spring tea party craft where each child will get a keepsake photo! Disney Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast will be making a special guest appearance! All ages welcome.
Please pre-register by Monday, March 31st.
| Location | Rule House, Oak Room | Day | Saturday |
| Time | 10:00 – 11:30am | Date | 4/5 |
| Min/Max | 5/20 | Instructor | Park District Staff/Volunteers |
| Fee | $15R/$20NR | Class ID: | First Pair: 2517.06.05
Additional Child: 2517.06.06 |
Egg Hunt
Hop on over to Rule Park for an egg hunt eggstravaganza for kids and dogs! Hunt areas will be divided by children’s age and dog’s size. Find the lucky golden egg and win a special gift basket prize! Event is rain or shine so please dress for the weather. Don’t forget to bring a basket! We respectfully ask that you limit children to 10 and dogs to 5 eggs each. Kids must be with an adult and dogs must be friendly and leashed. No pre-registration required!
| Location | Rule Park (33325 N. Sears Blvd.) | Day | Saturday |
| Time | 11:00am: Kids
11:30am: Dogs |
Date | 4/26 |
| Min/Max | N/A | Instructor | Park District Staff/Volunteers |
| Fee | FREE | Class ID: | N/A |
