To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip, Fox Valley Mall in Aurora is featuring a “Peanuts” holiday village, which is on display through Christmas Eve.
The “Peanuts Christmas Experience with Santa” features Snoopy’s doghouse, with screens showing classic “Peanuts” holiday moments, and a corridor of colorful trees, organizers said.
Children and families can visit with Santa at no cost. Professional photo packages are available to buy.
Children also can send letters to Santa in a special mailbox, take photos with life-sized “Peanuts” characters and dance with the Charlie Brown Band on a light-up dance floor with special effects. Every child receives a free holiday toy after their visit, organizers said.
Reservations are recommended but not required. For reservations and information about hours, go to tinyurl.com/PeanutsandSanta2025.
Winter wildlife programs set in Kane County
Participants can learn about local winter wildlife during a new nature program series offered by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, district officials said.
The lineup of free programs is designed to showcase the creatures that stay active throughout Illinois’ colder months, such as chickadees, owls, eagles, woodchucks, beavers and more, according to a press release about the programs. District naturalists will lead the educational sessions during the series.
The Winter Wildlife Series includes Evening Owl Stroll to be offered from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, and Friday, Feb. 6, at Campton Forest Preserve, 4N379 Town Hall Road in St. Charles. The session will include a naturalist-led, twilight walk to learn about owl anatomy, cultural history and lore, the release said.
Another program about owls, called Search for Short-eared Owls, is set for 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at Brunner Family Forest Preserve, 18N681 Western Ave. in West Dundee, organizers said. Participants will learn about raptor behavior and search for short-eared owls.
The program Eagles along the Fox River will run from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve, 35W003 Route 31 in South Elgin. During the session, participants will learn about eagles while hiking along the Fox River in search of the majestic birds, district officials said.
Woodchuck Watch from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Hampshire Forest Preserve, 44W880 Allen Road in Hampshire, will offer a chance to learn more about woodchucks, according to the release.
Beaver Tales is set for 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, at Creek Bend Nature Center within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St. in St. Charles. Participants will learn how beavers build their dams and lodges, and then follow a naturalist down to a nearby creek to see signs of beaver handiwork, district officials said.
Advance registration is required for all Winter Wildlife Series programs, the release said. To register, go to www.kaneforest.com/register, call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com.
For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, go to www.kaneforest.com or follow the district on social media by searching @forestpreserve.
