Events at Starved Rock

Park Programs and Events 

All state park events are available in the Upcoming Events section of the IDNR homepage.  All IDNR programs, events, and guided hikes are FREE. 

• Just a reminder that pets are not permitted inside buildings, at indoor programs or events, or on guided hikes. This policy is in place to ensure the comfort of all participants and to comply with health and safety regulations. Certified service animals are exempt from this policy.

2024 Calendar of Events

2025 Calendar of Events Coming Soon!!

Events, programs, and hikes at Starved Rock State Park are operated by the state park staff (IDNR) on-site and start at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center unless otherwise indicated.  

Starved Rock Sunday Programs - FREE

Starved Rock Foundation 

Sunday afternoon events are supported by the generous funding from the Starved Rock Foundation, a not-for-profit friends group of the park, along with contributions from visitors and the local community. While these Sunday programs are free to attend, donations are appreciated to assist the Foundation in covering the costs of program presenters. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and our auditorium can accommodate up to 80 guests at once.

• Big Wolf Run Ranch Live Animal Show 12/1/24 (seating capacity per showtime = 80.  Tickets are free and available at the front desk the day of hte program). 
  • 11:30 a.m. Live animal show
  • 1 p.m. Live animal show. 

Children's Programs - FREE

• Starved Rock Saplings Storytime
  • Please register by emailing lisa.sons@illinois.gov.
    • Ice Age Mammals-11/9/24 at 9:30 a.m. 
• Kid's Art in the Park Workshops
  • 11/3/24 at 1 p.m. 
    • Registration opens on 10/3/24 at 8 a.m. 

Art and Photography Shows and Workshops

• Art in the Park Workshop - FREE

  • Acrylic or Watercolor Workshops for those 16 years and older.  
    • Winter Woodland Cardinal, acrylic, 12/8/24 at 1 p.m. 
      • Registration will open on 11/8/24 at 8 a.m.       
• Kid's Art in the Park Workshops - FREE
  • Make Ink from Nature, 11/3/24
    • 1 p.m. workshop where children will discover how to make earth-friendly ink from natural materials such as leaves, nut shells, and flower petals.  Once mixed students will paint with their homemade nature-friendly ink!    
    • Registration opens on 10/3/24 at 8 a.m. 

• Annual Starved Rock Art Show 

  • Starved Rock Visitor Center, Kaskaskia Room
  • First weekend of February through the last weekend of February.
  • Open daily from 9-4 to the public for viewing, but closed on Lincoln's Birthday and President's Day. 
  • Entries are due to the Starved Rock Visitor Center by the last Saturday of January. 
  • Starved Rock Art Show Instructions and Entry Form

• Annual Starved Rock Photography Show 

  • Starved Rock Visitor Center, Kaskaskia Room
  • First weekend of December through the first weekend of January.
  • Open daily from 9-4 to the public for viewing.  The Visitor Center is closed on  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Entries are due to the Starved Rock Visitor Center by the last Sunday of November.  The Visitor Center is closed on Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the Friday following Thanksgiving.
  • Starved Rock Photography Show Instructions and Entry Form

Special Events - FREE

• Fall Colors Guided Hikes at Starved Rock State Park, 10/19/24
  • Hikes at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m.,1 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.
  • Registration will open on 9/19/24 at 8 a.m. on Starved Rock Eventbrite
  • Registration
• Ghosts of Starved Rock's Past, 10/26/24
  • Guided Hikes at 6:30, 6:45, 7, 7:15, & 7:30 p.m.
  • Registration opens on 9/26/24 at 8 a.m. on Starved Rock Eventbrite.
  • Registration

Please note that each event or program requiring registration online does not open online until exactly 1 month before that program or event's date!!