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Illinois Homeschool Events & Education Calendar

108 upcoming homeschool days, conventions, student competitions, camps, college dates and deadlines across Illinois. New events are added every month.

November 2026

• Mon, Nov 30, 2026 – Wed, Dec 2, 2026 · Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Free Days
  Chicago · Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Lincoln Park · Free for Illinois residents (
  0 suggested household donation)
  Free basic admission for Illinois residents November 30–December 2, 2026; dates are subject to change, so confirm on the museum's ticketing site.

December 2026

• Tue, Dec 1, 2026 – Thu, Dec 31, 2026 · Illinois 4-H Brick Build Challenge: Brick Masterpiece
  Online · Online entry · Free
  Statewide December building challenge (theme "Brick Masterpiece") with buildable prizes for winners; no cost to enter.
• Wed, Dec 2, 2026 · North Central College Honors Program Holiday Gathering
  Naperville · North Central College
  A winter campus visit focused on the Honors Program, with the program director, current students and a tour of the Honors Living-Learning Community.
• Fri, Dec 4, 2026 · Chicago Botanic Garden Homeschool Learning Day: Maker Fest
  Glencoe · Chicago Botanic Garden Learning Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road ·
  4 per child
  Guided, plant-based afternoon program (1–3 p.m.) for children ages 5–12; this session's theme is Maker Fest.
• Fri, Dec 4, 2026 · Olivet Nazarene University Purple & Gold Day (December)
  Bourbonnais · Olivet Nazarene University
  Special visit day, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., for prospective undergraduates.
• Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · SAT Weekend Test Date (December 2026)
  Statewide · Test centers across Illinois · SAT registration fee; fee waivers for eligible students
  National SAT weekend administration; registration deadline Nov. 20, 2026.
• Mon, Dec 7, 2026 · Burpee Homeschool Science Day: Nature Inspires Innovation
  Rockford · Burpee Museum of Natural History ·
  6 non-members;

  2 museum members;

  0 homeschool/cohort members
  Final session of Burpee's fall 2026 "Nature's Engineers" series (drop-in 2–4 p.m.): how animal bodies inspire inventions and engineering.
• Mon, Dec 7, 2026 · Illinois 4-H State Ambassador Info Night
  Online · Zoom · Free
  Online information night for youth ages 13–19 interested in a 2027 Illinois 4-H State Ambassador Team; one statewide application covers all teams.
• Mon, Dec 7, 2026 – Tue, Dec 8, 2026 · Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Illinois Resident Free Days (December 7–8)
  Chicago · Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Lincoln Park · Free for Illinois residents (
  0 suggested household donation)
  Free basic admission for Illinois residents on December 7 and 8, 2026 — the last listed free days of 2026.
• Tue, Dec 8, 2026 · CLT (Classic Learning Test) Remote Test Date (December 2026)
  Online · Online (remote proctoring) · CLT registration fee (see cltexam.com)
  Remotely proctored CLT administration; registration deadline Dec. 3, 2026.
• Wed, Dec 9, 2026 – Thu, Dec 10, 2026 · Byron Forest Preserve Homeschool Class: Makerspace
  Byron · Byron Forest Preserve District ·
  0
  Four-hour homeschool class (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) for ages 6–14, offered December 9 or December 10; register by phone with the preserve.
• Fri, Dec 11, 2026 · Augustana College Viking Visit Day (December)
  Rock Island · Augustana College
  Student-led campus tour, admissions and financial-aid sessions, and career-office (CORE) information, starting at 9 a.m.
• Fri, Dec 11, 2026 · Chicago Botanic Garden Homeschool Learning Day: Maker Fest
  Glencoe · Chicago Botanic Garden Learning Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road ·
  4 per child
  Guided, plant-based afternoon program (1–3 p.m.) for children ages 5–12; this session's theme is Maker Fest.
• Sat, Dec 12, 2026 · ACT National Test Date (December 2026)
  Statewide · Test centers across Illinois · ACT registration fee; fee waivers for eligible students
  National Saturday ACT administration; registration deadline Nov. 9 (late: Nov. 29).
• Sat, Dec 19, 2026 – Sun, Jan 3, 2027 · Illinois 4-H Family Winter Break Build
  Online · Online entry · Free
  A family building challenge over winter break, one entry per family; Cloverbuds (ages 5–7) are eligible.

January 2027

• Mon, Jan 11, 2027 – Wed, Jan 13, 2027 · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Illinois Free Days (January 11–13)
  Chicago · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park · Free general admission for Illinois residents
  Free general admission for Illinois residents January 11–13, 2027; reserve Illinois Free Day tickets online with your home ZIP code and bring proof of residency.
• Fri, Jan 15, 2027 · Chicago Botanic Garden Homeschool Learning Day: Mysterious Plants
  Glencoe · Chicago Botanic Garden Learning Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road ·
  4 per child
  Guided, plant-based afternoon program (1–3 p.m.) for children ages 5–12; this session's theme is Mysterious Plants.
• Mon, Jan 18, 2027 · Augustana College Viking Visit Day (January)
  Rock Island · Augustana College
  Student-led campus tour, admissions and financial-aid sessions, and career-office (CORE) information, starting at 9 a.m.
• Mon, Jan 18, 2027 · Illinois College Discover IC Day (January)
  Jacksonville · Illinois College
  Visit day starting at 10:30 a.m. to meet professors, coaches and student groups at Illinois College.
• Fri, Jan 22, 2027 · Chicago Botanic Garden Homeschool Learning Day: Mysterious Plants
  Glencoe · Chicago Botanic Garden Learning Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road ·
  4 per child
  Guided, plant-based afternoon program (1–3 p.m.) for children ages 5–12; this session's theme is Mysterious Plants.
• Fri, Jan 22, 2027 · Olivet Nazarene University Purple & Gold Day (January 22)
  Bourbonnais · Olivet Nazarene University
  Special visit day, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., for prospective undergraduates.
• Sat, Jan 23, 2027 · CLT (Classic Learning Test) Remote Test Date (January 2027)
  Online · Online (remote proctoring) · CLT registration fee (see cltexam.com)
  Remotely proctored CLT administration; registration deadline Jan. 14, 2027.
• Sat, Jan 23, 2027 · Illinois Tech Winter Discover Day
  Chicago · Illinois Institute of Technology, Mies Campus
  In-person visit day for prospective first-year and transfer students, families and counselors.
• Sat, Jan 23, 2027 · Millikin University Visit Day (January)
  Decatur · Millikin University
  Saturday visit day at Millikin University in Decatur, with information on Performance Learning, the Millikin Tuition Promise and scholarships.
• Sun, Jan 24, 2027 – Wed, Jan 27, 2027 · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Illinois Free Days (January 24–27)
  Chicago · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park · Free general admission for Illinois residents
  Free general admission for Illinois residents January 24–27, 2027; reserve Illinois Free Day tickets online with your home ZIP code and bring proof of residency.
• Wed, Jan 27, 2027 · Olivet Nazarene University Academic Emphasis Day: Engineering
  Bourbonnais · Olivet Nazarene University
  Program-focused visit day for students interested in engineering, 9:45 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Sat, Jan 30, 2027 – Sat, Feb 27, 2027 · Chicago History Museum Virtual Teacher Book Club
  Online · Zoom
  Winter virtual book club for educators reading One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins (Jan. 30–Feb. 27, 2027).
• Sun, Jan 31, 2027 – Thu, Feb 4, 2027 · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Illinois Free Days (January 31–February 4)
  Chicago · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park · Free general admission for Illinois residents
  Free general admission for Illinois residents January 31–February 4, 2027; reserve Illinois Free Day tickets online with your home ZIP code and bring proof of residency.

February 2027

• Sat, Feb 6, 2027 · MATHCOUNTS Egyptian Chapter Competition
  Carbondale · Carbondale (site per MATHCOUNTS listing)
  Middle-school MATHCOUNTS chapter competition; top students and teams advance to the Illinois State Competition (date to be announced).
• Sat, Feb 6, 2027 · MATHCOUNTS Rockford Chapter Competition
  Belvidere · Belvidere South Middle School, 919 E 6th St
  Middle-school MATHCOUNTS chapter competition; top students and teams advance to the Illinois State Competition (date to be announced).
• Sat, Feb 6, 2027 · MATHCOUNTS St. Clair Chapter Competition
  Edwardsville · Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Morris University Center
  Middle-school MATHCOUNTS chapter competition; top students and teams advance to the Illinois State Competition (date to be announced).
• Mon, Feb 8, 2027 – Thu, Feb 11, 2027 · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Illinois Free Days (February 8–11)
  Chicago · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park · Free general admission for Illinois residents
  Free general admission for Illinois residents February 8–11, 2027; reserve Illinois Free Day tickets online with your home ZIP code and bring proof of residency.
• Wed, Feb 10, 2027 · Chicago Metro History Day: Student Project Registration Deadline
  Chicago · Online (zFairs)
  Last day to register student projects in zFairs for the 2027 Chicago Metro History Day contests (theme: Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change); uploads are due Feb. 17.
• Fri, Feb 12, 2027 · Chicago Botanic Garden Homeschool Learning Day: Crawly Creatures
  Glencoe · Chicago Botanic Garden Learning Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road ·
  4 per child
  Guided, plant-based afternoon program (1–3 p.m.) for children ages 5–12; this session's theme is Crawly Creatures.
• Sat, Feb 13, 2027 · Augustana College Academic Scholarship Day
  Rock Island · Augustana College
  A 9 a.m.–3 p.m. scholarship day; participants can earn an extra
  ,000 grant a year for four years.
• Sat, Feb 13, 2027 – Sun, Feb 14, 2027 · Illinois 4-H Youth Livestock Conference
  Springfield · Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway
  Two-day conference for 4-H members in 7th–9th grade; participants do not need to own livestock.
• Mon, Feb 15, 2027 · Olivet Nazarene University Presidents' Day Visit
  Bourbonnais · Olivet Nazarene University
  Presidents' Day visit program, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Mon, Feb 15, 2027 · UIS Open House (February)
  Springfield · University of Illinois Springfield
  Monday open house covering admission, the colleges and student services at the University of Illinois Springfield.
• Tue, Feb 16, 2027 – Thu, Feb 18, 2027 · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Illinois Free Days (February 16–18)
  Chicago · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park · Free general admission for Illinois residents
  Free general admission for Illinois residents February 16–18, 2027; reserve Illinois Free Day tickets online with your home ZIP code and bring proof of residency.
• Thu, Feb 18, 2027 · CLT (Classic Learning Test) Remote Test Date (February 2027)
  Online · Online (remote proctoring) · CLT registration fee (see cltexam.com)
  Remotely proctored CLT administration; registration deadline Feb. 11, 2027.
• Thu, Feb 18, 2027 · ICTM Southern Section Conference on Teaching Mathematics
  Carterville · John A. Logan College, Hancock Conference Center
  The 2027 ICTM Southern Section math-teaching conference presented by SIU Carbondale, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Fri, Feb 19, 2027 · Chicago Botanic Garden Homeschool Learning Day: Crawly Creatures
  Glencoe · Chicago Botanic Garden Learning Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road ·
  4 per child
  Guided, plant-based afternoon program (1–3 p.m.) for children ages 5–12; this session's theme is Crawly Creatures.
• Fri, Feb 19, 2027 – Sat, Feb 20, 2027 · FIRST Tech Challenge Illinois Championship
  DeKalb · NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W Lincoln Hwy
  State championship for Illinois FIRST Tech Challenge teams (grades 7–12), capacity 52 teams.
• Sat, Feb 20, 2027 · Illinois Science Olympiad Regional (Parkland College)
  Champaign · Parkland College
  Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school) regional tournament hosted at Parkland College; top teams advance to the state tournament on April 17, 2027.
• Sat, Feb 20, 2027 · Illinois Science Olympiad Regional (Southwestern Illinois College)
  Belleville · Southwestern Illinois College
  Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school) regional tournament hosted at Southwestern Illinois College; top teams advance to the state tournament on April 17, 2027.
• Sat, Feb 20, 2027 · MATHCOUNTS Lake County Chapter Competition
  Grayslake · College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.
  Middle-school MATHCOUNTS chapter competition; top students and teams advance to the Illinois State Competition (date to be announced).
• Sat, Feb 20, 2027 · Millikin University Visit Day (February)
  Decatur · Millikin University
  Saturday visit day at Millikin University in Decatur, with information on Performance Learning, the Millikin Tuition Promise and scholarships.
• Mon, Feb 22, 2027 – Thu, Feb 25, 2027 · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Illinois Free Days (February 22–25)
  Chicago · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park · Free general admission for Illinois residents
  Free general admission for Illinois residents February 22–25, 2027; reserve Illinois Free Day tickets online with your home ZIP code and bring proof of residency.
• Fri, Feb 26, 2027 – Sat, Feb 27, 2027 · Olivet Nazarene University Purple & Gold Days (Overnight, February)
  Bourbonnais · Olivet Nazarene University
  Overnight visit, Friday–Saturday, for prospective undergraduates.
• Sat, Feb 27, 2027 · ACT National Test Date (February 2027)
  Statewide · Test centers across Illinois · ACT registration fee; fee waivers for eligible students
  National Saturday ACT administration; registration deadline Jan. 22 (late: Feb. 9).
• Sat, Feb 27, 2027 · Chicago Metro History Day Senior Division Regional Contest
  Chicago · UIC Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted
  Regional History Day contest for grades 9–12; top projects advance to the Illinois History Day state contests.
• Sat, Feb 27, 2027 · Illinois Science Olympiad Regional (Waubonsie Valley High School)
  Aurora · Waubonsie Valley High School
  Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school) regional tournament hosted at Waubonsie Valley High School; top teams advance to the state tournament on April 17, 2027.
• Sat, Feb 27, 2027 · Illinois Science Olympiad Regional (Western Illinois University)
  Macomb · Western Illinois University
  Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school) regional tournament hosted at Western Illinois University; top teams advance to the state tournament on April 17, 2027.

March 2027

• Thu, Mar 4, 2027 · EIU Conference on Teaching Mathematics (60th)
  Charleston · Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, Eastern Illinois University
  The 60th EIU Conference on Teaching Mathematics, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m., listed on the ICTM calendar.
• Fri, Mar 5, 2027 · Chicago Botanic Garden Homeschool Learning Day: Super Seeds
  Glencoe · Chicago Botanic Garden Learning Center, 1000 Lake Cook Road ·
  4 per child
  Guided, plant-based afternoon program (1–3 p.m.) for children ages 5–12; this session's theme is Super Seeds.
• Sat, Mar 6, 2027 · Chicago Metro History Day Junior Division Regional Contest
  Chicago · UIC Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted
  Regional History Day contest for grades 6–8; top projects advance to the Illinois History Day state contests.
• Sat, Mar 6, 2027 · IJAS Region 12 (Edwardsville Area) Regional Science Fair
  Belleville · Southwestern Illinois College
  Regional fair for Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Clinton, Jersey, Bond, Washington and nearby Metro East counties; $5 per project. Qualifiers advance to the IJAS State Exposition.
• Sat, Mar 6, 2027 · IJAS Region 6 (North Suburban) Poster Session
  Wheeling · Wheeling High School
  Poster session for north Cook, north DuPage and Lake County students (paper session March 3 at Stevenson High School);