Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum

Small Eyes Under the Skies
2026-02-06 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-30 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-23 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-16 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-01-09 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-12-19 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-12-12 16:30 - 18:00, 2025-12-05 16:30 - 18:00 (Asia/Karachi) and 1 more date | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Join us for Small Eyes Under the Skies at The Heide Observatory, a family-friendly astronomy adventure that begins with an interactive walk through a scale model of our solar system across the meadow and concludes with a telescope viewing of planets and other celestial wonders. Events are weather permitting and will be rescheduled if cloud cover exceeds 40%; look for a confirmation email at least 24 hours before the event. For group or family rate discounts, contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org, and please dress appropriately for an outdoor trek through the “solar system” field.

Through the Lens
2026-02-05 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-29 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-22 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-08 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-18 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-11 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-04 17:30 - 19:30 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Experience the awe-inspiring Through the Lens event at The Heide Observatory, where celestial wonders come to life as you peer through our powerful 17-inch telescope to observe binary stars, distant planets, and shimmering galaxies. While awaiting your turn inside the dome, join our knowledgeable guides outdoors for a laser-assisted sky tour, connecting what you see through the lens with the vast panorama of the night sky. Events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by email 24 hours in advance if cloud cover exceeds 40%, and guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Wednesday Under the Stars
2026-02-04 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-28 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-21 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-14 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-01-07 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-17 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-12-03 17:30 - 19:30 and 1 more date | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Enjoy a relaxing evening at Wednesday Under the Stars, hosted at the picturesque Heide Observatory. Settle into a zero-gravity chair with your favorite beverage and embark on an unforgettable journey through the night sky as our expert guides use laser pointers to highlight stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies above. Listen to the captivating stories behind these celestial wonders while you unwind beneath the vast, glittering cosmos. Events are weather-dependent and will be rescheduled by email 24 hours in advance if cloud cover exceeds 40%, and guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.

Meteor Mingle: Quadrantids
2026-01-03 01:00 - 03:00 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Start the new year under the stars with Meteor Mingle: Quadrantids, one of the most active meteor showers of the year. While brief, the Quadrantids are known for intense bursts of activity, producing fast meteors and occasional bright fireballs during a narrow peak window. This early-morning observing session offers a quiet, immersive way to experience the night sky while learning about meteors, fireballs, and why this shower is so short-lived yet spectacular.

Gemini Meteor Mash II (Cancelled due to weather)
2025-12-13 20:15 - 22:15 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States

Gemini Meteor Mash I (Cancelled due to weather)
2025-12-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Heide Observatory, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States

Wreath-Making Workshop
2025-12-13 10:00 - 12:30 | Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum, 880 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Get in the holiday spirit by creating your very own wreath! Made from fresh assorted evergreens from right here at Hawthorn Hollow, these wreaths are sure to be a unique and beautiful addition to your home this season.
Ticket includes all materials and help from staff, along with one wreath to take home! You may bring one helper at no additional cost, ticket is good for one 14 inch wreath. Light refreshments will be available.

Gnome Turning Workshop
2025-11-29 09:30 - 12:30 | Ozanne Outpost at Hawthorn Hollow, 914 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI, 53144, United States
Spin Up a Bit of Holiday Magic at the Lathe!
Long before factory ornaments lined store shelves, festive folk in Europe were carving and turning small wooden figures to guard their homes and bring a bit of whimsy to the winter season. Our Gnome & Gronk workshop brings that tradition to life — one spin of the lathe at a time.
Join us in our cozy, sawdust-swirled workshop to learn the basics of woodturning while crafting your very own wooden gnome (or “gronk,” if you like yours a little more mischievous). Whether you’re drawn to folklore, want to try something new, or just love a hands-on creative project, this workshop is a one-of-a-kind experience.

🧝‍♂️ What’s Included:

Beautiful domestic hardwood turning blanks
4 hours of guided shop time
Personalized instruction on lathe safety and technique
All tools and protective gear provided
Your own hand-turned gnome or gronk to take home

👥 Who It’s For: No experience? No problem! This workshop is perfect for:

Adults and teens (14+)
Crafty couples or creative friends
Anyone looking to try or learn Wood Turning in a fun and festive way

⚠️ Shop Safety Guidelines:
Woodturning is a rewarding but tool-based craft. To keep everyone safe, we ask that all participants:

Wear closed-toe shoes
Tie back long hair
Skip loose clothing, hoodies with strings, and dangling jewelry
Roll up long sleeves
Leave rings, bracelets, and watches at home

🎄 These workshops fill fast every year — grab your spot and get ready to turn up some holiday cheer!
