Barrington, Illinois
Upcoming events from Barrington Area Library.
44 upcoming events
At the Barrington Area Library on November 12, 2026, children aged 5 to 12 can drop in for a 45-minute session of open-ended, process-oriented art projects that encourage imagination and creative thinking, with all ages welcome alongside a caregiver. Barrington Area Library cardholders receive priority admission, and seating is first come, first served.
On November 12, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Barrington Area Library's Meeting Room Side B, participants can explore their creativity by making a wooden flower in a Swedish flower craft session. The event is for ages 18 and up, and registration is required.
At the Barrington Area Library Story Room on November 12, 2026, children ages 3 to 5 (with an adult participant) can enjoy stories, rhymes, and skill-building play activities designed for preschoolers from 11:00 to 11:30 AM. Space is limited, with priority given to BALibrary cardholders until the program begins or fills.
At the Barrington Area Library's Meeting Room Side B on November 12, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, participants can learn Swedish flower craft; the event is for ages 18 and up, and registration is required.
At the Barrington Area Library's Program Room on November 12, 2026, from 4:15 to 4:45 PM, children in grades K-2 (ages 5-12 listed) can listen to a story and take part in a related STEAM activity. Registration is required and closes at 4:15 PM on the event date.
At the Barrington Area Library's Zimmerman Room on November 12, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, leadership coach Lisa Mazzoni leads an hour-long session introducing the Enneagram's nine personality patterns and how they shape personal habits, relationships, and workplace leadership and communication. It is for adults ages 18 and up.
At Bibliophile Trivia Night on November 12, 2026, participants can test their literary knowledge in a Jeopardy-style trivia game at the Barrington Area Library from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The event is for adults aged 18 and up, and people may register individually or as a team of up to six.
This virtual webinar, held November 12, 2026 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, features author and educator Dr. Eve L. Ewing in a conversation moderated by Brandis Friedman on how words, storytelling, and community shape public memory and social change. It is intended for adults 18 and older, including librarians, educators, students, writers, and readers.
At the Barrington Area Library's Program Room on November 13, 2026, from 11:00 to 11:45 AM, children ages 5 to 12 (accompanied by an adult) can enjoy stories and songs and get an introduction to Chinese in this interactive program led by Starlink Global Education. Registration is required and closes at 9:00 AM on the day of the event.
On November 13, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:15 PM at the Barrington Area Library meeting room, the Surabhi Ensemble performs traditional and original music and dance blending Indian raga and folk elements with flamenco rhythms and dance, for ages 13 and up. Registration is required and closes at 7:00 PM on the event date.
At the Barrington Area Library's Program Room on November 14, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, children in grades 1 through 5 can read one-on-one with registered Pet Partners therapy dogs brought by SOUL Harbour Ranch. The event is listed for ages 5 to 12, and registration is required.
At the Story Room of the Barrington Area Library on November 16, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, children ages 5–12 (accompanied by an adult) can drop in for stories, songs, rhymes, and movement activities that build language and literacy skills. Barrington library card holders get priority admission, and seating is first come, first served.
At the Story Room of the Barrington Area Library on November 16, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM, children ages 5-12 (with an adult participant) can drop in to enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement activities that build language and literacy skills.
At the Barrington Area Library Program Room on November 16, 2026, from 4:15 to 4:45 PM, participants in grades K–8 (ages 5–14) can decorate a laser-cut animal to use as a keychain or bag charm. Registration is required and closes at 9:00 AM that day.
At the Barrington Area Library's Meeting Room Side A on November 16, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, attendees learn a beginner-friendly introduction to AI, including what it is, how assistants like ChatGPT work, and tips for using it safely. The event is for ages 18 and up.
At the Barrington Area Library's Zimmerman Room on November 16, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, attendees aged 13 and up learn how to identify a Revolutionary-era patriot in their family lineage and begin tracing their connections to that period, with support from the DAR. Registration closes at 6:00 PM on the day of the event.
At the Barrington Area Library's Story Room on November 17, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, children aged 12 to 23 months attend with an adult to enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories that support early language and motor skills. The program is drop-in, though space is limited, with priority given to library cardholders until it begins or fills.
At the Barrington Area Library Story Room on November 17, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM, children aged 12 to 23 months attend with an adult to enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories that support early language and motor skills. It is a drop-in program, with priority admission for library cardholders while space is limited.
"Baby Time" is a 30-minute drop-in program at the Barrington Area Library's Story Room on November 17, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:00 PM, where babies aged 0–12 months attend with an adult to bond through rhymes and songs that build early language skills. The listing also shows an age range of 5–12, which conflicts with the stated 0–12 month audience, and space is limited with priority for BALibrary cardholders.
On November 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, this 18+ event invites local nonprofit and civic leaders to discuss "Applied Wisdom: Eight Practical Insights for Leadership," moderated by Leslie Hansen, with lunch and a complimentary booklet provided.
"Toddler Time" is a 30-minute story time at the Barrington Area Library's Story Room on November 18, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, where children enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes with an adult participant. The event is listed for ages 2 to 3 years, though the listing also shows an age range of 5-12, which appears to be inconsistent with the description.
"Toddler Time" is a 30-minute drop-in story time on November 18, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM in the Story Room at Barrington Area Library, where children ages 2 to 3 attend with an adult and enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes. The event's listed age range in the Ages field is 5-12, which conflicts with the description.
Science Sprouts is a 30-minute program (11:30 AM–12:00 PM on November 18, 2026) at the Barrington Area Library's Program Room where children ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult, explore science topics through hands-on experiments. Note that the event listing also shows an age range of 5-12.
At this one-hour evening event on November 18, 2026, at the Barrington Area Library, attendees hear a performance by Lynn Rymarz about Mary Cassatt's childhood in Pennsylvania and her early ambition to become a professional artist. The program is for adults ages 18 and up, and registration is required.
At the Barrington Area Library's Program Room on November 19, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:45 AM, children ages 5 to 12 (with caregivers) can drop in for open-ended, process-oriented art projects that encourage imagination and creative thinking. Barrington Area Library card holders get priority admission, and seating is first come, first served.
At the Barrington Area Library Story Room on November 19, 2026, from 11:00 to 11:30 AM, children ages 3 to 5 attend with an adult participant to enjoy stories, rhymes, and skill-building play activities designed for preschoolers. The listing also gives an age range of 5-12, which conflicts with the 3-5 age group in the title and description.
In this 45-minute session on November 19, 2026, students in grades 4–8 (ages 5–14 listed) use meditative painting techniques to make their own small magnetic canvas at the Barrington Area Library's Program Room. Registration is required and closes at 4:15 PM on the event date.
On November 19, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, adults aged 18 and older can join this virtual Art Excursions program, led by art historian Jeff Mishur, which explores the life and work of painter Mary Cassatt. Registered participants receive an email with a link, and first-time users may need to download free software, so joining a few minutes early is recommended.
This virtual program, running from 7:00 to 8:00 PM on November 19, 2026, is for adults 18 and older. Dr. David Faris of Roosevelt University breaks down the mid-term election results and leads a discussion about the term ahead.
At Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington, participants can enjoy stories, a nature walk, and playtime during a one-hour event from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on November 20, 2026, weather permitting. It is for children ages 5 to 12 and all ages with a caregiver, and it is a drop-in event.
At the Barrington Area Library Story Room on November 21, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, children ages 5 to 12 (with a favorite adult) enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement activities to build language and literacy skills. It is a drop-in program with limited space, and cardholders get priority admission until it begins or fills.
"Books + Beats" is a 30-minute interactive musical story time held in the Story Room of the Barrington Area Library on November 23, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, where participants practice making rhythms with shakers and sticks. It is listed for ages 0–5 with a participating adult, though the listed age range also shows 5–12, and it is a drop-in event with limited space, with priority for BALibrary cardholders.
"Books + Beats" is a 30-minute interactive musical story time (10:30–11:00 AM on November 23, 2026) at the Barrington Area Library's Story Room, where children practice rhythm with shakers and sticks. The title says ages 0–5 with a participating adult, but the listed age range is 5–12, so the intended audience is unclear.
At the LEGO Workshop on November 23, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM in the Barrington Area Library's Program Room, participants build LEGO robots and tell stories through their creations. It is a drop-in event for ages 5 to 12, with all ages accompanied by a caregiver, and priority admission goes to Barrington Area Library cardholders.
On November 23, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in Meeting Room Side A at the Barrington Area Library, Adult Services Librarian Liz presents some of the most anticipated winter book releases, and attendees may take home a free book. The event is for adults 18 and older and requires registration.
At the Barrington Area Library on November 24, 2026, families can drop in for a 90-minute screening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on the big screen from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, with popcorn and movie-friendly activities included. The event is listed for ages 5-14, and the description says all ages are welcome with a caregiver.
At this one-hour program on November 24, 2026, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in Meeting Room Side A at the Barrington Area Library, participants ages 13–18 create earrings using laser-etched seasonal wood designs, paint pens, and earring hardware. Registration is required and closes at 3:00 PM on the event date.
At the Barrington Area Library Story Room on November 24, 2026, from 6:00 to 6:30 PM, children ages 5 to 12 can shake off their wiggles, get cozy, and listen to calming bedtime stories designed to help them sleep well. It is a drop-in program with limited space, and library cardholders get priority admission.
Sensory Playtime is a drop-in, one-hour session from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on November 25, 2026, at the Barrington Area Library's Program Room, offering sensory-engaging play activities for children ages 0 to 5 with a caregiver. Barrington Area Library cardholders get priority admission, and other customers are admitted as space allows, with seating first come, first served.
At this 2-hour event on November 25, 2026 (1:00–3:00 PM) in Meeting Room Side A at the Barrington Area Library, adults 18 and older play Mahjong in teams of four, using library-provided Chinese Mahjong tiles and cards or their own sets, with registration required by 9:00 AM that day.
At the Barrington Area Library's Program Room on November 25, 2026, from 2:00 to 2:45 PM, participants can drop in and create art using the library's supplies. It is for children in grades K–8 (ages 5–14), with caregivers welcome, and priority admission goes to holders of a Barrington Area Library card.
The Barrington Area Library will be closed all day on November 26, 2026, for Thanksgiving, with no age group specified. The library's website, balibrary.org, remains open during the closure.
At the Seed Packing Party on November 27, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Conference Room at the Barrington Area Library, participants pack seeds for two hours. The event is for ages 13 and up, and registration closes at 9:00 AM on the day of the event.
At the Seed Packing Party, participants pack seeds for two hours from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on November 27, 2026, in the Conference Room at the Barrington Area Library. The event is for ages 13 and up, and registration closes at 9:00 AM that day.
This page lists upcoming public events from the Barrington Area Library calendar.
ParkActivity is an independent guide. It is not the Barrington Area Library or the Barrington park district. Dates, ages, and registration can change, so confirm the event on the library site before you go.