McHenry, Illinois
Upcoming events from McHenry Public Library.
29 upcoming events
At the McHenry Public Library District lobby, attendees of all ages can choose a gift tag from the Home of the Sparrow Giving Tree and return the unwrapped gift by December 30 to help someone in their community this holiday season. The event runs from November 9, 2026, with no specific start or end time listed.
A 30-minute storytime held November 12, 2026, at McHenry Public Library District, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes for children ages 1-3 and their caregivers, with a new theme each session. Caregivers must stay and engage with their child, and drop-offs and older siblings are not permitted.
At this one-hour library program on November 12, 2026, NAMI of McHenry County reads children's books about emotions and emotional regulation, followed by a craft that teaches coping skills. It is for children ages 5 to 12.
A one-hour workshop on November 12, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in Room 124 at the McHenry Public Library District, where adults 18 and older (registration required) learn to set a budget for purchases, gifts, and goals for 2027.
At McHenry Public Library's Conference Room (Room 124) on November 13, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, adults aged 18 and up can bring in their devices and get their technology questions answered by librarians on a drop-in basis.
At this two-hour session on November 14, 2026 (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) at McHenry Public Library District, adults 18 and older learn to search Fold3, a military records database for genealogy that includes memorials, photos, and records, plus non-military resources such as newspapers and directories. The session is presented by Tina Beaird of Tamarack Genealogy and hosted with the McHenry County Illinois Genealogical Society.
On November 15, 2026, at McHenry Public Library District, children and teens up to age 17 can pick up a take-home craft kit to make a paper dinosaur hatching from a shell, either at the Questions Desk or by curbside pickup, while supplies last.
On November 16, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM in Conference Room 124 at the McHenry Public Library District, teens and youths ages 10-18 can make their own mini pumpkin wrapped in colorful fall yarn. Registration is required and runs from October 19 to November 16, 2026.
At the McHenry Public Library District on November 16, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, adults 18+ can join a monthly Classic Book Group to discuss Eudora Welty's "The Optimist's Daughter" after reading it. Registration is required and copies are available at the Checkout Desk or by curbside pickup.
Lapsit storytime is a 30-minute program held from 10:00 to 10:30 AM on November 17, 2026, in Meeting Rooms East and West at the McHenry Public Library District, designed for children and their caregivers, who must attend and stay engaged with the child (no drop-offs). No specific age is listed.
On November 17, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the lobby of the McHenry Public Library District, constituent advocates from Congressman Bill Foster's office will answer questions and help adults 18 and older with federal benefits and programs, including Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and immigration inquiries.
The MPLD Board Meeting, held November 17, 2026 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in Meeting Rooms 135 and 136 at the McHenry Public Library District, is open to the public for adults 18 and older. Attendees needing special assistance should contact the library director at least four hours before the meeting.
At Flingo! Financial Literacy Bingo, people ages 18 and up play bingo while learning how to protect themselves from identity theft, scams, and fraud, in a one-hour session from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on November 18, 2026, at McHenry Public Library District, Meeting Rooms East and West (135 & 136), with the State Comptroller's office.
At Family STEAM Night, participants build projects from cardboard using Makedo tools during a one-hour session from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on November 18, 2026, at McHenry Public Library District. The program is for children ages 5 to 12, with the description noting it is intended for kids 5 to 9 and their adults, and families should register once and list attendee numbers in the special notes.
At the McHenry Public Library District's Meeting Room East on November 19, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, participants aged 10 to 18 can learn to crochet or work on their own projects, with all skill levels welcome. Attendees can bring their own project and yarn or join a simple project.
The Friends of the Library Meeting is a 90-minute gathering from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on November 19, 2026, held in Meeting Room East at the McHenry Public Library District, and it is open to all ages. Attendees can learn more about joining the Friends of the Library through the group's website.
Sensory Play Storytime is a 30-minute program held November 20, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM at the McHenry Public Library District, where children ages 1-3 and their caregivers take part in interactive stories, ASL words of the day, and sensory bin play. Caregivers must stay engaged with their child, as drop-offs are not permitted.
On November 21, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at the McHenry Public Library District, Michael Gershbein from Very Smart People teaches adults aged 18 and up how to create safe passwords and use password managers. The session is a 90-minute program.
On November 21, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at the McHenry Public Library District, tribal elder Gerald (Ho-Chunk Ska Ga) gives a talk on the reintroduction of Native Americans into Illinois, covering tribal history, customs, naming ceremonies, stereotypes, and reservations from a Native perspective. The program is open to all ages.
StorySteps is a 30-minute program from 10:00 to 10:30 AM on November 23, 2026, at the McHenry Public Library District's Meeting Rooms East and West, designed for children ages 1-3 and their caregivers, who must stay and engage with the child (no drop-offs).
At this one-hour session on November 23, 2026 (3:00–4:00 PM) at McHenry Public Library District, teens ages 13–18 create a fall flower bouquet arranged in a keepsake mug, with all supplies provided. Registration is required and closes on that same date at 9:00 AM.
At this hour-long program on November 23, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at McHenry Public Library District, Chef Alphonse Dente (Al) shares the origins of foods like popcorn, cheeseburgers, pizza, and ice cream, and is open to all ages.
At the McHenry Public Library District's Conference Room (Room 124) on November 23, 2026, adults can join an experienced Dungeon Master from 5:30 to 8:30 PM to create or take a character and play 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons. The event is for ages 18 and up and requires registration.
This virtual storytime, available to watch on the McHenry Public Library District's YouTube channel, offers stories, songs, and rhymes with a new theme each week for babies and toddlers ages 1-3. The listed time of 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM does not specify a session length.
At McHenry Public Library District's Meeting Rooms East and West (135 & 136) on November 24, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, preschoolers can enjoy books, music, and activities with a new theme each session. Children attending without a caregiver must have one remain in the building during the program.
The description for this event is blank, so there is no information about what a person does there or who it is for. The event is scheduled for November 24, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM in Conference Room (Room 124) at the McHenry Public Library District, and no age group is listed.
At Turkey Bingo!, held November 24, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in Meeting Rooms East and West at the McHenry Public Library District, participants play BINGO to win Thanksgiving dinner ingredients and prizes. The event is open to all ages.
The McHenry Public Library District closes early for the holiday on November 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM, rather than staying open until 9:00 PM. No age group is listed for this event.
The McHenry Public Library District will be closed all day on November 26, 2026, for the holiday. No age group is listed, and the event has no activities for visitors.
This page lists upcoming public events from the McHenry Public Library calendar.
ParkActivity is an independent guide. It is not the McHenry Public Library or the McHenry park district. Dates, ages, and registration can change, so confirm the event on the library site before you go.