Event List

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Age Group
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Ongoing Events
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This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Watch the Oscar Nominees: Blue Moon

Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Need to catch up with this year's crop of Academy Award nominees? This summer, the Library will screen a nominated film on the first Thursday evening of the month from May through August.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment
Program Description:

Need to catch up with this year's crop of Academy Award nominees? This summer, the Library will screen a nominated film on the first Thursday evening of the month from May through August.

Closed for Independence Day

All Day
River Forest Public Library
Closing
Branches:
River Forest Public Library
This event is in the "Tweens & Teens" group

Teen Tasters (Grades 5-8)

Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment, Food & Cooking
Age Group:
Tweens & Teens

Try out a variety of unique foods from a different country each month in this fun taste test program.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Tweens & Teens
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment, Food & Cooking
Registration Required
Program Description:

Try out a variety of unique foods from a different country each month in this fun taste test program.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Craft and Chat

Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Crafting isn't just for kids! This month's craft for adults: TBD. The Library will provide all materials, so you only need to bring your creativity. 

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Registration Required
Program Description:

Crafting isn't just for kids! This month's craft for adults: TBD. The Library will provide all materials, so you only need to bring your creativity. 

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Mahjong 101 (Beginner Level)

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Community Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Ready to learn the game that everyone is talking about? Join Dee Dee, instructor with The Mahjong Society, for a fun and social introduction to American Mahjong. 

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect
Registration Required
Program Description:

Ready to learn the game that everyone is talking about? Join Dee Dee, instructor with The Mahjong Society, for a fun and social introduction to American Mahjong. 

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Film Lover Fridays

Friday, July 17, 2026 at 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Join other movie lovers on the third Friday of each month to watch classic films. This season, we're highlighting the famous screen partnership of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Program Description:

Join other movie lovers on the third Friday of each month to watch classic films. This season, we're highlighting the famous screen partnership of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

This event is in the "Kids" group

STEM Club Saturday Edition: Gardening (K-4th)

Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Community Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Learn & Connect, STEAM
Age Group:
Kids

Join us for a special Saturday edition of STEM Club. 

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Learn & Connect, STEAM
Registration Required
Program Description:

Join us for a special Saturday edition of STEM Club. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs

Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.

Messy Program Alert

This program involves getting messy. Please wear appropriate clothing.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Antiques Appraisal

Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Antiques dealer Rex Newell makes his annual visit to the Library to appraise the value of your old treasures, just like on Antiques Roadshow!

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Registration Required
Program Description:

Antiques dealer Rex Newell makes his annual visit to the Library to appraise the value of your old treasures, just like on Antiques Roadshow!

This event is in the "Everyone" group

RFPL Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Library Board
Age Group:
Everyone
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Library Board
This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Summer Concert Series: Terry White & The Loaded Dice Play Bob Dylan

Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Library Lawn at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Get your lawn chairs ready for the return of our annual outdoor concert series! This month, we're paying tribute to the only songwriter ever to win the Nobel Prize in Literature: Bob Dylan.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Library Lawn
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment
Program Description:

Get your lawn chairs ready for the return of our annual outdoor concert series! This month, we're paying tribute to the only songwriter ever to win the Nobel Prize in Literature: Bob Dylan.

RFPL Foundation Meeting

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Event Description:

RFPL Foundation meeting 

This is not a library sponsored event.
Library Branch: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Event Description

RFPL Foundation meeting 

This event is in the "Everyone" group
This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Jigsaw Puzzle Race

Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Everyone, Adults & Seniors

Test your puzzle speed in a timed competition! Teams of 2-4 people will each be given the same 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. The team that completes the puzzle first, or gets closest within 2 hours, will be the winners. Pizza will be served.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Everyone, Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Registration Required
Program Description:

Test your puzzle speed in a timed competition! Teams of 2-4 people will each be given the same 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. The team that completes the puzzle first, or gets closest within 2 hours, will be the winners. Pizza will be served.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Local Author Event with James Elsener

Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Authors & Books, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Join us for an afternoon with River Forest's own James Elsener, co-author of the new book Sirens in the Loop: A History of the City News Bureau of Chicago.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Authors & Books, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Program Description:

Join us for an afternoon with River Forest's own James Elsener, co-author of the new book Sirens in the Loop: A History of the City News Bureau of Chicago.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Coffee Monday

Monday, August 3, 2026 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Come to the library on the first Monday morning of every month for coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors and learn about things going on in the community.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Program Description:

Come to the library on the first Monday morning of every month for coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors and learn about things going on in the community.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Evening Book Club

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Authors & Books
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

The evening book discussion group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Books are available at the circulation desk one month before each meeting. These book discussions are open to all adults.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Authors & Books
Program Description:

The evening book discussion group meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Books are available at the circulation desk one month before each meeting. These book discussions are open to all adults.

This event is in the "Tweens & Teens" group

Teen Tasters (Grades 5-8)

Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment, Food & Cooking
Age Group:
Tweens & Teens

Try out a variety of unique foods from a different country each month in this fun taste test program.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Tweens & Teens
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment, Food & Cooking
Registration Required
Program Description:

Try out a variety of unique foods from a different country each month in this fun taste test program.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Watch the Oscar Nominees: It Was Just An Accident

Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Need to catch up with this year's crop of Academy Award nominees? This summer, the Library will screen a nominated film on the first Thursday evening of the month from May through August.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment
Program Description:

Need to catch up with this year's crop of Academy Award nominees? This summer, the Library will screen a nominated film on the first Thursday evening of the month from May through August.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Mahjong 102 (Intermediate Level)

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Community Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

You've learned the tiles, the rules, and how the game works — now let's put it all together. Mahjong 102 is the next step for players who know the fundamentals of American Mahjong and are ready to build confidence at the table.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect
Registration Required
Program Description:

You've learned the tiles, the rules, and how the game works — now let's put it all together. Mahjong 102 is the next step for players who know the fundamentals of American Mahjong and are ready to build confidence at the table.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

What is A.I. Anyway?

Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

What actually is artificial intelligence (A.I.), and why did it suddenly take over the news headlines?

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Program Description:

What actually is artificial intelligence (A.I.), and why did it suddenly take over the news headlines?

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Film Lover Fridays

Friday, August 21, 2026 at 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Join other movie lovers on the third Friday of each month to watch classic films. This season, we're highlighting the famous screen partnership of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Program Description:

Join other movie lovers on the third Friday of each month to watch classic films. This season, we're highlighting the famous screen partnership of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Meditation Soundbath

Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Health & Wellness, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Rhonda Fentry leads a form of meditation using ambient overlapping sounds and vibrations from Crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, tapping into your inner deep subconscious and awakening new energy. 

Upcoming
Registration Required
Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Health & Wellness, Sponsored by River Forest Township
Registration Required
Program Description:

Rhonda Fentry leads a form of meditation using ambient overlapping sounds and vibrations from Crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, tapping into your inner deep subconscious and awakening new energy. 

This event is in the "Tweens & Teens" group

Middle School Makers (Grades 5-8)

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by Oak Park River Forest Youth Services
Age Group:
Tweens & Teens

Middle Schoolers are invited to join us every Tuesday to create something new. Sponsored by OPRF Youth Services.

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Tweens & Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Learn & Connect, Sponsored by Oak Park River Forest Youth Services
Program Description:

Middle Schoolers are invited to join us every Tuesday to create something new. Sponsored by OPRF Youth Services.

This event is in the "Adults & Seniors" group

Summer Concert Series: Kaben Kafo

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Library Lawn at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment
Age Group:
Adults & Seniors

Get your lawn chairs ready for the return of our annual outdoor concert series!

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Library Lawn
Age Group: Adults & Seniors
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment
Program Description:

Get your lawn chairs ready for the return of our annual outdoor concert series!

This event is in the "Everyone" group

Puzzle Swap

All Day
Barbara Hall Meeting Room at River Forest Public Library
Program Type:
Culture & Entertainment
Age Group:
Everyone

Do you have used jigsaw puzzles at home that you'd like to exchange for new-to-you puzzles? Stop by the Library anytime today to do some puzzle swapping. Drop off your puzzle on a table in the meeting room and take another home!

Location: River Forest Public Library
Room: Barbara Hall Meeting Room
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Culture & Entertainment
Program Description:

Do you have used jigsaw puzzles at home that you'd like to exchange for new-to-you puzzles? Stop by the Library anytime today to do some puzzle swapping. Drop off your puzzle on a table in the meeting room and take another home!