Things to do on winter break
The Rockford Park District has a flurry of events and activities to keep you busy over winter break.
When the snow flies, check out our Winter Recreation page for all the things you can do to have SNOW MUCH FUN!
Snow Park at Alpine Hills
When weather conditions allow, go snow tubing or snowboarding at Snow Park at Alpine Hills. We are open extra days over winter break, and we host Yeti Camp!
Please check the website to see if the tubing lanes and terrain park are open.
Lockwood Park
🐴 School’s Day Out: Have a Hay Day!
Join us for outdoor games (weather permitting), crafts, animal interactions, and a movie and hot chocolate to warm up! Hands-on lessons will include interaction with horses, ponies, or other farm animals. Program is offered December 26, December 27, December 30, January 2, January 3.
Atwood Park
🦉 Saturday Activities
Atwood Center is open FREE to the public every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Join us for a birds of prey feeding at 1:00 pm.
The FREE Birds of Prey exhibit is unique to the northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin area. This captivating exhibit features up-close views of raptors, and is one of the few accessible treehouses in Illinois.
Ice Rockford
⛸️ Public Skate
Public skate provides a great opportunity for the whole family to get out on the ice together. The music rocks and the mood is friendly, so come out and join the fun!
Join us at Carlson Ice Arena for Santa Skate Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Christmas Eve Skate Tuesday, December 24, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, and Noon Year’s Eve Tuesday, December 31, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
🏒 Holiday Break Hockey Camp
Hockey players, work on your shooting, passing, and skating skills at the holiday break hockey camp at Riverview Ice House. Camp will be held December 26-27, and January 2-3.
Sapora Playworld
🏃♀️ Indoor Play
Let the kids burn off some energy on our three levels of fun at Sapora Playworld, located inside Carlson Ice Arena. Visit website for pricing and hours over winter break.
UW Health Sports Factory
🏀 Drop-in Sports
Stay active with healthy exercise by walking laps, or playing basketball, pickleball, volleyball, table tennis, or disc golf. Drop-in sports are offered on the following days over winter break from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm: December 23, December 26, December 27, December 30.
🏐 New Year's Eve Reverse Co-ed 4's Volleyball Tournament
Join us for our Annual New Year's Eve- Pure Reverse Co-ed 4's Volleyball Tournament on December 31, 2024. If you have never played in a PURE reverse co-ed tournament before, join us for this unique format played on a womens' height net with men not being able to attack or jump serve. Teams are to be comprised of two Men and two Women. Tournament format will be pool play followed by single elimination bracket play. Prizes for top teams in each division (Gold & Silver following pool play)! -Captains Meeting at 8:45 a.m. / Tournament starts at 9 a.m. For questions, please contact James Davenport, Tournament Director at jamesdavenport@rockfordparkdistrict.org.
Indoor Sports Center
🏌️ Indoor Golf
The indoor golf practice center will be open over winter break from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, on the following days: December 23, December 27, December 30, and January 3.
Indoor golf lessons begin in January. Visit our website to view programs and get signed up today!
🥎 Indoor Softball
Indoor drop-in softball will be offered over winter break from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, on the following days: December 23 and December 30.
This program is for men 50+ and women 40+.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
🎄 All Aglow
The community is invited to celebrate the holiday season by experiencing the annual All Aglow lights display at Rockford Park District’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. Lights are on dusk to dawn through Sunday, January 6, 2025.
This is a FREE event for the public, but donations are appreciated. This year’s presenting sponsor is Danfoss.
🚂 Sinnissippi Station
The popular Sinnissippi Station Model Garden Railroad Exhibit returns to Rockford Park District’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.
Visitors are transported to a magical miniature world as seven G-scale trains and trolleys run down, around, and above the lush indoor tropical setting of Nicholas Conservatory. Miniature Rockford landmarks and willow trestle bridges add to the enchanting ambiance. The exhibit is sponsored by Daniel P Weyrauch, DDS LTD