Spring blooms at Cantigny: Three ways to celebrate the season
Egg Hunt, Tulip Show, and Mother's Day fun await visitors this April and May
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Cantigny and this year is no exception. Three upcoming events offer a special chance for friends, families, and garden lovers to embrace the charms of spring.
“Cantigny comes alive in spring when the gardens burst with color,” said Matt LaFond, executive director of Cantigny Park. “It’s a time when people are naturally drawn outside — to reconnect with nature and enjoy the season’s vibrance.”
Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch Buffet
Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free with parking: $16 per car
This two-day event offers children an exciting chance to hunt for prizes at the fan-favorite Easter Egg Hunt in the McCormick Allée. Eggs are replenished throughout the day. Kids may redeem five eggs for a prize (one per child) and families are encouraged to re-hide any extras for others to enjoy.
Visitors can also snap photos with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, catch a showing of the popular movie, “Hop” (2011) in the Visitors Center Theater, and let kids decorate a ceramic puppy bank in the Medill Room ($5 while supplies last). Outdoor concessions will offer lunch fare, soft drinks, and a Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar for adults.
Inside Le Jardin, a brunch buffet featuring breakfast and lunch favorites will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No reservations are required. Cost is $27 or $17 for ages 3 to 12, or free for under age 3 (plus tax).
Tulip Sip & Stroll
Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free with parking: $16 per car
Cantigny’s tulips take center stage at this relaxed, self-guided garden stroll. Visitors can enjoy specialty cocktails available for purchase and take advantage of special photo ops throughout the gardens — perfect for capturing spring memories amid thousands of colorful blooms.
May Fest & Market
Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free with parking: $21 per car
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at a lively outdoor festival filled with music, shopping, and family-friendly fun. Pick up a special gift for mom at the Spring Market, featuring over 30 artisan vendors inside the historic McCormick House. Visit the beer garden, which is opening this weekend for the 2025 season, to enjoy live music and lawn games.
Family activities include the Gnome Hunt, a scavenger hunt across Cantigny, plant crafts, and an inflatable play zone. Create your own micro-garden at The Terrarium Bar ($35, advance registration required), a hands-on experience to bring the magic of nature home. And don’t miss this once-per-year chance for a Greenhouse Tour ($25), an opportunity to peek behind the scenes of Cantigny and preview what’s coming to the gardens this summer.
Cantigny Park is at 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton. For more details, including menus, activity schedules, and online registration, visit Cantigny.org.
About Cantigny
Cantigny in Wheaton is the 500-acre estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick (1880-1955), longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune and founder of the Chicago-based Robert R. McCormick Foundation. It is home to gardens, walking trails, a museum dedicated to the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, a highly ranked 27-hole public golf course, and a golf academy for all ages. More information, including hours, admission fees, and a calendar of upcoming events, is available online at Cantigny.org.