Tuesday, Sept 29
6 pm – 9 pm

Savor the last of summer’s tomatoes in this Demo Cooking Class with Chef Mickey Knutson. Watch as Chef Mickey demonstrates advanced cooking techniques, including slow-stewing peppers, making biscotti, balancing high-acid raw salads, and more. Guests will enjoy an heirloom tomato and stone fruit salad with burrata and basil oil, followed by pan-roasted colossal shrimp with sweet bell pepper and tomato peperonata. The evening concludes with a blackberry and basil sorbet served with almond biscotti. Upon arrival, resident sommelier and mixologist Tim Clark will welcome guests with a seasonal cocktail.

Thursday, Oct 1
5:30 pm – 7 pm

Join us for an engaging evening of dried flowers, food, and friendship! Sip on wine and enjoy savory appetizers from our kitchen while creating your own beautiful flower bouquet with dried flowers from our fields. Our Farm Team will guide you through the design process. Just bring a vase—no larger than a quart-sized jar—and get ready for a fun and relaxing experience!

Tuesday, Oct 6
6 pm – 9 pm

Celebrate the arrival of fall with Chef Mickey in this vibrant installment of the Viva Bistro! series. Viva Bistro! Vol. V – Fall highlights seasonal flavors and elevated techniques perfect for the changing season. Watch as Chef Mickey demonstrates advanced cooking techniques, including rendering fat for warm dressings, making pan sauce reductions, and more. Guests will enjoy a warm wild mushroom and frisée salad with bacon vinaigrette, followed by cast-iron roasted duck breast with blackberry glaze and baby carrots. The evening concludes with red wine poached pears with whipped honey, goat cheese, and hazelnuts. Upon arrival, resident sommelier and mixologist Tim Clark will welcome guests with a seasonal cocktail.

Wednesday, Oct 7
9 am – 12:30 pm

Join Pastry Chef Maggie Logan for a hands-on exploration of the art of sourdough breadmaking. Learn the fundamentals of sourdough fermentation, including making and refreshing a levain, folding, shaping, scoring, and baking. Participants will make and take home three types of sourdough bread, along with leaven to continue baking at home. Bring your favorite apron and rolling pin and join the floury fun!

Wednesday, Oct 7
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Join visual artist and educator Regin Igloria for the next installment in his bookbinding series at Elawa Farm. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the longstitch binding method, a versatile, non-adhesive technique that's perfect for creating sketchbooks, journals, and other handmade books. Along the way, you'll explore a variety of traditional and repurposed materials while creating your own unique book. No previous experience is necessary, and all tools and materials are provided.

Thursday, Oct 8
6 pm – 8 pm

Explore the art of natural dye with Erica Kowalsky of Down to Earth Goods! Learn how to use food waste, flowers, and other botanicals to naturally dye your own tea towels. Discover how different natural materials create unique colors while creating a lasting keepsake to take home. Erica is a textile designer with a passion for sustainability. She began her natural dye journey after learning about the toxicity of the textile industry and now teaches workshops that inspire people to think more consciously about the products they use and consume. No experience is necessary for this hands-on workshop, and all materials will be provided.

Tuesday, Oct 13
6 pm – 9 pm

Enjoy the flavors of the early fall harvest in this Demo Cooking Class with Chef Mickey Knutson. Watch as Chef Mickey demonstrates advanced cooking techniques, including knife skills, grain hydration, tempering egg custards, and more. Guests will enjoy roasted delicata squash with goat cheese, pomegranate, and pumpkin seeds, followed by reverse-seared bone-in pork chops with warm apple fennel chutney and creamy polenta. The evening concludes with a maple-bourbon crème brûlée. Upon arrival, resident sommelier and mixologist Tim Clark will welcome guests with a seasonal cocktail.

Thursday, Oct 15
6 pm – 8 pm

Celebrate the beauty of fall with a hands-on cupcake decorating class with Annalise Atilano, owner and baker of Sweet B’s Bake Shop in Lincolnshire. Learn a variety of piping techniques as you decorate six cupcakes featuring fall-inspired pumpkins and florals. Annalise will guide you through each design step-by-step, sharing tips and techniques to make decorating approachable and fun. No previous experience is necessary—just come ready to get creative! You’ll leave with a beautiful box of cupcakes, new decorating skills, and the confidence to recreate these designs at home.

Monday, Oct 19
6 pm – 9 pm

Experience the rich traditions of Mexican tamale making in this hands-on cooking class with Chef Ernesto of El Molcajete Sauces. Guests will learn authentic techniques for preparing masa, creating fillings, and assembling both corn husk and banana leaf tamales using traditional sauces and regional flavors. Enjoy handcrafted mezcal margaritas and seasonal aguas frescas throughout the class before gathering for a family-style meal featuring the tamales created during the experience. Celebrate culture, community, and the comforting flavors of homemade Mexican cuisine. All are welcome!

Tuesday, Oct 20
6 pm – 9 pm

Celebrate the flavors of autumn with Chef Mickey in this Demo Cooking Class. Watch and learn as Chef Mickey demonstrates advanced cooking techniques, including long-form braising, skimming, cooking puddings without curdling eggs, and more. Guests will enjoy roasted wild mushroom and herb crostini, followed by red wine braised beef short ribs with parmesan gnocchi. The evening concludes with a dark chocolate sea salt budino. Upon arrival, resident sommelier and mixologist Tim Clark will welcome guests with a seasonal cocktail.

Wednesday, Oct 21
9 am – 12:30 pm

Take your sourdough skills to the next level with Pastry Chef Maggie Logan! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to apply sourdough fermentation to three hearty, advanced breads while practicing techniques like folding, shaping, scoring, and baking. Participants will make and take home three levain-based breads, along with recipes to recreate them at home. Bring your favorite apron and an appetite!

Thursday, Oct 22
6 pm – 9 pm

Unleash your creativity and join us for an evening of painting, sipping, and socializing. Whether you’re looking for a unique date night, a fun evening out with friends, or a solo creative escape, this class is designed to help you relax and discover your inner artist. Jane will guide you step-by-step in creating an adorable goat painting inspired by Elawa Farm’s own goats. All art supplies are provided. With your ticket, you’ll also receive two glasses of wine and assorted seasonal charcuterie. This class is for all skill levels, with no prior experience necessary. Ages 21+ for alcohol consumption.

Tuesday, Oct 27
6 pm – 9 pm

Join us for the next installment of our Viva Bistro series: Volume VI with Chef Mickey Knutson. This evening highlights seasonal ingredients and elevated techniques inspired by the flavors of fall. Watch as Chef Mickey demonstrates advanced cooking techniques, including preparing and massaging greens, creating pan sauce emulsions, fruit caramelization, and more. Guests will enjoy a bitter greens and shaved fennel salad with honey cider vinaigrette, followed by roasted chicken breasts with creamy mustard cider sauce and Brussels sprouts. The evening concludes with a warm pear and cardamom upside-down cake. Upon arrival, resident sommelier and mixologist Tim Clark will welcome guests with a seasonal cocktail.

Tuesday, Nov 3
6 pm – 9 pm

Experience what makes Elawa Farm unique in this farm-to-table themed Demo Cooking Class with Chef Mickey Knutson. Celebrate seasonal ingredients while learning elevated cooking techniques inspired by the harvest. Watch as Chef Mickey demonstrates advanced cooking techniques, including timing browned butter, high-heat vegetable roasting, and more. Guests will enjoy charred cauliflower steaks with romesco sauce and crispy capers, followed by pan-roasted chicken breasts with root vegetables and browned butter sage sauce. The evening concludes with spiced pumpkin bread pudding with salted caramel drizzle. Upon arrival, resident sommelier and mixologist Tim Clark will welcome guests with a seasonal cocktail.

Friday, Nov 6
10 am – 11:15 am

Prepare your dahlias for a beautiful growing season ahead in this hands-on workshop with Elaine Madansky, Elawa Farm’s edible garden specialist. In our climate, dahlia tubers need to be carefully removed and stored over the winter to protect them from the cold. Learn how to properly dig, divide, and store your dahlia tubers, helping ensure healthy, vibrant blooms when the next growing season arrives. This hands-on class will cover the essential steps for overwintering your tubers so you can confidently bring your dahlias back to life next year.

Select Saturdays
12 pm - 12:30 pm

Join our Assistant Farm Manager, Georgia DeSilva, and our adorable goats for an energizing walk around the farm! This guided experience offers the perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Elawa Farm while interacting with our friendly goats. It’s a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with our charming animals.

Select Saturdays & Sundays 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am

Get ready for a heartwarming experience with our friendly goats! Step into their playful world and enjoy a fun-filled session of cuddling, petting, and interacting with our lovable furry friends. This unforgettable encounter is perfect for all ages!

Select Saturdays
10:00 am & 12:00 pm

Summer public tours are back at Elawa! This guided tour explores the farm’s place in Lake Forest history, along with the foundation’s mission and work today. Guests will learn about regenerative farming, seasonal growing cycles, land stewardship, and partnerships with regional sustainable farmers, with stops throughout the gardens, animal areas, and indoor spaces. Please note the route includes uneven terrain and steps. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Tours are held rain or shine.

Select Fridays & Saturdays 9:30 am & 1 pm

Come meet our curious and friendly chickens on a guided visit with Assistant Farm Manager, Georgia DeSilva! This hands-on experience will enable you to observe our chickens up close, learn about their unique personalities, and feed and pet them. This is an enjoyable and interactive experience for animal lovers of all ages!

Saturdays
9:00 am – 10:00 am

Unroll your mat and enjoy the scenery of Elawa Farm’s restored gardens in this guided outdoor yoga class blending gentle, restorative, power, and vinyasa flow styles. The session begins with breathwork and meditation before building into a more active flow to release tension and restore balance. All levels are welcome, with modifications offered throughout. Please bring your own yoga mat.

Saturdays
10:30 am – 11:30 am

Discover the perfect blend of relaxation and fun! Join us for an unforgettable outdoor yoga experience that combines the healing benefits of yoga with the joy of interacting with our friendly goats. Heads up! If it rains, we'll have to cancel Goat Yoga—our goats don't love the rain either! If that happens, we'll reach out and issue a full refund for your tickets.

Wednesday, Sept 23
12pm – 1 pm

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with Adventures at Elawa! Program Manager Grace Hart will guide children through creating a keepsake to remember summer using natural ingredients and plants foraged from the Farm. Each child will make a salt dough pressed-plant wall hanging to take home. This is a drop-off class for children ages 3–5.

Wednesday, Sept 23
4 pm – 6 pm

Join us for a hands-on kids cooking class where young chefs will learn to make colorful tri-color pasta using natural ingredients. With guidance from Program Manager Grace Hart, children will practice essential cooking skills including measuring ingredients, cracking eggs, kneading pasta dough, and using a pasta machine. The class will end with a tasting of their homemade pasta with red sauce, and each child will leave with leftovers to share and recipes to recreate at home. This drop-off class is designed for kids ages 8–12.

Monday, Sept 28
5 pm - 7 pm

Join Chef Ernesto of El Molcajete Sauces for a hands-on class where kids ages 8+ will learn to make tortillas from scratch while being introduced to basic, kid-safe knife skills in a fun and supportive setting. Students will mix masa, press and cook tortillas, and build confidence in the kitchen at their own pace before finishing with a shared meal of fresh quesadillas, vegetables, and El Molcajete sauces.

Wednesday, Sept 30
12 pm – 1:30 pm

Welcome fall flavors to the table during Adventures at Elawa! Program Manager Grace Hart will guide children in making mini apple cinnamon muffins while practicing measuring, mixing, and scooping. Kids will taste their creations and take home leftovers and a recipe to recreate the muffins with their families. This is a drop-off class for children ages 3–5.

Thursday, Oct 15
10 am – 10:45 am

Join Marisa Lind of Marbear Yoga for a fun and interactive Mommy & Me Yoga class designed for children ages 3–7 and their accompanying adult. This playful session combines yoga, movement, games, mindfulness, and a creative craft to help little yogis build confidence, coordination, and connection while families move and create together. Please bring a yoga mat for both adult and child. One ticket includes both the child and one accompanying adult.

Thursday, Oct 29
10 am – 10:45 am

Join Marisa Lind of Marbear Yoga for a fun and interactive Halloween-themed Mommy & Me Yoga class designed for children ages 3–7 and their accompanying adult. Little yogis are invited to wear their favorite costumes (as long as they can still move comfortably) for a playful session featuring yoga, movement, games, mindfulness, and a creative craft. Families will move, learn, and create together while building confidence, coordination, and connection in a welcoming environment. Please bring a yoga mat for both adult and child. One ticket includes both the child and one accompanying adult.

Every Friday
10 am & 11:15 am

In this class, Nicole will lead you and your little ones in 45-minutes of collaborative music making. We will connect through music while we sing, dance, move, play and pretend.