North Shore families can walk into the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe without paying a cent on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and again on Thursday, Aug. 6. Regular adult admission runs $22.95 to $24.95, so the two free days represent real savings for households planning a summer outing.

The Garden announced on X that it's steering visitors toward the Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden, where a new trial of annual sunflower varieties (Helianthus annuus) is on display for the first time in 2026. The 2.5-acre evaluation site, open since 1989, tests how ornamental plants perform in Midwest growing conditions before they reach local garden centers.

Richard Hawke, director of ornamental plant research at the Garden, has said on the Garden's website that the program exists to "tell the average gardener and the green industry how plants performed in our trials." The program currently evaluates more than 1,200 taxa and won the American Public Garden Association's Award for Program Excellence in 2008.

Nonmembers must preregister online before arriving. The Garden's standard public hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; readers should confirm free-day hours at chicagobotanic.org.

Also on view: the "Shimmering Summer" exhibit featuring large-scale iridescent bubble sculptures by Australian art duo Atelier Sisu, which the Chicago Tribune reported runs through Sept. 20. Glassblowing demonstrations continue Saturday, Aug. 8, noon to 3 p.m.

The Garden sits at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe. Phone: (847) 835-6801.

North Shore community and culture ahead

Tuesday, Aug. 4

  • Chicago Botanic Garden free admission day — Glencoe. Preregistration required for nonmembers. Sunflower variety trial in the Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden. Confirm hours at chicagobotanic.org.
  • Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District special board meeting — 6:30 p.m., Winnetka Library, Lloyd Room, 768 Oak St. Discussion of proposed TIF district in Northfield. Open to the public.

Thursday, Aug. 6

  • Chicago Botanic Garden free admission day — Glencoe. Same preregistration as Aug. 4.

Saturday, Aug. 8

  • Glassblowing demonstrations — Chicago Botanic Garden, noon–3 p.m. Part of the "Shimmering Summer" exhibit (runs through Sept. 20).

Through Aug. 16

  • "Leopoldstadt" at Writers Theatre — Glencoe. Tom Stoppard's sweeping family drama. Verify showtimes at writerstheatre.org.
  • Forest Preserves of Cook County photography contest — Submit photos taken at eligible locations including the Chicago Botanic Garden. Fifteen winning images appear in the 2027 Forest Preserves calendar. As we reported Aug. 4, the Botanic Garden qualifies as an eligible location.

Saturday, Aug. 29

  • Wilmette Block Party — Downtown Wilmette, noon–10 p.m. Free, all ages. Live bands, Jesse White Tumblers at 2:30 p.m., Kids Zone noon–4 p.m., and a new synchronized drone show after dark.