While you're exploring upcoming events, don’t forget to check our Hours and Admission page for hours, ticket prices, and general visitor information.
Upcoming Events and Programs
Holiday Tours
Celebrate the magic of the season at the Ellwood House Museum, one of Northern Illinois’ most beloved historic homes. Step inside the beautifully decorated 1879 mansion and enjoy a festive guided tour through all four floors, filled with dazzling trees, twinkling lights, and timeless holiday charm.
Tickets for Holiday Tours will be available starting on October 1, 2026.
In-Depth Tour
The In-Depth Tour provides guests with the unique experience of viewing both the 1900 Ellcourt House and the 1879 Ellwood Mansion on this docent led tour. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Pre-registration is required.
Typically offered at 10AM on the 4th Saturday of each month.
Holiday Members' Night
This exclusive first-look Open House is reserved for Ellwood House Museum Members only.
Holiday Open House
Experience the magic of the season at your own pace during our Holiday Open House weekend!
Holiday Open House
Experience the magic of the season at your own pace during our Holiday Open House weekend!
Final Weekend of 2026 Tour Season
The Ellwood House Museum will have our last weekend tours of 2026 from Friday, Dec. 18 - Sunday, Dec. 20. We highly recommend scheduling these tours in advance through our booking website below or over the phone, as our tours have a capacity of 15 individuals each. (Tickets will be available on October 1, 2026)
In-Depth Tour
The In-Depth Tour provides guests with the unique experience of viewing both the 1900 Ellcourt House and the 1879 Ellwood Mansion on this docent led tour. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Pre-registration is required.
Offered at 10AM on the 4th Saturday of each month.
Tricks and Treats at the Mansion
Dress up in your favorite costume to explore the Ellwood House grounds collecting candy and crafts along the way!
Ellwood After Dark
Experience the historic Ellwood House Museum like never before with our nighttime flashlight tours!
Ellwood After Dark
Experience the historic Ellwood House Museum like never before with our nighttime flashlight tours!
Mansion Art Tour
Crafted by one of our amazing docents, this tour focused on the pieces of art owned by the Ellwood's and their origins. This tour has limited capacity and must be booked prior to attending. Make sure you reserve your spot today!
Human Rights Ordinance Talk
On Sunday, October 11 at 2pm, former CMAD members Mary Shelden and Margie Cook, along with former HRC Commission Chair Norden Gilbert will discuss the history and process of legal advocacy for sexual orientation and gender identity rights, particularly in connection with the Human Relations Ordinance.
In-Depth Tour
The In-Depth Tour provides guests with the unique experience of viewing both the 1900 Ellcourt House and the 1879 Ellwood Mansion on this docent led tour. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Pre-registration is required.
Offered at 10AM on the 4th Saturday of each month.
Dessert and Dialogue
An evening of community-building, storytelling, and racial healing. This event builds upon the work started by the Arts in Action project, a collaboration between the DeKalb County History Center and Ellwood House.
Wine on the Terrace
Wine on the Terrace is the Ellwood House Museum’s signature fundraising event, an elegant and relaxed evening that directly supports our mission to preserve this historic site and connect our community to local history. Proceeds from this event help fund year-round preservation work, school field trips, public programs, and free admission days that keep history accessible for all.
In-Depth Tour
The In-Depth Tour provides guests with the unique experience of viewing both the 1900 Ellcourt House and the 1879 Ellwood Mansion on this docent led tour. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Pre-registration is required.
Offered at 10AM on the 4th Saturday of each month.
Reschedule: Music at the Mansion
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Pm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Headliner: The Beaux Band
Reschedule: Music at the Mansion
This edition of Music at the Mansion will take place on Thursday, August 6.
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Ppm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Headliner: Abby Kay Band
Brown Bag Lunch Lecture: "Abraham Lincoln in Song"
This lecture will be held at the DeKalb County History Center in their new corn crib stage.
“Abraham Lincoln in Song” is a one man show created by award-winning folksinger and folklorist, Chris Vallillo to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and connects to the 250th Anniversary of the United States. Extensively researched and historically accurate, the program uses period music to look at our 16th President from a whole new angle.
Reschedule: Music at the Mansion
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Ppm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Headliner: Feel Good Party Band
In-Depth Tour
The In-Depth Tour provides guests with the unique experience of viewing both the 1900 Ellcourt House and the 1879 Ellwood Mansion on this docent led tour. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Pre-registration is required.
Offered at 10AM on the 4th Saturday of each month.
Harriet Ellwood's Birthday!
Join us in celebrating Harriet's birthday by creating small bouquets with flowers available in the Ellwood House Visitor Center! Bouquets can be created in exchange for a donation of your choosing. All donations will go towards repairing the framed portrait of Harriet that hung in the Ellwood Mansion Dining Room.
This event will be hosted during our Visitor Center hours (12:30-4:30pm) from July 23-26, or while supplies last.
Music at the Mansion
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Ppm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Headliner: Classical Blast
Mansion Art Tour
Crafted by one of our amazing docents, this tour focused on the pieces of art owned by the Ellwood's and their origins. This tour has limited capacity and must be booked prior to attending. Make sure you reserve your spot today!
Music at the Mansion
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Ppm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Headliner: Tambora
Music at the Mansion
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Ppm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Headliner: The Rhythm Rockets
Arts in Action Opening Reception
Join us for the 4th Arts in Action exhibit opening at the Ellwood House Museum!
Arts in Action: “The Power of Place,” is a photography exhibit featuring works by Jayla Trenyce, a Chicago-based graduate of Northern Illinois University, and founder of Kindred Noir, an organization which seeks to empower and support Black and underserved artists.
Barb City in Red, White, and Blue Exhibit Opening
Join us for the opening of the Ellwood House’s America 250 Exhibit: Barb City in Red, White, & Blue!
DeKalb residents have commemorated milestones of American history through the preservation of family artifacts, involvement with civic organizations, the performance of patriotic music, and the creation of folk handicrafts and costumes. This exhibit explores the continued celebration of American history through artifacts from the museum’s collection.
The exhibit opening will take place on June 27, from 4pm-6pm at the Ellwood House Museum Visitor Center. Parking is available and on-site. This event is open to the public, and will be a joint exhibit opening with Arts in Action: “The Power of Place.”
In-Depth Tour
The In-Depth Tour provides guests with the unique experience of viewing both the 1900 Ellcourt House and the 1879 Ellwood Mansion on this docent led tour. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Pre-registration is required.
Offered at 10AM on the 4th Saturday of each month.
POSTPONED: Music at the Mansion
This event has been postponed to a later date.
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Pm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Headliner: The Beaux Band
Mansion Art Tour
Crafted by one of our amazing docents, this tour focused on the pieces of art owned by the Ellwood's and their origins. This tour has limited capacity and must be booked prior to attending. Make sure you reserve your spot today!
Postponed: Music at the Mansion
This event has been postponed to a later date.
Grab your friends and family, bring your blankets and chairs and gather your dancing shoes for some amazing FREE music set against the backdrop of the Ellwood Mansion. On select Wednesday evenings this summer, the pre-show starts at 6:30 Ppm and the headline show is from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. A select menu of beer, wine, beverages, and food/snacks will be available each week for purchase on-site.
Brown Bag Lecture: From Inventory to Exhibition - Asian Collections at Ellwood House
Within this presentation, Nancy Leone will discuss her work as the Carpenter Fellow in Asian Collections at the Ellwood House Museum. She will discuss the processes of inventorying, cataloging, and preserving Asian art objects, as well as the research involved in understanding their historical context and provenance. Nancy will also highlight her role in developing an upcoming exhibition, showing how collections work translates into public interpretation and display.
Evening at Ellcourt
We are pleased to announce our 4th annual Evening at Ellcourt celebration. This year, we look forward to hosting a regency-era masquerade at our beautiful Tudor-Revival Ellcourt Home on Saturday, May 30, from 6pm-9pm.
Memorial Day
Join the City of DeKalb and the Ellwood House Museum for a Memorial Day Celebration!
In-Depth Tour
The In-Depth Tour provides guests with the unique experience of viewing both the 1900 Ellcourt House and the 1879 Ellwood Mansion on this docent led tour. Tour lasts approximately two hours. Pre-registration is required.
Offered at 10AM on the 4th Saturday of each month.