Schedule Of Events:

February 1, 2024

5:15PM - Groundhog Storytime At Courthouse Center On The Square
Bring the kids! Presented by the Woodstock Public Library come enjoy children's stories about groundhogs.

We have a new location. Storytime will be in the Makity Make space inside the newly reopened Courthouse Center on the Square.

This event is Free.

6:00PM - Welcoming Of The Groundhog At Courthouse Center On The Square
Woodstock Willie will be making a grand appearance to kick off the weekend's festivities.

The Woodstock Community Choir will entertain us with songs from the Woodstock Willie Song Book. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

6:30PM - 7:30PM - Groundhog Trivia at Courthouse Center On The Square
How well do you know the movie Groundhog Day? Craig Krandel will test your knowledge for fun and prizes. We have a new location for the festivities.

Join us in the newly reopened Event Center on the top floor of the Courthouse Center on the Woodstock Square. The event is FREE. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

COST: FREE

7:00PM - "Groundhog Day" The Movie At Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre
View the movie in the theater featured in the movie! Classic Cinemas is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.
7 pm tickets: $9, children & seniors – $7

Buy Tickets

February 2, 2024

7:00AM - Groundhog Day Prognostication
Will he see his shadow or won't he? Will we have 6 more weeks of winter, or is spring right around the corner? Gather in the park in the town square for Woodstock Willie's Prognostication. Come for all the festivities with our own Groundhog Day polka band. It's all free but don't forget your booties 'cuz it's cold out there.

The main event for Groundhog Day is the annual prognostication at 7 am, February 2nd.Hundreds will brave the weather and gather on the Woodstock Square to see Woodstock Willie emerge from his tree trunk home. If he sees his shadow, it means there will be 6 more weeks of winter and if he doesn't see his shadow, it means we will have an early Spring. To wake Woodstock Willie from his winter nap, there will be a Polka band playing in the bandstand on the Square .This is our re-enactment of the Groundhog Day ceremony that as a weatherman, Bill Murray reported on; over and over again. That scene from the movie was filmed right here on the Woodstock Square. This event is free but be sure to wear your booties 'cuz it's cold out there!

7:30AM - Drink To World Peace At Public House Of Woodstock
Come to the bar where Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell 'Drink to World Peace' in the movie.  The party will be on the patio.

Drink to World Peace and get a souvenir shot glass.

7:30AM - 9:30AM - "Official" Groundhog Day Breakfast At Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329
Immediately following the ceremony on the town square the official Groundhog Day breakfast will be held at the Woodstock Moose Lodge on Clay Street. A hearty breakfast will be served while our guests are entertained.  Woodstock Willie will be on hand for pictures.

Breakfast includes eggs, pancakes, potatoes, toast, bacon, sausage, juice and coffee. Entertainment including Die Musikmeisters.

10:00AM - "Groundhog Day" the Movie at Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre
Sit back and enjoy Woodstock's favorite movie at the theater featured in the movie and it's not Heidi II.  Our newest event sponsor, Classic Cinemas, is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.
12:00pm:Tickets are $7 all seats

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10:00AM - Walking Tour of Filming Sites at Woodstock Opera House
Gather at the Opera House for a fun and informative tour of the "Groundhog Day" filming sites.  Dress warm and don't forget your booties 'cuz it's cold out there!

The tour will end at the B & B where Bill Murray woke up every morning.  You are invited inside to see the Cherry Tree Inn and warm up with hot cider.

3:00PM - 5:00PM - Groundhog Day Movie Memorabilia & Memories at Woodstock Public Library
The City's Groundhog Day festivities come to the library!

Visit the Woodstock Public Library to see pictures and press clippings from the filming in 1992.  See sketches of the film sets used and memorabilia donated by Harold Ramis and the production company.

7:00PM - "Groundhog Day" the Movie at Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre
View the movie in the theater featured in the movie! Classic Cinemas is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.
Noon tickets on Friday, Feb. 2nd – $7
Buy Tickets

6:00PM - Groundhog Day Dinner Dance
Come for a night of fun at the Woodstock Moose.  The bachelor auction and dance scenes in the movie 'Groundhog Day' were filmed here.  It is a convenient location across from the Metra train station and 2 blocks north of the Woodstock Square. Tickets for the entire evening are $25 per person.

7:30PM - Cocktails with Willie at Stage Left Cafe
Experience an evening of cocktails with Friends of the Opera House and Woodstock Willie! Your $35 ticket will grant you access to a delightful cocktail flight and appetizers. Plus, there's a 50/50 raffle to raise funds and support the Friends of the Opera House.

February 3, 2024

10:00AM - "Groundhog Day" The Movie At Classic Cinemas, Woodstock Theatre
Sit back and enjoy Woodstock's favorite movie at the theater featured in the movie and it's not Heidi II.  Our newest event sponsor, Classic Cinemas, is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.

Tickets are $7 all seats

Buy Tickets

10:00AM - Groundhog Tales: Storytelling With Jim May At Home State Bank
Woodstock's favorite storyteller is back for more family friendly tales.

Jim May is waiting for the groundhog. How about you? Come hear Jim's stories celebrating the ground hogs arrival at Home State Bank on Saturday, February 3rd at 10 am.

Jim May is an Emmy Award-winning storyteller and writer. His collection of stories, The Farm On Nippersink Creek, won a best book award from the Public Librarian Association. He is cofounder of the Illinois Storytelling Festival and for 20 years it's artistic director. He was inducted into the National Storytelling "Circle of Excellence" (Hall Of Fame) in the year 2000.

11:00AM - 4:00PM - Groundhog Day Bags Tournament At Ortmann's Red Iron Tavern
Join the competition in the beer garden. Do you play bags in the backyard? Are you in a summer league? Why not play in the cold and snow? Cash prizes. Cash Bar.

For those of you who love tossing bags in the summer, here is a new twist. There will be a Bags Tournament outside in the cold and snow as part of the Groundhog Day festivities in Woodstock, IL

It begins with check-in at 10 am at Ortmann's Red Iron Tavern across from the train station in Woodstock.  Tournament starts at 11 am.

1:00PM - Walking Tour Of Filming Sites At Woodstock Opera House
Gather at the Opera House for a fun and informative tour of the "Groundhog Day" filming sites.  Dress warm and don't forget your booties 'cuz it's cold out there!

The tour will end at the B & B where Bill Murray woke up every morning.  You are invited inside to see the Cherry Tree Inn and warm up with hot cider.

4:00PM - Groundhog Day Bingo at Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329
Join Friends for a load of fun and games plus a round of bingo!

6:00PM - 10:00 PM - Groundhog Day Pub Crawl At Courthouse Center On The Square
Join Woodstock Willie for a walk around town and a little fun with locals and visitors to celebrate Groundhog Day.

Join Woodstock Willie for the Annual Groundhog Days Pub Crawl on Saturday, February 3, at 6 PM on the Historic Woodstock Square.

Party starts in the Courthouse Center on the Square. CHECK IN is open from 6 to 7:30 pm only. The first 200 ticket purchasers will receive a FREE Groundhog Day item! Non Refundable Tickets are $20. All paid attendees who check in will receive 2 drink tokens to be used at any participating pub crawl location.

We can't wait to see you on the Square for another Pub Crawl time loop – visit your favorite pubs over and over and over again!
Happy Groundhog Day to all!

The bars in the Pub Crawl are all within walking distance of the Square so you won't need your car. Bundle up for a stroll around town. After getting your ticket you can go in any direction. Many of the places have drink specials and some serve food, hopefully there's no groundhog on the menu.

COST: $20

February 4, 2024

8:00AM - Groundhog Day Pancake Breakfast At Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329
This event is hosted wholly by the Woodstock Moose Lodge.  This is not the Official Groundhog Day Breakfast hosted by the Woodstock Groundhog Days Committee.

10:00AM - "Groundhog Day" the Movie at Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre
Sit back and enjoy Woodstock's favorite movie at the theater featured in the movie and it's not Heidi II.  Our newest event sponsor, Classic Cinemas, is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.
February 3rd and 4th at 10 am.  Tickets are $7 all seats
Buy Tickets

10:00AM - "Groundhog Day" the Movie at Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre
Sit back and enjoy Woodstock's favorite movie at the theater featured in the movie and it's not Heidi II.  Our newest event sponsor, Classic Cinemas, is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.
February 3rd and 4th at 10 am.  Tickets are $7 all seats
Buy Tickets

1:00PM - Walking Tour Of Filming Sites At Woodstock Opera House
Gather at the Opera House for a fun and informative tour of the "Groundhog Day" filming sites.  Dress warm and don't forget your booties 'cuz it's cold out there!

The tour will end at the B & B where Bill Murray woke up every morning.  You are invited inside to see the Cherry Tree Inn and warm up with hot cider.

Date: February 1-4, 2024

Location: Various Venue in Woodstock, IL

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