In 1992, something astonishing happened in the historic city of Woodstock, Illinois. People came to town and roped off the picturesque city square, moved all sorts of equipment into the park and started playing the Pennsylvania Polka, over and over and over again

They were filming a movie that has become a favorite of young and old for almost 30 years, and the city gathers each year to remember the fun and celebrate the special community that Woodstock has always been. We've had visitors from as far away as Australia, celebrities from the Groundhog Day movie and local media and everyone agrees that this festival is a great way to shake off the gloom of Winter, if just for a few days.

Schedule of Events:

January 30, 2025

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm: Children's Groundhog Storytime

Bring the kids! They will enjoy hearing stories about groundhogs and making a groundhog craft.

Woodstock Public Library is presenting the event in the Courthouse Center on the Square

6:00 pm: Welcoming of the Groundhog

Woodstock Willie will be making a grand appearance to kick off the weekend's festivities.

Theatre 121 cast will premiere a few songs from Groundhog Day the Musical.

This FREE event will be in the Event Center on the top floor of the Courthouse Center on the Square. Elevator entrance is on the west side on Throop Street.

There will be a cash bar.

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Groundhog Trivia

How well do you know the movie Groundhog Day? Craig Krandel will test your knowledge for fun and prizes.

Join us in the Event Center on the top floor of the Courthouse Center on the Woodstock Square. There is an elevator on the west side of the building on Throop Street. The event is FREE. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Groundhog Paint Along

Our artist will demonstrate how to create your perfect Groundhog masterpiece from start to finish in this step by step demonstration. Your reward is a completed work of art with your own unique style. No experience necessary.  Painters must be 16 and over.  You can bring in your own snacks. No alcoholic beverages.

January 31, 2025

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Movie Memorabilia Open House

Visit the Woodstock Public Library to see photos taken during the shooting of the movie and other artifacts. During the Memorabilia Open House special items from the library's Groundhog Day Archive are out on display so that fans can enjoy seeing the scripts, location files, and scrapbooks close-up. Committee members will be on hand to answer questions.

5:00 pm: 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 $30 per person.

Click here to Buy Tickets

7:00 pm: "Groundhog Day" the Movie

View the movie in the theater featured in the movie! Classic Cinemas is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.

7:30 pm: Groundhog Day the Musical

Theatre 121, the Woodstock Opera House resident production company is proud to present ‘Groundhog Day the Musical' in the Woodstock Opera House.

7 Tony Award nominations and winner of the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical this production is based on the iconic film. Newsday called it "an ingenious, witty, joyously offbeat musical." NY1 said "Danny Rubin's wryly humorous book and Tim Minchin's clever songs, the forecast for this Groundhog Day looks pretty bright!" Groundhog Day was a New York Times Critics Pick and the Washington Post said "The surprises are consistently amazing!"

Phil Connors - a disgruntled big city weatherman is mysteriously stuck in small-town America reliving the same day over and over and over again - with no consequences, no regrets, no tomorrows, and nohangovers. But once he starts getting to know TV producer Rita Hanson, he discovers it's a day of second, third and fourth chances.

7:30 pm: Willie's Cocktail Party

Join the Friends of the Opera House and Woodstock Willie for a special fundraiser at Stage Left Cafe as part of the official Ground Hog Day celebration. Cocktails with Willie will raise money to support the Opera House and its performers and patrons.  Come and enjoy specialty cocktails, buy an arm-length of tickets for the 50/50 raffle and get a picture with Willie, while supporting one of Woodstock's most beloved landmarks.

Tickets are $40 per person.

Each guest will receive samples of four specialty drinks and two tokens for complementary drinks. A cash bar will be available and light refreshments will be served.

February 1, 2025

8:00 am - 9:30 am: Groundhog Day 5K

Coming in 2025 - For the first time there will be a 5K Groundhog Day Run. Run through Woodstock and go past some of the places in the movie. Run past the bowling alley, piano teacher's house, movie theater and Pennsylvanian Hotel. This event is being put on by the Woodstock High School Backers Club.

The Groundhog Day 5k Will Start near the Woodstock Train Station and race by famous filming locations from the "Groundhog Day" Movie.  All Proceeds will support the Woodstock High School Backers Club.

Packet Pickup will happen at the Woodstock Square from 5pm to 7pm on Friday Jan 31st.  Race Day packet pickup will be near the startline from 6:30 to 7:30am.

All Registrants will receive a commemorative long sleeve t-shirt

Click here for Registration

10:00 am: Groundhog Tales: Storytelling with Jim May

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 1st 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.

He has toured the U.S. and Europe, presenting at schools, storytelling and folk festivals, as an artist/author in residence at schools and universities, and in nonprofit and corporate venues emphasizing the role of myth, story, and culture in the personal, family and community context.

Chicagoans know him from his appearances on WGN's Roy Leonard Show and from the Studs Terkel radio show on WFMT-FM. He received a 1989 Chicago Emmy award for a WTTW-Channel 11 production of his original story, "A Bell For Shorty."

10:00 am: Theatre 121's Storybook Players

Theatre 121's Storybook Players is excited to offer a free children's theatre program designed for school-aged kids, where the magic of storytelling and theatre comes to life on stage!

The Official Prognosticator of the Forest: The forest folks need help knowing when spring will come and hold auditions to see who will help. The audience will cast their vote to see who wins!

10:00 am: "Groundhog Day" the Movie

View the movie in the theater featured in the movie! Classic Cinemas is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.

11:30 am: Groundhog Day Bags Tournament

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 on Saturday, February 1st. This event will benefit Warp Corps.

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. Sign up early here

12:00 pm: Walking Tour of Filming Sites

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

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Stephen Tobolowsky Meet and Greet

Everybody's favorite insurance agent from Groundhog Day - Stephen Tobolowsky, aka Ned Ryerson, will be back again for the Groundhog Day festivities in Woodstock, IL.

You have seen Stephen on TV in Deadwood, Californication, Glee, One Day at a Time, Goldbergs and many others. In addition to Groundhog Day He has been in many movies including Spaceballs, Mississippi Burning, Basic Instinct and Thelma and Louise.

Stephen will be on hand to say ‘Bing!', demonstrate his belly button trick and sign copies of his books; The Dangerous Animals Club, Cautionary Tales and My Adventures With God.

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Puzzle Palooza

Doors open at 12:30P. Puzzle competition begins promptly at 1:00P

Light snacks will be served and a cash bar will be available.

Recreational
The same puzzle again and again. We love our Woodstock Groundhog Day
Puzzle. The event is perfect for beginner puzzle competitors and families.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Movie Memorabilia Open House

Visit the Woodstock Public Library to see photos taken during the shooting of the movie and other artifacts. During the Memorabilia Open House special items from the library's Groundhog Day Archive are out on display so that fans can enjoy seeing the scripts, location files, and scrapbooks close-up. Committee members will be on hand to answer questions.

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Groundhog Day Pub Crawl

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 1, 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.

7:30 pm: Groundhog Day the Musical

Theatre 121, the Woodstock Opera House resident production company is proud to present ‘Groundhog Day the Musical' in the Woodstock Opera House.

7 Tony Award nominations and winner of the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical this production is based on the iconic film. Newsday called it "an ingenious, witty, joyously offbeat musical." NY1 said "Danny Rubin's wryly humorous book and Tim Minchin's clever songs, the forecast for this Groundhog Day looks pretty bright!" Groundhog Day was a New York Times Critics Pick and the Washington Post said "The surprises are consistently amazing!"

Phil Connors - a disgruntled big city weatherman is mysteriously stuck in small-town America reliving the same day over and over and over again - with no consequences, no regrets, no tomorrows, and nohangovers. But once he starts getting to know TV producer Rita Hanson, he discovers it's a day of second, third and fourth chances.

February 2, 2025

6:30 am: 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!

There is plenty of free parking on the Square plus free public lots off each side of the Square. Click here for a map of available parking.

7:30 am: Drink to World Peace

Come to the bar where Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell ‘Drink to World Peace' in the movie.

7:30 am - 9:30 am: Kegs ‘n Eggs

Presented by Ortmann's Red Iron Tavern in support of the D200 Education Foundation…all are welcome to this after the prognostication celebration for the whole family!!  Die Musikmeisters Band and Woodstock Willie will be on hand to continue the fun. Delicious breakfast foods will be available for purchase.

7:30 am - 9:00 am: Breakfast at the Moose

After the ceremony in the park come warm up and enjoy a full breakfast in the Woodstock Moose Lodge. Why not continue the celebration where some of your favorite movie was filmed. Bill Murray playing piano on the stage and the Bachelor Auction scenes were filmed right here.

Click here to Buy Tickets

8:00 am - 12:00 pm: "Groundhog Day" the Movie

View the movie in the theater featured in the movie! Classic Cinemas is providing many opportunities to do just that during Groundhog Days weekend.

9:00 am - 11:00 am: Groundhog Wood Carving

The groundhog wood carving returns. After the main ceremony, watch an artist with chainsaw and chisel create a groundhog from a log. This will be in the park in the Square. Several Wood(stock) groundhogs will be on display. Stop by.

10:00 am: Walking Tour of Filming Sites

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

10:00 am: Theatre 121's Storybook Players

Theatre 121's Storybook Players is excited to offer a free children's theatre program designed for school-aged kids, where the magic of storytelling and theatre comes to life on stage!

The Official Prognosticator of the Forest: The forest folks need help knowing when spring will come and hold auditions to see who will help. The audience will cast their vote to see who wins!

1:00 pm: Groundhog Day the Musical

Theatre 121, the Woodstock Opera House resident production company is proud to present ‘Groundhog Day the Musical' in the Woodstock Opera House.

7 Tony Award nominations and winner of the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical this production is based on the iconic film. Newsday called it "an ingenious, witty, joyously offbeat musical." NY1 said "Danny Rubin's wryly humorous book and Tim Minchin's clever songs, the forecast for this Groundhog Day looks pretty bright!" Groundhog Day was a New York Times Critics Pick and the Washington Post said "The surprises are consistently amazing!"

Phil Connors - a disgruntled big city weatherman is mysteriously stuck in small-town America reliving the same day over and over and over again - with no consequences, no regrets, no tomorrows, and nohangovers. But once he starts getting to know TV producer Rita Hanson, he discovers it's a day of second, third and fourth chances.

Date: January 30 - February 2, 2025

Location: Various Venue in Woodstock, IL

Click here for more information