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35 Spring Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival
Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival
3/29/24 - By Nicole Farrell

Congrats, parents! You've survived another winter with the kids, it's probably safe to stash your cold weather gear, and the best part? It's time for spring festivals and fairs in Chicago. From Easter to Holi to Earth Day, and from kites to art, Chicago kids have no shortage of spring festivals to make the most of warmer weather on the way... and most of them are FREE. Plus, there are can't-miss cultural festivals in Chicago like the Umbrella Arts Festival, the Polish Parade, and the Festival Mole de Mayo. Get your calendars out and start making plans—spring is here!

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Spring Egg-Stravaganza. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo
Spring Egg-Stravaganza. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoo

Fairs and Spring Festivals on Easter Weekend

Prospect Heights Park District Spring Fling

Prospect Heights
Saturday, March 30
Children are invited to eat breakfast, meet the Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs, and take pictures with the Easter Bunny! Following the egg hunt, visit Lions Field to fly your kite compliments of the Prospect Heights Library, Lions Club & Park District. READ MORE

Spring Egg-Stravaganza

Lincoln Park
Saturday, March 30
Spring into action at Lincoln Park Zoo family favorite event, Spring Egg-Stravaganza! Make unforgettable memories as kids explore the zoo searching for hidden treasures. With six egg-hunting zones* to choose from, there's something for everyone, catering to different levels of difficulty, accessibility, and terrain. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for potential animal sightings along the way! READ MORE

The Forge Celebrates Easter

Lemont
Saturday, March 30
The Forge is planning an EGGstra fun day at the park with scavenger hunts, egg hunts, egg rolls, and more. Plus, meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy special activities for kids ages 14 and under! READ MORE

The Great Easter Parade

Berwyn - FREE
Saturday, March 30
Look out for the Easter Bunny as he rides on a float down 16th Street from Jefferson Field to Prairie Oak Gym. Kids can then hunt for Easter eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny at the Easter Eggstravaganza. READ MORE
Holi - The Festival of Colors at the Naperville Riverwalk. Photo by Ketan Rajput, via Unsplash
Holi - The Festival of Colors at the Naperville Riverwalk. Photo by Ketan Rajput, via Unsplash

Chicago Fairs and Festivals in April

Local Author Fest

Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, April 6
Families can come see their favorite local authors at Wheaton Public Library as they read and sign their works. Various authors will read their books aloud at the cafe area on the main floor. READ MORE

Holi - The Festival of Colors at the Naperville Riverwalk

Naperville - FREE
Saturday, April 6
The Vedic Cultural Society invites visitors to celebrate spring, friendship, and forgiveness by throwing bags of colored flour at their friends at the Naperville Riverwalk. The event includes food, music, and shopping. Admission is free, and colored bags are available for $2.50. READ MORE

Great Midwestern Train Show

Wheaton (kids under 12 FREE)
Sunday, May 5
Train enthusiasts can visit with more than 180 exhibitors at the world's largest monthly train show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. The show hosts more than 550 tables of trains in five buildings. Exhibitors sell, repair, and display model trains for fans of all ages. READ MORE

Solar Eclipse 2024 at the Museum of Science and Industry

Hyde Park
Monday, April 8
Join the Museum of Science and Industry to celebrate science in action with activities inside and out. Check out the eclipse up close with telescopic viewing of the Moon crossing the Sun's path through solar telescopes, watch a NASA livestream with the Museum's own NASA Solar System Ambassador, or participate in family- and student-friendly hands-on activities. READ MORE

Eclipse Encounter ’24

Museum Campus - FREE
Monday, April 8
Celebrate the Great North American Eclipse this spring at the Adler Planetarium! On April 8, 2024, everyone’s favorite star (the Sun) and our rocky celestial neighbor (the Moon) are lining up to give families an opportunity to see a partial solar eclipse from Chicago. Enjoy safe solar viewing through telescopes on the telescope terrace, telescopes for solar projection and eclipse photography, free solar viewers, and photo opportunities with big eclipse glasses. READ MORE

A Partial Eclipse at the Park

Pullman - FREE
Monday, April 8
With 95% totality expected in Chicago, what better place to watch the eclipse than with park rangers and a NASA Ambassador at Chicago's first National Park unit: Pullman National Historical Park? The event features local NASA Ambassador Mark Benson, who will be on hand to answer questions and offer guidance on viewing the eclipse. In the Chicago area, the eclipse begins at 12:51pm as the moon moves between the sun and the earth. The height of the event will be at 2:08pm. READ MORE

Experience Central Street

Evanston - FREE
Thursday, April 18-Saturday, April 20
Explore Central Street in downtown Evanston for a full week this spring. The event includes mini-workshops, demonstrations, tastings, and more. New this year is the Great Central Street Scavenger Hunt. Solve riddles and challenges for a chance to win prizes! READ MORE

The Other Art Fair Chicago

Ravenswood (children under 12 FREE)
Thursday, April 11-Sunday, April 14
The Other Art Fair, a leading artist fair for discovering the most exciting artistic talent, is set to host its 6th Chicago edition at its new home, Artifact Events. The Other Art Fair Chicago will feature original works of art from 100+ emerging artists and kick off with an Opening Night event on Thursday, April 11, with Interactive Workshops, Guest Artists, DJ Sets, Kids' Activities, Unique Installations, and much more.   READ MORE

Earth Day Fair at Dvorak Park

Pilsen - FREE
Saturday, April 13
Dvorak Park hosts a special Earth Day event, where kids and their caregivers can learn how they can reduce their carbon footprint through interactive displays, demonstrations, and arts and crafts projects. Families can also sign up for Earth Day clean ups. READ MORE

Chicago Steampunk Exhibition

Schaumburg
Friday, April 14-Sunday, April 16
This year, the family-friendly steampunk exhibition takes guests back to the 1893 Exposition and the Shadow of Nosferatu. Kids can find a variety of activities themed around the spooky theme at this unique exhibition throughout the weekend. Enjoy a society faire of mad science, a dark dwellers encounter, and much more.  READ MORE

Earth Day Clean Up and Celebration at Commercial Club

West Town - FREE
Saturday, April 20
Spend the morning cleaning up Commercial Park and celebrate Earth Day. READ MORE

Oak Park Conservatory Kids' Fest

Oak Park - FREE
Sunday, April 21
Kids can learn more about plants and bees at the Oak Park Conservatory's annual Kids Fest. The event includes a celebration of bees and bee keeping, hands-on educational activities, a scavenger hunt, and crafts. This year's theme, Life Under a Log, will be highlighted by a visit from The Frog Lady, as well as partners from Trailside Museum, Field Museum, and Illinois Master Naturalists. READ MORE

Wheeling Earth Day Celebration

Wheeling - FREE
Sunday, April 21
Celebrate Earth Day in Wheeling's Heritage Park. Take a nature walk, see what outdoor settings Wheeling has to offer, and see animals up close. Exhibitors will include Chicago Kite, Cook County Farm Bureau, Heller Nature Center, and the Wheeling Garden Club. READ MORE

C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place

McCormick Place
Friday, April 26- Sunday, April 28
Get geeky at C2E2, Chicago's annual comic and pop culture convention at McCormick Place. Kids might be the most interested in the Family Play Zone, where they can play interactive games, learn to draw their favorite characters, and have fun in the free play zone. Favorite characterswill be there to meet and greet with kids. READ MORE
Kids walking in a parade. Photo courtesy of the Polish Constitution Day Parade
Kids walking in a parade. Photo courtesy of the Polish Constitution Day Parade

Chicago Fairs and Spring Festivals in May

Lilac Time

Lombard - FREE
Friday, May 4-Sunday, May 19
The Village of Lombard celebrates spring and the blooming of the 700 lilacs and 25,000 tulips in Lilacia Park with this annual festival. The festival includes concerts, an arts and crafts fair, botanical tours, a 5K, a parade, and a father-daughter dance. Entry to the park is always free, but some events charge admission. READ MORE

Polish Constitution Day Parade

Grant Park - FREE
Saturday, May 4
Chicagoans of all ages are invited to attend the Chicago Polish Constitution Day Parade, in celebration of the Polish Constitution of 1791 and Poland's Independence. The theme for 2024 is “NATO Protects and Unites Us.”   READ MORE

Go Fly A Kite

Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, May 4
Go Fly a Kite is a free event held in Wheaton’s Graf Park that encourages the community to come out and enjoy spring and fly kites! This event is a great opportunity for local companies and organizations to promote and showcase their business to families within the community. This event brings over 1,000 participants of all ages each year. The grand launch takes place at 11am and is followed by kids’ activities and a kite demonstration. READ MORE

Art in Wilder Park

Elmhurst - FREE
Saturday, May 4 & Sunday, May 5 
Families can enjoy a beautiful day in the park along with the artwork of more than 100 artists, food, music, and children's activities. A wide variety of artwork will be for sale including jewelry, glass, ceramics, painting, photography, and sculpture. Live music will play and Pilot Pete's Coffee & Treats will be on hand at Wilder Mansion providing coffee, pastries, and lunch. READ MORE

Great Midwestern Train Show

Wheaton (kids under 12 FREE)
Sunday, May 5
Train enthusiasts can visit with more than 180 exhibitors at the world's largest monthly train show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. The show hosts more than 550 tables of trains in five buildings. Exhibitors sell, repair, and display model trains for fans of all ages. READ MORE

Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History

River Forest - FREE
Sunday, May 5
Spring in Chicago has (finally) sprung and kids can celebrate with animal encounters, tree climbing, guided spring wildflower walks, bird banding, dip netting, seed planting, birdhouse building, and more. The free event will take place at River Forest's Trailside Museum of Natural History. READ MORE

Umbrella Arts Festival

Evanston - FREE
Saturday, May 11
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander culture and art in downtown Evanston. This event is designed to increase visibility and representation of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, create shared experiences, and dispel myths. The umbrella symbolizes the ASPA diaspora which includes a diversity of ethnicities from over 40 countries around the world. READ MORE

Northbrook Art in the Park

Northbrook Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 12
More than 80 artists fill Village Green Park with their wares as restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops treat customers to food at this annual festival. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. READ MORE

Chicago River Day

Various locations along the Chicago River - FREE
Saturday, May 11
Volunteer to help the Friends of the Chicago River create a litter-free environment. Dozens of sites throughout Cook County invite families to come pick up trash, paddle up and down the river, and be inspired by the animals, plants, and people around the river. READ MORE

Mayfest Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park
Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19
End spring and kick off summer with live music and festival foods in Lincoln Park. Families can check out live music from family friendly entertainers early in the day. READ MORE

Spring Roscoe Village Art and Craft Festival

Roscoe Village - FREE
Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19
This spring festival on Chicago's North Side includes fabulous paintings, sculptures, fiber pieces, décor, jewelry, and more, all made by local artists. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend's fun. Bring your old art to donate to Chicago Furniture Bank. READ MORE

Skokie Festival of Cultures

Skokie - FREE
Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19
Celebrate all the cultures of the world in the multi-cultural suburb of Skokie. The event in Oakton Park includes two stages of music and dancing, food and beverage vendors, children's games and activities, interactive cultural booths, and an amazing display of flags. READ MORE

Hoffman Estates Kite Fest

Hoffman Estates - FREE
Saturday, May 18
In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, participate in all things kites. The event includes kite demonstrations, crafts, and more. READ MORE

Festival Mole de Mayo

Pilsen
Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26
The Economic Strategies Development Corporation (ESDC) of Pilsen hosts the 11th annual Mole de Mayo festival, including a Mole cook-off between local restaurant chefs, 3 stages of live musical entertainment, wrestling performances, and food and artisan booths from local merchants.  READ MORE

Chicago Memorial Day Parade

Chicago Loop - FREE
Saturday, May 25
Chicagoans of all ages are invited to the annual Memorial Day Parade, in honor of all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The parade begins at noon, following a wreath laying ceremony at 11am in Daley Plaza, and proceeds from State and Lake to Van Buren Street. READ MORE

Barrington Art Festival

Barrington - FREE
Saturday, May 25-Sunday, May 26
More than 120 artists fill the streets of downtown Barrington with their wares as restaurants, bars and ice cream shops treat customers to food at this annual festival. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. READ MORE

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

Lakeview
Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26
Families can kick off summer with music, food, and drinks at this annual Lakeview street festival. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Forge at Lemont Quarries
Commercial Club Playground of Chicago Park
Trailside Museum of Natural History