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Cirque Italia Water Circus. Photo by Joseph Gage via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Cirque Italia Water Circus. Photo by Joseph Gage via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
4/24/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

Chicago is warming up this weekend and finally has no rain in the forecast, making in the ideal weekend for outdoor festivals to kick off! Check out Lilac Time or Art in Wilder Park, or go see one of the first outdoor concerts of the season in downtown Wheaton. Are you all caught up on new episodes of Bluey? Then it might be time to check out her big stage show at the Auditorium Theatre. Or celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Mexico Fest at Navy Pier.

Mother's Day is going to be here before you know it! Plan an activity or a brunch with our handy lists. Then check out the full line-up of spring festivals—we've rounded up 35 that are family-friendly. 

Have a great spring weekend in Chicago!

More Things To Do in Chicago This Week With Kids

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Three Swifites having fun. Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Three Swifites having fun. Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Community Campfire

Oak Brook
Friday, May 3
Family and friends can gather at Terrace View Park for a campfire and s'mores. The nature center will be open for the first hour of the event so attendees can meet the animals. Bring your own chair or blanket. READ MORE

Little Lady Lilac Ball

Lombard
Friday, May 3
Purple is the new pink at the Little Lady Lilac Ball, where girls 3-11 can join their dads for dancing, games and a sweet table. The Lilac Princess will be on hand to meet and greet girls at the dance. READ MORE

Mexico Fest at Navy Pier

Downtown
Friday, May 3-Sunday, May 5
Navy Pier is joining forces with the Consulado General de México en Chicago & The Governments of Chihuahua, Nayarit, and Querétaro to host Mexico Fest, a weekend-long event featuring a mercadito of artisans, performances by Mexican musicians and dancers, and workshops for kids. Mariachi and Ballet Folklorico will be featured in the Culture Corner and the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion. READ MORE

Praize Productions Celebrates Black Love

Hyde Park
Friday, May 3- Saturday, May 4
Praize Productions, Inc. (PPI) returns to the stage with their latest production, Black Love Reigns Supreme.  This multidisciplinary, theatrical production with a 90’s R&B vibe is an intimate adaptation of all that Black love encompasses. Creatively crafted as a love letter to “Black Love,” this production encourages the audience to explore love in all its definitions, compilations and complexities within the Black community. READ MORE

Jack and the Beanstalk

Beverly
Friday, May 3
Chicago Kids Company - Theater for Children (CKC) presents Jack and the Beanstalk. Come along with Jack and his best friend Carmelita (a Spanish speaking cow), as they try to save their village from a crazy giant! Along the way you’ll meet a beautiful singing Harp, a Golden Goose, and a wacky Bean Salesman. Watch the Giant Beanstalk grow on stage! READ MORE

Taylor Swift Dance Party

Forest Park
Friday, May 3
Visit Let's Play Work for a fun night of dancing, singing and friendship bracelet making! All ages event means the little ones can come dance as well as our older kids. Pizza dinner will be included. T READ MORE

Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show

Downtown
Friday, May 3- Sunday, May 5
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real... READ MORE

Downtown Wheaton Summer Music Series

Wheaton - FREE
Friday, May 3- Saturday, May 4
Downtown Wheaton hosts live music most Fridays and Saturdays throughout May, June, and July! More than 40 artists will rotate throughout Wheaton's outdoor dining destinations, giving families a chance to see different musicians while trying new cuisines.  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

Spring Fun day for Kids at the Rizal Center

Irving Park- FREE
Saturday, May 4
Enjoy a free day of singing, theater and dancing at the Rizal Center, Chicago's cultural center for Filipino Americans. Little Miss Ann will perform a concert, Circa-Pintig will host a theater workshop, and Sinag's "ate" Abby will work on art with children. READ MORE

Country in the Park

Downers Grove-- FREE
Saturday, May 4
Kids can get a little bit country at this event that celebrates Downers Grove's Founders Day. The afternoon in the park includes farm animals, blacksmithing demonstrations, 1850s era games, and more. The event is sponsored by the Grove Foundation READ MORE

Lilac Time

Lombard - FREE
Opens Saturday, May 4
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

Soap Box Derby 2024 Spring Rally

Naperville
Saturday, May 4- Sunday, May 5
Build your own car or test run a pre-built car at the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby's track. READ MORE

Go Fly a Kite at Graf Park

Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, May 4
Wheaton Park District invites families to Graf Park for its annual kite fly. Free kites will be available for the first 100 families. Kite performers will show off their tricks near Monroe Middle School, and there will be contests for most unique kite and highest flying kite. READ MORE

Polish Constitution Day Parade

Downtown - 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

Warrenville Park District Jr. Road Rally

Warrenville
Saturday, May 4
On your mark, get set, GO! Warrenville's Recreation Center Parking Lot into a racetrack. Children ages 3-8 are invited to bring their personal Power Wheel and compete in a friendly race. The competition will be divided into two age classes’ ages, 3-5 and 6-8 competing separately. 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

Kids Time: Fun With Art

Lisle - FREE
Sunday, May 5
Kids can create their own artwork surrounded by art and artifacts from the museum collection. Play the day away and explore Lisle's Station Park your way! Bring your parents and friends for a free, family playdate in downtown Lisle. READ MORE

Kitten Yoga

Hinsdale
Sunday, May 5
Join Hinsdale Humane Society for a morning of kittens and yoga led by one of our very own Pet Therapy Team Members, Cassie Quick. Come for the kittens and yoga; stay for the mocktails! READ MORE

Bike Ride & Safety Day

Elmhurst--FREE
Sunday, May 5
Join the Elmhurst Walk & Rollers for Bike Safety Day and Rodeo on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Elmhurst Depot on York Road next to the Prairie Path. Learn about bike safety, practice your biking skills, and participate in an escorted bike ride. READ MORE
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

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