• Glencoe Festival of Art

    Glencoe 700 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe, IL, United States

    The festival, which covers Glencoe’s downtown, features more than 90 juried artists showing and selling paintings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry and more! Family-friendly (and dog-friendly, too!), there are activities just for kids and live artist demonstrations, as well as non-stop live music along with restaurants and cafes on the festival route offering delicious meals and...

    Free
  • Budding Botanists

    Budding Botanists

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists station. These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required. You can stop by and interact with the materials at the station for as long as you want to. Budding Botanists station will...

    Free, but must register to come to enter the Conservatory
  • Family Studio: Drawing with Scissors

    Art Institute of Chicago 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, United States

    Drop by the Ryan Learning Center to explore line, shape and color using only scissors, glue sticks, and assorted paper—no pencils allowed! Inspired by Henri Matisse’s paper cutouts, artist d. Wright will lead participants as they make colorful collages of their own.

    Included in Museum Entry
  • Chicago Food Truck Festival

    South Loop 2300 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    Enjoy some of the best food in Chicago at the Summer Food Truck Festival. Admission is free, but then you pay for any food you'd like. There will be games and live music as well!

    Free
  • Live on the Lake

    Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Navy Pier's live outdoor music series is returning this summer in the Bier Garden! Enjoy some rides on the pier, some live music, and some delicious food. 2-4:30PM Vintage Vinyl Revue (Cover – Rock) 5:30-8PM Shamarr Allen (Funk/Blues) 9-11:10PM Sixteen Candles (Cover - 80s)  

    Free
  • Campout at the Zoo

    Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

    Camp amongst the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo! Enjoy the outdoors, the animals, animal activity stations, and a campfire with s’mores. There is an evening-only option for people who want to participate in the activities but prefer not to camp! Evening-only tickets are $50, overnight tickets are $75, and there are discounts for zoo...

    $75
  • Budding Botanists

    Budding Botanists

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists station. These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required. You can stop by and interact with the materials at the station for as long as you want to. Budding Botanists station will...

    Free, but must register to come to enter the Conservatory
  • Live on the Lake

    Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Navy Pier's live outdoor music series is returning this summer in the Bier Garden! Enjoy some rides on the pier, some live music, and some delicious food. 2-4:30PM Surabhi Ensemble 4:30PM & 6:30PM DJ Papa G 5:30PM & 7:00PM The Drastics (Reggae)  

    Free
  • Water Flicks: Elemental

    Navy Pier 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Navy Pier's popular "Water Flicks" is returning this year with FREE outdoor movie showings. Bring a picnic, a blanket, and enjoy! Movies are shown at Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park, just before the pier. All films are presented in English with closed captioning.  

  • Wiggleworms/Movie at Gallagher Way

    Gallagher Way 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

    Chicago's famous Wiggleworms from the Old Town School of Folk Music are back with free performances at Gallagher Way.  There will be music, movement, bubbles, and plenty of fun for kids and parents! Each week will feature different performers and a different kids' movie will play after the performance. Performers: Rachael Botz & Will Fancher...

    Free
  • Free Admission for Illinois Residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art

    Museum of Contemporary Art 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Illinois Residents receive FREE admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Usual Rates: Adults: $22 Students, teachers, and anyone 65+: $14 Note: Anyone under 18 is always FREE   The following Discounts always apply as well: $3 tickets for up to six individuals when visitors present their LINK (EBT) Card as part of the Museums...

    Free
  • Lake County Fair

    Grayslake 1060 East Peterson Road, Grayslake, IL, United States

    Celebrating its 95th year, the Lake County Fair is back with a fair of Olympic proportions! From ferris wheels to funnel cakes, the Lake County Fair offers gold medal fun for everyone. Enjoy motocross, monster trucks, demolition derby, bull riding, pig races, livestock competitions and more. All grandstand and arena events are free with admission!...

    $15
  • Free Resident Day at the Field Museum

    Free Resident Day at the Field Museum

    Field Museum 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, United States

    "Free Admission Days are the perfect opportunity for Illinois residents to explore our general admission exhibitions with your family or a group of science-loving friends. Or, use these days to check out special ticketed exhibitions or a 3D movie with a discounted Discovery or All-Access Pass. Tickets for Free Days are only available to Illinois...

    Free
  • Play! at Farm-in-the-Zoo

    Play! at Farm-in-the-Zoo

    Lincoln Park Zoo 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, United States

    Kids can explore the sights, smells, and textures of nature. Listen to stories, participate in arts and crafts, play in the sensory bin, and make music. Designed for children ages 1–5, Caregivers must stay with their children.

    Free
  • Casting on the Pier

    Casting on the Pier

    Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

    The team of skilled and friendly volunteers will be outside on the pier to teach both spin and fly casting every Wednesday this summer and fall through August 28. Participation is on a first come, first serve basis and the volunteers always do their best to accommodate everyone depending on demand.

    Included in Museum Entry
  • Wild Wednesdays

    Wild Wednesdays

    Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Wild Wednesdays are back for the season at Garfield Park Conservatory! Join Family Programs staff outdoors in Play and Grow Garden for free, drop-in activities, such as fort building, bug hunts, chalk drawing, and more! Find us every Wednesday evening from 4:00-7:30 pm. Just head outside through our Desert House doors and follow the giant...

    Free, but must register to come to enter the Conservatory
  • FREE Adler at Night Admission for Illinois Residents

    Adler Planetarium 1300 S Dusable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL, United States

    The Adler Planetarium is open late on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm–10:00 pm (last admission 9:00 pm). Every Wednesday is free Museum Entry for Illinois residents with proof of residency! To show proof of residency, you can use a valid Illinois driver’s license or photo ID, Illinois student ID with photo, or a photo ID plus a...

    Free
  • DuPage County Fair

    DuPage Country Fairgrounds 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL, United States

    There is something for everyone at the Fair. Plenty of entertainment, animals, food, exhibits and carnival rides. Fun for all ages. Adults (ages 13 & up): $10 Seniors (ages 62 & up): $5 Children (ages 3-12): $5 Children (2 & under): FREE Active Military Personnel w/ID: FREE Mega Pass (in advance): $30 Includes admission +...

    $10
  • Lincolnwood Fest

    Lincolnwood 6915 Kostner Ave., Lincolnwood, United States

    Lincolnwood Fest is a four-day event focused on bringing family and friends together for traditional fun. Enjoy daily live music from local and regional bands, a business expo, carnival rides, games, bingo, a Classic Car Show, and much more! HOURS Carnival Rides, Games, Midway: THURSDAY, July 25 — 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. FRIDAY, July...

    Free