• 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
  • Taste of Lincoln Avenue

    Taste of Lincoln 2500 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago

    One of Chicago's best street fests! An amazing line-up from bands all over the Midwest. Local food favorites Arts & crafts Kids’ Carnival is BACK with non-stop activities for your littles including inflatables, arts/crafts and performances.  

    Free
  • Wicker Park Fest

    Wicker Park 1425 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States

    "As one of Chicago’s most anticipated summer festivals, and dubbed "Chicago's Best Street Festival of the Summer " by the Chicago Tribune, Wicker Park Fest is one of Chicago’s top-drawing festivals, attracting visitors from across Chicagoland and the country with its fantastic music line-up. Wicker Park Fest reflects the neighborhood’s rich musical heritage, vibrant nightlife...

    Free
  • Morning Glories

    Morning Glories

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

    Morning Glories is a free, drop-in program designed for kids ages 0-3 and their caregivers! The lessons will follow themes of science and nature with modifications to focus on motor skill development, sensory exploration, and social interactions between families. A typical Morning Glories session can be expected to include story times, a sensory bin, lots...

    Free
  • Bantu Fest

    Midway Plaisance 1130 Midway Plaissance Near 60th & Ellis, Chicago, IL, United States

    The Bantu Fest is Chicago's biggest multi-cultural festival that brings over 50,000 people from over 30 different countries to celebrate Love, Peace & Unity. Bantu Fest is a one-of-a-kind event that promotes cultural exchange and diversity among nations. The event is designed to entertain, as well as educate people of all nations on countries featured,...

    $10
  • 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
  • Taste of Marquette Park

    Marquette Park 6743 S. Kedzie, Chicago, IL

    A one-day neighborhood pop-up from Taste of Chicago. There are no food tickets, and all vendors accept cash or credit card. The following vendors will be there: Aaron’s BBQ African Food Palace Burp Catering ChefLife 19 Chillafry Cool N Smooth Smoothies Cynthia’s Gumbo Express (food truck) Decadent Flavor (food truck) Delicia’s (food truck) Fiftyone 50...

    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. 2PM-11PM House Calls  

    Free