Budding Botanists
Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago
Free Admission for Illinois Residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemporary Art 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago
Casting on the Pier
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago
Wild Wednesdays
Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago
Free Admission at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago
Budding Botanists
Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago
Week of Events
Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest
Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest
The festival includes live bands, food vendors, adult beverages (beer, wine and hard seltzers), carnival, business expo and craft fair, Family Day, fireworks and many other family activities.
Frontier Days in Arlington Heights
Frontier Days in Arlington Heights
There will be a market, live music, carnival rides, family fun, a 4th of July parade, and more!
Mount Prospect Fourth of July Festival
Mount Prospect Fourth of July Festival
This 4th of July festival features fireworks, music, carnival rides, and more!
International Festival of Life
International Festival of Life
The 31st Anniversary of the African/Caribbean Festival of Life. There will be Jerk, seafood, and vegan food, and lots of musical performers, crafts, etc. Kids 12 and under are free!
Lincolnshire Art Festival
Lincolnshire Art Festival
"More than 80 juried artists from around the country display and sell their work including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and more! Live music, festival food, and an excellent selection of beers from Half Day Brewery add to the weekend festivities. Admission to the festival is free and there is plenty of nearby parking. The show...
Windy City Smokeout
Fresh Fest!
Fresh Fest!
Come and experience the excitement of our free annual young performers showcase, Fresh Fest! and witness the emergence of fresh talents, fresh voices, and fresh perspectives as they grace the Pier, celebrating the creativity of young musicians, dancers, and artists. July 11 | 12PM-5PM July 12 | 10AM-8:30PM
West Fest
West Fest
West Fest Chicago reflects the eclectic West Town community, and is also renowned for cutting edge live music programmed by Empty Bottle Presents, plus the ever popular Bass By The Pound DJ Stage. West Fest Chicago is unique due to its presentation of neighborhood retailers and restaurants, local fine artists and makers, as well as Kid Fest and...
Square Roots in Lincoln Square
Square Roots in Lincoln Square
Live music, family fun, local restaurants and vendors, and the best craft beer showcase of any Chicago street fest, a Kids Zone & interactive workshops in the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Forge Fest
Forge Fest
Enjoy a vendor village offering a diverse array of goods to engaging activities and workshops for all ages, Rock out to the electrifying sounds of The Neon Night as they take the stage to deliver all your favorite 80s classics. The day ends with fireworks!
Southport Art Fest
Southport Art Fest
"Just steps away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, the two-day festival will showcase some of the city’s best and most diverse artists. Southport Art Fest will highlight a wide range art mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, photography, wood, glass, paper, metal, and mixed media at center stage all weekend long."-From the Southport...
EEEEEATSCON
EEEEEATSCON
EEEEEATSCON is a two-day food experience built in the spirit of a music festival, but with restaurants as the headliners. Created and produced by the popular restaurant discovery platform The Infatuation, EEEEEATSCON is designed for people who want more from a food festival than just tasting-sized portions and cooking demonstrations. The event features a highly...
Budding Botanists
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...
Corduroy
This summer, join Corduroy on an uplifting journey! When his button goes missing, he must find it to go home with Lisa. Follow Corduroy through the department store as he searches everywhere, from escalators to towering store displays, in a fun and adventurous quest. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere...
Live on the Lake
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 La Tosca 4:30PM & 6:30PM DJ Papa G 5:30PM & 7:00PM Gizzae (Reggae)
Corduroy
This summer, join Corduroy on an uplifting journey! When his button goes missing, he must find it to go home with Lisa. Follow Corduroy through the department store as he searches everywhere, from escalators to towering store displays, in a fun and adventurous quest. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere...
Water Flicks: Back to the Future
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
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: Susanna Pineda & Xadie James...
Corduroy
This summer, join Corduroy on an uplifting journey! When his button goes missing, he must find it to go home with Lisa. Follow Corduroy through the department store as he searches everywhere, from escalators to towering store displays, in a fun and adventurous quest. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere...
Free Admission for Illinois Residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art
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 Resident Day at the Field Museum
"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...
Play! at Farm-in-the-Zoo
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.
Corduroy
This summer, join Corduroy on an uplifting journey! When his button goes missing, he must find it to go home with Lisa. Follow Corduroy through the department store as he searches everywhere, from escalators to towering store displays, in a fun and adventurous quest. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere...
Casting on the Pier
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.
PlayLab PlayDate: Rock Pet Storytime & Painting
For this week's PlayLab PlayDate, families with 2-6-year-olds are invited to a free, drop-in storytime session having fun with one of the museum's four core sciences: geology. Hang out in the PlayLab for this interactive read-aloud and rock pet painting craft.
Wild Wednesdays
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...
Movie: School of Rock at Gallagher Way
On select Wednesday nights, visit Gallagher Way for a free outdoor movie and enjoy the fresh air as you take in family-friendly classics, nostalgic comedies and more. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket and watch the film for free on a first-come, first-served basis, or purchase...
Free Admission at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Illinois Residents can enjoy FREE admission to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. A $10 suggested donation per household is greatly appreciated.
Corduroy
This summer, join Corduroy on an uplifting journey! When his button goes missing, he must find it to go home with Lisa. Follow Corduroy through the department store as he searches everywhere, from escalators to towering store displays, in a fun and adventurous quest. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere...
Morning Glories
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...
Corduroy
This summer, join Corduroy on an uplifting journey! When his button goes missing, he must find it to go home with Lisa. Follow Corduroy through the department store as he searches everywhere, from escalators to towering store displays, in a fun and adventurous quest. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere...
Field Family Night: Field Games
"Score your tickets for a night at the Field Museum! At this after hours event, star players and benchwarmers alike will gear up to compete with the best animal athletes and try their hand at games throughout history. Our all-star team of scientists will take the field - Stanley Field Hall, that is - to...
Kids’ Fest 2023
Highlights of Kids' Fest 2024: - A Day of Outdoor Delights: Bask in the warmth of the summer sun and revel in a day filled with outdoor activities that will keep kids of all ages entertained. - Nature Exploration: Discover the wonders of the natural world through interactive exhibits, wildlife encounters, and educational workshops. - Creative Crafts: Unleash your...
Budding Botanists
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...
Corduroy
This summer, join Corduroy on an uplifting journey! When his button goes missing, he must find it to go home with Lisa. Follow Corduroy through the department store as he searches everywhere, from escalators to towering store displays, in a fun and adventurous quest. This 60-minute tale of friendship and belonging had its world premiere...
Jazz Up Glen Ellyn
Coming back stronger than ever is The Downtown Glen Ellyn Jazz Up Music Festival. This is the premiere jazz festival of DuPage County bringing an afternoon line-up of the best jazz in the Midwest by collaborating with local partners such as Fareed Haque, Bellas Artes School of Music and 90.9fm WDCB Home of Chicago Jazz. 10:00...
Live on the Lake
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 The Last Waltz (The Band) 5:30-8PM Pino Farina (Rock) 9-11:10PM Dr. Bombay (Cover – Variety)
Bastille Day
The Committee of French Speaking Societies invite the French Community and all the friends of France to celebrate the French national holiday of Bastille Day in Polk Bros Park on July 13. Join us for an evening of free family-friendly entertainment, live music, and some tasty French treats.
