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
PlayLab PlayDate: Beach Party Storytime & Sand Craft
Field Museum 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, 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 Adler at Night Admission for Illinois Residents
Adler Planetarium 1300 S Dusable Lake Shore Dr, 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, ChicagoWeek of Events
Lake County Fair
Lake County Fair
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!...
DuPage County Fair
DuPage County Fair
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 +...
Lincolnwood Fest
Lincolnwood Fest
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...
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
Taste of Lincoln Avenue
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.
Wicker Park Fest
Wicker Park Fest
"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...
Bantu Fest
Bantu Fest
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,...
Campout at the Zoo
Campout at the Zoo
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...
Edison Park Fest
Edison Park Fest
Edison Park Fest returns with live music, food, inflatables, a bike parade, balloon twisting, and more.
Festa Italiana
Festa Italiana
Festa Italiana returns to Naperville this Summer season! It’s time to channel your inner Italian and celebrate the music, food, culture, and spirit of Italy. Live Italian music during the day Pasta and Pizza Making Class Rock the night away with the rock bands you love Mouth watering Italian food and desserts Culinary Journey with...
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...
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. 2-4:30PMÂ Fareed Haque 4:30PM & 6:30PMÂ DJ Papa G 5:30PM & 7:00PMÂ Hurricane Reggae Band (Reggae) Â
Water Flicks: Interstellar
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: Maryanne Johnson & Lenny Marsh...
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.
PlayLab PlayDate: Beach Party Storytime & Sand Craft
For this week's PlayLab PlayDate, families with 2-6-year-olds are invited to a free, drop-in storytime session featuring our favorite summer pastime, a day at the beach! Hang out in the PlayLab for this interactive read-aloud session with a rainbow sand craft project to follow. PlayLab PlayDates are free to museum guests, don’t require pre-registration, and...
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.
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...
FREE Adler at Night Admission for Illinois Residents
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...
Movie: Soul 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.
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...
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...
