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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!

Music is all over Chicago this weekend, and there are lots of ways to enjoy it with kids. We heard a certain popular artist may have come out with a new album last week, and families are celebrating with events in Ravenswood and Lake Zurich. You can also learn about A Cappella music in Glen Ellyn or enjoy festive Austrian tunes in Oak Lawn. Families can also plant a tree for Arbor Day, see a new playground opening in Oak Park, or reuse and recycle old items in Wrigleyville to round out Earth Month this weekend.

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

Cirque Italia Water Circus at Orland Square

Orland Park
Thursday, April 25-Sunday, April 28
Cirque Italia presents an aquatic spectuacular for families The name reflects a unique attribute under the tent, as the show features a custom designed water stage that travels from city to city. The stage holds 35,000 gallons of water that performers dazzle over while thrilling the audience with every move. With this “unique feature” under the tent, guests will be surprised, for it’s a show of its own! READ MORE

Swiftie Dance Party at Live Bash

Ravenswood
Friday, April 26
Live Bash & Pie invite you to celebrate Taylor Swift’s newest era and the release of her latest album "The Tortured Poets Department." Listen to the new album, make a friendship bracelet, take your picture in a photo booth, record yourself doing Taylor Swift karaoke, and dance to all of the Taylor hits. READ MORE

"The Secret Garden" at Jedlicka Performing Arts Center

Cicero
Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28
This enchanting classic of children’s literature is re-imagined in musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of ‘Night Mother. Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. READ MORE

C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place

McCormick Place
Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28
Get geeky at C2E2, Chicago's annual comic and pop culture convention at McCormick Place. Kids might be the most interested in the Family Play Zone, where they can play interactive games, learn to draw their favorite characters, and have fun in the free play zone. Favorite characterswill be there to meet and greet with kids. READ MORE

Wild Wonders at the DuPage Children's Museum

Naperville
Saturday, April 27
Celebrate nature and spring with a variety of fun activities at the DuPage Children's Museum. Hands-on exhibits include animals from Phillips Park Zoo and activities from the Conservation Foundation. Kids can also make up their own animal, experience sensory stations including sand and other natural materials, create a nature mobile, and listen to a Tiny Great Performance from musician Nanny Nikki. READ MORE

Itasca Arbor Day Celebration

Itasca - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Celebrate trees in Springbrook Nature Center with the official Arbor Day proclamation and tree dedication from the Itasca Mayor. Families can also watch a tree climbing demonstration from Davey Tree Experts, help plant wildflowers, and enjoy additional crafts and giveaways. Wings & Talons will display birds of prey. READ MORE

Stem Con at College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Explore the world of STEM with dozens of high-quality, well-facilitated experiments and demonstrations designed to inform, entertain and spark interest in science, technology, engineering and math at the college of DuPage. Special guest Emily Calandrelli, author of the Ada Lace Adventures chapter book series, and host of Netflix’s “Emily’s Wonder Lab” and FOX’s Emmy-nominated “Xploration Outer Space will give a presentation and sign books. READ MORE

Umbrella Sky Exhibit Opening Party at Elmhurst City Centre Plaza

Elmhurst - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Celebrate the opening of downtown Elmhurst's Umbrella Sky art installation for the 2024 season. The event includes dancing in the streets and music from the Sam Fazio Band. Beer and wine will be for sale for grown-ups. READ MORE

Music with Mr. Patrick Martin at Sandbox Baby Boutique

Andersonville - FREE
Saturday, April 27
This will be a 40 minute interactive music class of singing and dancing held at The Sandbox Baby Boutique in Andersonville. Mr. Patrick is a Chicago based teaching artist and musician with a decade of experience sharing music and theatre with children and their families. READ MORE

Earth Week Volunteer Day at Fishel Park

Downers Grove - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Volunteers will help prepare the parks for the season by mulching trees, picking up sticks and debris, and by removing trash at each location. Gloves, tools, and staff assistance will be provided. Please dress for the weather and to get messy. All volunteers will receive light snacks and an oak seedling to plant at home. READ MORE

Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns Family Feature

Downtown
Saturday, April 27
Celebrate National Park Week AND the opening of the CAC’s new Loop As Lab: Reshaping Downtowns exhibition with this hands-on family day at the CAC. Drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm for activities and free admission to exhibits. Meet a Park Ranger from Pullman National Historical Park in Chicago, and earn a badge. Learn about the importance of parks and green spaces, especially in the busy Chicago Loop, with an urban gardening activity while supplies last too. READ MORE

Grand Re-Opening of Barrie Park and Earth Day Celebration

Oak Park - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Celebrate the re-opening of Oak Park's beloved Barrie Park, including the upgraded playground, nature-based play zone, and fitness area. Families can also celebrate Earth Day by making their own tote from t-shirts provided by the park district. And learn about the Park District's commitment to sustainability with demos of its zero emissions lawn/landscape care equipment and solar-equipped landscape trailer READ MORE

Día del Niño | Celebration of Children

Little Village - FREE
Saturday, April 27
The Museum of Contemporary Art invites families to Día del Niño (Day of the Children) celebration, a neighborhood program that encourages participation in the arts beyond the museum, at Saucedo Elementary School. Families are invited to partake in a day of art and fun while learning about migrant experiences and the many communities that call Chicago home. Participating artists include Mr. Pintamuro, Salvador Andrade, Sabina Ángeles from The Jacobo María Ángeles Workshop in Oaxaca, and more. MCA Educators will also be present to facilitate activities. READ MORE

Sports Together: Family Play Day

Lawndale - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Together Urban Initiatives UCAN and the NLARA have designed a fun-filled day of FREE sports and activities for families and youth to try, learn, and play. Enjoy a day filled with exciting sports activities that the whole family can enjoy together! Whether you're a sports enthusiast or just looking to have some fun, this event is perfect for everyone. Get ready to participate in friendly competitions, learn new skills, and play some fun games, and compete in challenges that will bring out the athlete in you. READ MORE

The Trashy Earth Market

Wrigleyville - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Bring your unwanted clothing and shoes to Gallagher Way to have them made into something new at The Trashy Earth Market. LOOM 360 cuts old clothes into ribbons and weaves them into a public art installation. Cradles to Crayons will also be on hand accepting used items for donation for kids. Shop eco-friendly vendors for home goods, art, planters, body care, and more. READ MORE

Touch-a-Truck Wheaton

Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, April 27
The Downtown Wheaton Association will close down Liberty Drive between Wheaton Avenue and Main Street so kids can play on parked construction trucks, emergency vehicles, and more. Climb behind the wheel, honk the horn, and kick the tires! READ MORE

Free Public Stargazing at the Astronomy Education Center

Naperville - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Enjoy a free night of guided stargazing at the Astronomy Education Center in Naperville. The event will only be held if the sky is clear, so check social media for a go or no-go message on the event's Facebook page. READ MORE

Learning Express Eras Tour with Swifties Event

Lake Zurich - FREE
Saturday, April 27
Celebrate the release of Taylor Swift's new album with singing, dancing, trivia, and rocking out all things Swiftie. Learning Express Lake Zurich hosts this kid-friendly event for little Swifties. READ MORE

Jolly Burgenlaender Club Spring Dance

Oak Lawn
Sunday, April 28
Dance to the music of a real Austrian Blaskapelle (brass band), enjoy Austrian food and drinks, and win raffle prizes at the Jolly Burgenlaender Club's Spring Dance. Prizes will be awarded for the best adult and child in Trachten. READ MORE

Chicago A Cappella Presents The History of Harmony

Glen Ellyn
Sunday, April 28
Co-created and narrated by Deke Sharon, the heralded “Father of Contemporary A Cappella” and music director of “Pitch Perfect,” History of Harmony tells the story of vocal harmony from the early 20th century to today. From barbershop quartets through doo-wop and boy bands, these layered musical sounds have permeated pop music and an entire culture. READ MORE

Poetry Making Playground

West Side
Sunday, April 28
The Poetry Making Playground is an immersive creative installation where original poems, written by some of Chicago’s most renowned poets, have been reimagined and physicalized for audiences to interact with in an entirely new way. The poetry playground fuses poetics, tangible objects, illustration, fabrications/design, multimedia, and life-size interactive and reflective installations for everyone! 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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