96 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

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There's a family-friendly festival for everyone this summer in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Last Fling in Naperville

Summer festivals in and near Chicago stretch across over three months of fun, and there's such a head-spinning number of fantastic fetes with so many different themes, cultures, and neighborhoods, it's easy to find a fair or festival near Chicago for everyone in the family. Foodies of all ages will enjoy Taste of Chicago Rogers Park, kids will love getting creative at Mess Fest at the Du Page Children's Museum in Naperville, and we can't even begin to count all the free music festivals happening this summer.

So while your local playground or pool may beckon and your backyard grill may look lonely, you’ve got to sample a street fair or two this summer. Bookmark this list and get your calendar (and comfy shoes) ready. Check out the Chicago Summer Fun Guide for even more great kid and family activities and outings.

Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Learn how to land a catch during Kids Fishing Day at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Families are invited to celebrate Asian culture at Ardsley's first-ever Asian American Pacific Islander Festival. Alternatively, kids can enjoy "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Storytime with Puppets at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. 

Or, outdoorsy kids can learn how to fish this weekend at the Kids Fishing Day at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. 

Cradle-Con Comic Expo and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

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Meet some warm and fuzzy cuties this weekend at the Hallockville Museum Farm Fleece & Fiber Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Dress as merfolk for the mermaid parade at Sunken Meadow State Park, which is followed by storytime and other activities. The Long Island Live Steamers kick off the season this weekend with a run. Or you can get your cosplay and comic book culture fix at Cradle-Con all weekend long.

Keep reading for more of the weekend's best kid-friendly events on Long Island. 

Renaissance Faire and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

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The Italian Renaissance takes over Burlington County Fairgrounds for four weekends. Photo courtesy of the faire

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Head to the shore this mid-May weekend for three days of delicious seafood, live music and family activities at the 37th Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival. Plus, don some Medieval attire and see jousting and more at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire.

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend. 

34 Summer Festivals and Fairs in 2024 in Los Angeles for Families

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Kick off summer fun with carnival rides. Photo courtesy of the Fountain Valley Summerfest

Fairs and summer festivals in Los Angeles are an essential SoCal tradition. A good festival has something fun for kids of all ages: rides, interesting foods, live music—all this at an event that parents are genuinely excited about. 

If your kid is a budding buccaneer, head to the Pirate Invasion Festival in Long Beach; Lego master builders won't want to miss the Brick Fest Live in Pasadena, and art aficionados absolutely need to check out the 40th Annual Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival. There's a summer festival for everyone in your crew!

For more summer fun, check out our Summer Activities Guide for Los Angeles Kids, which includes the best beaches in LA, favorite water parks in SoCal, and everywhere you can jump in a lake in Los Angeles.

NYBG's Newest Installation Invites Visitors to Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

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The White Rabbit is a super-sized centerpiece of the NYBG's Wonderland: Curious Nature exhibition.

The New York Botanical Garden is inviting visitors to fall down the rabbit hole this spring, summer, and fall. Its sprawling grounds have been transformed into a collection of curiosities in Wonderland: Curious Nature.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the garden-wide exhibition includes contemporary art, beautiful blooms, fantastical foliage, themed sweets and treats, and some creative programming guaranteed to add a little wonder to your next visit. It runs through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

40 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids: Backyard Games, Playground Games, and More

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Jump rope solo, skip with siblings, or round up the whole gang for double dutch.

It's hard to beat classic outdoor games for kids when it comes time to entertain them during the long school-free summer months, at birthday parties, or when they've spent too much time on screens. From hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, these outdoor games are sure to keep your crew, and whichever neighborhood kids stop by, busy for hours. Best of all, you can play almost all of these playground and backyard games listed below without spending any money. Time to  load up the sunscreen, head outdoors, and play!

If you don't mind getting wet, check out these Favorite Water Games to Play With Kids, and keep the party going in the great outdoors with one of the activities from our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.

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