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The mysterious Great Impresario, the man who has designed and created the World’s Fair, brings the magic of the season to life! Photo by Tod Ros for the Joffrey Ballet.
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30 Things to Do on Mother's Day 2024 in Chicago

Celebrate Mom with one of these fun things to do on Mother's Day in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Odyssey at Navy Pier
Celebrate Mom with one of these fun things to do on Mother's Day in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Odyssey at Navy Pier
4/21/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Planning fun things to do on Mother's Day doesn't have to be stressful. It's actually quite easy—treat her like a queen and don't let her lift a finger. Whether she wants a break from cooking or would love quality time with her kiddos, this list of things to do on Mother's Day has something for every mom. If you combine one of these activities with brunch or dinner, you have a perfect Mother's Day 2024.

Music-loving moms can hear live music in East Garfield Park, Itasca, or Berwyn. Run or walk with your athletic mom at 5Ks in Oak Brook or Barrington.  Artsy moms might like making something with their kids in Lincoln Park, Garfield Ridge, or Lombard.

There are plenty of things to do on Mother's Day near Chicago to celebrate Mom on her special day!

Does Mom like to run? Try the Pink 5K on Mother's Day. Photo courtesy of the Oak Brook Park District
Does Mom like to run? Try the Pink 5K on Mother's Day. Photo courtesy of the Oak Brook Park District

Thing to Do on Mother's Day Near Chicago

Mother's Day Family Fun Festival Bridgeview

Bridgeview
Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12
Kids and grown-ups can enjoy lots of different activities including a petting zoo, carnival, and magician in Bridgeview. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Modern Motions

Gold Coast
Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12
This mixed repertoire program will feature exciting world premiere works alongside revivals of some of the dance company's favorite repertoire. Bring mom and make the day special at our Mother’s Day matinee! READ MORE

Pink 5K

Oak Brook
Saturday, May 11
Help fight breast cancer at this pre-Mother's Day 5K run and walk. All proceeds benefit Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Open Arms Breast Cancer Outreach Fund. The family friendly run provides scenic views of Oak Brook's Central Park. READ MORE

Mother's Day Tea Party at Normandy Park

Garfield Ridge
Saturday, May 11
Bring your own picnic blanket to Normandy Park for a tea party, crafts, and music. Alice in Wonderland will be there to meet and greet guests. A bounce house will round out the fun if the weather accommodates. READ MORE

Mother's Day Origami Workshop

Lincoln Park
Saturday, May 11
Make mom a bouquet of origami flowers for Mother's Day at the Japanese Culture Center. Individual tickets are $30, or you can purchase a family ticket (parent and child) for $45. Yamamoto Sensei will provide a variety of paper to fold. READ MORE

Palos Park Woman’s Club Mother’s Day Walk

Palos Heights
Saturday, May 11
Walk, roll, or stroll for 1-2 miles around Lake Katherine with other moms this Mother's Day. Participation supports PPWC initiatives of purpose promoting cultural, educational, wellness and civic interest as a charitable organization. Along with this, $5 of every entry will be donated back to Lake Katherine to support the new boat house renovation. READ MORE

Northbrook Art in the Park

Northbrook - FREE
Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 12
More than 80 artists fill Village Green Park with their wares as restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops treat customers to food at this annual festival. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. READ MORE

Mother's Day Art Fair at Sand Ridge Nature Center

South Holland - FREE
Sunday, May 12
Mothers can see amazing art inspired by Mother Earth and enjoy food and conversation at Sand Ridge Nature Center. READ MORE

Mother's Day on the Patio with Naomi Ashley

Berwyn - FREE
Sunday, May 12
Chicago singer-songwriter Naomi Ashley brings her intimate, plain-spoken style to at Fitzegerald's Pub in Berwyn for Mother's Day. Reservations are not required and food and beverages are available for purchase. READ MORE

Mother's Day Concert in Lilacia Park

Lombard - FREE
Sunday, May 12
The Four C Notes perform the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as part of Mother's Day at Lilacia Park's Lilac Time Festival. This high-energy retro performance should be fun for all ages. READ MORE

Mother's Day Tweets and Tea

Highland Park
Sunday, May 12
Enjoy a leisurely stroll talking about local and migrating birds with a Naturalist. Roost back at the Interpretive Center with some cozy teas and a talk about birding. READ MORE

Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: What's in a Name?

Garfield Park - FREE
Through Sunday, May 12
The Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its spring flower show "What's in a name." The show explains the history and science of botanical nomenclature alongside a beautiful flower show full of blooms.  Plant names are an important way of communicating history, culture, and identity. In addition, because there are many plants with the same common name, or many common names for the same plant, knowing the botanical name helps people know exactly which plant is which READ MORE

Mother's Day 5K Run/Walk

Barrington
Sunday, May 12
Run or walk a 5K with mom, or take part in the kids dash to compete with your friends and siblings. All finishers receive a rose and cake pop. READ MORE

Pretty in Pink Mother's Day Tea

Oak Park
Sunday, May 12
Celebrate Moms with an elegant Mother's Day Tea inspired by the timeless beauty of delicate pink hues. A blushy, beautiful setting, Cheney Mansion will be ready for your to celebrate the women in your life with treats curated to go along with the springtime theme. READ MORE

Mother's Day Cruises

Downtown
Sunday, May 12
The whole family can celebrate mom aboard the Odyssey, with an indulgent meal, live music, dancing, and of course, spectacular views. Guests can choose from several different types of cruises all day long, including brunch or dinner on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.  READ MORE

Build A Bouquet: A Mother's Day Weekend Event

Naperville
Sunday, May 12
Visit Downtown Naperville and help mom build a bouquet with various elements from different local businesses. One ticket buys mom an entry to the event, and she can pick up different parts of the bouquet, including keepsakes and treats, at different stores and restaurants. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Sweet Gnome Chicago

Lincoln Park - FREE
Through Sunday, May 12
From the end of February to Mother's Day, see this flower show that combines flowers and fun to celebrate all that is Spring! Nearly 300 gnomes of many sizes and materials will hang out in all the display houses, with a particular focus on the Show House. There, vignettes of the whimsical creatures are set amongst vibrant and gorgeous spring flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs. READ MORE

Mother's Day Celebration at Heritage Farm

Schaumburg - FREE
Sunday, May 12
Bring the kids to Heritage Farm to create a handmade flower gift for mom before exploring the grounds and meeting farmyard friends. Admission is free. READ MORE

Mother's Day Decoupage Workshop

Lombard
Sunday, May 12
Get creative, and make a beautiful, personalized clay terra cotta flower pot with your mom. Each person will get to express themselves by making their own unique pot. Tickets are per person. READ MORE

Celebrate Mother's Day at Edelweiss

Norridge
Sunday, May 12
Treat mom to a special brunch buffet with live music from Alpine Thunder at Edelweiss German American Restaurant in Norridge. Moms can enjoy a complimentary mimosa. READ MORE

Live Fire Mother's Day Brunch with the Chef

Lombard
Sunday, May 12
Treat your mother, grandmother, or any special maternal figure to a Mother's Day Brunch with the Chef – an experience that transcends the ordinary and creates lasting memories filled with love and delicious indulgence. READ MORE

Moms Play Miniature Golf FREE on Mother's Day at Haunted Trails Burbank

Burbank - FREE
Sunday, May 12
Moms, “Be Our Guest” on Mothers’ Day - Sunday, May 12th, and receive your FREE round of Miniature Golf*. *Valid on Sunday, 5/12/24 for Moms accompanied by one of their children or grandchildren. READ MORE

Mother’s Day Woodland Wildflower Walk

Barrington - FREE
Sunday, May 12
Kids can bring their moms to Crabtree Nature Center for a walk in the woods to see the wildflowers in bloom. This is a free event. READ MORE

Fishing with Mom

Downers Grove
Sunday, May 12
Spend the morning by the lake with the moms in your life, creating memories and learning skills to increase your fishing successes. This is an all ages event. READ MORE

Mother's Day Brunch at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield
Sunday, May 12
Celebrate human and animal moms at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The venue will have a gourmet brunch, live music, bottomless mimosas, and a special gift for mom. Explore the zoo before or after you enjoy your brunch. READ MORE

Mother's Day Gospel Bowl

East Garfield Park
Sunday, May 12
The Mother's Day Gospel Bowl celebrates its 35th anniversary with more than a dozen gospel artists performing at JLM Abundant Life Center. The Cantons, Doc McKenzie, Jackson Southernaires, Bolton Brothers, Willie Banks Jr & more will sing and play their music. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Kathy Lockett and Claude Jefferson Scholarship Foundation. READ MORE

Mother's Day Jazz Brunch at Eaglewood Resort and Spa

Itasca
Sunday, May 12
Enjoy a variety of culinary stations, bottomless mimosas, full bar service, and a family photo op at Eaglewood Resort and Spa on Mother's Day. Lush Life will perform live jazz music from 10am to 2pm. READ MORE

Chicago Dogs Mother's Day and Family Day

Rosemont
Sunday, May 12
Celebrate mom with a baseball game and pre-game signing and catch on the field with the Chicago Dogs. The first 1,000 moms will receive a free pink Chicago Dogs hat. READ MORE

Broadway in Chicago: Mamma Mia!

Downtown
Through May 19
Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. READ MORE
Check out 27 of the Best Mother’s Day Brunches in Chicago
Check out 27 of the Best Mother’s Day Brunches in Chicago

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Places featured in this article:

Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm
Laima Urban Arts Studio
Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center