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Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids this Weekend: Pride, Strawberry Festival

Celebrate love, diversity & inclusion at Navy Pier Pride. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Celebrate love, diversity & inclusion at Navy Pier Pride. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
6/23/21 - By Maureen Wilkey

School's out for summer this week—luckily there are so many things to do in Chicago this weekend that it'll be a snap to keep kids busy! While Pride weekend has been rescheduled, families can still enjoy Pride events this weekend like Pride in the Park in Grant Park, Navy Pier Pride, or a drag story time at WNDR Museum. And summer festivals in Chicago are back with favorites like the annual Strawberry Fest in Long Grove and Orland Hills' Party in the Park. 

Stay local and cool this weekend in Chicago at one of the best free public pools, fabulous family beaches, or wonderfully wet water parks. Or get out of the city with one of these day trips near Chicago or a visit to one of these amazing lake resorts for families. Now is a great time to plan your bucket list of summer activities in Chicago with our Summer Fun Guide!

Here are some of our favorite events this weekend in Chicago.

Let's all take a moment out from summer fun this week, too, to reach out to any friends or family who may have been impacted by the tornado that hit Naperville, Woodridge, and Darien on Sunday night. Our thoughts are with the families of those who were injured or lost their homes or businesses in the storm. If you want to help, the American Red Cross Illinois River Valley is accepting donations for the temporary shelters it is setting up for families at Ranchview School in Naperville and Thomas Jefferson Junior High School in Woodridge.

Now, it's time to check on what's happening for fun weekend events in Chicago this weekend.

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Things To Do in Chicago to Celebrate Pride

LUFT's Love is Love Flag

Daily throughout June
Lincoln Park
With a few more than 99, LUFT in Lincoln Park is creating a giant rainbow flag out of thousands of balloons. Families can take pictures in front of it to show support for Pride Month. READ MORE

Pride in the Park

Saturday, June 26 & Sunday, June 27
Downtown
Celebrate Pride Month in Chicago with a two-day festival in Grant Park featuring performances by Chaka Khan, GRYFFIN, and Tiesto. READ MORE

Drag Story Hour at WNDR Museum

Sunday, June 27
West Loop
Some of Chicago's favorite drag queens will be stationed around the WNDR Museum, reading books with LGBT themes in honor of Pride Month. READ MORE

Navy Pier Pride

Saturday, June 26
Downtown
Chicago's favorite LGBTQIA+ performers will put on a show for Chicago families at Navy Pier throughout the afternoon and evening with music, stories, and dance performances. READ MORE

Youth Pride

Saturday, June 26
Online
A vibrant carnival-style block party sets the tone for the KiKi Coalition’s annual Youth Pride Fest, celebrating LGBTQ+ youth during Pride Month. READ MORE
Enjoy all the strawberries at the Long Grove Strawberry Fest. Photo courtesy of the fest
Enjoy all the strawberries at the Long Grove Strawberry Fest. Photo courtesy of the fest

Things To Do on Saturday with Chicago Kids

Super Sensational Saturdays

Villa Park
West suburban families can bring their picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and lunches to Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park in Villa Park to enjoy crafts, face painting, and great family entertainment. READ MORE

CAC Story Time

Bridgeport
Join the Chicago Architecture Center for a unique story time at the inspiring Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens to learn about the impact of women in architecture. READ MORE

Poetic Platforms

Marquette Park
Kids and their grown-ups can become "everyday designers" at this event to promote artistic expression in underutilized spaces through performances, interactive installations, and wellness activities. READ MORE

Wheaton Plaza del Zocalo

Wheaton
Enjoy Frida Kahlo-themed fun to go with the College of DuPage's Frida Kahlo exhibit this summer. This event at Wheaton Public Library West Plaza includes Frida-inspired music, food trucks, and a Frida-themed pet parade. READ MORE

Taste of Grayslake Family Picnic and Fireworks

Grayslake
Live music, local food vendors, and carnival rides lead up to the annual fireworks display in Grayslake. This kicks off the Fourth of July fireworks season in Chicago READ MORE

Oakbrook Terrace On-the-Go Truck Parade

Oakbrook Terrace
Little truck lovers can see the vehicles that help out around the community as they drive through neighborhood streets in Oakbrook Terrace. READ MORE

Nature Obstacle Course

Cook County
Families can attempt to get through an obstacle course made entirely from natural materials. Other nature play, exploration, and art activities are available. READ MORE

Long Grove Strawberry Fest

Long Grove
Enjoy strawberries in a variety of recipes at this annual festival celebrating the fruit. Loads of food, live entertainment, children's games and activities, and a classic carnival complete the strawberry-themed fun. READ MORE
The Dogs bring summer, baseball and families together. Photo courtesy of the team
The Dogs bring summer, baseball and families together. Photo courtesy of the team

Things To Do with Chicago Kids on Sunday

Cantigny Outdoor Concerts

Wheaton
Families can enjoy a series of tribute bands, military music, and bluegrass groups at the bandshell at Cantigny every Sunday at 3pm. READ MORE

Centennial Beach Special Needs Night

Naperville
Kids with special needs and their families can enjoy a quiet and relaxing after-hours swim every other Sunday at Centennial Beach in Naperville. READ MORE

Orland Hills Party in the Park

Orland Hills
Party in the Park is back with live entertainment and family activities for the whole weekend. Kids can enjoy a giant slide, jumpers, fireworks, a petting zoo, live music, and food vendors in Kelly Park. READ MORE

All American Swim

Lemont
Gear up for the summer Olympics with an American-themed swimming event at Centennial Pool in Lemont. Kids can participate in games, win prizes, listen to music, and more. READ MORE

Chicago Dogs Family Sunday

Rosemont
The Chicago Dogs invite families to play catch on the field before the game, get autographs, and enjoy bottomless popcorn and fountain sodas for $3. READ MORE

Can't Miss Things To Do in Chicago the Rest of the Week

Pop-Up Party in the Park: Summer Edition

Wednesday, June 23
Elmhurst
Kids can explore Elmhurst's parks with a series of pop-up parties with old-fashioned fun and games throughout the summer. READ MORE

Story Time at the Conservatory

Wednesday, June 23
Oak Park
Volunteer docents at the Oak Park Conservatory host an indoor storytime complete with stories, songs, and puppets. READ MORE

Veterans Park District Movies in the Park

Wednesday, June 23
Melrose Park: Spiderman: Far From Home in Spanish
Veterans Park District presents movies in parks this summer. Kids can see Under the Boardwalk in Gouin Park in Franklin Park on June 12, Camp Hideout in Bulger Park in Melrose Park (Spanish subtitles) on June 26, and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile in Grant Park on July 11, or D2-The Mighty Ducks Are Back in Trumbull Park on August 7. Free popcorn is available while supplies last. READ MORE

Rockin' in the Park in Rosemont

Thursday, June 24
Rosemont
Listen to a different local band every Thursday and select holidays throughout the summer at Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont. Fireworks follow select shows. READ MORE

Father & Son Boat Fish

Friday, June 25
Warrenville
Dads and sons can enjoy a fun day out on Herrick Lake in a canoe, kayak, or rowboat. Admission includes boat rental, fishing poles, bait, and a box lunch. READ MORE

Memorial Park Summer Entertainment Series

Friday, June 25
Wheaton
The Wheaton Park District presents a series of local bands in Memorial Park on select weekends this summer.  READ MORE

Water Flicks at Navy Pier

Monday, June 28
Downtown
Navy Pier hosts "Water Flicks"—free, outdoor screenings of favorite family movies in Polk Bros Park. August 28 will be a viewers choice week in which families vote on Instagram for which movie they would like to see. READ MORE

Dance in the Park

Tuesday, June 29
Parks throughout the city
Some of Chicago's favorite dancers have created amazing dance videos which will be projected onto buildings, backstops and walls in six parks throughout the city. READ MORE

Virtual Camps and Classes To Book Now

Preschool Science Through the Alphabet On Demand Video Classes

Preschoolers learn science and literacy in this custom program developed by a former NYC public school teacher. Each program focuses on a letter and a fun science topic. The prerecorded video lessons can be watched at home and enjoyed at any time.   READ MORE

Minecraft Super Modding Adventures

Create your own Minecraft modifications and mini-games while learning fundamental coding concepts. Enjoy four, 90-minute live online coding sessions. Courses are led by former IBM and Microsoft engineers. Learn powerful, real-world coding skills. READ MORE
Splash Island in Oak Brook. Photo courtesy of the Oak Brook Park District
Splash Island in Oak Brook. Photo courtesy of the Oak Brook Park District

Must-Do Summer Activities in Chicago

Free Public Swimming Pools in Chicago for Summer

Splash into free summer fun at the best public pools for Chicago kids. READ MORE

Best Strawberry Picking in Chicago and Summer Strawberry Festivals

Pick-your-own berries taste even sweeter! READ MORE

Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Chicago

The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks. READ MORE

It’s Time To "Gogh" Out Again: Enjoying Immersive Van Gogh in Chicago with Kids

Here are all the reasons you really should Gogh. READ MORE

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park
Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk
Online Link to Be Provided
31st Street Harbor Playground Splash Pad
Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago