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Father's Day Weekend Things To Do In Chicago: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Heart Strings. Photo by Bruno Aïello-Destombes, courtesy of the Moment Factory & Unicef
Heart Strings. Photo by Bruno Aïello-Destombes, courtesy of the Moment Factory & Unicef
6/12/24 - By Siobhan Adcock

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this Father's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Get ready for a double header of holidays this weekend as both Father's Day (Sunday) and Juneteenth (Wednesday) bring lots of fun family events to Chicago. Give Dad what he wants with a Classic Car Show in Oak Brook, Music of the Grateful Dead for Kids in Pilsen, a forest scavenger hunt in Highland Park, or a fishing derby in Busse Woods. Chicago's Juneteenth event lineup features a barbecue at the DuSable Museum, a community celebration in Bronzeville, and Real Men Cook in Morgan Park.

Pride Month continues with lots of family friendly celebrations throughout the city and suburbs. And now is a great time to take in an outdoor movie or concert from our list of favorites. 

Cheers to all of our dads as we enjoy a fabulous summer weekend in Chicago!

 

 

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids 

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The Juneteenth flag. Photo by Danielle Angela Smith.
The Juneteenth flag. Photo by Danielle Angela Smith.

Things to Do Fathers Day and Juneteenth Weekend

Woodridge Jubilee

Woodridge
Thursday, June 13-Sunday, June 16
The Village of Woodridge and the Woodridge Park District host their 38th annual Jubilee at the corner of Woodridge and Center Drives. The event includes live music, a carnival, bingo, a fishing derby, a magic show, inflatables, a gaming truck, face painting, air brush tattoos, food and drink vendors, and fireworks. Grown-ups can participate in the Beer & Donut Dash. READ MORE

Chicago Park District Movies in the Park

Various Chicago Parks - FREE
Thursday, June 13-Saturday, June 15
Hollywood comes to Chicago this summer with hundreds of movies throughout city parks! Bring your own blanket or chairs for retro favorites, kids' classics, and recent box office hits. READ MORE

Grant Park Music Festival

Downtown - FREE
Friday, June 14-Saturday, June 15
Chicagoans of all ages can enjoy the Grant Park Music Festival, a 10-week celebration featuring world-class classical music concerts and community engagement—a Chicago tradition for more than 80 years. READ MORE

Scottish Festival and Highland Games at DuPage County Fairgrounds

Wheaton
Friday, June 14-Saturday, June 15
Illinois’ oldest non-profit is bringing back the beloved two-day Scottish extravaganza featuring cooking demonstrations by the National Chef of Scotland, North America’s largest and most prestigious pipe band competition, the crowd-pleasing heavy athletics, The Dogs of Scotland with a rescue dog agility show, and much more. READ MORE

St. Demetrios Taste of Greece Festival

Elmhurst - FREE
Friday, June 14-Sunday, June 16
Opa! Families can taste a little Greek culture at St. Demetrios Church's annual celebration. The event includes Greek food and beverages, live music, Greek dancing, a carnival, and tours of the Greek Orthodox Church. READ MORE

Artists of the Wall Festival

Rogers Park - FREE
Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 16
Watch as more than 150 artists paint sections of the 600-foot retaining wall along the lakefront from Farwell Avenue to Morse Avenue. Musical performances and food and drink vendors add to the family-friendly fun. READ MORE

Busse Lake Outdoors Day and Fishing Derby

Elk Grove Village - FREE
Saturday, June 15
Kids can bring their dads to explore Busse Woods and participate in a free fishing derby. Climb trees, play in nature, meet animals and more. Prizes will be awarded to fishing derby participants and local foods will be available for purchase. READ MORE

NNU Celebrates Juneteenth

Naperville - FREE
Saturday, June 15
Naperville Neighbors United celebrates Juneteenth at Rotary Hill. Families are invited to hear guest speakers. performance from Harmony & Soul and the Divine Sound Gospel Choir, participate in activities, and enjoy Juneteenth foods. READ MORE

Ribfest Chicago

North Center
Friday, June 14-Sunday, June 16
Barbecue-loving families can enjoy ribs, music and a kids' play area at this North Center street festival. Kids and their grown-ups can taste and vote on many different local restaurants' rib offerings, and kids can play games, jump on inflatables, and enjoy kid-friendly entertainment at North Center Town Square. READ MORE

Juneteenth Celebration: Unity Rising

Bronzeville - FREE
Saturday, June 15
Bronzeville's annual Juneteenth celebration features keynote speakers including Alderman Lamont Robinson, Political Pioneer Ms. Delmarie Cobb, Bronzeville Historian Myiti Sengstacke - Rice and performing artists from the Chicagoland area, who willl come together to showcase their depictions, share stories, educate residents and entertain attendees. The village-themed community event will highlight youth and adult creative artists as well as local small businesses with fun and educational activities. READ MORE

HEART STRINGS: Creating Connection to the World’s Children

Streeterville
Opens Saturday, June 15
UNICEF USA will host a multi-city, first of its kind experience designed for audiences of all ages. The exhibit will serve as an engaging opportunity for guests to travel around the world in just forty-five minutes and learn about UNICEF’s efforts to ensure every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected. Each element of the experience will be interactive, allowing guests to create a global, ever-evolving song and use their voices to have a lasting impact on the lives of children.   READ MORE

Chi Soul Fest

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, June 15-Sunday, June 16
Navy Pier hosts Chi-Soul Fest, an intergenerational soul music festival in honor of Black Music Appreciation Month. Music fans of all ages can learn about Chicago’s rich history of soul and enjoy tributes to legendary soul artists throughout the decades. READ MORE

Deerfield Library Pride Family Storytime

Deerfield - FREE
Saturday, June 15
Join Deerfield Library in celebrating Pride Month with family friendly books, songs and fun! This event is appropriate for all ages. READ MORE

Take Me Fishing!

Westmont
Saturday, June 15
Teach a kid to fish at Bernas Park in Westmont for a special Father's Day weekend outing. Prizes and giveaways available while supplies last. READ MORE

Real Men Cook- Chicago

Marquette Park
Sunday, June 16
Celebrate the bond between fathers and their families as men cook delicious dishes and enjoy music together with their families. This event is meant to promote a positive images of men in relationship to their families and communities. READ MORE

Music of The Grateful Dead for Kids Father's Day and Juneteenth Celebration

Pilsen - FREE
Sunday, June 16
Dads and kids alike can enjoy the music of Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia as performed by The Rock and Roll Playhouse at Thalia Hall. The Rock and Roll Playhouse combines games, movement, stories, and rock and roll to create a fun family experience. They know that little ears can be sensitive so they keep the volume down at their shows. Some children still feel more comfortable with ear protection so use your best judgement. READ MORE

Father's Day Classic Car Show at Oakbrook Center

Oak Brook - FREE
Sunday, June 16
More than 80 antique, vintage, and unique cars will be on display in this annual show at Oakbrook Center for Father's Day. Cars date back from the early 1900s and come from all over the world. READ MORE

Sundays on State

Downtown - FREE
Sunday, June 16
Chicago's State Street is closed from Madison to Lake for a block party full of surprises. Families can enjoy art, culture, active recreation, food, and specials from local retailers. READ MORE

Father's Day Forest Find

Highland Park
Sunday, June 16
Dads and kids will work in teams to solve our Father’s Day Scavenger’s Hunt. Your quest will take you to a variety of special sites along our trails using clues about the role of fathers in the natural world. READ MORE

DuSable Museum of African American History's Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom

Bronzeville - FREE
Wednesday, June 19
Visit the DuSable Museum of African American History to celebrate Juneteenth. The event will include food, vendors, musical entertainment and children's activities. READ MORE
Check out 70+ Kid-Friendly Summer Festivals Near Chicago! Photo courtesy of Great American Lobster Fest, Facebook
Check out 70+ Kid-Friendly Summer Festivals Near Chicago! Photo courtesy of Great American Lobster Fest, Facebook

Other Family Friendly Fun in June

Chicago's Best Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Pull up a lawn chair and a picnic for a free summer concert. READ MORE

12 Pride Events Happening in June 2024 in Chicago for Families

Festivals, parades, picnics, and more! READ MORE

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Chicago Loop — FREE
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