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Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in Chicago Best Things To Do With Kids

Summer fireworks at Navy Pier start this weekend. Photo by Nick Ulivieri Photography, courtesy of Navy Pier.
Summer fireworks at Navy Pier start this weekend. Photo by Nick Ulivieri Photography, courtesy of Navy Pier.
5/21/25 - By Siobhan Adcock

Memorial Day weekend is here, so the summer can go ahead and kick off already. Public beaches open this weekend in Chicago, and Memorial Day observances include the annual parade and wreath-laying ceremony in the Chicago Loop on Saturday, with more local parades on Monday in the suburbs. At Cantigny Park, families can pay tribute to our fallen soldiers.

This Saturday night also marks the first summer fireworks show at Navy Pier. Summer festival season launches this weekend too, with the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival in Lakeview, Westmont's Spring Fling and the Barrington Art Festival starting kicking things off.

It's also getting hot, so now might be a great time to check out our list of favorite sprinkler parks and spraygrounds in Chicago. Also, schedule out your whole summer of festivals with our guide to Chicago summer fests. 

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Things to Do Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago with Kids

Friday Night Live Downtown Downers Grove

Downers Grove - FREE
Friday, May 23
Kickstart your weekends with Friday Night Live, May 23-August 29th, 2025, 5:30-8pm at the Main Street Train Station Downtown Downers Grove. Each Friday will showcase a different band for all ages to enjoy. From rock to jazz, pop to blues, our diverse lineup ensures there's something for every music lover. Grab your friends and family and enjoy a fun evening at Friday Night Live. Make sure to visit our great restaurants and shops while downtown.  READ MORE

Darien Summer Movies in the Park

Darien - FREE Friday, May 23
Bring your picnic blanket or low-rise lawn chair to one of Darien's parks for a family-friendly movie this summer. Concessions will be available for purchase at the movies in three different parks. READ MORE

Randolph Street Market May Festival

West Loop
Saturday, May 24-Sunday, May 25
America’s largest and liveliest Urban Antiques Market is returning to the West Loop for a jam-packed 2025 season of treasure hunting. The world-famous “mecca of cool” will begin its 22nd annual festival season on Saturday, May 24. Bringing together 200 of the top independent antique and vintage dealers, fashion, furniture, and craft designers to Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood (1341 W. Randolph St.), the festival will offer an ultra-curated, high-quality selection of antiques, vintage, and modern goods ranging from fashion to art, jewelry, décor, retro home furnishings... READ MORE

Westmont Spring Fling Festival

Westmont
Friday, May 23 - Sunday, May 24
The Westmont Lions Club enjoys the beginning of summer with live music and a carnival. Visitors can enjoy food from local food trucks, live music, and fireworks. Buy a wristband for $30 to ride as many rides as you want on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. READ MORE

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

Lakeview
Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25
Families can kick off summer with music, food, and drinks at this annual Lakeview street festival. READ MORE

Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier

Downtown⁠ - FREE
Saturday, May 24
Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Wednesday and Saturday night at Navy Pier.  READ MORE

Barrington Art Festival

Barrington - FREE
Sunday, May 25
More than 120 artists fill the streets of downtown Barrington 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

Chicago Memorial Day Parade

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, May 24
Chicagoans of all ages are invited to the annual Memorial Day Parade, in honor of all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The parade begins at noon, following a wreath laying ceremony at 11am in Daley Plaza, and proceeds from State and Lake to Van Buren Street. READ MORE

Cantigny Outdoor Concerts

Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, May 24
Families can enjoy a series of tribute bands, military music, and bluegrass groups at the bandshell at Cantigny every Sunday at 3pm. READ MORE

Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade

Elmhurst - FREE
Monday, May 26
The City of Elmhurst hosts its annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade will feature five color guards, retired military officers from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and members of American Legion THB Post 187. Vehicles from six near west suburban fire departments, 14 scouting troops, and 10 musical entries will also entertain visitors who stand along the route. READ MORE

Lincolnwood Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony

Lincolnwood - FREE
Monday, May 26
The Village of Lincolnwood and American Legion Post #1226 host Lincolnwood's annual Memorial Day Parade. The starts at Cicero and Pratt Avenues and goes east on Pratt, and north on Keeler, ending at Proesel Park. The event features members of the Patriot Brass Ensemble, a kids' bike parade, and a ceremony at Madeleine's Garden honoring fallen soldiers following the parade. READ MORE

Memorial Day Observance Ceremony with American Legion Post 556

Wheaton - FREE
Monday, May 27
Join American Legion Post 556 in honoring the fallen with a Memorial Day program in front of the First Division Museum. Speakers will explain the traditions and customs of Memorial Day. The program will conclude with the playing of Taps. READ MORE

River Forest Memorial Day Parade

River Forest - FREE
Monday, May 26
Sponsored by the River Forest Park District, River Forest Civic Association, and the Village of River Forest, the 100th Annual River Forest Memorial Day Parade will step off at 9:30am from Augusta and Ashland. The parade will travel south on Ashland Avenue to Lake Street, then west to Keystone Park where visitors can enjoy a free hot dog lunch. READ MORE

Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony

Arlington Heights - FREE
Monday, May 26
The northwest suburb's 105th annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony kicks off on Swigalt Street in front of Village Hall. The parade includes as many as 3,000 marchers and concludes with a Memorial Day ceremony at Memorial Park at Chestnut and Fremont Streets, where the Memorial Day Ceremony takes place. READ MORE

Wood Dale Memorial Day Parade

Wood Dale - FREE
Monday, May 26
The City of Wood Dale and VFW Tioga Post #2149 host a parade and memorial service for those who gave their lives for their country. The parade goes along Elizabeth Drive from Wood Dale to Addison, along Addison to Irving Park, and then returns to Wood Dale Road along Addison. READ MORE

Ridge Run and Memorial Day Parade

Beverly
Monday, May 26
The Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA) hosts the annual Ridge Run and Memorial Day Parade, including a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and Youth Mile, which start at staggered times between 8:00am and 9:30am. The Memorial Day Parade follows the last of the Ridge Run racers down Longwood Drive, starting at about 10:30am. READ MORE

Lisle Memorial Day Parade and Community Picnic

Lisle - FREE
Monday, May 26
VFW Ross Bishop Memorial Post #5696 and the Village of Lisle present a tribute to veterans of foreign wars with a parade and community picnic on Memorial Day. The parade will start at Lisle Junior High School and proceed down Main Street to School Street, ending at the Lisle Veterans Memorial. A ceremony will take place at the memorial and at Lisle Cemetery. READ MORE

Super Day at Burbank Water Park

Burbank
Saturday, May 24
Kick off summer in Burbank with a splash at Super Day Celebration - the ultimate way to welcome sunshine, fun, and the opening day of the Burbank Water Park! The fire department will help make a big splash as they open the pool, plus there will be bingo, donuts and coffee, games and crafts, and a kids color run to celebrate the first day of the pool opening. READ MORE

Summer Kickoff at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park
Friday, May 23- Sunday, May 26
Visit Lincoln Park Zoo during Memorial Day weekend to take part in ticketed attractions and activities celebrating the beginning of summer! The zoo will have a fun slide, a ferris wheel, photo opps, and more family friendly summer actvities. READ MORE

Makin’ Music Community Jam

Dan Ryan Woods - FREE
Saturday, May 24
Listen to local musical talents and make some music of your own at this free community event in Dan Ryan Woods. All ages are welcome; bring your own instrument. READ MORE

Rockin' in the Park in Rosemont

Rosemont- FREE
Sunday, May 25
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

Prairie Arts Festival

Schaumburg- FREE
Saturday, May 24- Sunday, May 25
More than 100 painters, sculptors, photographers, and jewelers will display and sell their goods at Schaumburg's Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts on Memorial Day weekend. The festival includes three stages of live musical performances, a kids' art activity area, and a food truck court. READ MORE

Surf's Up Marcus Theatre's Lilo & Stitch Surf Saturday

Addison, Country Club Hills, Gurnee, and Orland Park Saturday, May 24
Surf's Up! Head to Marcus Theatres for the Lilo & Stitch Surf Saturday event on May 24! Bring your friends and family to the Lilo & Stitch Surf Saturday Event! Your ticket includes admission to the highly anticipated live-action Lilo & Stitch movie, a collectible Stitch character keychain, a Jr. Popcorn, and access to a variety of fun family activities. Show your ticket at the theatre to redeem your Surf Saturday package and enjoy an exciting entertainment-filled day! Tickets are $15 or $12 for kids 11 and under. READ MORE

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