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Memorial Day Weekend 2024 in Chicago: Mole de Mayo, Parades, and More Things To Do

Chicago Memorial Day Parade photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
Chicago Memorial Day Parade photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
5/22/24 - 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 Mole de Mayo on Saturday and Sunday in Pilsen, and the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival in Lakeview. The suburbs won't be left behind, with Westmont hosting its annual Spring Fling and the Barrington Art Festival starting the season in the northern suburbs.

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

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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

Things to Do Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago with Kids

Level Up:Writers & Gamers Opening Weekend

Downtown
Opens Friday, May 24
American Writers Museum invites gaming enthusiasts to celebrate the opening weekend of its new exhibit Level Up: Writers & Gamers. Embark on a journey through the evolution of game writing from the 1970s to present day. Some of the games featured include Dungeons & Dragons, Zork, Apocalypse World, Baldur’s Gate III, and game writers from the last 50 years such as Michael Pondsmith, Porpentine, and Tanya DePass. READ MORE

Friday Night Live Downtown Downers Grove

Downers Grove - FREE
Friday, May 24
Kickstart your weekends with Friday Night Live at the Main Street Train Station in 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. READ MORE

Randolph Street Market May Festival

West Loop
Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26
America’s largest and liveliest Urban Antiques Market is returning to the West Loop for a jam-packed 2024 season of treasure hunting in celebration of their 21st anniversary. The world-famous “mecca of cool” will begin its iconic 21st annual festival season with a "Garden Party" market from Saturday, May 25 through Sunday, May 26. READ MORE

A Year with Frog and Toad

West Loop
Closes Sunday, May 26
Children’s author and illustrator Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters hop from the page to the stage in the Tony-nominated musical A Year With Frog And Toad, based on his popular children’s book that follows two best friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and grumpy, but lovable Toad – through four fun-filled seasons. READ MORE

Westmont Spring Fling Festival

Westmont
Friday, May 24 - Sunday, May 26
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 $25 to ride as many rides as you want on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. READ MORE

Mole de Mayo

Pilsen - FREE
Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26
Celebrate the Pilsen neighborhood with the country's only outdoor mole cook off. Families can choose their favorite mole while enjoying music, dancing, and the excitement of luche libre wrestling. READ MORE

Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival

Lakeview
Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26
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 25
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
Saturday, May 25-Sunday, May 26
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 25
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

Giggles Jubilee

Highwood - FREE
Saturday, May 25
Giggles Play is celebrating its first birthday with a party in Everts Park. Enjoy family fun, music, and local vendors. In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the event will feature AAPI-owned businesses alongside other beloved local vendors and businesses. Plus, don't miss out on exciting giveaways and surprises throughout the day. READ MORE

Cantigny Outdoor Concerts

Wheaton - FREE
Sunday, May 26
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 27
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 27
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 Remembrance 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 27
Sponsored by the River Forest Park District, River Forest Civic Association, and the Village of River Forest, the 97th 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 27
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 27
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 27
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 27
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
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

More to Do With Chicago Kids This Summer

30 Free Outdoor Movies in Chicago This Summer for Kids

Pull up a chair or blanket and take in a movie this summer. 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

Best Strawberry Picking in Chicago and Summer Strawberry Festivals

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

96 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

Discover which summer fairs and fests are best for kids. READ MORE

The Best Amusement Parks Near Chicago for Families

For when you feel the need for speed. (Or funnel cakes.) READ MORE

Places featured in this article: