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Dad and son having fun at the auto show. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show
Dad and son having fun at the auto show. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Auto Show
2/14/24 - By MommyPoppins

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

Chicago families have plenty of options when looking for things to do during the long holiday weekend. Get your vroom on at the final weekend of the Chicago Auto Show, with special kid-friendly programs throughout the weekend. Keep celebrating Black History Month at BHM Family Movies in Austin or at Chicago Black Restaurant Week. Learn about Presidents in Old Town, or Lunar New Year in Uptown or Chinatown.

There are plenty of free things to do in Chicago at this time of year—check out our list here. One of our favorite things to do is visit the Art Institute, and it's free this Monday on Presidents Day. See our tips and tricks on visiting. You can also try out one of our favorite indoor play spaces, or get outside for a winter hike in one of our favorite parks and forest preserves.

Here are the best things to do this weekend for Presidents Day weekend. 

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids 

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Argyle Lunar New Year Parade in Uptown. Photo courtesy of the event.
Argyle Lunar New Year Parade in Uptown. Photo courtesy of the event.

Things to Do Presidents Day Weekend in Chicago

Chicago Auto Show

South Side
Daily through Monday, February 19, 2024
McCormick Place hosts the annual Chicago Auto Show, featuring nearly 1,000 different vehicles on display, including domestic and imported cars and trucks, sport utility vehicles, experimental or concept cars, antique and collector cars, and auto-related exhibits. READ MORE

Chicago Theatre Week: The Diary of Anne Frank

Lincoln Park
Friday, February 16- Sunday, February 18, 2024
Young People's Theatre of Chicago presents a one-act adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank that draws on previously unpublished diary entries to create a more complex, authentic, and compelling realization of Anne Frank’s story. The Greenhouse Theater offers a special price of $15 for Chicago Theatre Week. READ MORE

Little Miss Ann Concerts at Arlington Heights Public Library

Arlington Heights
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Join Chicago children's musician Little Miss Ann as she performs live at Arlington Heights Public Library. Little Miss Ann will play two shows. The first is "Our Time Celebration" which is designed for children with disabilities and their families, and any child that could benefit from a more controlled environment.  The second is a traditional children'ts concert. READ MORE

Chicago Black Restaurant Week

Various locations throughout Chicago
Daily through February 25, 2024
Celebrate Black owned restaurants throughout the Chicago area with special deals and events for the last two weeks in February. More than four dozen restaurants serve up their specialties for special prices. READ MORE

Chicago Theatre Week: James and the Giant Peach

Lincolnshire
Opens Friday, February 16, 2024
When James is sent by his aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that launches an expedition of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of a gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities. After the peach rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks, and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, they learn to live and work together as a family. READ MORE

Get Your Glow On

Lakeview
Friday, February 16, 2024
Visit Gill Park for a night of electrifying glow-in-the-dark activities. Youth and teens can enjoy fun, laughter, and games with glowing equipment. READ MORE

Polar Adventure Day at Big Marsh Park

South Side - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Families can celebrate winter at Big Marsh Park by going on a hike to try to see winter birds, then enjoying music, s'mores and hot chocolate around the campfire. An animal meet and greet and winter crafts will round out the fun. READ MORE

Hiplet Ballerinas

Glen Ellyn
Saturday, February 17
Pronounced hip-lay (rhymes with ballet), this unique dance troop infuses classical pointe with African, Latin, hip-hop, and urban dance styles rooted in communities of color. Families can see their style, sass, hip movements and struts and they dance to everything from Tchaickovsky to Beyonce at College of DuPage. READ MORE

Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration & Parade

Uptown - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Kick off the Year of the Dragon with this decades-old Uptown tradition kicking off near the Argyle "L" stop, complete with music, lion dances, floats, entertainment from local groups, activity "pop-ups" and more. READ MORE

Chicago Theatre Week: Carnival of the Animals

Downtown
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Lina González-Granados leads members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Saint-Saëns’ playful The Carnival of the Animals. Guided by narration from master storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston, the orchestra depicts nature’s most amazing creatures — from the mighty elephant to the majestic swan. Special Chicago Theatre Week prices make this show just $15. READ MORE

BHM Family Movie Series: Black Panther

Austin - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Celebrate Black History Month with the Chicago Park District as it plays a different movie featuring black characters in a variety of parks. On February 17, Black Panther:Wakanda Forever will play at Columbus Park. READ MORE

Celebration of Lunar New Year at Dan Ryan Woods

Dan Ryan Woods - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
The Forest Preserves of Cook County invite families to take part in educational activities to learn more about Lunar New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at Dan Ryan Woods. READ MORE

Tour of the Historic Former Wabash YMCA

Bronzeville
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Visit the Birthplace of Black History Month at the Historic Wabash YMCA. The community center was the epicenter of cultural and economic progress for African Americans in Chicago for more than 50 years. A guided tour of the building provides a glimpse into its history with the addition of newly compiled vintage photographs. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Parade

Chinatown - FREE
Sunday, February 18, 2024
The whole family can celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a Lunar New Year parade through Chinatown! The parade will feature traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, colorful floats, marching bands, and marching groups. READ MORE

Star Party at the Cernan Earth and Space Center

River Grove - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Visit Cernan Earth and Space Center for for a FREE evening of observing on International Observe the Moon Night! Telescopes will be set up to observe the Moon and Jupiter. READ MORE

Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players at Old Town School of Folk Music

Lincoln Square
Sunday, February 18, 2024
The Old Town School of Folk Music presents an interactive concert from Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players. Four-time GRAMMY nominee Justin Roberts is one of the founders of the modern family music scene. For 25 years, Roberts has been creating the soundtrack to families' lives, helping kids navigate the joys and sorrows of growing up, while inspiring parents to remember their own childhoods. READ MORE

Fire and Ice at the Promenade Bolingbrook

Bolingbrook - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
The Promenade Bolingbrook entertains families with fire jugglers and twisters as well as ice sculptors and demonstrations in the streets of its shopping center. READ MORE

Presidents Day at the Chicago History Museum

Old Town
Monday, February 19, 2024
Celebrate the four U.S. Presidents who have lived in Illinois at the Chicago History Museum on Presidents Day. Families can learn more about Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, and Obama with family friendly activities, including writing letters to the President and free museum admission. READ MORE

Black History Month Family Free Days at The American Writers Museum

Downtown - FREE
Sunday, February 18- Monday, February 19, 2024
Celebrate Black History Month with a literary twist at the American Writers Museum’s Family Free Days! Enjoy free admission to the museum and a variety of activities for the whole family. Enjoy family crafts, museum tours, bingo, and story time at the museum. READ MORE

Prospect Heights Winter Carnival

Prospect Heights
Monday, February 19, 2024
Families with the day off for Presidents Day can enjoy games, prizes, a bounce house, and more at Gary Morava Recreation Center in Prospect Heights. Kids ages 1-13 can take part in the fun. READ MORE
Secrets To Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago With Kids. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
Secrets To Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago With Kids. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Other Seasonal Activities for Chicago Kids

100 FREE Things to Do In Chicago with Kids

Want to have fun in Chicago with the kids without busting your wallet? Here are 100 great, family-friendly things to do that are FREE. READ MORE

Secrets To Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago With Kids

An app for kids makes it more fun, plus where to find the masterpieces! READ MORE

25 Free Things To Do in Chicago on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play

These great destinations are sure to keep kids (and parents) happy and warm! READ MORE

Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, and More Things To Do in Chicago February 2024

For a short month, February has a lot of holidays! READ MORE

Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families

Museums abound in the Chicago area. Here are the most entertaining ones for kids. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Greenhouse Theater Center
Cernan Earth & Space Center