The Grand Marshak Float at the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Photo credit: Vito Palmisano
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Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
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The mysterious Great Impresario, the man who has designed and created the World’s Fair, brings the magic of the season to life! Photo by Tod Ros for the Joffrey Ballet.
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Here's our list of the best Chicago neighborhoods to see holiday lights. Photo courtesy of the Larsen Christmas Lights Show
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The Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
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There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Photo by Brian & Jaclyn Drum via Flickr 2.0
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It's apple season! Photo courtesy of Apple Holler Orchard
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The Persian Lilies in the Aroid house were stunning. Photo by Lisa Warden-3
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
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Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
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St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
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Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg
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Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
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The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
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There are plenty of fishing lakes in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry
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Pancakes served all day long in Chicago's West Loop! Photo courtesy of The Little Goat, Facebook
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Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Black History Month, Disney On Ice

Wake Up, Brother Bear! is a highly interactive show that will take you and your cubs on a fun-filled journey through the four seasons with a playful pair of bears. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Children's Theater
Wake Up, Brother Bear! is a highly interactive show that will take you and your cubs on a fun-filled journey through the four seasons with a playful pair of bears. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Children's Theater
1/28/20 - By MommyPoppins

Start the weekend off right with National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! There is a wide array of fun happening around town - pick from special sea lion events and activities at Shedd Aquarium during Family First Saturday, a step back in time at the Chicago Children's Museum Castle Exhibit and an extra sweet Daddy Daughter Candy Land Ball.

Celebrate Black History Month at Douglas Park's beautiful art exhibit showcasing local talent or the Chicago History Museum's exhibit on Dr. Martin King Luther, Jr. and his influence on the city. And for kid-friendly entertainment, check out Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures and the Enchanted Tales Film Series where you can catch your favorite classics - this weekend is "The Lion King."

For more fun ideas for this weekend, see our Event Calendar or our roundup of FREE things to do with kids in Chicago this winter.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Just for Illinois residents: spend a day at the Museum—for free! Photo courtesy of the museum
Just for Illinois residents: spend a day at the Museum—for free! Photo courtesy of the museum

Things to Do All Weekend

Free Days at the Field Museum

Museum Campus — FREE
Illinois residents enjoy free general admission to Chicago's world-class Field Museum on Wednesdays throughout 2024. READ MORE

CANCELED - Forts! Build Your Own Adventure at Filament Theatre

Portage Park
All public performance of FORTS have been suspended and will be rescheduled between November 28 and December 27, 2020. Filament Theatre transforms into a playspace where parents and kids build their own worlds and adventures using boxes, clotheslines, sheets, and more.   READ MORE

LEGO Trains at Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Explore a sprawling display of imaginative landscapes built of LEGO® bricks featuring small trains running through LEGO city streets, between skyscrapers, and into dreamlike scenes populated by mythological creatures. READ MORE

Wake Up, Brother Bear!

West Loop
The Chicago Children's Theatre hosts Wake Up, Brother Bear, an interactive show that follows two playful bear cubs on a fun-filled journey through the four seasons.  READ MORE

Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures

West Loop
Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures, including skating performances by some of Disney's most beloved characters.  READ MORE
Try ice fishing, geocaching, or snowshoeing before warming up inside Mayslake Hall. Photo courtesy of Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Try ice fishing, geocaching, or snowshoeing before warming up inside Mayslake Hall. Photo courtesy of Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Things to Do Saturday

Wonders of Winter

Oak Park — FREE
Winter activities such as snow shoeing, ice fishing, archery, and cutting ice from the lake are all available to try at this winter open house at Mayslake Peabody Estate. Visitors can also step in from the cold to enjoy crafts, games, and presentations about plants and animals from rangers, or they can warm up by roasting marshmallows for s'more around an open fire. READ MORE

National Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day at Kimmer's

St. Charles, Wheaton, Elmhurst
For the fourth year in a row, Kimmer's ice cream shops in St. Charles, Wheaton, and Elmhurst will open early at 9 am so customers can enjoy Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Special breakfast flavors include Cinnamon Roll, Maple Bacon, Donut, and a new flavor to be announced on Kimmer's social media before the event. READ MORE

Winter on the Lake

Palos Heights
Families can celebrate winter on Lake Katherine with visits from the animals of the southwest suburbs at this annual winter event. Kids can also have their faces painted and create crafts. READ MORE

CANCELED - Juicebox Series at the Chicago Cultural Center and Garfield Park Conservatory

Chicago Loop and Garfield Park — FREE
Every first and third weekend, the City of Chicago hosts the Juicebox Series, Fridays at the Chicago Cultural Center, and Saturdays at the Garfield Conservatory, from 11-11:45am. Programming includes musical entertainment and dancing. READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Chinatown Public Library

Chinatown
Chinatown Public Library hosts a free Lunar New Year celebration, with dance performances by students from Yin He Dance Center, as well as special appearances by Yin He Dance Company. Guests can learn and play through performances, cultural lessons, and hands-on activities that are sure to thrill those both young and young-at-heart.  READ MORE

Daddy Daughter Candy Land Ball

Drowners Grove
Dads and their little sweethearts can enjoy sweet treats, music, dancing, and activities at this Downers Grove Park District event. Grandpas, stepdads, and uncles are welcome, too. There is a 50% discount for additional daughters. READ MORE

River Forest LEGO City Build

River Forest
River Forest teams up with Play Well TEKnologies to celebrate National LEGO Day by spreading out 20,000 LEGOs for families to build a mini River Forest. While they build, families are encouraged to discuss questions about city design, such as what they would add that the city doesn't currently have, how they would change the layout of the city, and what would make the city even better. READ MORE

Family First Saturdays at the Shedd Aquarium

Downtown
The Shedd Aquarium hosts Family First Saturdays, designed for kids ages 5-12 and their caregivers to see animals up close, explore hands-on activities, and get creative with take-home crafts. Tickets include general admission to the aquarium, so families can stay and explore. READ MORE

Winter Carnival

Lombard
Families can enjoy some indoor carnival fun with games, hot cocoa and crafts at the Sunset Knoll Recreation Center. Those who want to brave the cold can also enjoy sledding and The Gold Medal Express Train. READ MORE
Head out for Free First Sundays at the Chicago Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
Head out for Free First Sundays at the Chicago Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Things to Do Sunday

CANCELED - Free First Sundays at the Chicago Children's Museum

Navy Pier — FREE
The Chicago Children's Museum is free for kids 15 and under the first Sunday of each month. READ MORE

Elmhurst Free Family Open Gym

Elmhurst
Kids get a chance to run around outside of the house at Churchville Middle School's weekly open gym on Sundays in January and February. Parents should not that this is not a drop-off program and they should remain with their children. Event is meant for children 16 and under. READ MORE

CANCELED - Sunday Funday at Chicago 360

River North
Families can come to the observation deck in the John Hancock Center for incredible views and a little magic and music. READ MORE

That's Weird, Grandma: Star-Studded Stories

Uptown
Barrel of Monkeys performers portray pop stars as 3rd-5th graders imagine them through dialogue and song, based on stories written by children in this hilarious show. READ MORE

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