The Grand Marshak Float at the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Photo credit: Vito Palmisano
Light Parades, Tree Lightings, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids
Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
Pictures with Santa in Chicago: From Museums to the Mall
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.
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Chicago
Let one of these Chicago restaurants do the cooking this Thanksgiving.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Chicago
Pumpkin picking is a firm fall favorite. Photo courtesy of Keller's Farmstand
GUIDE
Chicago Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Here's our list of the best Chicago neighborhoods to see holiday lights. Photo courtesy of the Larsen Christmas Lights Show
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Chicago
The Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
25 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Chicago for Kids
There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Canva
Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Photo by Brian & Jaclyn Drum via Flickr 2.0
Best of November: Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving Parade, and More Things to Do in Chicago
It's apple season! Photo courtesy of Apple Holler Orchard
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 37 Things To Do in Chicago This Fall
The Persian Lilies in the Aroid house were stunning. Photo by Lisa Warden-3
Garfield Park Conservatory with Kids: Best Things to See and Do
Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center
Best Chicago Museums For Kids and Families
St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Chicago Families
Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
25 Things To Do With Little Kids in Chicago Before They Turn 5
An offbeat Chicago museum makes a fun outing for teenagers. Photo courtesy of the WNDR Museum
Chicago's Best Indoor Places for Tweens and Teens To Hang Out
The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
100 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids Before They Grow Up
State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids
Stroller hikes make it easier to get outside with babies and toddlers. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
Best Stroller-Friendly Hikes and Trails Near Chicago
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids
Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg
Themed Restaurants in Chicago for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
Best Ninja Warrior Gyms and Climbing Gyms in Chicago for Kids
The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
3 Days in Chicago with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in Chicago with Kids
Happy Kids Chicago offers some of your kid's favorite characters as birthday party entertainers.
The Ultimate List of Chicago Children's Birthday Party Entertainers and Rentals
There are plenty of fishing lakes in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Fishing Lakes Near Chicago and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Chicago
Pancakes served all day long in Chicago's West Loop! Photo courtesy of The Little Goat, Facebook
Things to do with Kids in Chicago's West Loop

Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Lunar New Year, Chocolate Fest

Enter a world of play and creativity as Filament Theatre transforms into a play-space for children and parents to build Forts! Photo courtesy of the theater
Enter a world of play and creativity as Filament Theatre transforms into a play-space for children and parents to build Forts! Photo courtesy of the theater
2/4/20 - By MommyPoppins

February fun is just getting started for Chicagoland kids. This weekend, continue to celebrate Black History Month with a girl-powered musical experience, ring in the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Rat - in Wrigleyville, and enjoy a Beatles tribute concert aimed at kids. 

The Greatest Story Never Told is also running through this month, full of silly improv fun. For something a little on the sweeter side, the Morton Arboretum hosts Chocolate Weekend with plenty of samples and chocolates just in time for Valentine's Day (or a snack). And speaking of Valentine's Day, this weekend you'll find lots of themed fun, including chances for kids to make special Valentine's gifts at jewelry-making and crafting workshops.

For more winter fun ideas, check out our (updated) list of FREE Things to Do in Chicago This Winter, and our ultimate winter fun bucket list of Things to Do Indoors With Chicago Kids. Our event calendar is updating every day, too.

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Celebrate chocolate’s deeply rooted tree history at the Morton Arboretum's chocolate weekend. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
Celebrate chocolate’s deeply rooted tree history at the Morton Arboretum's chocolate weekend. Photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum

Things to Do All Weekend

Morton Arboretum Chocolate Weekend

Lisle
The Morton Arboretum celebrates the cacao tree at this annual party centered around chocolate. Dozens of vendors will have chocolate available for sampling or purchase for Valentine's Day, or just for a treat. 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

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

Farm Life in Winter

West Chicago — FREE
Suburban kids can learn about life on the farm at this Kline Creek Farm event. Families can watch demonstrations of tool sharpening, ice block cutting, and checking the sheep shed for new lambs. READ MORE

Downers Grove Ice Fest

Downers Grove — FREE
More than 60 creative ice sculptures will line the streets of Downtown Downers Grove at this annual festival. Sculptors carve on Friday evening at Main and Curtiss and during the day on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. READ MORE

Black History Month Art Exhibition at Douglas Park

Lawndale
Art and/or history fans can stop by Douglas Park Cultural Center during Black History Month (February 1-29th) to see the art exhibit featuring paintings by Michael Hopkins and other guest artists. READ MORE

CANCELED -The Princess and the Pea

Lincolnshire
All remaining performances have been canceled. Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, the Marriott Theatre has a new musical version of the classic tale The Princess and the Pea. READ MORE
What makes King Tut so famous? Explore his life and the artifacts he left behind in the interactive, drop-in program What's Up King Tut. Photo courtesy of the museum
What makes King Tut so famous? Explore his life and the artifacts he left behind in the interactive, drop-in program What's Up King Tut. Photo courtesy of the museum

Things to Do Saturday, Feb. 8

Downers Grove Ice Fest

Downers Grove — FREE
More than 60 creative ice sculptures will line the streets of Downtown Downers Grove at this annual festival. Sculptors carve on Friday evening at Main and Curtiss and during the day on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. READ MORE

Ice-A-Palooza

Wheaton — FREE
Families can celebrate all things ice at this outdoor party that includes open skating, hockey, a bonfire, s'mores, and visits from Frozen's Anna and Elsa. Performances from Center Ice DuPage will be held throughout the day.  READ MORE

MCA Family Day

Streeterville — FREE
The Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) hosts a FREE family day the second Saturday of each month. The event includes free admission to the museum, as well as workshops, open-studio sessions, gallery tours, and performances designed and led by Chicago artists. READ MORE

Black History Month with Girl Power

Evanston
Girl Power will be presenting an interactive, musical experience about women of color who have changed the world. READ MORE

Sweetheart Valentine's Dance at Eugene Field Park

Sauganash
Dance the night away with your sweetheart at this family friendly Valentine's Day event at Eugene Field Park. Fee is per couple. READ MORE

Little Chefs and Big Sweethearts Valentine's Brunch

Elmhurst
Kids can enjoy a Valentine's Day themed movie, Valentine's brunch table, and Valentine's crafts at this sweet event. Market Table will also have chef stations where kids can decorate their own cupcake and create their own waffle pop. Kids are welcome to jump around between various activities. Reservations are required. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration

River North
The Art Institute of Chicago hosts a variety of activities for the whole family to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and everyone can head over to Millennium Park at 5pm for a lantern procession to Maggie Daley Park for more New Year's activities. Admission to the museum is always free for Chicago kids under 18, and all kids 13 and under!  READ MORE

What’s Up, King Tut?

Hyde Park
The Oriental Institute Museum hosts What's up, King Tut?, a workshop where budding archaeologists can learn what makes King Tut so famous, find out the real story of his life, discover his artifacts in the gallery, and decipher the hieroglyphs on his 17-foot-tall statue. READ MORE

Once Upon a Symphony: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Loop
Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a classic story of how young Goldilocks stumbles upon a quaint cottage and goes inside to explore. She has no idea it belongs to three bears who are on their way home! With this classic story as a guide, young audiences are invited to experience the wide and wonderful world of the forest through Goldilocks’ eyes and playfully explore some of the responsibilities that come along with growing older.  READ MORE

Valentine's Fairy Tale Princess Party

Warrenville
Princesses celebrate true love at this party filled with games, prizes, crafts and treats. Some real live princesses may even make an appearance. READ MORE

Winterland Chinese New Year Celebration

Uptown
Ring in the Year of the Rat in Wrigleyville. READ MORE
The Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown. Photo courtesy of The Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation
The Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown. Photo courtesy of The Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation

Things to Do Sunday, Feb. 9

Lunar New Year Parade

Chinatown — FREE
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

That's Weird, Grandma: Star-Studded Stories

Andersonville
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

CANCELED - Family Build at the Chicago Architecture Center

Loop
The Chicago Architecture Center hosts Family Day, where families can participate in hands-on activities related to different themes in architecture. READ MORE

2023 Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinatown
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago hosts a celebration of the Year of the Rabbitt, featuring Chinese music, food, arts and performances including Chinese traditional music, singing, folk dance, QiPao fashion show, poetry, Chinese calligraphy, and more.; READ MORE

The Music of The Beatles for Kids: Mother's Day Celebration

Pilsen
The Rock and Roll Playhouse and The Cubby Bear host the Music of the Beatles for Kids! Rock n Roll Playhouse hosts regular concert series for kids, featuring some of the favorite music of their grownups. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Central Athletic Complex- Ice Rink
Ryan Learning Center, Art Institute of Chicago
Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field