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Make the season bright with best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Boston! Naumkeag Winterlights photo by Stephanie Zollshan Photography, courtesy of The Trustees of Reservations
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Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in Chicago: 15 Best Things To Do With Kids

Celebrate Veterans Day this weekend in Chicago. Photo by 416th Theater Engineer Command Army Reserve via Flickr. (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Celebrate Veterans Day this weekend in Chicago. Photo by 416th Theater Engineer Command Army Reserve via Flickr. (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
11/5/25 - By Siobhan Adcock

Looking for things to do this Veterans Day weekend in Chicago? Here are some kid-friendly events happening this Veterans Day weekend 2025.

Between Halloween and the holidays each year, we take a day off to celebrate those that have served in the military with Veterans Day. Show your respect and teach kids about veterans with events at Cantigny or Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Celebrate National STEM Day in Naperville and Lapidary Activity Day in Oak Brook. And if the grandparents are starting to ask for holiday gift ideas, visit the Chicago Toy & Game Fair to get some.

Plan ahead to Thanksgiving by making a reservation at one of our favorite family-friendly restaurants open on Thanksgiving. You might also want to buy a ticket for the Polar Express—they're selling out fast!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids:

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Things To Do This Veterans Day Weekend 2024

Astronomer in the Parks

Northerly Island
Friday, November 7
Join The Chicago Astronomer to look at the cosmos via telescope. The astronomer and his crew will provide instruction on how to look at the urban night sky. READ MORE

Hanover Park Day of the Dead Dance

Hanover Park
Friday, November 7
Celebrate Mexican heritage with a Latin music, authentic Mexican food, and face painting. The event also includes craft tables, a Dia inspired photo booth, and games like Loteria for both kids and adults. READ MORE

Chicago Toy & Game Fair

Rosemont
Saturday, November 8- Sunday, November 9
Kick off the holidays with North America's largest toy & game fair open to the public with immersive events, interactive exhibits, giveaways, characters, and activities for all ages at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Play with the coolest new toys, meet your favorite characters, and so much more! READ MORE

Lapidary Activity Day at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Oak Brook
Saturday, November 8
Drop by the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art to celebrate the Lapidary Arts with artist demonstrators from the West Suburban Lapidary Club. Learn about cutting and polishing stone, wire-wrap, silversmithing, carving, beadstringing and participate in children’s activities. READ MORE

MCA Family Day

Magnificent Mile
Saturday, November 8
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

Leo Lionni's Frederick

West Loop
Saturday, November 8- Sunday, November 9
While other mice are gathering food for the winter, Frederick daydreams the summer away. But when fall weather comes, it is Frederick who has stored up something special for the long cold winter in a celebration of the idea that there is a place for all of us in this world. Originally a world premiere in CCT’s 10th birthday season, this charming musical based on Leo Lionni’s classic, much-loved Caldecott Award-winning book features a book by Suzanne Maynard Miller and a spirited folk and rock blues music score by Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacobs, performed live, on-stage by a talented cast of... READ MORE

reFashioning History Family Open House

Evanston
Saturday, November 8
Step Into History in Style witha morning of fashion, fun, and creativity at the Dawes House. Explore the reFashioning History exhibit for free, then dive into hands-on activities designed for the whole family. READ MORE

National STEM Day at DuPage Children's Museum

Naperville
Saturday, November 8
Celebrate curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery! National STEM Day is all about exploring science, technology, engineering, and math in fun and creative ways. DuPage Children's Museum is also adding in Art to make it a STEAM Day! Visit DCM for a day of experiments, building, and playful invention. READ MORE

Hands- On History Day at Elmhurst History Museum

Elmhurst- FREE
Saturday, November 8
Visit the museum to enjoy kid-friendly games, and design and create your own colorful Art Deco themed paper lantern (while supplies last). During the event, guests may also explore the World of Tomorrow: A Century of Progress exhibit next door in the museum. Appropriate for elementary age children accompanied by an adult, no registration required. READ MORE

Family Fun with Little Miss Ann & Suzi Shelton at Fitzgerald's

Berwyn
Sunday, November 9
Little Miss Ann (Ann Torralba) is a nationally touring, kids musician who has made 6 family music albums including her latest award-winning album "28 Days" which she recorded during the quarantine at home. For their first public kids music concert together in over a year, the Little Miss Ann Band will be performing a energetic, interactive, down-to-earth family music concert that will get the kids clapping, singing, dancing, and jumping along! READ MORE

Santa's Arrival at Fox Valley Mall

Aurora
Saturday, November 8
Get ready for the magic of the season! Santa arrives at Fox Valley Mall right at 10:00 AM — don’t be late to catch his grand entrance! Enjoy free family fun from 10:00–11:00 AM, including a dance party with holiday characters, face painting, balloon twisting, giveaways and a take-home Snoopy™ Christmas craft (while supplies last). READ MORE

Fossil Quarry Tour

Lemont
Sunday, November 9
Kids can learn more about Chicago's ancient history through fossils. The event will include an indoor presention about fossils and take families on a tour of the quarry. READ MORE

The Sleeping Beauty: International Ballet Stars

Skokie
November 9
Awaken your sense of wonder with the most enchanting ballet of all time! One night only. One timeless fairytale. One unforgettable journey into a world of love, destiny, and magic. Enjoy the artistic direction by Artem Yachmennikov, Vaganova graduate & former principal dancer with the Bolshoi Theatre, San Francisco Ballet & Dutch National Ballet, lavish costumes and breathtaking fairytale-inspired set designs, iconic scenes like the “Rose Adagio” performed with stunning elegance and control. This ballet features a world-class cast of dancers from Moldova, Spain, Italy, Kyrgyzstan... READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Veterans Day Celebration

Brookfield
Tuesday, November 11
Families can salute the armed forces with a free day at Brookfield Zoo, including many celebratory events. The zoo will display veterans' memorabilia and vehicles at the Discovery Center and host a presentation about Ambassador Animals at 11 a.m. Families can also enjoy performances by the Legacy Girls and Jesse White Tumblers and a posting of the colors and singing of the National Anthem. READ MORE

Veterans Day Family Story Time at Cantigny

Wheaton
Tuesday, November 11
The West Chicago Public Library District and Cantigny invite you to a special story time this Veterans Day! It’s a day to honor and thank all the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces — whether in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard. Library staff will share a heartwarming story inspired by heroes, with a special guest reader who is a veteran! Sing along to patriotic songs and grab a veteran-themed activity (while supplies last) to take home. READ MORE

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