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5/1/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

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

It's time for that one perfect spring weekend in Chicago! And, things to do in Chicago match the weather with the Cantigny Spring Fest in Wheaton, What's Blooming on Harrison in Oak Park, and Parkway Bank Park's Spring Fun Festival in Rosemont. Auto-obsessed kids will love the Touch-a-Truck event in Oakbrook Terrace, and Wheeling's Bark in the Park is where everyone, including your furry friends, can enjoy the great weather. Outdoor movies also make their debut this weekend in Oak Park and Bensenville.

This is a great time to make plans for spring and summer plans in Chicago. Check out the full line-up of spring festivals; look at the city from above at Navy Pier's new Flyover experience, or plan a summer trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. 

Have a great spring weekend in Chicago!

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Mexico Fest at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of the event.
Mexico Fest at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of the event.

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Long Grove Chocolate Festival

Long Grove
Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19
Celebrate chocolate with tastings and pairings, live music, and a carnival. Families can try chocolate donuts, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate cupcakes, cake pops, cocoa bombs, chocolate truffles, chocolate croissants, chocolate eclairs, chocolate macarons, hand-dipped fine chocolates, chocolate-covered funnel cakes, chocolate popcorn, chocolate cotton candy, frozen hot chocolate, and much more. This kicks off the spring festival season in historic Long Grove. READ MORE

Jack and the Beanstalk

Beverly
Friday, May 17
Chicago Kids Company - Theater for Children (CKC) presents Jack and the Beanstalk. Come along with Jack and his best friend Carmelita (a Spanish speaking cow), as they try to save their village from a crazy giant! Along the way you’ll meet a beautiful singing Harp, a Golden Goose, and a wacky Bean Salesman. Watch the Giant Beanstalk grow on stage! READ MORE

Oak Park Movies in the Park

Oak Park - FREE
Friday, May 17
Families can bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a movie in Scoville Park on the third Friday of each month during the summer. Check the website for rainout information. READ MORE

Cantigny Spring Fest

Wheaton
Saturday, May 18
Celebrate the season with Spring Fest at Cantigny! Families can participate in the inaugural family fun walk through the gardens complete with a gnome scavenger hunt. Additional family activities include an inflatable, lawn games, plant crafts, and an animal encounter. Listen to a concert in the new beer garden and browse garden and craft sales. READ MORE

Skokie Festival of Cultures

Skokie - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Celebrate all the cultures of the world in the multi-cultural suburb of Skokie. The event in Oakton Park includes two stages of music and dancing, food and beverage vendors, children's games and activities, interactive cultural booths, and an amazing display of flags. READ MORE

A&A Ballet's Cinderella

Lakeview
Saturday, May 18
In this fantastical rendition, A&A Ballet offers audiences a modern take on the classic story of Cinderella with vibrant costumes, characters, and dynamic choreography. This family-friendly ballet is a unique, colorful, and bright performance for dance fans of all ages. READ MORE

Once Upon a Symphony: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Downtown
Saturday, May 18
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

Blooming Fest

West Chicago - FREE
Saturday, May 18
West Chicagoans are finally celebrating spring at this street festival with more than 80 vendors selling plants, garden decorations, yard art, jewelry, clothing and crafts. The family friendly event also includes a pancake breakfast, live music, and cooking and art demonstrations, and a kids zone. READ MORE

Warrenville Bike Rodeo

Warrenville - FREE
Saturday, May 18
West suburban kids can enjoy all things bike-related at this city-sponsored bike rodeo. Get a free bike safety check, get fitted for a helmet, register your bike with the Warrenville Police Department, and test out the bike rodeo course. Kids can also win giveaways, discover bike literature with Warrenville Public Library, and visit other vendors, including Warrenville Fire Protection District, Northwestern Medicine, Warrenville Park District, Illinois Prairie Path, and more. READ MORE

Touch-a-Truck Oakbrook Terrace

Oakbrook Terrace - FREE
Saturday, May 18
This event allows children to explore all the different trucks around the community. They are welcome to climb, honk and touch these large machines from right behind the wheel! It is a great opportunity for families to get a close up look at the vehicles that serve your community. READ MORE

Hoffman Estates Kite Fest

Hoffman Estates - FREE
Saturday, May 18
In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, participate in all things kites. The event includes kite demonstrations, crafts, and more. READ MORE

Spring Road Pet Parade

Elmhurst - FREE
Saturday, May 18
Four-legged friends can join their human friends for a day of fun including a pet parade, pet trick demonstrations, a bounce house, a tattoo station, and pet portraits along Spring Road near the Prairie Path. The pet parade itself kicks off at 1pm. READ MORE

Bensenville Movie in the Park

Bensenville- FREE
Saturday, May 18
See a movie at one of Bensenville's parks on a Saturday night this summer. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and purchase concessions to eat during the show. READ MORE

What's Blooming On Harrison

Oak Park
Saturday, May 18
Celebrate spring in Oak Park with an art fair, children's carnival, music stage, food and beer garden and more. READ MORE

American Writers Festival

Downtown - FREE
Sunday, May 19
The second American Writers Festival on May 19, 2024 in Chicago is presented by the American Writers Museum and Chicago Public Library. The free literary festival will be held at multiple stages inside the Harold Washington Library Center and feature a number of leading contemporary authors, poets, artists, and playwrights. READ MORE

Parkway Bank Park's "Spring Fun Fest"

Rosemont - FREE
Sunday, May 19
Families are invited to visit Parkway Bank Park for a fun-filled day of outdoor festivities from 1pm–5pm including balloon sculpting, bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, and live entertainment from Jeanie B. and the Jelly Beans.  READ MORE

Bark in the Park

Wheeling - FREE
Sunday, May 19
Wheeling offers a morning of fun for family and furry friends! This event includes an agility course, photo booth and dog-friendly goodies while supplies last. Attendees will have the opportunity to adopt a new best friend from Heartland Animal Shelter! Heartland’s mission is to provide care, humane treatment and adoption for dogs and cats in need through community outreach, progressive programs and partnership collaborations. All pets must be leashed. READ MORE

Drag Queen Story Time & Butterfly Parade

Lincoln Park
Sunday, May 19
Break out the wings and antenna! Dress up like a butterfly for story time with our friends from Kiki Queens! Celebrate all things butterfly with the Queens as they read some of their favorite butterfly books. Then join the parade to show off your butterfly costume as we march through the museum! Kids and adults are encouraged to dress up. The ticket includes access to all museum exhibits. READ MORE

Lombard Lilac Parade

Lombard
Sunday, May 19
A Lombard tradition since 1929, the Lilac Day Parade will celebrate spring with marching bands, drill teams, local dignitaries, classic cars, floats, and Shriner performances. The parade begins at Glenbard East High School and continues 1.5 miles through downtown Lombard. READ MORE
Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival
Try an outdoor festival this spring in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Mole de Mayo Festival

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