Weekend & Monthly Events for Kids and Families, plus Summer Camp Guides:
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Chicago Events and Activities for Kids in May 2025
Mexico Fest at Navy Pier
Downtown - FREE
Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4
Navy Pier is joining forces with the Consulado General de México en Chicago & The Governments of Chihuahua, Nayarit, and Querétaro to host Mexico Fest, a weekend-long event featuring a mercadito of artisans, performances by Mexican musicians and dancers, and workshops for kids. Mariachi and Ballet Folklorico will be featured in the Culture Corner and the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion. Visit the website here.
Polish Constitution Day Parade
Downtown - FREE
Saturday, May 3
Chicagoans of all ages are invited to attend the Chicago Polish Constitution Day Parade, in celebration of the Polish Constitution of 1791 and Poland's Independence. The theme for 2025 is "1000 years of the Polish Kingdom." Visit the website here.
Lilac Time
Lilacia Park, Lombard
Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 18
The Village of Lombard celebrates spring and the blooming of the 700 lilacs and 25,000 tulips in Lilacia Park with this annual festival. The festival includes concerts, an arts and crafts fair, botanical tours, a 5K, a parade, and a father-daughter dance. Entry to the park is always free, but some events charge admission. Visit the website here.
Switch on Summer with ComEd
Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, 301 South Columbus Drive , Chicago, IL - FREE
Saturday, May 10
The whole family can join ComEd and the Chicago Park District to watch the Buckingham Fountain officially switch on at 12pm and enjoy free family-friendly activities and live entertainment! Visit the website h
Go Fly a Kite at Graf Park
Wheaton - FREE
Saturday, May 3
Wheaton Park District invites families to Graf Park for its annual kite fly. Free kites will be available for the first 100 families. Kite performers will show off their tricks near Monroe Middle School, and there will be contests for most unique kite and highest flying kite. Visit the website here.
Día de los niños y libros: A Celebration of Children and Books
Chicago Public Library, Downtown - FREE
Saturday, May 10
Join Chicago Public Library and its staff for an open house celebration with play and art activities, music, storytelling, book giveaways and special guests. And meet Daisy from WTTW Kids' Nature Cat! Visit the website here.
Mother's Day Family Fun Festival Bridgeview
Bridgeview
Saturday, May 10-Sunday, May 11
Kids and grown-ups can enjoy lots of different activities including a petting zoo, carnival, and magician in Bridgeview. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Visit the website here.
World Migratory Bird Day: Migration Madness
Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland - FREE
Saturday, May 10
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County invites families to celebrate birds at Sand Ridge Nature Center. Kids can enjoy crafts, go on a bird walk, and explore the preserves throughout the day. Visit the website here.
Chicago River Day
Various locations - FREE
Saturday, May 10
Volunteer to help the Friends of the Chicago River create a litter-free environment. Dozens of sites throughout Cook County invite families to come pick up trash, paddle up and down the river, and be inspired by the animals, plants, and people around the river. Visit the website here.
Mayfest Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park
Friday, May 16-Sunday, May 18
End spring and kick off summer with live music and festival foods in Lincoln Park. Families can check out live music from family friendly entertainers early in the day. Visit the website here.
Spring Roscoe Village Art and Craft Festival
Roscoe Village - FREE
Saturday, May 17-Sunday, May 18
This spring festival on Chicago's North Side includes fabulous paintings, sculptures, fiber pieces, décor, jewelry, and more, all made by local artists. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend's fun. Bring your old art to donate to Chicago Furniture Bank. Visit the website here.
Once Upon a Symphony: Abiyoyo
Symphony Center, Downtown
Saturday, May 10
In this South African folktale adapted by singer-songwriter Pete Seeger, a boy and his father are banished from their town for making mischief. They are welcomed back when they find a way to make a monster named Abiyoyo disappear. This redemptive story features enchanting music performed by members of the CSO. Visit the website here.
Long Grove Chocolate Festival
Downtown Long Grove
Friday, May 16-Sunday, May 18
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. Visit the website here.
Soap Box Derby 2025 Spring Rally
Naperville
Saturday, May 17-Sunday, May 18
Build your own car or test run a pre-built car at the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby's track. Visit the website here.
Vivid Creatures at The Morton Arboretum
Lisle
Opens Saturday, May 17
Vivid Creatures, a new outdoor art exhibition at The Morton Arboretum, is an invitation to explore connections with the natural world through giant, colorful, playful animal sculptures placed outdoors amid towering trees and sweeping green vistas. Each artwork tells a story about the relationships between creatures and the ecosystems where they live. Visit the website here.
Parkway Bank Park's "Spring Fun Fest"
Rosemont - FREE
Sunday, May 17
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. Visit the website here.
Skokie Festival of Cultures
Oakton Park, Skokie - FREE
Saturday, May 17-Sunday, 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. Visit the website here.
Spring Renegade Craft Fair Andersonville
Andersonville - FREE
Saturday, May 17-Sunday May 18
Arts and crafts fans can enjoy Renegade's new spring event featuring incredible makers and designers from all over the US, as well as live entertainment, local DJs, workshops, art installations, food trucks, nonprofits, cocktails, craft beers, and more. Visit the website here.
Movies at Gallagher Way
Wrigleyville - FREE
Wednesday, May 21
Visit Gallagher Way near Wrigley Field to see a variety of blockbusters on the big screen. Food trucks from local favorite restaurants like Big Star and West Town Bakery sell their goodies at the park. Visit the website here.
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
Lakeview
Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25
Families can kick off summer with music, food, and drinks at this annual Lakeview street festival. Visit the website here.
Chicago Memorial Day Parade
Downtown - FREE
Saturday, May 24
Chicagoans of all ages are invited to the annual Memorial Day Parade, in honor of all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The parade begins at noon, following a wreath laying ceremony at 11am in Daley Plaza, and proceeds from State and Lake to Van Buren Street. Visit the website here.
Barrington Art Festival
Barrington - FREE
Sunday, May 25
More than 120 artists fill the streets of downtown Barrington with their wares as restaurants, bars and ice cream shops treat customers to food at this annual festival. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. Visit the website here.
What's Blooming On Harrison
Oak Park - FREE
Saturday, May 31
Celebrate spring in Oak Park with an art fair, children's carnival, music stage, food and beer garden and more. Visit the website here.
Windy City Hot Dog Fest
Portage Park
Friday, May 30- Sunday, June 1
Taste all the hot dogs Chicago has to offer at this Six Corner festival. In addition to classic Chicago hot dogs from Byron's and Chicago Doghouse, families can taste internationally inspired hot dogs from Baked Cheese Haus, Indian hot dogs from Tikka Masala Dogs, and Asian inspired hot dogs from Lee Concessions. Live music and a hot dog eating contest round out the fun. Visit the website here.
Maifest Chicago
Lincoln Square
Friday, May 30- Sunday, June 1
Families can don their dirndls and lederhosen and step out to Lincoln Square for German and American food, music, and gemuetlischkeit. The event features carnival games, the crowning of the Maifest Queen and decorating the May Pole. Visit the website here.