Activities for Kids in Chicago in November 2025

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Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Wonder Works
Oak Park
October 30- November 3
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at WonderWorks Children's Museum in Oak Park with -Storytime: Enjoy children’s books exploring the traditions and meaning of Día de los Muertos -Art Room: Color sugar skulls and create tissue paper marigolds to add to our community ofrenda or take home 0Sensory Zone: Explore sensory bins filled with orange and black paper flower petals. Website

Dia de los Muertos Sensory- & Family-Friendly Concert
Merit School of Music, West Loop
Saturday, November 1
Join Merit’s Wind Symphony for a free concert celebrating a Latin American tradition originating in Mexico, featuring music from Disney's Coco. Audience members are invited to move, dance, make noise, or partake in any way which helps them to enjoy the music. Families and those with sensory processing sensitivities welcome. Website

Leo Lionni's Frederick
Chicago Children's Theatre, West Loop
November 1-2, November 8-9 and November 15-16
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. Website

Peter Pan at Chicago Kids Company
Belmont Cragin
Wednesdays through Fridays throughout November
Follow Peter Pan and Tinkerbell to Neverland! The adventures are endless in a world of pirates and mayhem. Let your imagination fly to a place that allows you to NEVER GROW UP! Website

STEM Fest at Bright Horizons
Multiple Chicago area locations
Thursday, November 6
Join Bright Horizons centers across the country for STEM Fest. This is your chance to see science, technology, engineering, and math in action with fun, hands-on activities for you and your child. Website

Hanover Park Day of the Dead Dance
Hanover Park - FREE
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. Website

Chicago Toy & Game Fair
South Chicago 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! Website

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. Website

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. Website

Veterans Day Family Story Time at Cantigny
Wheaton - FREE
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. Website

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe
Opens Friday, November 14
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Website

Reindeer Run
Brookfield
Saturday, November 15
Run with the animals at Brookfield Zoo's annual Reindeer Run. The course is entirely within the zoo and allows runners to be the first to see the Holiday Magic lights. Music, drinks, food and animal ambassadors will be on hand after the run. Website

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum
Lisle
Opens Saturday, November 15
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. New this year—Illumination features four colorful animal sculptures from The Morton Arboretum’s newest exhibition Vivid Creatures, by artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz. See these colorful sculptures lit up for the holidays and transformed for the Illumination experience. Website

Santa Arrives by Helicopter
Bloomingdale - FREE
Sunday, November 16
Santa Claus is coming to Stratford Crossing in his helicopter this November. Families can go see his arrival and receive free pictures with Santa with a $25 receipt from any of Stratford Crossing's retailers. Face painting, a magic show, and a balloon artist will also be on hand. Website

Turkey Basketball Free Throw Contest
Senka (Edward "Duke") Park, Chicago Lawn
Wednesday, November 19
Win a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner at our parent and child Turkey Shoot. Parent and child teams compete together. The best combined scores at the end win a turkey or a pie. Website

112th Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Downtown - FREE
Friday, November 21
Chicagoans of all ages can enjoy the annual lighting of the Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park in this event. The event will also include fireworks and many musical and theatrical performances. Website

Saturday Story Time at the Book Stall: "Mermaids Are The Worst"
The Book Stall, Wilmette
Saturday, November 22
Best-selling children's author Alex Willan visits the Book Stall for a story time featuring his new picture book, Mermaids Are the Worst! Gilbert the Goblin’s beachside vacation gets ruined by mermaids and their games in the side-splitting latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends. Website

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Magnificent Mile
Saturday, November 22
Chicago's Magnificent Mile hosts the annual Lights Festival with a parade of lights with Grand Marshalls Minnie and Mickey Mouse. The event includes booths full of family-friendly activities, including pictures with Santa. Website

Light Up The Park at Parkway Bank Park
Rosemont
Saturday, November 22
Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district is thrilled to kick off the holiday season with the return of its Chicago Wolves Ice Rink Saturday, November 22. Visitors can enjoy ice skating beginning at 11 a.m. in addition to several other holiday offerings available throughout the afternoon leading up to the Park’s annual “Light Up The Park” tree lighting event. Website

The Music of Chappell Roan for Kids
Pilsen
Tuesday, November 25
Rock 'n Roll Playhouse presents a variety of tunes originally by Chappell Roan and other similar artists in a show designed specifically for kids. Paired with games, movement, and stories, this music is part of a pink pony party that kids are unlikely to forget. Website

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
Downtown - FREE
Thursday, November 27
Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade will have the theme of "Where Grateful Hearts Gather." Families can watch as floats, bands, and dignitaries travel along State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. Website

2025 Holiday Parade of Lights Naperville
Naperville - FREE
Friday, November 28
Watch as twinkling floats and vehicles travel through downtown Naperville at this annual parade sponsored by the Naperville Rotary Club. Santa will appear at the end of the parade and be on hand at the Naperville Public Library to visit with kids after the parade. Website

The Nutcracker Performed by Salt Creek Ballet at Hinsdale Central
Hinsdale Central High School
Saturday, November 29-Sunday, November 30
Salt Creek Ballet performs the holiday classic The Nutcracker at locations throughout Chicago, including matinee and evening shows at Hinsdale Central. The ballet takes audiences through a world of toys that come alive, dancing snowflakes, and waltzing flowers. Kids can enjoy a Sugar Plum Party after the Sunday show, giving them a chance to step onstage, meet the cast, and enjoy refreshments in the winter wonderland. Website

How to Train Your Dragon in Concert
Chicago Symphony Orchestra 
November 28- November 30
A young Viking named Hiccup defies tradition when he befriends a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless, and together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. Featuring John Powell’s Oscar-nominated score performed live to picture by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon is a thrilling experience for all ages. Website

Happy Holiday Railway
Union
Opens Friday, November 28
Enjoy a 40-minute train ride with a visit from Santa from the Illinois Railway Museum. The train ride includes hot chocolate, treats and gifts, and kids can see an amazing light display inside the museum. Website