Things to Do for Kids in Chicago
in March 2026

Oak Forest Fleadh
Oak Forest Park District - FREE
Saturday, March 7
Visit South Suburban Oak Forest for a variety of St. Patrick's Day festivities. This year's event will include a 5k, a parade, and crafts for kids. Families can hunt for a $1,000 golden ticket along the parade route. Website

Dino Day at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Oak Brook
Saturday, March 7
Drop by the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art to learn all about dinosaurs through hands-on activities. Learn about Mary Anning, the first female fossilist, touch real fossils, complete puzzles, and make your own fossil imprint to take home. Website

Family Brunch Concert with Miss Jamie's Farm
FitzGerald's, Berwyn
Saturday, March 7
Celebrate brunch farm-style! Miss Jamie and her puppet friends visit Fitzgerald's Night Club with sing along music and dancing. Don't forget your boots to dance to the beat of the E-I-E-I-O! Website

Holi at Navy Pier
Downtown - FREE
Saturday, March 7
Navy Pier hosts Holi, the Hindu festival of colors! Live music, educational programming and food from Bombay Wraps will be available in the AON Grand Ballroom.Colored powder will be available while supplies last from 12pm-4pm in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. Website

Maple Sugaring at Kline Creek Farm
West Chicago - FREE
Saturdays and Sundays through March 8
Kids can learn where the syrup on their pancakes comes from at this event at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. Using tools from the 1890s, experts will demonstrate how to tap a tree, check collection buckets, and thicken sap over the fire. Website

Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Jewels of Spring
Lincoln Park - FREE
Daily through May
The 2026 spring flower show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, “Jewels of Spring,” highlights the amazing flowers of the Tower of Jewels, also known as Echium or Pride of Madeira. It’s a dramatic, colorful plant which grows flower spikes that are two to three feet tall. Accompanying these gems are a host of favorite spring beauties, tulips such as ‘Gold Rush’ and ‘Flaming Flag’, ‘4D Violet Ice’ African daisies, Cymbidium Orchids, Delphinium ‘Cobalt Dreams’, and Primula ‘Wild Flame Shades’. All are planted against a backdrop of our treasured camelias, azaleas, peonies, and hydrangeas. Website

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - 25th Anniversary - In Concert
The Auditorium Theatre, Downtown - FREE
Friday, March 13 - Saturday, March 14
Experience the epic motion picture with live symphony orchestra, chorus, and soloists under a 60-foot screen. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, this cinematic and musical event returns to Chicago for the first time in eight years. Howard Shore’s score, widely regarded as one of the greatest in film history, will be performed live to the full feature film by 238 musicians. This production is presented by CAMI Music and follows over 15 years of sold-out performances across the globe. The Fellowship of the Ring, In Concert, delivers an unforgettable experience that brings fans together to relive Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film with live orchestral power and visual spectacle. Website

Robin Hood at the Mudlark Theatre
Evanston
March 13-15 and 20-22
Who is under the hood? In a tavern at the edge of Sherwood Forest, rebels convene to find the infamous outlaw Robin Hood after Prince John has ascended the throne. Everyone knows something about Robin Hood, but no one knows exactly who he is. As the threat from the lords of the land grows, can the rebels find their hero and stand up against the rising tyranny? Website

DuPage Comic Con
DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton
Saturday, March 14
Mighty Con presents the very best new local comic artists along with special guests and deals from comic book and toy vendors at DuPage County Fairgrounds. The legendary cosplay contest starts at 3:30 p.m. Free comics, free parking and free admission for kids make this a great day for comic lovers. Website

Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade
Downtown Naperville - FREE
Saturday, March 14
Families can watch more than 100 parade entries including floats, cars, bands, dancers, and singers make their way through downtown Naperville at this event sponsored by West Suburban Irish. The parade starts at Naperville North High School and proceeds south on Mill Street to Jefferson, east on Jefferson to Main, and south on Main, ending at Water Street. Website

Nowruz: Persian New Year Celebration
ISAC Museum, Hyde Park
Saturday, March 14
The ISAC Museum hosts a Persian Nowruz Celebration—a celebration of the Persian New Year. Guests can enjoy coloring eggs, making clay Persian coins visiting a Haft-Seen table, hunting for artifacts in the galleries, and watching performances of Persian music and dance! Website

The Dyeing of the Chicago River & St. Patrick's Day Parade
Downtown - FREE
Saturday, March 14
The Irish and Irish at heart can join the City of Chicago in the annual dyeing of the Chicago River in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The best place to see the dyeing is the intersection of Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive, and the river. Website

Swedish American Museum Family Easter Event
Andersonville
Saturday, March 14
Visit the Swedish American Museum for a day of spring fun for all ages. Go on an easter egg hunt inside of the museum and enjoy Swedish pancakes and cultural activities. Website

Maple Syrup Festival at River Trail Nature Center
Northbrook - FREE
Sunday, March 15
This festival includes tree tapping, maple syrup samples, games, and crafts. You will even get to learn a bit about the history of maple syrup. Website

South Side Irish Parade
Beverly - FREE
Sunday, March 15
The South Side Irish Parade will step off at noon from 103rd & Western and proceed south down Western Avenue to 115th Street. The Parade is one of the largest community-based St. Patrick's Day Parades outside of Ireland. Website

Candy Land Carnival
West Chicago Park District, West Chicago
Saturday, March 21
Step right up into world of color, candy, and carnival fun! Candy Land comes to life at this whimsical event, where kids can: Twirl down Lollipop Lane, Play Gumdrop Games, Enjoy Candy-Themed Activities, Meet Magical Characters, A carnival of fun awaits & it’s too sweet to miss. Website

Hoppy Easter Festival
Naperville Safety Town
Saturday, March 21
Take a walk down the Bunny Trail in Naperville's Safety Town. Kids can enjoy an egg hunt, treat stations, a photo op with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, live bunnies, and more. Website

Chicago Theatre Week: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire
Closes Monday, March 28
Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, enjoy this delightfully scrumptious musical adaptation that brings to life all of your favourite characters, songs, and confections. A gobstoppingly good time for the whole family! Grab your golden ticket and join Charlie Bucket on this delectable adventure into Willy Wonka’s world famous chocolate factory! Website

Lombard Egg Hunt
Lombard Commons
Saturday, March 28
Kids are divided into age groups at Lombard Commons to look for Easter eggs, prizes and candy. A visit from the Easter Bunny may also be in store. Website

Bunny Bonanza Brunch at Pottawattomie Park
Rogers Park
Saturday, March 28
Visit Pottawattomie Park for Bunny Bonanza Brunch! The event features tattoo stickers, arts & crafts, a delightful brunch with the bunny, an exciting egg hunt, live entertainment & music, the opportunity to capture a picture with the bunny, and the chance to win fantastic prizes. It's a morning packed with family-friendly fun that you won't want to miss! Website

Bunny Trolley Hop
Illinois Railway Museum, Union
Saturday, March 28- Sunday, March 29
Ride in a historic trolley to visit the Easter Bunny's carrot patch from the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. Kids can meet the Easter Bunny and the live animals in the baby animal zoo before boarding the trolley back to the museum for an Easter egg hunt. The event also includes coloring activities and a food truck. Website

Things to Do for Kids in Chicago in March 2026

Things to Do for Kids in Chicago
in March 2026