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Events and Activities in Chicago for Kids This Weekend
Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4
Looking for family-friendly activities in Chicago this weekend? Here are some fun events to add to your list!
Best Things To Do This Weekend In and Near Chicago With Kids
Mexico Fest at Navy Pier
Downtown
Friday, May 2- Sunday, May 5
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.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Calumet Park Chicago
East Side
Friday, May 2
Join the Chicago Park District in celebrating Cinco de Mayo at this family oriented event in Calumet Park. A mariachi band will play as the park hosts family friendly activities. Visit the website here.
Autism Speaks Empower Challenge in Chicago
Museum Camps
Friday, May 2- Saturday, May 3
Autism Speaks invites the Chicagoland community to participate in the Empower Summit & Challenge, a two-day event designed to provide education, resources, and support while raising critical funds for autism programs and advocacy. The Empower Challengeis an inclusive movement-focused fundraiser that encourages participants of all abilities to get active and show their support. Visit the website here.
Books & Donuts
Donut Dudes
10301 S Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL,
Saturday, May 3
Booktique Unlimited and Donut Dudes are pairing up for a day of literary fun. Enjoy a book reading, get a free book, or donate any books you're no longer using at Donut Dudes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Visit the website here.
Art in Wilder Park
Elmhurst
Saturday, May 3- Sunday, May 4
Families can enjoy a beautiful day in the park along with the artwork of more than 100 artists, food, music, and children's activities. A wide variety of artwork will be for sale including jewelry, glass, ceramics, painting, photography, and sculpture. Live music will play and Pilot Pete's Coffee & Treats will be on hand at Wilder Mansion providing coffee, pastries, and lunch. Visit the website here.
Oak-tacular Comeback Celebration
Bolingbrook
Saturday, May 3
Celebrate the grand reopening of the newly renovated Hidden Oaks Nature Center. There will be live music, community and festivities throughout the preserve. Meet members of the conservation team, the Forest Preserve police and our Operations Department, who will be hosting their very own Forest Preserve touch-a-truck along with many more! Enjoy hotdogs and s’mores over an open fire as you snag a commemorative giveaway. Visit the website here.
AIANA's Annual Asian Heritage Fest
Naperville
Saturday, May 3
Mall of India celebrates all kinds of Asian heritage with this annual event. Enjoy music, dancing, art, activities, and food from many different cultures. Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Thai, Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, and Malaysian heritages will be represented. Visit the website here.
Lilac Time
Lombard
Starts Saturday, May 3
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.
Free Comic Book Day 2025
Various Locations
Saturday, May 3
Pow! Crash! Boom! Getting comic books for free is...super! Free Comic Book Day is again held on the first Saturday in May. Free Comic Book Day is a nationwide event, and kids (small and grown) can stop by any participating comic store to receive their free comics. Visit the website here.
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.
Polish Constitution Day Parade
Downtown
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.
Monster Truck Wars
Grayslake
Saturday, May 3
Monster Truck Wars is coming to Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. Featuring Giant National TV Monster Trucks including world-famous OUTLAW, the brand-new SHARK ATTACK, the ferocious debut of T-REX, and from Tombstone, AZ, SHERIFF. See these superstars as they compete in earth-shaking, ground-pounding, high-flying excitement and get a chance to ride on SERGEANT SMASH. Kids can also bring their Power Wheels and race them around the track. Visit the website here.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Community Pride
Chicago Symphony Center, Downtown
Saturday, May 3
A community is a group of individuals working toward a common goal — just like an orchestra! Separately, each instrument is unique, but together they create a harmonious symphony of sound. Featuring the winner of the 2024 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition, this program pairs well-known classics with contemporary masterpieces to demonstrate the joy, power and beauty of coming together in service of something bigger than ourselves. Visit the website here.
Spring Festival at the Trailside Museum of Natural History
River Forest
Sunday, May 4
Spring in Chicago has (finally) sprung and kids can celebrate with animal encounters, tree climbing, guided spring wildflower walks, bird banding, dip netting, seed planting, birdhouse building, and more. The free event will take place at River Forest's Trailside Museum of Natural History. Visit the website here.
Shades of the Fourth at Color Factory Chicago
Downtown
Sunday, May 4
This May the 4th, the hues are strong—and the prizes are stellar. Whether you’re on the Red, Green, or Blue side, all are welcome to explore the Shades of the 4th. Visitors will experience all of the classic Color Factory installations and go on a galactic adventure in our signature ball pit. Hidden deep within our iconic ball pits are shimmering RGB crystals. Find one, and you'll unlock a prize worthy of a hero - your very own RGB Space Blade. The hues are strong with this one. Visit the website here.