Free Events and Activities for Kids in Chicago in January 2026

Free Events this January 2026 in Chicago

Malcolm X: Kwanzaa 2025
Malcolm X College, Near West Side
Through Thursday, January 1
Visit Malcolm X College to experience Kwanzaa. Celebrate seven days of culture, community, and creativity from December 26, 2025 – January 1, 2026. Daily events include a vendor's market, children's story time, and a drum call at noon. Experience powerful performances by Ayodele Drum & Dance and Najwa Dance Corps, plus much more! Website

Hygge Hangout
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs
Sunday, January 4
Join a cozy, indoor community filled with activities, games and refreshments. Inspired by the Danish practice of Hygge. Website

Winter Flower Show: Merry & Bright at Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park
Daily through January 4
This year’s Winter Flower Show “Merry & Bright” evokes the festivity of the season. While the outdoor landscape is gray (and maybe white!), the indoor Show House reveals a cheerful selection of poinsettias including ‘Viking Cinnamon’, ‘Lemon Glow’, ‘Chorus Hot Pink’, and ‘Candy Wintergreen’. Website

Brookfield Zoo Free Days
Brookfield
Daily, except for January 19
Brookfield Zoo offers free admission for all guests on all days in January and February, except for January 19 and February 16. Parking fees and attraction fees still apply. Website

Gurnee Frosty Fest
Viking Park, Gurnee
Saturday, January 4
The Gurnee Park District transforms Viking Park into a winter wonderland with outdoor sleigh rides, games, crafts, and ice skating. Warm up with s'mores by the fire and cocoa in the dance hall. Website

Family Winter Scavenger Hunt and Campfire
Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest
Sunday, January 4
The Trailside Museum of Natural History invites families to take a self-guided scavenger hunt for signs of animal and plant life and enjoy warm refreshments to celebrate winter. Website

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Series
Various City Parks
January 6-8 and 14-15
Think you're the fastest skater in the city? Silver Skates competitions in parks throughout Chicago pit up to 20 skaters in each age category against one another to see who is the fastest. Qualifiers compete in the finals on Saturday, January 15, at McFetridge Sports Center. Website

Destination Discovery Story Time at The Field Museum
Museum Campus
Wednesday, January 14
Join Librarian friends as they visit the Field Museum on Free Illinois Wednesdays! The guest reader from Chicago Public Library will lead a fun-filled interactive PlayDate with stories, songs and more. PlayLab PlayDates are free to museum guests, don’t require pre-registration, and take place on IL Resident Free Days! Website

Lakeshore Learning's Cool Creations
Orland Park and Palatine
Saturday, January 10 and Saturday, January 24
Stretch your fun with a cool creations workshop at Chicago-area Lakeshore Learning stores. Kids can make fun crafts and read stories. The January 10 workshop focuses on the story The Day the Crayons Came Home and making a crayon carrier and the January 24 workshop is about Pete The Cat: Rockin' in My School Shoes and making a Reading Rocks bookmark.. At each event, they'll make cool and colorful creations, play with top-rated learning products and even hear a story! Website

Winter Wonder Fest at Warren Park
Rogers Park
Sunday, January 11
Bundle up and bring the whole family for a magical day of winter fun at our Winter Wonder Fest! Enjoy skating alongside festive characters, munch on complimentary snacks, and play a round of ice bocce in the snowy game zone. With music, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer, it’s the perfect way to make warm memories this winter season. Website

MCA Family Day
Museum of Contemporary Art, Streeterville
Saturday, January 10
The Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) hosts a FREE family day the second Saturday of each month. The event includes free admission to the museum, as well as workshops, open-studio sessions, gallery tours, and performances designed and led by Chicago artists. Website

Wood Dale Winter Bash
Wood Dale Recreation Complex, Wood Dale
Saturday, January 10
Join the Wood Dale Park District in a series of indoor and outdoor activities sure to lift families' spirits. This free event will include crafts, games and activities, snacks, and entertainment. Website

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Free Neighborhood Tour
Various Locations
Thursday, January 22- Sunday, February 1
The Chicago International Puppet Theater’s Festival Neighborhood Tour presents free family-friendly puppet shows outside a different Chicago theater venue each day. The 35-minute performances give families who might not usually get a chance to see puppetry enjoy the show. This year's presentations include "Stone by Stone," performed by Tian Gombau and "Happy Birthday, Mon Ami" performed by Alex Olmsted. Website

Buffalo Grove Park District Lunar New Year Celebration
Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center, Buffalo Grove
Saturday, January 24
Celebrate Lunar New Year early at Buffalo Grove's Community Arts Center with lantern designing, kite decorating, and lunar masks. Asian cuisine, beer wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Website

Cook County Forest Preserves MLK Day of Service
Cook County Forest Preserves
Saturday, January 17- Monday, January 19
Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering at one of Cook County's Forest Preserves. Litter clean-up events take place at Crabtree Nature Center, Caldwell Woods, Eggers Grove, Evans Field, Trailside Museum of Natural History, Sand Ridge Nature Center, Dan Ryan Woods, and Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. Website

Silver Skates Citywide Speed Skating Championships
McFetridge Sports Center, North Center
Saturday, January 17
Qualifiers from Silver Skates speed skating races throughout the city compete for bragging rights at McFetridge Park Sports Center. Enter a race to try to win, or come watch the action. Website

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Family Event
Chicago History Museum , Old Town
Monday, January 19
Price: Free for Illinois residents
Visit the Chicago History Museum to reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with family. The event includes lectures and panel discussions, a youth poetry workshop, a musical performance, and a hands-on history experience. Website

Lincoln Park Preschool Fair
Lincoln Park Library Branch, Lincoln Park
Saturday, January 24
Choosing the right preschool is a big step, and we’re here to make it easier for you. Join us on Saturday, January 24, at the Lincoln Park Branch Library, for a free, one-stop event to meet and learn about some of the best preschools in the neighborhood — all in one convenient place! Register here! Website

Polar Adventure Day at Northerly Island
Northerly Island
Saturday, January 24
Families can come to Northerly for a free outdoor adventure, including husky sled dog demonstrations, live demonstrations, arts & crafts, nature play and warm up with hot cocoa by the bonfire. Website

Family Fun Fest
Harold Washington Library Center, Downtown
Sunday, January 25
Stop in for an open-house celebration with winter play activities, music, art and more. For kids of all ages and their caregivers. Website

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