Chicago, IL weekend events for preschool (3–5)

MCA Family Day: Knock on Wood

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Free family art-making day inspired by works of Kenzi Shiokava and Mike Cloud.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free
• Indoors

ASL interpretation provided.

Goodnight Moon at Griffin MSI

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Immersive Great Green Room exhibit based on the classic book, with interactive projections and the science of sleep.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opens Nov 5, 2026.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

More than 50 trees and displays celebrating holiday traditions from around the world.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opening day Sat Nov 7 includes the Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival.

Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Fridays–Sundays

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Cost not listed

Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden — Glencoe · Cook Co. · Suburbs

A 1.3-mile illuminated trail of light displays and music through the Garden after dark.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date and time

Opening weekend. Select dates through Jan 3; Family Nights Dec 9 and 16. Non-member parking extra.

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum — Lisle · DuPage Co. · Suburbs

Holiday light show on a one-mile paved path, with four new installations and the new Pine Whistle Railroad model-train add-on.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date

Opens Sat Nov 14. Pine Whistle Railroad is an add-on ticket.

Smart Museum Family Day: Seeing the Invisible World

Smart Museum of Art — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Free STEAM family day: observe the microscopic world and make cell-inspired drawings with a University of Chicago scientist.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Free
• Indoors

Autumn Stories in Chinese

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

The Naperville Chinese Storytellers share stories and activities.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Free

Fall Color Walk

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Enjoy a leisurely naturalist-led nature hike to view fall color.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Free

Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting

Millennium Park — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

The 113th official City of Chicago Christmas Tree lighting, with performances and fireworks.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free

Festivities begin 4pm; ceremony 6pm, tree lit around 6:30pm. The tree stays lit through Jan 10, 2027.

Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile) — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Lights Festival Lane, a parade with Santa, and fireworks along Michigan Avenue.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free

Festival Lane 11am–4pm; parade 5:30pm; fireworks 7:30pm.

Goodnight Moon at Griffin MSI

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Immersive Great Green Room exhibit based on the classic book, with interactive projections and the science of sleep.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opens Nov 5, 2026.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

More than 50 trees and displays celebrating holiday traditions from around the world.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opening day Sat Nov 7 includes the Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival.

Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Fridays–Sundays

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Cost not listed

Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden — Glencoe · Cook Co. · Suburbs

A 1.3-mile illuminated trail of light displays and music through the Garden after dark.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date and time

Opening weekend. Select dates through Jan 3; Family Nights Dec 9 and 16. Non-member parking extra.

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum — Lisle · DuPage Co. · Suburbs

Holiday light show on a one-mile paved path, with four new installations and the new Pine Whistle Railroad model-train add-on.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date

Opens Sat Nov 14. Pine Whistle Railroad is an add-on ticket.

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Daley Plaza — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

German-style outdoor holiday market with food, gifts and mulled drinks.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free

Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun–Thu 11am–8pm.

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Chicago's classic holiday light show at the zoo.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Fixed-date tickets $7–12 ahead ($20 day-of); free on Mondays except Dec 21 and 28

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Brookfield · Cook Co. · Suburbs

Zoo-wide holiday lights, Santa and festive activities.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Tickets from $29.95; free with membership

Stars, Stories, and S’mores

Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs

Bring your family and friends to enjoy a night under the stars.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Free

Goodnight Moon at Griffin MSI

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Immersive Great Green Room exhibit based on the classic book, with interactive projections and the science of sleep.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opens Nov 5, 2026.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

More than 50 trees and displays celebrating holiday traditions from around the world.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opening day Sat Nov 7 includes the Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival.

Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Fridays–Sundays

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Cost not listed

Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden — Glencoe · Cook Co. · Suburbs

A 1.3-mile illuminated trail of light displays and music through the Garden after dark.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date and time

Opening weekend. Select dates through Jan 3; Family Nights Dec 9 and 16. Non-member parking extra.

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum — Lisle · DuPage Co. · Suburbs

Holiday light show on a one-mile paved path, with four new installations and the new Pine Whistle Railroad model-train add-on.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date

Opens Sat Nov 14. Pine Whistle Railroad is an add-on ticket.

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Daley Plaza — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

German-style outdoor holiday market with food, gifts and mulled drinks.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free

Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun–Thu 11am–8pm.

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Chicago's classic holiday light show at the zoo.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Fixed-date tickets $7–12 ahead ($20 day-of); free on Mondays except Dec 21 and 28

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Brookfield · Cook Co. · Suburbs

Zoo-wide holiday lights, Santa and festive activities.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Tickets from $29.95; free with membership

Goodnight Moon at Griffin MSI

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Immersive Great Green Room exhibit based on the classic book, with interactive projections and the science of sleep.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opens Nov 5, 2026.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

More than 50 trees and displays celebrating holiday traditions from around the world.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Included with general admission
• Indoors

Opening day Sat Nov 7 includes the Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival.

Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Fridays–Sundays

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Cost not listed

Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden — Glencoe · Cook Co. · Suburbs

A 1.3-mile illuminated trail of light displays and music through the Garden after dark.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date and time

Opening weekend. Select dates through Jan 3; Family Nights Dec 9 and 16. Non-member parking extra.

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum — Lisle · DuPage Co. · Suburbs

Holiday light show on a one-mile paved path, with four new installations and the new Pine Whistle Railroad model-train add-on.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Timed tickets; prices vary by date

Opens Sat Nov 14. Pine Whistle Railroad is an add-on ticket.

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Daley Plaza — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

German-style outdoor holiday market with food, gifts and mulled drinks.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free

Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun–Thu 11am–8pm.

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Chicago's classic holiday light show at the zoo.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Fixed-date tickets $7–12 ahead ($20 day-of); free on Mondays except Dec 21 and 28

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Brookfield · Cook Co. · Suburbs

Zoo-wide holiday lights, Santa and festive activities.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Tickets from $29.95; free with membership

Chris White Jazz Trio Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas

Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago

Three shows at 3:30–4:30 p.m., 6–7 p.m., 7:30–8:30 p.m.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed