Welcome to our highlights of events and entertainment in Chicago for kids and families to enjoy. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on the latest activities.
Summer Salon 2021
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When: 7 p.m. July 31
Where: Tallmadge Park, 927 Noyes, Evanston
What: The Actors Gymnasium presents a free evening of circus acts under the stars. Curated by artistic director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi, it features performers from a cross-section of Actors Gym programs. Now celebrating its 25th year, the Actors Gym remains at the forefront of teaching students of all ages and levels while also producing daring circus-theater, most notably at Lookingglass Theatre, where the circus arts have been key to many productions. Donations appreciated.
More information: actorsgymnasium.org.summer-salon/
Physical Theater Festival
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When: 2-8 p.m. July 31
Where: Nichols Park, 1355 E. 53rd in the Hyde Park neighborhood
What: Physical Theater Festival, in a collaboration with the Chicago Park District, presents a family-friendly outdoor event featuring Chicago’s Era Footwork Crew performing “She Pick the Speed,” which takes audiences to a space where men and women both meet and support one another equally, and New York’s 3AM Theater with “Mindful Manipulations,” a piece in which umbrellas fly, brooms have a mind of their own and juggling balls turn into a light sculpture. There are also four short pop-up acts from Chicago artists with backgrounds in circus, puppetry, mask and music. Admission is free, reservations recommended.
More information: physicalfestival.com
Neighborhood Festivals
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The Chinatown Summer Fair features a dragon and lion dance procession, artisans, food, tours and activities for children. From noon-10 p.m. July 31 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 1., at Wentworth and Cermak. Admission is free. Visit chicagoevents.com … The Mexican festival Fiesta Del Sol includes carnival rides, artisans, food, a children’s area, health and housing expos and a soccer tournament. From 5-10 p.m. July 29, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. July 30-31 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 1 on Cermak, from Ashland to Morgan. Visit fiestadelsol.org. … Art Walk at the Glen features more than 140-juried artists from across the country. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1 at Glen Town Center, 2030 Tower Drive, Glenview. Admission is free. Visit amdurproductions.com
Chicago Fireboat Tours
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When: Ongoing
Where: DuSable Harbors, 111 N. Lake Shore Dr.
What: Built in 1936, the Fred A. Busse was the largest, diesel-powered fireboat in the world at the time and served the Chicago Fire Department from 1937-1981. The current owners renovated the retired fireboat, which is now in its second season cruising Chicago waterways. Tickets: $35-$40, $19.50 ages 4-12.
More information: fireboattours.com
Merit School of Music
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When: To Aug. 28
Where: Various locations
What: In July and August, the music school hosts a family-friendly series of interactive pop-up events throughout Chicago neighborhoods from Pilsen to Lincoln Park. “Pop-ups in the Parks” offers free instrument tunings, demos and performances by students and faculty, “Music at the Markets” features performances and giveaways at outdoor markets and “Musical Storytimes” is filled with stories and activities.
More information: meritmusic.org
‘Mother Goose Lost’
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When: 10 and 11:30 a.m. July 24 and 31
Where: Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport
What: Children will enjoy Eclectic Full Contact Theatre’s adventure-filled tale that finds Mother Goose forced into retirement and the dastardly Solomon Grundy rewriting all the nursery rhymes. Can friends Frank, Mandy and Detective Joe Saturday find her and save the rhymes? Tickets: $12.
More information: athenaeumtheatre.org
Adler Planetarium
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When: Ongoing
Where: 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
What: The planetarium has partially reopened with a selection of its award-winning sky shows. On weekends in July and August two shows will play twice daily: “Imagine the Moon” (10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m.) and “Skywatch Live” (11:30 am., 1:15 p.m.). The full museum won’t reopen until March 2022. Tickets: $15.
More information: adlerplanetarium.org
Tempel Lipizzans’ stallions
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When: Ongoing
Where: Tempel Farms, 17000 Wadsworth, Old Mill Creek.
What: The stallions return for a new season of equestrian dressage along with interactive, educational events. Performances feature synchronized movements set to classical music that show off the strength, beauty and intelligence of the Lipizzan horse. Following each event, there are self-guided tours through the stables to meet and pet the equine stars and ask questions of riders and trainers about how the Lipizzans are raised, trained and taught to “dance.” Tickets: $35, $25 for ages 4-14.
More information: tempelfarms.com
‘Par Excellence Redux’
When: “The Front 9” (to Sept. 16) and “The Back Nine” (Oct. 13-Jan. 2)
Where: Tee off at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill, Elmhurst
What: A fun new exhibit features a fully playable 18-hole mini-golf course created by more than 20 artists, designers and architects from Chicago and beyond. The family-friendly course pays homage to the School of the Art Institute’s wildly popular 1988 exhibition “Par Excellence.” Course themes range from social justice to the occult and include a fortune-telling hole that has the power to dramatically change scores as well as a hole that challenges players with an optical illusion. Admission is $5-$10 (online timed reservations); children 4 and under free.
More information: elmhurstartmuseum.org
Chicago Children’s Museum
Where: Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand
When: Ongoing
What: Fun and learning are on the agenda at the popular family gathering spot, offering a wide variety of exhibits aimed at improving children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. Babies and toddlers can enjoy “Treehouse Trails” and “Kids Town” while “Tinker Lab” and “Dinosaur Expedition” will enthrall older children. Admission: $19.
More information: chicagochildrensmuseum.org.
‘Becoming Jane’
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When: To Sept. 6
Where: Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
What: Generations have been inspired by the work of primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall who has not only shown the urgent need to protect chimpanzees but also redefined species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environments. A new exhibit at the Field Museum, “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Jane Goodall,” follows her journey from a curious young child in England to a passionate scientist studying chimpanzees in Africa. Included in the exhibit are a recreation of her field research tent, a hologram-like projection of Goodall who shares her fieldwork memories, augmented reality activities and a projection of Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park. Admission: $18-$32
More information: fieldmuseum.org
‘Hello Helios: The warming suns of Chicago’s Greektown’
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When: Through spring 2022
Where: Halsted from Monroe to Van Buren
What: Welcome summer with a new outdoor exhibit celebrating the start of summer with 24 artworks inspired by the sun and related mythologies from Greek, Aztec, Yoruba, Japanese and Native American cultures.
More information: greektownchicago.org
Kayak for Conservation
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When: Ongoing
Where: Kayak Chicago: 1220 W LeMoyne,
What: Get close to nature via the Shedd Aquarium’s popular Kayak for Conservation program, which features a variety of socially distant kayaking experiences on the Chicago River. Participants learn about the river’s environmental history and discover wildlife living in its ecosystem. Sessions are open to all levels of kayakers (including newbies) and are led by Shedd’s wildlife conservation experts. The cost is pay-what-you-can ranging from $20-$100 per participant, with a recommended $40, the base cost of the program.
More information: sheddaquarium.org/kayak
‘Take Flight’
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When: Permanent
Where: Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.
What: The MSI’s Boeing 747 reopens with a reimagined exhibit that explores modern aviation and the science of flight. The plane’s interior has been restored and new interactive elements have been added. Tickets: $12.95, $21.95.
More information: msichicago.org
