Long Grove Apple Fest | Grimaldi Public Relations
Looking for something to do with your family? Check out our highlights of current events and activities for kids.
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.
The Other Art Fair
Provided
The Other Art Fair
When: 3-10 p.m. Oct. 1, 11 a.m.-7 pm Oct. 2 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 3
Where: Revel Fulton Market, 1215 W. Fulton
What: Presented by Saatchi Art, this fair is an opportunity to browse the work and chat up more than 110 independent artists about their process and inspiration. There’s something for every budget with prices as little as $100. There’s work by emerging artists, a demonstration of screen printing and illustration art, music, an interactive mural and more. Tickets: $13.50, $15.
More information: For updated information regarding the fair’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit theotherartfair.com.
Statesville Haunted Prison
Provided
Statesville Haunted Prison
When: To Oct. 31
Where: 17250 S. Weber, Lockport
What: Halloween chills and thrills await in the final year of this spooky site. Rated one of the top 10 haunted attractions in the nation by The Scare Factor and featuring 30 rooms of horrifying creatures and convicts, it’s not for the weak of heart. Hours: 7-10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets: $30, $45.
More information: For updated information regarding the event’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit statesvillehauntedprison.com.
Forge Fear Month
When: Oct. 2-30
Where: 1001 Main Street, Lemont
What: The adventure park The Forge: Lemont Quarries presents fall-themed events including the Forge Fall Fest (Oct. 2), Zombie Apocalypse Laser Tag (Fridays-Sundays Oct. 2-31), a screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas (Oct. 23), “The Tale of Talcott’s Stone — A Guided Adventure Game” (Oct. 29-30) and Fireside Ghost Stories with Orion Couling (Oct. 29-30). The park is open from 3:30-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission to the park is free; prices for activities vary.
More information: For updated information regarding the park’s COVID-19 vaccination and/or mask policies, visit forgeparks.com.
Neighborhood festivals
Northalsted Business Alliance
Miss Foozie performs at a past Pride Fest.
Pride Fest returns with live music, drag shows, food, arts and crafts, a pet parade and more. From 4-10 p.m. Oct. 1 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 2-3 at Halsted and Waveland. Admission: $15 donation. Visit chicagoevents.com. … Lincoln Square Apple Fest features apple-inspired items, arts and crafts, craft beers and hard ciders, apple cider, caramel apples, children’s activities, music and apples for sale from area farms. From 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 2-3 on Lincoln from Lawrence to Wilson. Visit lincolnsquare.org.
WPB Art Quest
Photo by Garrett Karp
“Butterfly Effect,” a mural by Ali Six
When: Ongoing
Where: Wicker Park, Bucktown
What: The WPB Art Quest offers free self-guided tours of Wicker Park and Bucktown, including sculptures, galleries and murals. Among the murals is a new creation by street artist Ali Six titled “Butterfly Effect,” which is a tribute to Olga Maria Calderon, who was killed a year ago in a stabbing at a nearby Walgreens. From Sept. 15-Oct. 15, registration is optional; anyone who purchases a $45 ticket will receive a limited-edition t-shirt featuring Ali Six’s new mural. A portion of the proceeds will go to charity.
More information: A map of murals and public art is available at wickerparkbucktown.com/muralspublicwork
Haunted houses
13th Floor
The spirits of the underworld emerge in “Spirit of Halloween.”
When: Sept. 10-Nov. 13
Where: 5050 River Rd, Schiller Park
What: The haunted house season kicks off with two all-new shows from 13th Floor Chicago. “Bad Blood” revolves around an ancient feud between vampires and werewolves, and in “Spirit of Halloween,” a witch casts a spell to summon the spirits of the underworld. Tickets: $19.99+.
More information: For vaccination and/or mask policies, visit 13thfloorchicago.com.
Chicago Fireboat Tours
Courtesy Chicago Fireboat Tours
Chicago Fireboat Tours offer great views of Chicago’s waterways.
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
‘Par Excellence Redux’
When: “The Back Nine” (Oct. 13-Jan. 2)
Where: Tee off at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill, Elmhurst
What: A fun 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.
‘Hello Helios: The warming suns of Chicago’s Greektown’
Courtesy Greektown Chicago
Detail view of James Mesple’s Sun and Moon Image featured in the “Hello Helios” exhibit in Greektown
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
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium’s popular “Kayak for Conservation” program.
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’
Museum of Science and Industry
The Boeing 747 at “Take Flight.”
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
