This weekend in Chicago is going to be fun filled with so many activities, festivals and events that both the kiddos and parents alike can enjoy! For the first time ever, Lake Michigan has been chosen as the first freshwater venue to host America’s Cup racing! An event that will leave both the kiddos and adults in awe! Other events include super kid friendly street festival Andersonville Midsommarfest. Or spend the weekend at the magical Chicago Blues Festival. Or keep it low key with a turtle discussion or mom and tot bowling. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, this list has lots to choose from. Check out the KidTrail events calendar page for a full list.
Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Chicago
What: Chicago will make maritime history with Lake Michigan chosen as the first freshwater venue to host America’s Cup racing in the event’s 164-year history. The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Chicago, a qualifying event for the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda, will take place June 10 – 12, 2016 at Navy Pier. Six teams will be competing for the Cup including USA, Sweden, Great Britain, Japan, France, and New Zealand. Navy Pier will be the epicenter of the event. The start and finish line will be in the water right off of the Aon Grand Ballroom & East End Plaza. Coverage will be seen live on NBC Sports Network.
Date/Time: Friday June 10 to Sunday June 12, 2016.
Cost: Day passes range in price from $5 to $35
Location:
Navy Pier
Andersonville Midsommarfest
What: Midsommarfest returns to celebrate its 51st year in Andersonville along Clark Street from Foster to Catalpa for two days and three nights of music, dancing, kids’ entertainment, and delicious food. Vendors from around the region sell their wares to passersby’s! Local shops and restaurants welcome the warm season with specials and sales. Dance troupes, DJs, and cutting-edge bands keep the party going.
Kid Friendliness: Andersonville Midsommarfest is the ultimate kids’ street fest. The kids’ zone on Saturday and Sunday is filled with fun kids activities such as music, performing artists, face painting, giant slide, kids yoga, petting zoo and much more. Check their website for their daily kids schedule.
Date/Time: Friday, June 10: 5 PM-10 PM. Saturday, June 11: 11 AM-10 PM. Sunday, JUNE 12: 11 AM-10 PM.
Cost: We ask a $10 donation at the gate (kids under 12 and seniors are free).
Location:
5200 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
773-665-4682
Chicago Blues Festival
What: The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago's Music Festivals. During three days on five stages, more than 500,000 blues fans prove that Chicago is the Blues Capital of the World. Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and the late Koko Taylo
Date/Time: Friday June 10 – Sunday June 12, 2016. 11 AM - 9:30 PM daily.
Cost: FREE Admission
Location:
Grant Park
Jackson & Columbus
Chicago, IL 60602
Mom & Tot Bowling
What: Monday – Fridays, Pinstripes has reserved a special Mom and Tot bowling hours from 10 am to 12 pm. Mom and Tot bowling available at Pinstripes Northbrook, South Barrington, Chicago and Oak Brook. Limit 4 children per adults. Age 12 and under.
Date/Time: Friday June 10, 2016 at 10 AM to 12 PM
Cost: $3 per Child/Game, with a $4 shoe rental. Parents bowl free!
Location:
Pinstripes Chicago
435 E. Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-527-3010
Kids Eat Free at Rocks Lakeview
What: Rocks Lakeview is the corner place that has something for everyone. Great food, awesome beers, big drinks, crazy burgers and signature cocktails. During the summer, you can enjoy their outdoor patio, which is perfect for people watching. They offer classic bar food with an upscale twist such as fish n’ chips, pork tacos, The Bourbon Street burger and a kids menu to name a few. Brunch is served exclusively on the weekends from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Date/Time: Kids eat FREE Monday to Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 PM.
Cost: Kids eat free
Location:
Rocks
3463 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773-472-0493
Parent Survival Night
What: Parent Survival Night at The Little Gym Chicago is a fun, drop off babysitting service offered on most Fridays! Need a date night sitter or simply need a few hours to unwind, The Little Gym Chicago offers a safe, fun night of group activities and play! Drop your kiddos off for a few hours on a Friday night and enjoy some much needed time off! Each night is a special kid friendly theme. Check website for details!
Date/Time: Friday June 10, 2016 at 6 PM to 9 PM
Cost: $35 Members, $75 Non-Members
Location:
The Little Gym, Chicago
3216 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
773-525-5750
SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2016
Garden Tour at Lincoln Park Zoo
What: Guests of all ages can join zoo horticulturists for FREE weekend walkabouts through our amazing gardens. Discover different botanical highlights as plants bloom from spring to fall. Meet at the Nature Boardwalk kiosk next to Café Brauer.
Date/Time: Saturday June 11, 2016 at 10 AM to 11 AM
Cost: Free
Location:
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
Family Swim
What: Join us every Saturday for Family Swim from 6:30 PM to 8 PM. Saturdays require reservations, please send your requests to swimroscoevillage@goldfishss.com starting at 10:00 AM on the Saturday you would like to swim. Please include the total number of swimmers.
Date/Time: Saturday June 10, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Cost:
Location:
Goldfish Swim School
2630 W. Bradley Place, Unit D
Chicago, IL 60618
773-588-7946
Kids’ Night Out
What: Enjoy a night out on the town and let The Paintbrush entertain your kiddos in a safe and fun environment. Kids’ Night Out at The Paintbrush includes art, a movie, pizza and play time (and Legos!).
Date/Time: Saturday June 11, 2016 at 5:45 PM to 8:30 PM.
Cost: $35 per child, additional siblings at $25 each.
Location:
The Paintbrush
2646 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60614
773-636-1968
Old Town Art Fair
What: The Old Town Art Fair, rated America’s # 1 Art Fair, celebrates its 67th annual fair on June 11 and 12, 2016 as the charming, tree-lined streets of the city’s historic Old Town Triangle District set the stage for 250 nationally acclaimed artists and an estimated 30,000 art lovers.
Other anticipated features of the Old Town Art Fair include a Garden Walk through more than 50 charming, urban gardens in the Old Town Triangle Historic Landmark District, a music stage featuring local talent, a children’s corner offering arts and crafts activities, and a food court populated by local eateries. Souvenir booths at the fair offer posters, t-shirts and other Old Town Art Fair collectibles.
Date/Time: On June 11 and 12, 2016, the gates will be open Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm, rain or shine.
Cost: Donation suggested
Location:
Lincoln Avenue & Wisconsin Street. Other gates: Lincoln Park West & Wisconsin; Sedgwick & Menomonee: Sedgwick & Wisconsin; Menomonee & Wells; and North Park & Willow.
Movies in the Parks: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
What: Movies in the Parks is Chicago's favorite summertime tradition, bringing big-screen entertainment to a park near you! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - When a kingpin threatens New York City, a group of mutated turtle warriors must emerge from the shadows to protect their home.
PG-13, 101 minutes.
Date/Time: Sunday, June 19, 2016 from 8:30 PM - 10:11 PM
Cost: FREE
Location:
Piotrowski Park
4247 W. 31st St.
Chicago, IL 60623
312-745-4801
SUNDAY JUNE 12, 2016
All About Turtles at NPV
What: Would you like to learn all about different kinds of turtles? Bring your turtles, your questions, or just your curiosity to the Turtle Club of the Chicago Herpetological Society's monthly get together. No registration required. Age Range: 3 and up.
Date/Time: Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Location:
North Park Village Nature Center
5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL 60646
312-744-5472
Kids Eat FREE at Barn & Company
What: Barn & Company is serious about combining two American passions, BBQ and Football. The space is a feast for the eyes. The menu is sourced from regional farm fresh ingredients and top-quality meats, and includes new creations coming out of our smoker like Smoked Pulled Pork Nachos, eight spectacular styles of SmoFried Chicken Wings, Seasonal Salads and more.
Come enjoy some BBQ, bring the kiddos all days Sunday thru Thursdays for Kids Eat Free. Yes, you read that right, 5 days a week, kiddos eat free all day long. Only 1 adult paid meal per 2 kids eat free! What an awesome deal! Kids have to choose from the kids menu. Drinks and dessert not included. Limited to kids under 12.
Date/Time: Kiddos eat free all day long
Cost: FREE
Location:
Barn & Company
950 W. Wrightwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-832-4000
Photo Credit: America's Cup