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St. Patrick's Day Parades and More Best Things to Do in Chicago March 2025 with Kids

Holi Celebration in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Holi Celebration in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
2/28/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for things to do in March in Chicago? Here's a list of our favorite kid-friendly activities in Chicago this March.

Chicago in March means spring has (almost) sprung, and both kids and parents are looking forward to sunnier days ahead. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Chicago in March. It's maple syrup season, and families can learn how it's made at events all over town. 

St. Patrick's Day events are in full force—check out the dyeing of the Chicago River and St. Patrick's Day Parades downtown, on the South Side, or in Forest Park. If you're not Irish (and/or don't want to be "Chi-rish" for the day), you could also check out Holi at Navy Pier, or Persian Norwuz in Hyde Park. Easter is April 20 this year, so the first bunny breakfasts don't pop up until the very end of the month.

 

Saint Patrick's Day parade in downtown Chicago photo by US Army Reserve Sgt 1st Class Michel Sauret
Saint Patrick's Day parade in downtown Chicago photo by US Army Reserve Sgt 1st Class Michel Sauret

Best Things To Do in Chicago in March 2025

Global Connections: International Carnivale Celebration

Navy Pier-FREE
Saturday, March 1
Navy Pier hosts an international Carnivale celebration, including art, music, dance, food, and drinks from around the globe! There will be music and dance throughout the event representing traditions from across the world, including Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Greece and North America. READ MORE

Monster Jam at the Allstate Arena

Rosemont
Saturday, March 1- Sunday, March 2
Perfect for the petrol heads in your family. Monster Jam is a motorsport competition with the top monster trucks and drivers in the country all trying to get a spot at the finals in Las Vegas. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Kline Creek Farm

West Chicago - FREE
Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2
Kids can learn where the syrup on their pancakes comes from at this event at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago. Using tools from the 1890s, experts will demonstrate how to tap a tree, check collection buckets, and thicken sap over the fire. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show: Spectrum of Spring

Lincoln Park - FREE
Daily through May
From the end of February to Mother's Day, see this flower show that highlights the color families of plants and flowers and offers a unique design and color scheme. Marvel at the robust color blocking of bulbs such as ‘Delft Blue’ Hyacinth, ‘Red Impression’ Tulip, and ‘Golden Yellow’ Crocus.  READ MORE

Dino Day at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Oak Brook
Saturday, March 1
Drop by the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art to learn all about dinosaurs through hands-on activities. Learn about Mary Anning, the first female fossilist, touch real fossils, complete puzzles, and make your own fossil imprint to take home. READ MORE

Persian Nowruz Celebration

Hyde Park
Saturday, March 8
The ISAC Museum hosts a Persian Nowruz Celebration—a celebration of the Persian New Year. Guests can enjoy coloring eggs, making clay Persian coins visiting a Haft-Seen table, hunting for artifacts in the galleries, and watching performances of Persian music and dance! READ MORE

90-Second Newbery Film Festival - Chicago Screening

Downtown - FREE
Sunday, March 9
The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest in which kid filmmakers create short movies that tell the entire stories of Newbery award-winning books in just a few minutes. Creative takes are encouraged: think Charlotte's Web as a horror movie, or The Tale of Desperaux as a musical! READ MORE

Aesop's Fables at the Mudlark Theatre

Evanston
Thursday, March 13- Sunday, March 16
What happens when Hare–the fastest, coolest animal in the meadow–faces off with the easy-going Tortoise? Nothing good. But it’s a race not to be missed in this witty and thought provoking adaptation of the classic tales where the animals (and the audience) learn some really big lessons. READ MORE

Maple Syrup Festival at River Trail Nature Center

Northbrook - FREE
Sunday, March 16
This festival includes tree tapping, maple syrup samples, games, and crafts. You will even get to learn a bit about the history of maple syrup. READ MORE

Holi at Navy Pier

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, March 22
Navy Pier hosts Holi, the Hindu festival of colors! Live music, educational programming and food from Bombay Wraps will be available in the AON Grand Ballroom.Colored powder will be available while supplies last from 1pm-4pm in the Miller Lite Beer Garden. READ MORE

Pi Day at CAMP Chicago

Old Town - FREE Friday, March 14
Head to CAMP for a FREE, super-special, one-day-only Pi Day party at every CAMP location on March 14th. (Get it? 3.14? Math!) Celebrate this cool, irrational number, π, with hands-on activities, tasty treats, and plenty of surprises, thanks to Mathnasium.  READ MORE

GO DOG GO! • VE PERRO ¡VE!

West Loop
Opens Saturday, March 15
Come along with these delightful dogs as they drive, swim, play baseball and make their way to the big dog party — all in a lively blend of English and Spanish. Like a pop-up book that comes to life, GO DOG GO! • VE PERRO ¡VE! is a heart-warming spectacle of music, color, language and delight, appealing to all ages. READ MORE

DuPage Comic Con

Wheaton
Saturday, March 22
Might Con presents the very best new local comic artists along with special guests and deals from comic book and toy vendors at DuPage County Fairgrounds. The legendary cosplay contest starts at 3:30 p.m. Free comics, free parking and free admission for kids make this a great day for comic lovers. READ MORE

Family Fun in the Club: Little Miss Ann and Suzi Shelton!

Berwyn
Sunday, March 23
Birds of a Feather is a new American Indie Family supergroup consisting of two kids music luminaries - Brooklyn’s, longtime children’s music pioneer, Suzi Shelton and Filipina-American Little Miss Ann of Chicago. Individually, Suzi and Ann have each maintained a strong presence within the national kids music community performing with their own bands across the country and producing many award-winning albums on their own. See them play at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn together with your family. READ MORE

Breakfast with the Bunny in LaGrange

LaGrange
Saturday, March 29
Celebrate spring with a fun-filled morning at the Park District of LaGrange's Breakfast with the Bunny event! Enjoy a delicious meal, meet the Bunny, snap some adorable photos, and get a goodie bag to take home! Perfect for the whole family! READ MORE
Chicago River for St. Patrick's Day. photo courtesy of Lawnstarter
Chicago River for St. Patrick's Day. photo courtesy of Lawnstarter

St. Patrick's Day Events

Oak Forest Fleadh

Oak Forest - FREE
Saturday, March 1
Visit South Suburban Oak Forest for a variety of St. Patrick's Day festivities. This year's event will include a 5k, a parade, and crafts for kids. Families can hunt for a $1,000 golden ticket along the parade route. READ MORE

Forest Park St. Patrick's Day Parade

Forest Park - FREE
Saturday, March 1
Forest Park's St. Patrick's Day Parade along Madison Street includes more than 70 entries featuring Irish dancers, bagpipers, marching bands, local businesses, and Medinah Shriners parade units. Visitors can continue the celebration at local dining establishments along Madison Street. READ MORE

Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade

Naperville - FREE
Saturday, March 15
Families can watch more than 100 parade entries including floats, cars, bands, dancers, and singers make their way through downtown Naperville at this event sponsored by West Suburban Irish. The parade starts at Naperville North High School and proceeds south on Mill Street to Jefferson, east on Jefferson to Main, and south on Main, ending at Water Street. READ MORE

The Dyeing of the Chicago River & St. Patrick's Day Parade

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, March 15
The Irish and Irish at heart can join the City of Chicago in the annual dyeing of the Chicago River in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The best place to see the dyeing is the intersection of Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive, and the river. READ MORE

South Side Irish Parade

Beverly - FREE
Sunday, March 16
The South Side Irish Parade will step off at noon from 103rd & Western and proceed south down Western Avenue to 115th Street. The Parade is one of the largest community-based St. Patrick's Day Parades outside of Ireland. READ MORE

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