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Groundhog Day, Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Manual Cinema's The Magic City opens this weekend. Production photo by Chuck Osgood.
Manual Cinema's The Magic City opens this weekend. Production photo by Chuck Osgood.
1/22/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Do you feel like January has been the same day playing on a loop? It's going to be over this weekend with Groundhog Day coming up on Sunday! Commemorate the day with activities from the Groundhog Day movie in Woodstock this weekend, or celebrate with cast members from the film at Navy Pier. It's also going to be a sweet weekend in Chicago with National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day on Saturday, plus two different life-size Candy Land events in Lemont and West Chicago.

If you have any free time during the week, the Shedd Aquarium is free Tuesdays through Thursdays all month long. Are you planning a birthday party? Check out our list of top winter birthday party ideas for kids in Chicago.

More Things To Do in Chicago This Week With Kids

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Lunar New Year Celebration at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event.

Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Disney On Ice: Let's Dance at the United Center

West Loop
Thursday, January 30- Sunday, February 2
Mickey and his pals are rocking the DJ table and you’re on the guest list! Feel the electric atmosphere as they remix favorite Disney tunes into colorful worlds. READ MORE

Groundhog Days in Woodstock

Woodstock - Free
Thursday, January 30- Sunday, February 2
The Chicago area's own Woodstock Willie will predict whether we will have an early spring or six more weeks of winter at Woodstock Square. Families can tour the grounds where the classic movie was filmed and participate in a Groundhog Day bags tourney. READ MORE

Live Game Day: Candy Land at Three Stories Bookstore

Lemont - Free
Friday, January 31
Step into Three Stories Bookstore and get ready to roll the dice on a life-sized Candy Land adventure—because who needs reality when you’ve got a sugar-coated board game come to life? It’s going to be a sweet escape! READ MORE

Ice Festival 2025 - Downtown Downers Grove

Downers Grove - Free
Friday, January 31- Sunday, February 2
Join the fun January 31–February 2 and get ready for a weekend of outdoor winter fun! The Ice Festival kicks off Friday evening with live ice carving demonstrations from 5:30–7:30 PM at the corner of Main and Curtiss. The live ice carving fun continues on Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM–3 PM at the Main Street Train Station. READ MORE

Jelly's Annual Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Pajama Party

Elmhurst
Saturday, February 1
Roll out of bed and get ready to eat some ice cream in your pajamas at Jelly's Ice Cream and Boutique. A face painter and a stilt walking magician will be on hand to entertain kids while they eat ice cream breakfast sammies, ice cream on waffles, or cereal milkshakes. READ MORE

Bolingbrook Winterfest

Bolingbrook - Free
Saturday, February 1
Bolingbrook Park District Park District teams up with Advent Health Bolingbrook for an event that has a little fun for everyone. Activities and attractions include snow painting, snowball slingshot, giant games like checkers and tic tac toe, and snowshoeing. READ MORE

2025 Seol, Lunar New Year Celebration

Wheeling
Saturday, February 1
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago invites families to celebrate Lunar New Year. Enjoy traditional games, exciting performances, and plenty of delicious Korean snacks. Wear a hanbok and receive a special gift! READ MORE

Laser Taylor Swift

River Grove
Saturday, February 1
Cernan Earth and Space Center had a blank space in their schedule and they knew just whose name to write... Taylor Swift. Swifties of all ages can get sparkly and enjoy a laser light show set to Taylor Swift's music every Saturday night in January and February. Tickets are only available day of starting at 6:30 p.m. READ MORE

Global Connections: Lunar New Year

Navy Pier - Free
Saturday, February 1
Navy Pier hosts an afternoon celebration of the Year of the Snake, featuring live dance, music, and other performances, traditional food, crafts, and more!  READ MORE

Ice-A-Palooza

Wheaton - Free
Saturday, February 1
The Wheaton Park District invites families to break their winter blues and experience Ice-A-Palooza! The event includes a meet and greet with Chicago Steel mascot Rusty, open skating, hockey, a preschool activity tent, and kids games. Play It Again Sports will be on site to sell or rent ice skates, while Center Ice DuPage puts on special performances. The event wraps up with a Wheaton Polic Department vs. Wheaton Fire Department hockey game. Concessions will be available for sale.   READ MORE

West Chicago Candyland Carnival

West Chicago
Saturday, February 1
Candyland comes to life when you step into a world of sweetness and adventure at the West Chicago Park District's Candyland Carnival! This whimsical event will transport you to a magical land where sugary treats and fun-filled activities await the entire family. Stroll through Lollipop Lane, test your skills at the Gumdrop Games, and indulge in a variety of candy-themed activities and beloved character meet & greets. READ MORE

DuPage Hard Water Classic

Warrenville
Saturday, February 1
The Chicago area's largest ice-fishing tournament offers prizes for the top three largest bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and northern pike caught at Blackwell Forest Preserve on January 12. READ MORE

Groundhog Week at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center

Lemont - Free
Saturday, February 1- Friday, February 7
Will Sagawau Sam see his shadow on the ski trails this year? Families can sky or hike by an outdoor exhibit to learn about groundhogs and other winter hibernators. Weather dependent. READ MORE

Groundhog Day Celebrating the Life of Harold Ramis

Navy Pier - Free
Sunday, February 2
Fans are invited to join in the celebration of Harold Ramis’ extraordinary life and career with an official Groundhog Day Celebration on Feb. 2 at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier to honor the 10th anniversary of Harold’s passing. To commemorate Chicago’s officially declared Harold Ramis Day, cast members from the celebrated 1993 comedy Groundhog Day (co-written and directed by Ramis) will join in a special public event on Navy Pier. READ MORE

Kids Valentines Day Party at Park and Field

Logan Square
Sunday, February 2
Celebrate Valentine's Day with crafts and a magic show at Park & Field. Full food and drink menus will accompany a magic show from Cosmic Underground and a Valentines card crafting station. READ MORE

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