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Parades, Circus Events, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System at the Marriott Theatre. Photo courtesy of the production.
The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System at the Marriott Theatre. Photo courtesy of the production.
3/5/25 - 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!

St. Patrick's Day festivities are in full swing for the Chi-rish this weekend across the city and suburbs! Wear some green to parades in Elmhurst, Lemont, or Tinley Park, or hear an Irish story and music at Time Out Market. Or get acrobatic with fun circus-themed events this weekend, like Lookingglass Theatre's Circus Quixote or CircEsteem's Carnival of Wonders.

If you haven't made your plans for summer camp yet, check out our picks for the top day camps in Chicago. Or plan a spring break or summer vacation in state with our  list of the top 100 things to do in Illinois with kids.

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Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Hyde Park School of Dance Presents Alice in Wonderland

Hyde Park
Friday, March 7- Saturday, March 8
Visit Kennedy-King College to see the Hyde Park School of Dance perform a story ballet of Alice in Wonderland. At 4 p.m. on Saturday, audience members can buy tickets for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party to meet the cast and enjoy sweet treats and warm drinks. READ MORE

Lookingglass Theatre's Circus Quixote

Streeterville
Friday, March 7- Sunday, March 9
Somewhere in La Mancha there lived a man who read so many books that his brains dried up…Saddle up with Lookingglass as Circus Quixote goes tiltingly, acrobatically into the dreamy madness of Don Quixote and his impossible folly-filled quest to bring good-deed doing back into the world— whether the world wants it or not! READ MORE

The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System at the Marriott Theatre

Lincolnshire
Friday, March 7- Sunday, March 9
When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip! But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, our young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system. Hop on the Magic School Bus for a ride in this new musical adaptation based on the original book series published by Scholastic. READ MORE

Short Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Navy Pier
Closes Saturday, March 8
A perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy. Adapted and directed by Edward Hall, A Midsummer Night’s Dream captures the exhilaration, foolishness, and delight of young love, as the chaos of magic and enchantment turns the world upside down. READ MORE

Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade

Elmhurst - FREE
Saturday, March 8
More than 80 floats, Irish dancers and local team mascots will be on hand for Elmhurst's 28th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade starts on Spring Road at Wilson Street and continues north for about a mile. Local businesses and restaurants welcome merrymakers for the remainder of the day at this festive community event. READ MORE

Lemont St. Patrick's Day Parade

Lemont- Free
Saturday, March 8
This southwest suburb's annual Irish parade features the Chicago Stockyards Kilty Band, a performance from the Hughes School of Irish Dance, and Lemont's own Irish Queen. Visitors can continue the festivities after the parade is over at the Lemont VFW Hall. 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

St. Patrick's Day Musical Story Time at Time Out Market

West Loop - FREE
Saturday, March 8
You're in luck! Join Time Out Marketfor a musical story time with local author, Laura Bityou Beriau (@mommymomsbookshelf), author of You and Me and Animal Who? and local musician, Ray Hogan (Mr. Ray) From crafts to story time and singing, you will be sure to have an un-be-leaf-abletime! READ MORE

Schaumburg Multicultural Event

Schaumburg -FREE
Saturday, March 8
Celebrate the rich diversity of the northwest suburban community! Experience vibrant student performances, engaging crafts, interactive games and activities, and food from around the world. Concessions will be available for purchase. This event is sponsored by Ascension and organized by School District 54’s Department of Language and Culture, the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council and Schaumburg Park District.   READ MORE

Carnival of Wonders

Uptown
Saturday, March 8
Join CircEsteem for a day of excitement and joy at the Carnival of Wonders, a family-friendly event designed to captivate attendees of all ages. This vibrant celebration offers an array of carnival games, circus skill activities, and entertainment, all set within a lively festival atmosphere. READ MORE

Kids Karaoke at The Goal Line

Franklin park
Sunday, March 9
Kids ages 3-16 can enjoy a fun afternoon of karaoke at The Goal Line in Franklin Park. REMi Karaoke bring the tunes, while the Goal Line serves up kid-friendly foods. Feel like a star at this event for the whole family. READ MORE

Tinley Park Irish Parade

Tinley Park
Sunday, March 9
Come out and enjoy the family-friendly Tinley Park Irish Parade along Oak Park Avenue in Downtown Tinley! See floats, community groups, local schools and businesses. Enjoy delicious Irish fare and fun at the many Downtown Tinley restaurants. The parade kicks off at 1:00 p.m. (CST) READ MORE

90-Second Newbery Film Festival - Chicago Screening

Downtown
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

American Ice Theater Presents re:member, a show of contemporary skating

Bensenville
Sunday, March 9
Step into the ethereal realm of re:member, a contemporary skating performance that invites you to explore the profound and intricate ways memories are etched into the very fibers of our being with professional figure skating tricks, contemporary dance movement, and the beauty of artistic skating glides! An artistic skating showcase featuring performances by talented local skaters and complemented by additional pieces performed by professional skating companies. Put on your own skates and join the performers on the ice following the show. READ MORE

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