Are you a new parent looking for something fun to do with your young one? Maybe you want to find something educational to keep their mind stimulated. Or you want to make some new mom friends now that you can actually get out into the world. Chicago Parent has got you covered. Below is a list of events we’ve found that you baby and toddlers are sure to find amusing. Browse our online calendar for more family-friendly events happening this month.
Chicago Kids Company presents THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
Oct. 19, 2022-March 10, 2023
- Address: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111 th St., Chicago
- Cost: $15-$20
A one-hour musical adaptation which features three sister piggies who set out to build their own houses. Features plenty of audience participation. For ages 2-10.
Chicago Kids Company presents THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE
Nov. 3, 2022-Feb. 17, 2023
- Address: Stahl Family Theatre, 5900 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $15-$20
A one-hour musical adaptation which features a cast composed of professional actors, colorful costumes and scenery, sing-a-long songs and audience participation. For ages 2-10.
39th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival at FACETS
Nov. 4-20, 2022
- Address: 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $40-plus/member pass, $50-plus/public pass (super passes are available)
Enjoy FACETS’ 39th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF39), the first Academy®-qualifying children’s film festival in the world. Films are for ages 2-25.
Lightscape
Nov. 11, 2022-Jan. 8, 2023
- Address: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
- Cost: $30-$32/adults, $14-$16/ages 3-12, free/2 and under
See thousands of twinkling lights while walking through the Winter Cathedral and a reimagined fire garden.
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Nov. 16, 2022-Jan. 4, 2023
- Address: Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/museum admission; $21.95/ages 12-plus, $12.95/ages 3-11, free/2 and under
The museum features a four-story, floor to dome Grand Tree surrounded by more than 50 other trees and displays. Each surrounding tree is decorated to represent holiday traditions in other cultures around the world.
Sparkle Light Festival
Nov. 18, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023
- Address: Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont
- Cost: $25/ages 13-plus, $20/ages 2-12, $22/person for unlimited rides
Visitors can enjoy an immersive display of millions of holiday lights amongst outdoor holiday activities including free train rides, winter tubing and themed mazes. A special menu of festive food and beverage options will also be available.
Illumination: Tree Lights
Nov. 19, 2022-Jan. 7, 2023
- Address: The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
- Cost: $19-$24/adult, $13-$16/kids, free/2 and under; member tickets at discounted rate; early bird specials available, too.
Surround yourselves with color while walking on the one-mile paved pathway. Enjoy seasonal music, captivating light designs and roasting s’mores on a fire at this outdoor event.
The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle
Nov. 19-Dec. 31, 2022
- Address: Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, 108 W. Germania Place, Chicago
- Cost: $30-plus
Enjoy this immersive event about the most beloved family holiday tale, The Nutcracker. You’ll see immersive projections and special effects, meet a life-sized Nutcracker, have photo ops and more.
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
Nov. 19-Dec. 24, 2022
- Address: Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $43.25
Enjoy an interactive trunk and puppet show, which includes original music on violin, mandolin, toy piano and banjo. Hot cocoa and cookies follow the show. Best for ages 2-6.
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Nov. 19, 2022
- Address: Michigan Avenue, Chicago
- Cost: Free
The annual festival happens a week before Thanksgiving. Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World illuminate more than one million lights on over 200 trees along the route. You can enjoy numerous free family-friendly activities.
ZooLights
Nov. 19, 2022-Jan. 8, 2023
- Address: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: $5/Tuesdays-Sundays, free/Mondays; fees for additional encounters and activities
Enjoy a twinkling winter wonderland complete with festive activities, such as visits with Santa, sweet treats of all kinds and more.
Naper Lights
Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 2022
- Address: Downtown Naperville
- Cost: Free; donations are welcome
Put on a pair of 3D glasses and enjoy a magical holiday lights celebration, presented by Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise. On Friday and Saturday evenings, Santa will be available to take pictures. Bach to Rock will be providing music on Dec. 17-18.
Holiday Magic
Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 2022
- Address: Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield
- Cost: Ticket prices available soon
Celebrating its 41st year, this annual event features over two million twinkling LED lights! Advanced tickets required.
Tree Lighting
Dec. 1, 2022
- Address: Wilder Park, 175 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: Free
Kids can visit with Santa while enjoying games, photo opps, holiday music, food trucks and more at this holiday season event.
Santa’s Workshop
Dec. 3, 2022
- Address: Wilder Mansion, 211 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: Free
Bring your children to Wilder Mansion to their gift shop where kids can purchase inexpensive gifts for mom, dad, teacher, friends and more. Items are kid-priced and kid-friendly.
Kohlights: A Mesmertastic Holiday Lightacular!
Dec. 17-29, 2022
- Address: Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
- Cost: $20/non-members, $15/members, free/under 12 months
Kids can take control over the light display at different activity stations along the way at this holiday event.
Winter Wonderland
Dec. 17-30, 2022
- Address: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
- Cost: Free w/museum admission; $10/public, free/members and ages 1 and under
Test your skating skills at the Discovery Center Museum’s new indoor Sock Skating Rink and enjoy creating holiday crafts based on cultures around the world.
Countdown to Fun
Dec. 31, 2022
- Address: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
- Cost: Free w/museum admission; $10/public, free/members and ages 1 and under
Join Discovery Center for an early countdown celebration for New Years. There will be confetti drops every hour. Make a party hat, a noisemaker and more.
Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto
Jan. 19-22, Feb. 2-5, 2023
- Address: Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont
- Cost: $25-plus
At this show, families will enjoy seeing Mirabel, her sisters, Isabela and Luisa, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, Sven and more.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
April 15-May 14, 2023 (Saturdays-Sundays)
- Address: Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $35.25
The performance of The Very Hungry Caterpillar is based on author/illustrator Eric Carle’s beloved book. Each show features a menagerie of over 75 magical puppets. For all ages.
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