On April 8, 2024, an eclipse will cross North America, but it is not likely to be seen from Chicago. Just because we may not see it doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate it.
Check out these fun kid-friendly events happening throughout Chicagoland.
This article was recently updated on April 1, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding new Chicagoland events to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best family events to celebrate the upcoming solar eclipse, aligning with Chicago Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.
City
Family Storytime: Eclipse Edition at North Pulaski Branch
March 25 and April 1, 2024
- Address: 4300 W. North Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can join North Pulaski Branch for this special family storytime highlighting the sun and moon and the upcoming partial solar eclipse. Special eclipse viewers are available while supplies last. Registration required.
Mad Science Club at Near North Branch
April 1, 2024
- Address: 310 W. Division St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6-13 can join the Near North Branch for experiences, stories, science lessons and crafts to get ready for the solar eclipse. Registration required.
Science Is Fun! Solar Eclipse Pinhole Camera at Edgewater Branch
April 2, 2024
- Address: 6000 N. Broadway, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6 and up can join Edgewater Branch to learn the science behind a solar eclipse and create a cereal box pinhole camera. Registration required.
Solar Eclipse Prep Program at Lozano Branch
April 4, 2024
- Address: 1805 S. Loomis St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to the library to prepare for the total solar eclipse that will take place on April 8, 2024. Learn about solar eclipses and create and distribute tools to view them safely. For all ages.
Total Solar Eclipse Weekend Films at Little Village Branch
April 4, 5 and 6, 2024
- Address: 2311 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (April 4): Teens and tweens can join the Little Village Branch to enjoy a screening of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse during their Total Solar Eclipse Weekend.
Little Shop of Horrors (April 5): Teens and tweens can see a screening of Little Shop of Horrorsduring our Total Solar Eclipse Weekend.
Dragonslayer (April 6): Teens and tweens can see a screening of Dragonslayer during the Total Solar Eclipse Weekend at the Little Village Branch Library.
Tea Light Planets at Manning Branch
April 6, 2024
- Address: 6 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 3-13 will create beautiful orbs that resemble planets out of tea lights, ping-pong balls and paint. Registration required.
Eclipse Encounter ’24 at Adler Planetarium
April 8, 2024
- Address: 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free
This free outdoor event will celebrate the Great North American Eclipse. Activities include solar viewer giveaways, photo opportunities, telescopes for solar projection and more. Tickets are not required.
Partial Eclipse at the Park at Pullman National Historical Park
April 8, 2024
- Address: 610 E. 111th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
This event will have free eclipse snacks and a limited number of glasses will be available. Bring a lawn chair.
Solar Eclipse 2024 at Museum of Science and Industry
April 8, 2024
- Address: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/museum admission
Join the Museum of Science and Industry to check out the eclipse up close with telescopic viewing, watch a NASA livestream and enjoy hands-on activities.
Solar Eclipse Viewing at Legler Regional Branch
April 8, 2024
- Address: 115 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6 and up can view the solar eclipse by watching NASA’s live stream and take a peek through the library’s very own telescope with a solar filter (weather permitting.) Solar filter glasses will also be provided courtesy of the Adler Planetarium.
View the Partial Solar Eclipse at Altgeld Branch
April 8, 2024
- Address: 955 E. 131st St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Ages 6 and up can view the partial solar eclipse at Altgeld Branch. Protective Eclipse Shades from the Adler Planetarium will be distributed (while supplies last.)
North/Northwest Suburbs
Eclipse: An After-School Storytime with Andy Rash at The Book Stall
March 20, 2024
- Address: 811 Elm St., Winnetka
- Cost: Free
Stop by The Book Stall to see author and illustrator, Andy Rash for an after-school story time featuring his new picture book, Eclipse. For ages 4-8. Registration required.
Eclipse Art Party at Skokie Public Library
March 22, 2024
- Address: 5215 Oakton St., Skokie
- Cost: Free
Children can choose from a variety of art activities designed to celebrate the total eclipse of the sun that will take place on April 8. The event will take place in the library’s Activity Room.
Solar Eclipse Preview at Discovery Center Museum
April 6, 2024
- Address: 711 N. Main St., Rockford
- Cost: $10/public, free/members and ages 1 and under
This event will feature planetarium shows, solar oven adventures, creative projects in Makerspace and Art Studio and more. There will also be an eclipse glasses giveaway. Activities included with museum admission.
Eclipse Viewing Party at Skokie Public Library
April 8, 2024
- Address: 5215 Oakton St., Skokie
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to Skokie Public Library to view the solar eclipse on the east side of the building, on the Village Green. Additional activities will be available throughout the day.
Partial Solar Eclipse at Crabtree Nature Center
April 8, 2024
- Address: 3 Stover Road, Barrington
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to Crabtree Nature Center to view their scope and sun viewers to watch the eclipse safely.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at North School Park
April 8, 2024
- Address: N. Evergreen Ave & E. Eastman St, Arlington Heights
- Cost: Free
Families can gather in North School Park to learn about the solar eclipse, including how to view the eclipse safely and take a photo at the photo station. For all ages. Registration recommended.
South Suburbs
Solar-bration: Get Psyched About the Solar Eclipse at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center
April 6-7, 2024
- Address: 25055 S. Walnut Lane, Channahon
- Cost: Free
To celebrate this rare event, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center will feature a drop-in event that will help you understand the safety of protecting your eyes during the eclipse and to create a craft. For all ages.
Solar-bration: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Goodenow Grove at Plum Creek Nature Center
April 8, 2024
- Address: 27064 Dutton Road, Beecher
- Cost: Free
Come out to the grassy area of Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve to view this incredible solar event. Bring chairs or blankets. The first 50 attendees will receive free viewing glasses to safely view the event. There will also be a campfire.
Solar-bration: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Hickory Creek
April 8, 2024
- Address: 10537 W. La Porte Road, Mokena
- Cost: Free
Come out to the grassy area of Hickory Creek to view this incredible solar event. Bring chairs or blankets. The first 50 attendees will receive free viewing glasses to safely view the event. There will also be a campfire.
Spectacular Partial Solar Eclipse at Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
April 8, 2024
- Address: 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
- Cost: Free
Families can come out to Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center to watch the partial solar eclipse. Telescopes will be ready for viewing. Registration required.
Western Suburbs
Solar Eclipse Viewing at Trailside Museum of Natural History
April 8, 2024
- Address: 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
- Cost: Free
Learn about a partial solar eclipse and view it through a special solar telescope and eclipse glasses at Trailside Museum of Natural History (weather permitting.)
Solar-bration: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Whalon Lake
April 8, 2024
- Address: Royce Road, west of Route 53/Bolingbrook Drive, Naperville
- Cost: Free
Come out to the grassy area of Whalon Lake to view this incredible solar event. Bring chairs or blankets. The first 50 attendees will receive free viewing glasses to safely view the event. There will also be a campfire.
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