A Summer Kickoff Event, Berry Picking and More Fun Things to Do with Chicagoland Kids This Weekend

Explore top kid-friendly events in Chicago, June 20-22, including a summer kickoff events, kid-friendly fests, berry picking and more.

Summer is here and there are so many unique summer fests, movie in the park events and ways to celebrate Pride for whole family to check out.

Be sure not to miss these top events happening this weekend: 

  • Summer Kickoff at The Regionals: Join the Regional branches at the Chicago Public Library to celebrate the beginning of summer. Each location offers a unique experience.
  • Chicago Pride Fest: Enjoy a family-friendly Pride festival that features dance exhibitions, live music, vendors, drag shows and more.
  • Forge Food Fest: Shop from over 12 food vendors, serving everything from street tacos to juicy burgers to funnel cakes and ice cream.

Check out even more exciting things to do with your kids around Chicagoland during the weekend of June 20-22, 2025. 

Looking for things to do with kids in Chicago this weekend? Check out June 20-22 events

Chicago Pride Fest
Photo credit: Del Nakamura

Bengtson’s SummerFest

Begins June 20, 2025

  • Address: 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
  • Cost: $23.31-$26.48 (prices vary by date), free/ages 1 and under
  • Area: South Suburbs

All ages can create unforgettable summer memories at Bengtson’s Farm. This fest includes endless rides, live music, mouth-watering food and more.

Movies In The Park: Inside Out 2

June 20, 2025

  • Address: 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: North/Northwest Suburbs

See a showing of Inside Out 2 at the Pavilion in Elk Grove Village. Bring your own snacks, chairs and blankets.

Summer Nature Fest at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

June 20, 2025

  • Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
  • Cost: $5-$10
  • Area: City

Families can join the Nature Museum for an evening of summer fun featuring live animals, outdoor nature play, live music, drop-by scientist tables, nature walks and more. Admission includes access to all Museum exhibits. Registration required.

Chicago Pride Fest

June 21-22, 2025

  • Address: Halsted St. from Addison to Grace St., Chicago
  • Cost: $20/suggested donation
  • Area: City

The festival features a Youth Pride Space for teens, a pet parade, live music on three stages, more than 150 vendors, drag shows, dance exhibitions and more. 

Hokusai Japan Fest at McAninch Arts Center

June 21, 2025

  • Address: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Area: Western Suburbs

Enjoy cultural activities, Japanese food vendors, ikebana flower arrangement demonstrations by the Ohara School of Ikebana, and a variety of hands-on workshops, including woodblock printmaking, origami and shodō calligraphy. 

Mess Fest at DCM

June 21, 2025

  • Address: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
  • Cost: Free w/museum admission
  • Area: Western Suburbs

Activities at Mess Fest include Slime Station, Musical Mess, Shaving Cream Block Building, Messy Mud Kitchen and more. A Kid Wash Station will be available to clean up at before heading into the Museum for continued exploration. A change of clothes is recommended. Advanced tickets required.  

Oneness Fest 2025 at Good Templar Park

June 21-22, 2025

  • Address: 528 E. Side Drive, Geneva
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: Western Suburbs

Enjoy a holistic health and wellness festival that features an immersive experience with more than 80 vendors, a free Kids Korner, outdoor energy healing/massage spa and more. 

Summer Kickoff at The Regionals

June 21, 2025

  • Addresses: Legler Regional Library, 115 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago; Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted St., Chicago; Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: City  

Families can come out to The Regionals at Chicago Public Library to celebrate the beginning of summer with free, nature-themed fun. Each location offers a unique experience.

TrailPRIDE Celebration at Trailside Museum of Natural History

June 21, 2025

  • Address: 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: Western Suburbs  

Families can celebrate Pride with a day of activities including music, walks, speakers and more. 

Forge Food Fest

June 22, 2025

  • Address: 227 Heritage Quarries, Lemont
  • Cost: $13.20-plus
  • Area: Western Suburbs

Experience an incredible lineup of Chicagoland’s favorite foods and enjoy live music at The Mount at The Forge: Lemont Quarries.

Where can I go berry picking this weekend near Chicago?

It’s so nice getting fresh, local produce from the farmers’ market, but there’s nothing like picking your own berries and taking them home with you. Here are a few berry picking farms you must check out:

🍓 Stade’s Farm & Market

Check out this farm located in McHenry County. Pick strawberries and shop the full-service market, which includes seasonal pies, honey and more.

🧺 Tom’s Farm Market

Baskets will be provided for families to go strawberry picking. Tom’s also offers a farm market, a bakery and a garden center.

🫐 McCann Berry Farm

Head to Woodstock to pick blueberries in over three acres at McCann’s. This farm has been around for more than 35 years.  

Read our family guide to berry picking for more farms and tips for parents before heading out.

This article was updated on June 16, 2025, by Chicago Parent’s Content Writer, Kari Zaffarano. The update added new Chicagoland events to the ChicagoParent.com calendar and highlighted this weekend’s top family-friendly activities. For questions, contact Kari at kari@chicagoparent.com.


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Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano is a mom of one and Chicago Parent's Content Writer. She tracks down the best events every week and shares the inside scoop with families online. She enjoys reading, traveling and exploring new places with her son.

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