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7/28/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for things to do in August in Chicago? Here are some great things to do in Chicago with kids.

Summer is not over yet! August in Chicago is a great time to enjoy outdoor movies, concerts, and summer festivals, and it's perfect for enjoying the best beach days. Watch the Chicago Air and Water Show from North Avenue Beach or learn to dance yourself at Chicago SummerDance. And don't forget the Bud Billiken Parade taking over Bronzeville to celebrate kids returning to school!

This is the last chance for many families to get outdoors on a weeknight, so outdoor movies and concerts are a must before we break out the books again. Try to attend one of the last neighborhood street festivals, too! If you need to beat the heat again this month, visit one of our favorite beaches or spraygrounds.

Here are the best things to do in August in Chicago with kids. 

Having fun dancing. Photo courtesy of Chicago SummerDance
Having fun dancing. Photo courtesy of Chicago SummerDance

Top Things to Do With Kids in Chicago in August

Rockin' in the Park in Rosemont

Rosemont - FREE
Thursdays through August 28
Listen to a different local band every Thursday and select holidays throughout the summer at Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont. Fireworks follow select shows. READ MORE

CircEsteem Around Chicago Summer Tour

Various Chicago Parks - FREE
August 1, 7, 14, and 15
The show features youth from across the country who come together to teach each other, create a show together, and perform together! Enjoy an evening of music and fantastic feats like juggling, trapeze, acrobatics, clowning, aerial arts, and more. READ MORE

Northbrook Days

Northbrook - FREE
July 30 - August 3
North Suburban residents and visitors can enjoy rides, games, live music, food, beer, and wine at this annual festival in Northbrook's Metra Commuter Lot West. Special Friends morning is Saturday, August 2nd, from 9:30am - 11:30am. READ MORE

Fast Track Racing Team Kids Night

Hoffman Estates- FREE
August 5
Kids can test their speed and race others at this free Fast Track Racing Team event. Compete in the 100, 400 or 1600 meter races and enjoy post-race fun. The littlest kids can compete in a 15-yard dash. READ MORE

Destination Asia Festival

Lisle
August 2-3
This fun-filled festival at The Morton Arboretum will immerse guests in celebrating the diverse cultures of Asia through music, dance, food, and more. The weekend will include cultural performances and demonstrations, a bonsai exhibit, shopping and art vendors, and food trucks. Guests can also explore the Arboretum’s vast tree and shrub collections from China, Japan, and Korea. READ MORE

Chicago Ducky Derby

Downtown - FREE
August 7
The Ducky Derby is an event that benefits the Special Olympics of Illinois by encouraging spectators to "adopt" a yellow rubber ducky (or many duckies) to send racing down the Chicago River. It is a fun spectacle for a great cause!  READ MORE

Tuesdays on the Terrace

Streeterivlle
Tuesdays through August 26
Museum of Contemporary Art showcases some of Chicago's favorite musiciansin a weekly concert on its terrace. This year’s series includes the jazz music always featured at MCA, along with other Chicago favorite genres like hip-hop, house, blues, bomba, and more. READ MORE

Movies on the Lawn at Oakbrook Center

Oak Brook - FREE
Wednesdays through August 28
The magic of the movies moves outdoors at Oak Brook Center with the Movies on the Lawn series each Wednesday. Movies are shown on a 32' by 18' screen in the shopping center's courtyard. All movies are shown in their original, unedited format and are rated G, PG, or PG-13. READ MORE

Bugapalooza

Lincoln Park
August 10
Celebrate invertebrates at this annual bug festival at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Check out insect specimens up close, interact with native spiders, craft your own insect, and see a bug pinning demonstration. READ MORE

Chicago SummerDance

Parks Citywide - FREE
Wednesdays through Saturdays through August 23
Grant Park hosts Chicago SummerDance, where kids of all ages can enjoy music in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park and dance to the sounds of different live bands and DJs all summer long!  READ MORE

Edison Park Fest

Edison Park
August 22-24
Since 1972, Chicago families have enjoyed shopping from local vendors at Edison Park Fest. Since then, the festival has grown to include music from local bands, street festival food, and kids' entertainment. READ MORE

Bud Billiken Parade

Bronzeville - FREE
August 6
The Bud Billiken Parade is the oldest and largest African American parade in the United States, and this year marks its 94th anniversary! Guests of all ages can enjoy a procession of bands, dance groups, and floats marching down King Drive, commemorating the community's past and celebrating its future. READ MORE

Air and Water Show

Old Town - FREE
August 16-17
Chicago hosts its annual Air and Water Show featuring the US Navy Blue Angels. This is the largest free show of its kind in the United States. The event is located at North Avenue Beach, but viewable all along the coast of Lake Michigan. READ MORE

Highwood Garlic Fest

Highwood - FREE
August 14, 2024
Join the stinkiest festival in town to celebrate garlic in Highwood in conjuction with the Evening Gourmet Market. Families can sample traditionally garlicky foods like pasta, sandwiches, sauces and spreads, or wilder garlic infused items like chocolate, cookies, ice cream, funnel cakes, and cocktails. Vote for your favorites and stay to see who wins the People's Choice Award. Live entertainment and breath mints will also be on hand. READ MORE

Hummingbird Fest

Lemont - FREE
August 16
Celebrate hummingbirds with viewings and activities at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center. Hummingbirds will be banded for tracking and research. READ MORE

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

Downtown - FREE
Tuesdays through August 19
Millennium Park hosts free movies in the park throughout July and August. Films are shown on a state-of-the-art 40-foot LED screen READ MORE

Chalk Howard Street

Rogers Park - FREE
August 23
Food, live music, outdoor chalk art gallery, and a creative space for aspiring chalk artists are all at Chalk Howard Street. READ MORE

Bucktown Arts Fest

Bucktown - FREE
August 23
Families can enjoy the arts at this annual festival that includes a juried arts show, kids art area, live musical entertainment, and food. Proceeds from the fest benefit arts education programming in the neighborhood. READ MORE

Summer Sundays Coffee and Music at Wonder Works

Oak Park
August 24
This summer from 10-11am, Wonder Works Children’s Museum will host a Sunday Summer Music and Coffee Series in the Becky Boyce Nature Play Space. Adults can kick back with coffee and enjoy live music while children play in the sunshine! Museum admission will be required to attend the Sunday Summer Music and Coffee Series and includes access to indoor exhibits. This summer's performers are funded by a grant from the Youth Services Committees of the Oak Park and River Forest Townships. READ MORE

Skokie's Backlot Bash

Skokie - FREE
August 22-24
With some of the best music at suburban festivals, this event also has plenty of family friendly activities on tap. Kids can enjoy a carnival midway, 5k run, kids' stage, auto show, bingo and pancake breakfast throughout the last weekend before Labor Day at this near north suburban festival. READ MORE

Latinxt Music Festival at Navy Pier

Downtown - FREE
August 9-10
Navy Pier hosts LatiNxt, a two-day Latin music and art festival featuring performances from Latin artists around the globe, as well as art, crafts, and plenty of dancing! READ MORE

Taste of Polonia

Jefferson Park
August 30-September 1
The country's largest Polish festival takes place at the Copernicus Center in Chicago on Labor Day weekend. More than 30 bands will play on four stages throughout the weekend, and families can enjoy inflatables, a climbing wall, face painting, clowns, Disney characters, tastings and cooking classes, carnival rides, and games. READ MORE

Last Fling

Naperville
August 19-September 1
Naperville's annual end of summer festival features live music, food vendors, a carnival and Family Fun Land. The family area includes sack races, water balloon contests, and eating contests featuring cotton candy, spaghetti, and cupcakes. Music, dancing, stilt walkers, and a real live princess round out the family fun. READ MORE

West Loop Art Festival

West Loop - FREE
August 23
Stroll through four blocks of amazing artwork and visit food vendors to try tasty treats in the West Loop. Art is available in a variety of mediums and at all price points, making this festival a shopping destination for even casual art lovers. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various Parks around Chicago
Northbrook Metra Station Parking Lot
Museum of Contemporary Art
Grant Park
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion & Great Lawn
Naperville Central High School