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Best Things to Do in Chicago July 2025 with Kids

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Rock and Roll Playhouse at Gallagher Way. Photo courtesy of the event.
6/29/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Things to do in Chicago in July means all outdoors, all the time! Kicking off with fireworks downtown and in the suburbs, and continuing with movies, concerts, street festivals, and more. You can enjoy food fests like Taste of Chicago and celebrate different cultures at the Chinatown Summer Fair, Bastille Day, or International Festival of Life. Or, see a children's play like Chicken Little at the Stahl Family Theater or Book Up! in parks around the city. 

We have the best lists of the music and movies happening outdoors this summer. You can also take a day trip, visit a water park, or check out one of our favorite summer festivals. There's also a NASCAR race downtown on July 5-6, so unless you're attending, you may want to steer (get it?) clear of the crowds in Grant Park/Millenium Park on those two days.

Here are our favorite things to do with kids in Chicago this July!

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Shakes in the City photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District.
Shakes in the City photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District.

Top Things to Do In July with Kids in Chicago

CHICKEN LITTLE at Chicago Kids Company

Belmont Cragin
July 10, 11, 16, and 17
The Sky is Falling!  The Sky is Falling!  Join Chicken Little and her friends --Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, Turkey Lurkey and others-- as she journeys to tell The King the news!   READ MORE

Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams

Downtown
Wednesdays through Sundays, July 10- August 3
The world-famous Circus Abyssinia comes to Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier this summer for a limited engagement! You’ll be astounded by heart-stopping acrobatics, stunning feats of juggling, high-flying hilarity, and death-defying tricks—all set to the irresistible beats of Ethiopian music. READ MORE

Frontier Days

Arlington Heights - FREE
Wednesday, July 2-Sunday, July 6, 2024
Arlington Heights' annual Fourth of July fun fest has live entertainment, a carnival, a 5k race, food vendors, a Fourth of July parade, and fireworks. READ MORE

Book Up! Theater in the Parks

Various Chicago Parks
July 23,24,26,27, 30 and 31
A traveling librarian rolls into town with their magical book cart, ready to spark big imaginations everywhere and beyond! With a little wiggle, a little giggle, and a whole lot of wonder, stories leap off the pages through juggling, tumbling, clowning and aerial acrobatics. Every book holds a new adventure—where will we go next? This wonderous outdoor circus spectacle invites little ones (and their grown-ups!) to move, play, and discover the magic of reading. READ MORE

Taste of Oak Brook

Oak Brook - FREE
Thursday, July 3
The Village of Oak Brook offers local families a taste of its cuisine and a little fun at the annual Taste of Oak Brook festival. Kids' activities include face painting, a bounce house, and a petting zoo. Fireworks will start at 9:30pm. READ MORE

Tinley Park Ribfest

Tinley Park
Thursday, July 3-Sunday, July 6
Enjoy music, ribs, kiddie rides, fireworks and more at Tinley Park's annual Ribfest. Single day admission is $15 or $55 for a family of up to six people. READ MORE

Insect Fest

River Forest - FREE
Thursday, July 17
Kids can go on a bug hunt, explore insects through dance, and follow the migratory pattern of insects at this family friendly event. Kids can also create a make your own bug craft. READ MORE

Elmhurst 4 on the 4th and Kids 1K

Elmhurst
Friday, July 4, 2025
Run four miles to celebrate the Fourth of July! Kids ages 5-12 can participate in a 1K kids' dash. No strollers will be allowed in the 4-mile. READ MORE

Glen Ellyn 4th of July Fireworks

Glen Ellyn - FREE
Friday, July 4, 2025
Lake Ellyn Park hosts its annual fireworks to celebrate America's birthday. READ MORE

International Festival of Life

Washington Park
Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13
The International Festival Of Life  features a very diverse showcase of culture and music from the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, and United States.  The objective of the festival is to bring nations together and live together as one. READ MORE

Shakes in the City

Various Chicago Parks
July 24, 29, and 30
Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s annual summer tradition Shakes in the City brings free pop-up performances of an original Shakespeare play to green spaces, neighborhood festivals, and events across the city, July 19–August 17, 2025. Enjoy this immersive 45-minute pop-up performance and interact with artists in hands-on activities inspired by play. This is Shakespeare at his most whimsical and fun! READ MORE

Oak Park Concerts in the Park

Oak Park - FREE
Sundays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27
The Park District of Oak Park hosts free summer concerts in Scoville Park from June 8- August 24. Guests are asked to remember to carry out anything they brought in and use appropriate trash and recycling cans. READ MORE

CircEsteem Around Chicago Summer Tour

Parks throughout Chicago
July 11, 17, and 24
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

Fresh Fest!

Downtown - FREE
Friday, July 11
Youth performers play and sing music, dance, and perform spoken word art at Navy Pier's Wave Wall at this free two-day festival. READ MORE

Square Roots Fest

Lincoln Square
Friday, July 12-Sunday, July 14, 2024
Family fun featuring live music, local eats, and kids' activities abound at this neighborhood festival. You'll find food for every taste including tacos, Thai food, burgers, sushi, and everything in between. Kids of all ages can enjoy the art tent, instrument petting zoo, and all the other activities throughout the festival.    READ MORE

Elmhurst Family Farm Fest

Downtown - FREE
Sunday, July 13
Join the Elmhurst History Museum for a family-friendly visit back in time to the early days of Elmhurst. Enjoy live music from Bluegrass band Bourbon Aristocracy, meet chickens, goats, and llamas at the petting zoo, touch a historic tractor, learn about harvesting honey from a beekeeper, try your hand at old fashioned farm chores, and more! READ MORE

West Fest Chicago

West Town
Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20
The West Town Chamber of Commerce hosts West Fest, an annual street festival featuring neighborhood retailers and restaurants, fine artists, crafters, and entertainment for the whole family. There is also a designated "Kid Fest," including family-friendly live music, pony rides, local dance and theatrical performances, family friendly vendors, games, and more.  READ MORE

Bastille Day at Navy Pier

Downtown - FREE
Sunday, July 13
Celebrate Bastille Day with open air dining (a Pique Nique) at Navy Pier. The Committee of French Speaking Societies will host this event on the Lake Lawn with French cuisine and performances. Families can also learn to play the French game of Petanque and kids can have their faces painted, decorate cupcakes, and enjoy a bubble show. READ MORE

Transportation Zoo

Naperville
Saturday, July 19
Little drivers-to-be and pilots-in-training can celebrate their love of things that go at this event presented by Navistar at the DuPage Children's Museum. Kids can touch and climb into various vehicles in the museum's parking lot and enjoy activities involving boats, plans and trains inside. READ MORE

Kids Fest at Wampum Lake

Thornton - FREE
Saturday, July 12
Families can get to know the Forest Preserves of Cook County at this kid-friendly event that includes nature exploration, outdoor activities, creative crafts, and an adventure zone featuring archery and canoes. READ MORE

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, July 12
Music fans of all ages can enjoy free performances during the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, which features a range of gospel music, from traditional choirs to contemporary urban gospel mixed with hip-hop and house music. There will also be kids activities and vendors in Millennium Park on Saturday.  READ MORE

Foam Fun Fest

Oak Park
Sunday, July 20
Families can celebrate the magic and science of bubbles at Wonder Works Children's Museum in Oak Park. Glowby the Bubbler and the Foam Pit are returning to Wonder Works Children’s Museum for just one day this summer.Glowby’s bubble show is like no other. He features Guiness Book of World Record winning nets that fill the sky with bubbles. Giant bubbles. Cloud bubbles. Solid bubbles. Bubbles that come out of a pipe. During each 30 minute show, your children will be amazed by all the types of bubbles that Glowby can create. READ MORE

Highwood Days with Taste of Highwood

Highwood - FREE
Friday, July 18- Sunday, July 20
Formerly the North Shore Taco Festival, this refreshed event now features foods from local vendors showcasing Highwood's diversity. Families can enjoy a variety of food vendors and vote for their favorite. Other features include a carnival, live music, and a 5k run or walk. READ MORE

Tacos y Tamales Festival

Pilsen - FREE
Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20
Families can enjoy some authentic Mexican food at the Annual Tacos y Tamales Festival, a street fair based on a traditional Mexican market known as the Tianguis. READ MORE

Disability Pride Parade

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, July 26
Chicago hosts the longest running disability pride parade in the country, and everyone is invited to celebrate and strengthen the pride, power, and unity of people with disabilities, their families, and allies! This year's theme is: Disability Pride Will Not Be Denied. READ MORE

Butterfield Park District Family Fun Fest

Lombard - FREE
Saturday, July 12
Kids can set sail for some summer fun at this nautical-themed family party. Activities include games, crafts, raffles, giveaways, and food. Admission to the pool is free during the event.  READ MORE

DuPage County Fair

Wheaton - FREE
Thursday, July 24-Sunday, July 27
Families can celebrate the agricultural history of DuPage County with entertainment, exhibits, a pie eating contest, demolition derby, carnival, food concessions, and karaoke. Musical acts are TBD. READ MORE

Rock and Roll Playhouse at Gallagher Way

Wrigleyville
Sunday, July 27
Kids can rock out to various genres of music with Rock and Roll Playhouse shows featuring movement and stories. Shows at Gallagher Way give kids a chance to look into the window rock history. On July 27, families are invited to listen and groove to the music of Phish. READ MORE

Taste of Chicago Pullman Park

Pullman Park - FREE
Saturday, July 19
Foodies of all ages can enjoy Chicago restaurants, live music, and family-friendly activities at the annual Taste of Chicago outdoor food festival. This summer's festival will be hosted in four different neighborhood parks, one in each month. READ MORE

Chinatown Summer Fair

Chinatown - FREE
Saturday, July 26-Sunday, July 27
The whole family can enjoy the annual Chinatown Summer Fair, featuring a Dragon & Lion Dance Procession, artisan booths, delicious neighborhood cuisine, and activities for families and children. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier
Lake Ellyn Park & Boathouse
Various Parks around Chicago
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Wonder Works, a Children's Museum
Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street