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25 Best Things To Do in Chicago with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Photo by Brian & Jaclyn Drum via Flickr 2.0
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Photo by Brian & Jaclyn Drum via Flickr 2.0
10/31/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

November brings plenty of things to do in Chicago as we gear up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Chicago this month. 

Kick off the month with Day of the Dead celebrations in Oak Park and Hanover Park.  Take a solemn moment to talk to kids about Veterans Day by listening to storytime at Cantigny or by seeing the color guard at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Light shows are coming back for the holidays — perennial favorites at the Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanical Gardens will have you mesmerized yet again! And of course, there's the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade!

For more fun things to do check out our Fall Bucket List or our Day Trip and Weekend Guide—and don't forget to book tickets for these Holiday Train Rides!

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar daily, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

Illumination: Tree Lights photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum
Illumination: Tree Lights photo courtesy of the Morton Arboretum

Things to Do in Chicago with Kids this November 2025

Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Wonder Works

Oak Park
October 30- November 3
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at WonderWorks Children's Museum in Oak Park with -Storytime: Enjoy children’s books exploring the traditions and meaning of Día de los Muertos -Art Room: Color sugar skulls and create tissue paper marigolds to add to our community ofrenda or take home 0Sensory Zone: Explore sensory bins filled with orange and black paper flower petals READ MORE

Dia de los Muertos Sensory- & Family-Friendly Concert

West Loop
Saturday, November 1
Join Merit’s Wind Symphony for a free concert celebrating a Latin American tradition originating in Mexico, featuring music from Disney's Coco. Audience members are invited to move, dance, make noise, or partake in any way which helps them to enjoy the music. Families and those with sensory processing sensitivities welcome. READ MORE

Leo Lionni's Frederick

West Loop
November 1-2, November 8-9 and November 15-16
While other mice are gathering food for the winter, Frederick daydreams the summer away. But when fall weather comes, it is Frederick who has stored up something special for the long cold winter in a celebration of the idea that there is a place for all of us in this world. Originally a world premiere in CCT’s 10th birthday season, this charming musical based on Leo Lionni’s classic, much-loved Caldecott Award-winning book features a book by Suzanne Maynard Miller and a spirited folk and rock blues music score by Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacobs, performed live, on-stage by a talented cast of... READ MORE

Peter Pan at Chicago Kids Company

Belmont Cragin
Wednesdays through Fridays throughout November
Follow Peter Pan and Tinkerbell to Neverland! The adventures are endless in a world of pirates and mayhem. Let your imagination fly to a place that allows you to NEVER GROW UP! READ MORE

STEM Fest at Bright Horizons

Multiple Chicago area locations
Thursday, November 6
Join Bright Horizons centers across the country for STEM Fest. This is your chance to see science, technology, engineering, and math in action with fun, hands-on activities for you and your child. READ MORE

Hanover Park Day of the Dead Dance

Hanover Park - FREE
Friday, November 7
Celebrate Mexican heritage with a Latin music, authentic Mexican food, and face painting. The event also includes craft tables, a Dia inspired photo booth, and games like Loteria for both kids and adults. READ MORE

Chicago Toy & Game Fair

South Chicago Saturday, November 8- Sunday, November 9
Kick off the holidays with North America's largest toy & game fair open to the public with immersive events, interactive exhibits, giveaways, characters, and activities for all ages at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Play with the coolest new toys, meet your favorite characters, and so much more! READ MORE

Lapidary Activity Day at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Oak Brook
Saturday, November 8
Drop by the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art to celebrate the Lapidary Arts with artist demonstrators from the West Suburban Lapidary Club. Learn about cutting and polishing stone, wire-wrap, silversmithing, carving, beadstringing and participate in children’s activities. READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Veterans Day Celebration

Brookfield
Tuesday, November 11
Families can salute the armed forces with a free day at Brookfield Zoo, including many celebratory events. The zoo will display veterans' memorabilia and vehicles at the Discovery Center and host a presentation about Ambassador Animals at 11 a.m. Families can also enjoy performances by the Legacy Girls and Jesse White Tumblers and a posting of the colors and singing of the National Anthem. READ MORE

Veterans Day Family Story Time at Cantigny

Wheaton - FREE
Tuesday, November 11
The West Chicago Public Library District and Cantigny invite you to a special story time this Veterans Day! It’s a day to honor and thank all the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces — whether in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard. Library staff will share a heartwarming story inspired by heroes, with a special guest reader who is a veteran! Sing along to patriotic songs and grab a veteran-themed activity (while supplies last) to take home. READ MORE

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Glencoe
Opens Friday, November 14
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. READ MORE

Reindeer Run

Brookfield
Saturday, November 15
Run with the animals at Brookfield Zoo's annual Reindeer Run. The course is entirely within the zoo and allows runners to be the first to see the Holiday Magic lights. Music, drinks, food and animal ambassadors will be on hand after the run. READ MORE

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Opens Saturday, November 15
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. New this year—Illumination features four colorful animal sculptures from The Morton Arboretum’s newest exhibition Vivid Creatures, by artists Heather BeGaetz and Fez BeGaetz. See these colorful sculptures lit up for the holidays and transformed for the Illumination experience. Stop along the way to roast s'mores around a campfire or drink a hot beverage from... READ MORE

Turkey Basketball Free Throw Contest

Chicago Lawn
Wednesday, November 19
Win a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner at our parent and child Turkey Shoot. Parent and child teams compete together. The best combined scores at the end win a turkey or a pie. READ MORE

112th Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Downtown - FREE
Friday, November 21
Chicagoans of all ages can enjoy the annual lighting of the Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park in this event. The event will also include fireworks and many musical and theatrical performances. READ MORE

Saturday Story Time at the Book Stall: "Mermaids Are The Worst"

Wilmette
Saturday, November 22
Best-selling children's author Alex Willan visits the Book Stall for a story time featuring his new  picture book, Mermaids Are the Worst! Gilbert the Goblin’s beachside vacation gets ruined by mermaids and their games in the side-splitting latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends. READ MORE

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Magnificent Mile
Saturday, November 22
Chicago's Magnificent Mile hosts the annual Lights Festival with a parade of lights with Grand Marshalls Minnie and Mickey Mouse. The event includes booths full of family-friendly activities, including pictures with Santa. READ MORE

Light Up The Park at Parkway Bank Park

Rosemont
Saturday, November 22
Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district is thrilled to kick off the holiday season with the return of its Chicago Wolves Ice Rink Saturday, November 22. Visitors can enjoy ice skating beginning at 11 a.m. in addition to several other holiday offerings available throughout the afternoon leading up to the Park’s annual “Light Up The Park” tree lighting event.  READ MORE

Santa Arrives by Helicopter

Bloomingdale - FREE
Sunday, November 24
Santa Claus is coming to Stratford Crossing in his helicopter this November. Families can go see his arrival and receive free pictures with Santa with a $25 receipt from any of Stratford Crossing's retailers. Face painting, a magic show, and a balloon artist will also be on hand. READ MORE

The Music of Chappell Roan for Kids

Pilsen
Tuesday, November 25
Rock 'n Roll Playhouse presents a variety of tunes originally by Chappell Roan and other similar artists in a show designed specifically for kids. Paired with games, movement, and stories, this music is part of a pink pony party that kids are unlikely to forget. READ MORE

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Downtown - FREE
Thursday, November 27
Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade will have the theme of "Where Grateful Hearts Gather." Families can watch as floats, bands, and dignitaries travel along State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. READ MORE

2025 Holiday Parade of Lights Naperville

Naperville - FREE
Friday, November 28
Watch as twinkling floats and vehicles travel through downtown Naperville at this annual parade sponsored by the Naperville Rotary Club. Santa will appear at the end of the parade and be on hand at the Naperville Public Library to visit with kids after the parade. READ MORE

The Nutcracker Performed by Salt Creek Ballet at Hinsdale Central

Hinsdale
Saturday, November 29-Sunday, November 30
Salt Creek Ballet performs the holiday classic The Nutcracker at locations throughout Chicago, including matinee and evening shows at Hinsdale Central. The ballet takes audiences through a world of toys that come alive, dancing snowflakes, and waltzing flowers. Kids can enjoy a Sugar Plum Party after the Sunday show, giving them a chance to step onstage, meet the cast, and enjoy refreshments in the winter wonderland. READ MORE

How to Train Your Dragon in Concert

Downtown
November 28- November 30
A young Viking named Hiccup defies tradition when he befriends a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless, and together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. Featuring John Powell’s Oscar-nominated score performed live to picture by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon is a thrilling experience for all ages. READ MORE

Happy Holiday Railway

Union
Opens Friday, November 28
Enjoy a 40-minute train ride with a visit from Santa from the Illinois Railway Museum. The train ride includes hot chocolate, treats and gifts, and kids can see an amazing light display inside the museum. READ MORE
"Lego, Star Wars, and More Awesome 2024 Advent Calendars for Kids and Parents, Too! Photo courtesy of Lego.

More Things to Do Near Chicago with Kids this Season

Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Chicago 2025

Where can you still get Polar Express tickets? Check here. READ MORE

The Best Christmas Towns in the Midwest

Shop, visit Santa, and get into the holiday spirit with a trip to one of these idyllic Christmas towns. READ MORE

Lego, Star Wars, and More Awesome 2025 Advent Calendars for Kids and Parents, Too!

Toys, wine, slime, and more fun ways to countdown to Christmas. READ MORE

20 Quirky and Small Museums in Chicago Kids Will Love

Quirky spots kids will love! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Merit School of Music – West Loop
Hanover Park Community Center
Donald E Stephens Convention Center
The Morton Arboretum
Illinois Railway Museum