City Events Family Build Program – Sundays in July. Design and build with your family on Sunday mornings in the studio, where themed stations will introduce you to architecture basics. Take part in design challenges and make a take home project. Ages 3 and up. Chicago Architecture Center. architecture.org. Taste of Chicago – 7/10-14. Live music, dance performances, cooking demonstrations and family activities. Grant Park, Chicago. chicago.gov.
gives us cookies, bread, pasta and other treats from an educator at the DuPage County Farm Bureau. Grades 1-4. 3 PM. Helen Plum Library, Lombard. Register at helenplum.org. GARDEN Bike Tour – Cyclists from Cantigny Horticulture will escort visitors on a leisurely ride with stops at different areas of the gardens and other park attractions. Adults and children ages 10 and up welcome. 6:30 PM. Cantigny Visitors Center, Wheaton. Free with paid parking. Register at cantigny.org. THURSDAY, JULY 18 LECTURE Lost Amusement Parks – Learn about the history of iconic Chicagoland amusement parks. 3 PM. Elmhurst History Museum. Free, registration required. elmhursthistory.org. GARDEN Evening Stroll – Enjoy a one-hour summer garden tour, conducted by the park’s Master Gardener docents. 6 PM. Cantigny Visitors Center, Wheaton. Free with paid parking. cantigny.org. CONCERT Sunset Soiree – Bring the family to an outdoor concert featuring dance rock hits from the band Split Decision. 7-10 PM. Downtown Lemont. lemontparkdistrict.org. MOVIE Under the Stars – Watch an outdoor showing of the movie “Mary Poppins Returns.” Arrive by 8 PM for a pre-movie performance by magician Gary Kantor. Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, Wheeling. Free. wheelingparkdistrict.com. FRIDAY, JULY 19 FAMILY Fun Night – Listen to classic rock-n-roll music by The Millennials and get up close and personal with visiting creatures from Friends of Scales Reptile Rescue. 5 PM. Cantigny Bandshell, Wheaton. Free with paid parking. cantigny.org. 52 great events
OUTSIDE EXPERIENCE – 7/13-14. Event for outside enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages with activities including outdoor rappel, paddle boarding on Lake Michigan, slacklining, an Ultimate Air Dogs competition and axe-throwing. McCormick Place Lakeside Center. outsideexperienceshow.com Night at the Zoo – 7-20. This adults-only event will let guests experience the zoo’s amazing animals and gardens with beer or wine in hand. There will be food for purchase, DJ entertainment, games, giveaways, and more. lpzoo.org ComEd Icebox Derby – 8/3. Female students will race to the finish line in solar-powered race cars made out of recycled refrigerators to test their speed and craftsmanship, and also their analytical skills and ability to work together. 12-3 PM. Daley Plaza. iceboxderby.com. Family Fun Festival – Weekdays through 8/9. Families are invited to join the fun all summer long with free activities including music and arts and crafts for kids of all ages. 10 AM-2 PM. Millennium Park. chicago.gov. Chicago Air and Water Show – 8/17-18 Featuring military and civilian flight aerobatics, historic aircraft, simulated water rescues and parachute teams, the Chicago Air and Water Show is one of the largest and longestrunning free admission events of its kind. 10 AM-3 PM.
CONCERT The Posies – Enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring the pop group, The Posies. Event includes kids’ activities and a food truck. 6 PM. Chicago Premium Outlets, Aurora. premiumoutlets.com/chicago. SATURDAY, JULY 20 BRUNCH Magical Unicorn – Gallop over to Cantigny for an enchanted morning with the Unicorn Princess! The whole family will enjoy a themed buffet with brunch favorites and a mystical princess will entertain little ones with a performance, story time and photos. 8:30 AM. Le Jardin at Cantigny, Wheaton. Fee. Register at cantigny.org. FAMILY Free Nature Program – Explore nature at Atwood Park and try archery and tomahawk throwing (archery ages 5 and up; tomahawk throwing ages 7 and up). 9-11 AM. Atwood Center, Rockford. rockfordparkdistrict.org. PICNIC in the Park – Pack your own dinner and enjoy a warm summer night playing classic games, listening to music and making s’mores. 5:30-8:30 PM. Frontier Park, Arlington Heights. Fee, register at ahpd.org. SUNDAY, JULY 21 CAR Show – The Illinois region of the Antique Automobile Club of America presents one of the nation’s longestrunning antique car shows. 7 AM-1 PM. Cantigny South Parking Lot, Wheaton. Free with paid parking. cantigny.org. TEENS Pop Tab Bracelets – Learn how to make bracelets from pop tabs. The library will supply pop tabs; feel free to bring your own as well. Grades 6-12. 3 PM. Helen Plum Library, Lombard. Register at helenplum.org. MONDAY, JULY 22 MUSEUM Moon Landing Event – Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing of Apollo 11 with games, activities and crafts. Drop-in program for elementary suburban family | subfam.com
North Avenue Beach. chicago.gov. Bit Bash – 8/17-18. Be part of an annual festival of interactive art with experimental, unique and collaborative games from global independent artists. Celebrate into the night with drinks, live events and tournaments. Saturday 9:30 AM-12 AM; Sunday 9:30 AM-4 PM. Museum of Science and Industry. msichicago.org. Chicago Jazz Festival – 8/23-9/1. The Chicago Jazz Festival showcases the greatest jazz artists from Chicago and around the world. Events take place at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and other venues in Chicago. jazzinchicago.org. Chicago Baby Show – 8/24-25. Part of the largest series of events in the country for expectant and new parents, the Chicago Baby Show offers a broad range of brands, education, buying opportunities and activities. Navy Pier. Register at chicagobabyshow.com. Jazzin’ at the Shedd – Wednesdays through 8/28. Enjoy a festival-worthy lineup of three of Chicago’s top jazz ensembles each week. 5-10 PM. Shedd Aquarium. Purchase tickets at sheddaquarium.org. Navy Pier Fireworks – Wednesdays and Saturdays through 8/31. Watch a spectacular fireworks display, perfectly synchronized to music on Lake Michigan. navypier.org.
age children accompanied by an adult. 1-4 PM. Elmhurst History Museum. elmhursthistory.org. WEDNESDAY JULY 24 ADULTS Zumba Pool Party – Enjoy an evening of Latin dance on the deck and in the water with raffles and snacks. 8-9:30FILL PM. Family Aquatic Center, Palatine. regSUBFAM small 12.17:Layout 1 Fee, 12/15/17 ister at palatineparks.org.
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THURSDAY JULY 25 FAMILY McCormick Day – An afternoon of family fun is planned as the park celebrates the birthday of Colonel McCormick with Army-themed crafts, programs, activities and cake. 12-4 PM. Cantigny Park, Wheaton. Free. cantigny.org. KIDS Book Love – Celebrate books with snacks and book-themed crafts. Grades 4-8. 3 PM. Helen Plum Library, Lombard. Register at helenplum.org. ADULTS Cosley Zoo Uncorked – Enjoy an evening at Cosley Zoo while sampling from a selection of more than 50 wines, listening to live entertainment, mingling with some of the zoo’s animal residents, and entering for a chance to win fantastic raffle prizes. 5:30-8 pm. Cosley Zoo, Wheaton. Fee, register at wheatonparks.org. PETS Canine Carnival – Enjoy a carnival designed for your best friend of the canine variety! Participate in games and activities, visit pet friendly vendors, enter a raffle, take July/August 2019
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