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World Music Festival, Fall Fests, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Elim Dutch Festival this weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the festival.
Elim Dutch Festival this weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the festival.
9/24/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Celebrate the cultures of the world in and around Chicago this weekend! Visit the Morton Arboretum's Celebración de los Árboles to learn more about Hispanic cultures during Hispanic Heritage Month, go to Crestwood for Elim Dutch Fest, or learn more about Native American Culture at Indigifest in Jackson Park. There's also still plenty of Oktoberfests to check out, or celebrate many cultures with World Music Festival in and around the city. 

Now is a great time to read up on our tips and tricks before visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago — it's the last month for koalas and the new Bramsen Tropical Forest has recently opened. And you might want to start filling in your October calendar with our list of fun Halloween events in the coming season.

And want to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank? Don’t forget to look for the deals link at the top of the calendar to filter for special offers and the free filter to see only free activities!

More Things To Do in Chicago This Week With Kids

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Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Fall Family Festival at Bright Horizons

Multiple locations
Thursday, September 25
Bright Horizons is bringing fun, friends, and family together at its fall festival. Meet other families, get to know the Bright Horizons community, and participate in hands-on fall activities. Everyone is welcome. READ MORE

Midnight Circus in the Parks

Lincoln Square- FINAL WEEKEND
Friday, September 26- Sunday, September 28
This small, family-run circus is as sweet as they come, bringing the circus to parks all over Chicago for a small, intimate performance! Families can grab a blanket and get cozy in their favorite park to see talented aerialists, gymnasts, tight rope walkers, clowns, and even a dog put on an energetic and awe-inspiring performance. READ MORE

Long Grove Apple Fest

Long Grove
Friday, September 26- Sunday, September 28
How do you like them apples? Long Grove will make them any way you want—baked in pies, dipped in chocolate or caramel, or chopped up in sangria. Families can also enjoy a carnival and live music with their apple treats. READ MORE

4th Friday Concert Series Elmhurst

Elmhurst- FINAL WEEKEND
Friday, September 26
Join the Elmhurst History Museum for its first 4th Fridays Concert Series at the museum’s new outdoor performance space! From June - September, experience an eclectic line up of concerts, from Jazz and Blues to Bluegrass and Salsa and Cumbia music, on the fourth Friday of each month. READ MORE

Oaktoberfest

Oak Park
Friday, September 26- Saturday, Septebmer 27
Oak Park celebrates the changing seasons at Oaktoberfest with music, food from local restaurants, specialty craft beers, and a kids' root beer garden open from noon to 5pm on Saturday, September 27. The pint-sized fun includes zucchini races, a ninja obstacle court, root beer floats, crafts, and other activities sponsored by local businesses. READ MORE

World Music Festival

Various Chicago locations
Starts Friday, September 26
World music fans can enjoy FREE concerts throughout the City of Chicago during the 23rd Annual World Music Festival. This city-wide, multi-venue, 10-day festival will include 34 bands representing 22 countries. Experience music from all regions of the world including Brazil, South Korea, and Senegal. READ MORE

St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest

Lincoln Park
Friday, September 26- Sunday, September 28
Bring your lederhosen and dirndls for some German family fun. Enjoy some bratwurst, some live music, and all things Bavarian, as well as music from favorite Chicago acts. READ MORE

Beverly Art Walk

Beverly
Saturday, September 27
The Beverly Art Walk is a free art festival celebrating work from over 150 juried artists, as well as live music, food, and hands-on activities for art lovers of all ages. Guests can embark on self-guided tours through over 100 participating venues. READ MORE

Celebración de los Árboles

Lisle
Saturday, September 27- Sunday, September 28
This fun-filled festival at The Morton Arboretum will immerse guests in celebrating the diverse cultures of Latin America. Sample foods from different Latin America countries, listen to music, and learn traditional dances at this family friendly outdoor event. READ MORE

Leo Lionni's Frederick

West Loop
Opens Saturday, September 27
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

Rosetoberfest 5K Run/Walk & Fest

Rosemont
Saturday, September 27
Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district (5501 Park Place) is thrilled to introduce “Rosetoberfest,” a brand-new fall celebration taking place Saturday, September 27. The inaugural event will begin with the Rosetoberfest 5K Run/Walk at 10 a.m., followed by an afternoon of lively Oktoberfest-inspired festivities from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the park’s great lawn. The Rosetoberfest 5K, hosted by the Village of Rosemont and Salute, Inc., will begin and end at Parkway Bank Park. Advance registration is required... READ MORE

Elim Dutch Fest

Crestwood
Saturday, September 27
You don't have to be Dutch to love Dutch Fest! This annual Crestwood event starts early with a Dutch pancake breakfast and continues with musical entertainment at 8:30 a.m. Kids can enjoy pony rides, wooden shoe dancers, a reptile show, a kids' parade, games, and Dutch or American foods. READ MORE

Cantigny Fall Fest

Wheaton
Saturday, September 27-Sunday, September 28
Celebrate the season with us at Cantigny’s Annual Fall Festival on September 27 & 28! This family-friendly weekend features a vibrant Fall Market, live music, guided garden tours, and a variety of food trucks offering tasty bites. Kids can enjoy hands-on crafts, bounce houses, and a delightful petting zoo, creating memories for all ages. READ MORE

Fall Family Fun Fest at Triton College

River Grove
Saturday, September 27
Come see Triton College's Botanic Garden, pick out a pumpkin, and buy a pie from Triton College culinary students at this annual fall fun event. Kids can also enjoy crafts, a photo booth, and games. READ MORE

Indigifest 2025

Jackson Park
Saturday, September 27
Indigifest is a free, public celebration led by the American Indian Center in partnership with the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks program. Set in Jackson Park’s Grove 6B, with the Museum of Science and Industry as its backdrop, the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features seven performances by Indigenous groups representing first peoples from around the world. Between performances, explore the park and discover food vendors serving both traditional and contemporary flavors, artisan booths offering beadwork, prints, and handmade goods, and information tables... READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Oktoberfest

Brookfield
Sunday, September 28
Put on your lederhosen or dirndl and enjoy some polka music at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Bands will be playing throughout the day on the East Mall, or families can catch mobile music from the PolkaPedi. German foods will be available for purchase throughout the zoo. This year, the Zoo is planning a special ticketed tailgate event with details to come. Check back here. READ MORE

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