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37 Best Things to Do in Chicago July 2023 with Kids

CircEsteem is back this July 2023. Photo courtesy of the CircEsteem Facebook page
CircEsteem is back this July 2023. Photo courtesy of the CircEsteem Facebook page
6/30/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

July in Chicago is a great month for all things outdoors, kicking off with fireworks and continuing with movies, concerts, street festivals, and more! In addition to fireworks downtown and in the suburbs, you can taste Chicago, Lincoln Avenue, or Oak Brook. Celebrate different cultures at the World Music Festival in Highland Park, or  International Festival of Life in Washington Park. Or, listen to music along the Mag Mile or at Brookfield Zoo.

We have full list of the best music and movies taking place 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 1-2, 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!

Summer festivals are still going strong in Chicago in July. Photo courtesy of the International Festival of Life
Summer festivals are still going strong in Chicago in July. Photo courtesy of the International Festival of Life

Top Things to Do In July with Kids in Chicago

CircEsteem Around Chicago Summer Tour

July 6, 13, 14, 20, 21 and 28, 2023 Parks throughout Chicago
CircEsteem is back and touring Chicago parks for the summer of 2023. 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

Concerts for Conservation at Brookfield Zoo

July 14-15 and 21-22, 2023 Brookfield
Night owls can enjoy an evening at the zoo with games, crafts, and roaming entertainers starting at 5 p.m. Concerts from a different local cover band each evening begin at 7 p.m., and families can pack or purchase a picnic dinner to enjoy during the show. READ MORE

Oak Park Concerts in the Park

Sundays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2023 Oak Park
The Park District of Oak Park hosts free summer concerts in Scoville Park from June 11- August 20. Guests are asked to remember to carry out anything they brought in and use appropriate trash and recycling cans. READ MORE

Tinley Park Fourth of July Celebration

Monday, July 3, 2023 Tinley Park
Enjoy fireworks set off from the 80th Avenue Station in Tinley Park for the Fourth of July. The event will include live music and food and beverages for sale. READ MORE

Movies in Cantigny Park

Fridays, July 7- July 28 Wheaton
Cantigny Park hosts weekly movies at its bandshell every Friday at sunset throughout the summer. Seating is first come, first served and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and bug spray. Concessions can be purchased at Mamie's Toffee and Treats. READ MORE

Naperville Salute

Friday, June 30, 2023- Monday, July 3, 2023 Naperville
Naperville Salute honors veterans with a celebration full of live music, fireworks, family fun, and a ruck march. Family activities include include exotic animals, face painting, interactive ninja course, patriotic crafts, magic, balloon animals and more! READ MORE

Elmhurst 4 on the 4th and Kids 1K

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Elmhurst
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

Frontier Days

June 30, 2023-July 4, 2023 Arlington Heights
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

Westmont Independence Day Celebration

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Westmont
Westmont celebrates Independence Day at this annual event featuring food trucks, concessions, beer, crafts, games, and music. The day concludes with fireworks at Ty Warner Park. READ MORE

Fourth of July in Glen Ellyn

July 4, 2023 Glen Ellyn
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Glen Ellyn with a parade and fireworks on July 4. This year's parade grand marshal is MLB player and coach Billy Williams. READ MORE

Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier

Saturdays throughout July Downtown
Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Wednesday and Saturday night at Navy Pier.  READ MORE

International Festival of Life

Saturday, July 1, 2023- Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Washington Park
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

Taste of Oak Brook

Monday, July 3, 2023 Oak Brook
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 9:30 p.m. READ MORE

Bucktown Neighborhood and Garden Walk

Saturday, July 15, 2023-Sunday July 16, 2023 Bucktown
Bring the family to Bucktown for the  annual garden walk and neighborhood celebration READ MORE

Square Roots Fest

Friday, July 7, 2023- Sunday, July 9, 2023 Lincoln Square
Family fun featuring live music, local eats, and kids activities at this neighborhood festival. Local eats for every taste from tacos to Thai food, burgers to 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

West Fest Chicago

Friday, July 7, 2023- Sunday, July 9, 2023 West Town
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

Fresh Fest!

Thursday, July 13, 2023-Friday, July 14, 2023 Downtown
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

Bastille Day at Navy Pier

Friday, July 14, 2023 Downtown
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

Taste of Chicago Marquette Park

July 15, 2023 Pullman Park
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

Little Beans Drive-in Movies

Friday, July 14 Evanston
Little Beans Evanston features a series of kid-friendly drive-in movies in its parking lot. Families can come in their car or rent a spot to set up blankets and chairs. READ MORE

Outdoor Block Party

Saturday, July 15, 2023 South Holland
Choose your own adventure at this outdoor fun fest. Family and friends can make art, enjoy music and nature play, take walks, and play games at Camp Shabbona Woods. READ MORE

Silver Room Block Party

Saturday, July 29, 2023 and Sunday, July 30, 2023 Oakwood
Enjoy, music, an outdoor food court, skating rink, beach volleyball, vendor village, family and kid area and fashion show at Oakwood Beach at this updated traditional block party. The experience outgrew its space in Hyde Park and is now celebrating summer on the shore. READ MORE

World Music Fest Highland Park

Saturday, July 15, 2023 Highland Park
Diverse music and food bring people together at The Lot in Highland Park. The new outdoor dining district will feature a variety of local performers and food vendors. READ MORE

Bubble Works: An Outdoor Festival

Saturday, July 15, 2023-Sunday, July 16, 2023 Oak Park
Families can celebrate the magic and science of bubbles at Wonder Works Children's Museum in Oak Park. Activities include performances by Glowby the Bubble Blower, a giant foam pit, bubble painting, creating a custom bubble wand, mixing different bubble solutions, and more! READ MORE

Tuesdays on the Terrace

Tuesdays, July 11, 18, and 25, 2023 Mag Mile
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

Arbor Evenings

Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2023 Lisle
Families can enjoy an evening of music and activities at the Morton Arboretum's Frost Hill on Wednesday nights throughout the summer. A different local band and various food trucks will be featured each week. READ MORE

Jazz Up Glen Ellyn

Saturday, July 15, 2023 Glen Ellyn
Musically inclined families can take to the streets of Glen Ellyn to enjoy live music and food from local vendors. Jazz duos and trios will be featured at local restaurants and musicians can take part in a jazz master class. READ MORE

Chicago SummerDance

July 15, 26, and 30, 2023 Various parks throughout Chicago
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

Tacos y Tamales Festival

Friday, July 21, 2023- Sunday, July 23, 2023 Pilsen
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

Rogers Park Taco Crawl

Thursday, July 20, 2023 Rogers Park
Go loco for tacos along North Clark Street at this annual Rogers Park event. Restaurants will serve their signature tacos to taco crawl participants between Devon Avenue and Rogers Avenue. Check in at any of the restaurants along the route between 3-6 p.m. to get your passport. Restaurants stop serving at 7 p.m. READ MORE

Taco Fest & Highwood Days

Thursday, July 20- Sunday, July 23, 2023 Highwood
Formerly the North Shore Taco Festival, this refreshed event now features both tacos 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

Disability Pride Parade

Saturday, July 22, 2023 Downtown
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 is Social Justice.  READ MORE

Taste of Lincoln Avenue

Friday, July 21, 2023-Sunday July 23, 2023 Lakeview
Nearly 100 food vendors are featured in this festival, which is now in its 39th year. Kids can enjoy a chocolate tasting festival and kids' zone while adults can take part in whiskey and wine tastings. More than 30 acts play on two music stages. READ MORE

Butterfield Park District Family Fun Fest

Saturday, July 22, 2023 Lombard
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

Movies on the Lawn at Oakbrook Center

Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2023 Oak Brook
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

DuPage County Fair

Friday, July 28, 2023-Sunday, July 30, 2023 Wheaton
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

Chinatown Summer Fair

Saturday, July 29, 2023 and Sunday, July 30, 2023 Chinatown
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
Head to a music festival this July 2023. Photo courtesy of the Grant Park Music Festival
Head to a music festival this July 2023. Photo courtesy of the Grant Park Music Festival

More Fun Seasonal Activities for Chicago Kids

Chicago's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Pull up a lawn chair and a picnic for a free summer concert. READ MORE

30 Free Outdoor Movies in Chicago This Summer for Kids

Pull up a chair or blanket and take in a movie this summer. READ MORE

Where to See 4th of July Fireworks in Chicago 2023

See the sparklers fly in one of these Chicago-area fireworks displays. READ MORE

96 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Chicago for Families

Discover which summer fairs and fests are best for kids. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Water Parks in Chicago for Family Fun

Cool off on slides, tubes, and more at these nearby water parks. READ MORE

56 Free Things To Do in Chicago This Summer With Kids

Keep kids entertained with fun activities that are totally free all summer long. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various Parks around Chicago
Frontier Sports Complex
Lake Ellyn Park & Boathouse
Wonder Works, a Children's Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art
Parks Citywide
Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street