Homeschool days, free outings and family events across Chicago and the suburbs, each checked with the museum, city, library or official source. Many picks are indoors for the cold months.
Jump to: Homeschool days & classes · Free & low-cost outings · Family & holiday events · Library perks · Trick-or-treating · Calendar · Homeschool groups & resources
Tap a date to see that day's events. Only listings with set dates appear here; places you can visit any open day are listed further down.
Library perks for Chicago Public Library cardholders.
Getting a card: Sign up for a Chicago Public Library card at any branch or online.
The Good for little kids (2–4) marker means the venue's own page lists something for toddlers or preschoolers, such as a toddler storytime or free entry for the youngest kids. It's our planning note, not the venue's.
Trunk-or-treats & Halloween-night neighborhoods
Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct 31, 2026. Trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat events at Chicago Park District sites from Friday, Oct 23 through Halloween, checked Oct 23, 2026.
Candy, games and a costume contest, hosted by a community group.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026
A Halloween celebration in the Lindblom Park parking lot. Bring a candy bag.
Upcoming dates: Sun, Oct 25, 2026
Halloween fun with decorated trunks, candy, costumes and community activities, in front of the fieldhouse. Costumes are encouraged.
Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026
An evening of free trick-or-treat fun. Bring your costume and a candy bag.
Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The park page gives the address as ZIP 60647, which looks wrong for that street. Check the location on the Park District page.
The planetarium is free for Illinois residents (with proof of residency) on select days. Teachers, including Chicago Learning Exchange members, receive one free adult Museum Entry. Sky shows cost extra. Coming up: Oct 26–28, Nov 9, 10, 16, 17, 18 and Dec 7, 8, 9.
Upcoming dates: Mon, Oct 26, 2026; Tue, Oct 27, 2026; Wed, Oct 28, 2026; Mon, Nov 9, 2026; Tue, Nov 10, 2026; Mon, Nov 16, 2026; Tue, Nov 17, 2026; Wed, Nov 18, 2026; Mon, Dec 7, 2026; Tue, Dec 8, 2026; Wed, Dec 9, 2026
Illinois homeschool groups of 10 or more can visit free on reserved weekday field trip days, with verification. Parking and special attractions cost extra.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This came from a search summary of the zoo's field trip pages. Confirm the verification rules with the zoo.
Illinois homeschool parents can register for a voucher for one free ticket. You show the voucher at an admission counter with an Illinois homeschool co-op member ID card or an Illinois homeschool legal defense association member ID.
Illinois schools and community groups serving Pre-K to grade 12 can register for a free field trip, and the page says all school groups are welcome "including home school students." The museum also offers hands-on field trip classes for Pre-K to grade 12.
⚠️ A search summary said field trip classes cost $100 per session; the price is on the museum's field trip pricing page, which we did not open. Check it before booking a class.
Illinois homeschool groups and families receive free General Admission. Coal Mine tours, U-505 tours, the Giant Dome Theater and special exhibitions cost extra. Illinois residents who are library cardholders can also reserve free or discounted entry through the Explore More Illinois portal.
⚠️ The page does not say how an Illinois homeschool family proves its status. Ask the museum before you go.
Groups from Illinois K–12 schools, along with Illinois homeschools, receive group admission plus the free aquatic presentation (subject to availability). A 4-D Experience can be added for a fee. One chaperone per 10 students is required.
Guided, plant-based afternoons for homeschool families and groups in a station format, with outdoor activities when the weather allows. Younger siblings are welcome, but activity materials are for registered participants only.
⚠️ The page lists "select Fridays" without dates in the text we read. Check the dates before you plan.
Illinois residents can visit free on listed Tuesday evenings. Reserve ahead.
Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 3, 2026; Tue, Nov 10, 2026; Tue, Nov 17, 2026; Tue, Nov 24, 2026; Tue, Dec 1, 2026; Tue, Dec 8, 2026; Tue, Dec 15, 2026
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The dates and hours came from a search summary of the Shedd page. Confirm on the page and reserve.
Indoor gardens in a historic glass house, with a separate Children's Garden. Admission is free for Chicago residents with address verification, and a ticket or reservation is still required. Free parking.
Admission is free all year with no tickets or reservations. In winter the gates and animal buildings open at 10 a.m., buildings and the farm close at 4:30 p.m. and the gates close at 5 p.m. Hours can change for special events.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Hours came from search summaries of the zoo's pages. Check Today at the Zoo before you go.
The museum's holiday exhibit of decorated trees from many cultures. The tree-lighting kickoff is Nov 7, and an all-ages family evening is Dec 19, 6–10 p.m. Museum admission applies.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Dates came from a search summary of the museum's press release. Price is not listed there.
A walk through the Garden after dark with illuminated trees, tunnels and installations. Tickets are for a set date and time, and advance parking is sold separately.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Dates, hours and prices came from search summaries of the Garden's pages. Check the Lightscape page before buying.
A German-style outdoor Christmas market. All Christkindlmarkets are always free to enter. The market is also at Aurora and Wrigleyville in 2026.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The market's own page says it is free and returns in 2026; the Daley Plaza dates came from a news report. Check the Chicago page.
A holiday light show at the zoo. Free admission is offered on four Mondays, with reservations required and released one week ahead at 11 a.m.; Dec 21 and 28 are paid.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The zoo's page was down for maintenance when we checked, so the dates and times came from a search summary. Recheck it.
An evening holiday lights event at the zoo. Members get free admission and North Gate parking; South Gate needs advance admission and parking reservations.
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Dates and price came from a search summary of the zoo's page. Check which nights are open.
A free holiday kickoff on Michigan Avenue: Lights Festival Lane from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the parade at 5:30 p.m. (Oak Street south) and fireworks at 7:30 p.m. Street closures start as early as 3 p.m.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 21, 2026
⚠️ The page also mentions "November 22nd" in a contest paragraph; its date headings say Saturday, Nov 21.