The weekend of October 23–25 brings BOO! at the Zoo in Brookfield (Sunday). Every listing below comes from the organizer's own calendar, with times, venues, and official links — and the free ones are marked.

33 family events across 12 Chicago cities this weekend — 28 likely free. Biggest clusters: library (18), outdoors (11), festival (1).

33 family events 28 likely free 12 cities

Don't miss this weekend

Ranked by how hard each one is to catch otherwise — marquee one-offs first, always-on drop-ins last.

BOO! at the Zoo (Brookfield Zoo)

Sun · 10:00 AM · Brookfield Zoo Chicago · Brookfield

Why it ranks annual tradition · city-wide festival · editor's pick

BOO! at Brookfield Zoo — the region's biggest zoo Halloween, included with admission.

All agesOfficial ↗
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt

Sun · 11:00 AM · Crabtree Nature Center · Barrington Hills

Why it ranks pumpkin · outdoors · editor's pick

Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt at Crabtree Nature Center — free and ideal for younger kids.

FreeAges 6–11Official ↗
Chicago Voyagers’ Fall Jamboree

Sun · 12:00 PM · Caldwell Woods Wellness Center · Chicago

Why it ranks one-time special · outdoors · editor's pick

Chicago Voyagers' Fall Jamboree at Caldwell Woods — free to $25 outdoor fun.

FreeAges 6–11Official ↗
Fall Fest

Sun · 10:00 AM · Lincoln Park Zoo · Chicago

Why it ranks always-on · major attraction · editor's pick

Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo — free pumpkin-themed family programming in the city.

Ages 6–11Official ↗
River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary Stories

Sat · 8:00 PM · River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook

Why it ranks annual · outdoors

$Ages 6–11Official ↗
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

Sun · 12:00 PM · The Fields Studios · Chicago

Why it ranks limited run · live show

Ages 2–11Official ↗
Trunk or Treat

Sun · 12:00 PM · Eggers Grove · Chicago

Why it ranks one-time special · outdoors

FreeAll agesOfficial ↗
Bird Banding

Sun · 9:00 AM · Sagawau Environmental Learning Center · Lemont

Why it ranks one-time special · outdoors

FreeAges 2–11Official ↗

Animals & nature 13 Arts & crafts 3 Festivals & community 3 Free only 28

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Free

Free family day

No-ticket or likely-free events that work well as the anchor for a low-cost weekend plan.

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Little kids

Toddler and preschool picks

Shorter, earlier programs with age signals that are easier for little kids.

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Indoor

Indoor backup plan

Libraries, museums, makerspaces, and indoor culture picks for weather or low-energy days.

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Low drive

Low-drive plan in Chicago

A tighter cluster in one city so the day does not turn into a long drive.

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Family events in Chicago this weekend: October 23–25

Generated October 25, 2026 from official event sources

Interactive Event Finder

Showing 33 of 33 events

Saturday, October 24

1 event · already happened

8:00 PM
River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary Stories

River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · $5 · Ages 5–12

River Trail’s annual scary storytelling around the campfire.
Official ↗

Sunday, October 25

32 events · 28 free

10:00 AM
BOO! at the Zoo (Brookfield Zoo)

Brookfield Zoo Chicago · Brookfield · Included with admission · All ages

BOO! at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo weekends: extra trick-or-treating locations, free inflatables (Inflate-a-BOO!), costume parades, pumpkin…
Official ↗
11:00 AM
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt

Crabtree Nature Center · Barrington Hills · Ages 5–12

Self-guided search for hidden pumpkins on the trail.
Free Official ↗
12:00 PM
Chicago Voyagers’ Fall Jamboree

Caldwell Woods Wellness Center · Chicago · Ages 5–12

Join us for an immersive, family-oriented outdoor event that recreates the spirit of a Chicago Voyagers expedition.
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM
Fall Fest

Lincoln Park Zoo · Chicago · Ages 5–12
Official ↗
12:00 PM, 12:15 PM, 12:30 PM, 12:45 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 1:30 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, 3:45 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:15 PM, 4:30 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:00 PM, 5:15 PM, 5:30 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 6:45 PM & 7:00 PM
Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

The Fields Studios · Chicago · Ages 3–12
Official ↗
12:00 PM
Trunk or Treat

Eggers Grove · Chicago · Ages 5–12

Sponsored by the Forest Preserves and East Side Chamber of Commerce.
Free Official ↗
9:00 AM
Bird Banding

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center · Lemont · Ages 3–12

Observe bird banding and talk with banders.
Free Official ↗
10:30 AM & 1:30 PM
The Un-Haunted Forest

River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · Ages 5–12

A whimsical story-hike to solve a spooky mystery.
Free Official ↗
10:30 AM
Oak-tober

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center · Willow Springs · Ages 3–12
Free Official ↗
2:30 PM
Share the Trails: Cycling Pit Stop

LaBagh Woods · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Get your helmet fit, tires inflated, bike checked and learn about trail safety.
Free Official ↗
3:00 PM
What’s On The Menu?

River Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · Ages 3–12

Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Free Official ↗
1:00 PM
Downtown Trick-or-Treating

Downers Grove Public Library · Downers Grove · All ages

each service desk Remember to stop by the library during Downtown Trick-or-Treating and visit each of our service desks throughout the building for a small prize.
Free Official ↗
9:30 AM
Sunday Market at Jefferson

Jefferson · Chicago · Ages 5–12
Free Official ↗
10:00 AM
Restoration Sunday

Sand Ridge Nature Center · South Holland · Ages 5–12

Help us improve our wildlife habitat by cutting and removing invasive species.
Free Official ↗
1:30 PM
Costumed Scavenger Hunt Walk

Trailside Museum of Natural History · River Forest · Ages 5–12

Wear your costume while walking through our autumn woods while finding hidden (nut-free) treats.
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
Black Willow Brass Quintet featuring Halloween Themes

Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100) · Downers Grove · All ages

With partner DG Music Club Celebrate Halloween and stop by for a family friend concert!
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
KidCinema: Scared Shrekless

North Pulaski · Chicago · $ · Ages 1–12
Official ↗
1:00 PM
Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Toman · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
1:30 PM
Film Screening: Casper (1995)

Scottsdale · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
Film Screening: The Addams Family 2 (2021)

Pullman · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
Art Studio: Kandinsky Fall Trees

Central Library - Craft Room · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12

Grades 1-3 Grades 1-3 Create a colorful fall tree inspired by the art of Wassily Kandinsky!
Free Official ↗
1:00 PM
Día de los Muertos: Nicho / Day of the Dead: Shadow Box

Main Library · Evanston · Ages 3–12
Free Official ↗
1:00 PM
Seed Library Volunteer Day

Humboldt Park · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
1:00 PM
Grace and the Butterfly Effect - Presented by Imagine U

Main Library · Evanston · Ages 5–12
Free Official ↗
1:30 PM
A Quilt is a Poem That We Say Again: Opening Reception

Harold Washington Library Center · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
1:30 PM
Clothing Swap

Logan Square · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
Family Film Screening: Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (2025)

West Lawn · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
Family Film Screening: The Addams Family (2019)

Back of the Yards · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
The Artist's Studio at the Library

Budlong Woods · Chicago · Ages 5–13
Free Official ↗
2:00 PM
Crochet Corner

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Drop in to the Sunday Crochet Corner where you can work on personal projects with your own supplies, or work with provided yarn and hooks.
Free Official ↗
All day
Get ready for Halloween!

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · All ages

Children of all ages Join our not-so-spooky Halloween search...Happy Hunting!
Free Official ↗
All day
Word of the Week

Elk Grove Village Public Library · Elk Grove Village · Ages 5–13

Become a dictionary detective with our new Word of the Week challenge!
Free Official ↗

Browse by interest

Jump to the kind of weekend you're after — story time, hands-on science, music, the outdoors, and more.

Animals & nature

Zoos, farms, gardens, and wildlife walks to get up close with the outdoors.

River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary StoriesRiver Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · $5 · Ages 5–12
Bird BandingSagawau Environmental Learning Center · Lemont · Ages 3–12
BOO! at the Zoo (Brookfield Zoo)Brookfield Zoo Chicago · Brookfield · Included with admission · All ages

Arts & crafts

Drop-in making, painting, drawing, and creative studio time.

Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - ChicagoThe Fields Studios · Chicago · Ages 3–12
Art Studio: Kandinsky Fall TreesCentral Library - Craft Room · Schaumburg · Ages 5–12
The Artist's Studio at the LibraryBudlong Woods · Chicago · Ages 5–13

Festivals & community

Fairs, parades, seasonal celebrations, and big community gatherings.

BOO! at the Zoo (Brookfield Zoo)Brookfield Zoo Chicago · Brookfield · Included with admission · All ages
Oak-toberLittle Red Schoolhouse Nature Center · Willow Springs · Ages 3–12
Black Willow Brass Quintet featuring Halloween ThemesDowners Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100) · Downers Grove · All ages

Story time & books

Read-alouds, story hours, rhyme times, author visits, and book clubs.

River Trail Nightlife: The Return of Scary StoriesRiver Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · $5 · Ages 5–12
The Un-Haunted ForestRiver Trail Nature Center · Northbrook · Ages 5–12

Music & performance

Concerts, recitals, dance, theater, sing-alongs, and live shows.

Chicago Voyagers’ Fall JamboreeCaldwell Woods Wellness Center · Chicago · Ages 5–12
Black Willow Brass Quintet featuring Halloween ThemesDowners Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100) · Downers Grove · All ages

Active & outdoors

Sports, playgrounds, swimming, biking, and run-around energy burners.

Share the Trails: Cycling Pit StopLaBagh Woods · Chicago · Ages 3–12

Food & markets

Farmers markets, food trucks, tastings, and cooking fun.

Sunday Market at JeffersonJefferson · Chicago · Ages 5–12

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Things to do with kids this weekend in Chicago

Don't miss this weekend

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Free family day

Toddler and preschool picks

Indoor backup plan

Low-drive plan in Chicago

Family events in Chicago this weekend: October 23–25

Interactive Event Finder

Saturday, October 24

Sunday, October 25

Balloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago

Browse by interest

Animals & nature

Arts & crafts

Festivals & community

Story time & books

Music & performance

Active & outdoors

Food & markets

Coming up after this weekend

Plan ahead: Chicago traditions coming up

This weekend by city

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