What's Hot - This month's best Chicago family fun events and activities

We've picked out some of the best family fun taking place this month around Chicago. Bookmark this page to keep up with the hottest Chicago family happenings! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get information as soon as it's available.

Find things to do with kids in Chicago. Following are highlights of activities going on in the coming days and weeks. Visit our Calendar of Events to see full listings of daily events.

Chicago Live!
9/19/2026 to 9/20/2026
Navy Pier

Bringing together more than 100 of the city’s most dynamic performing arts organizations and artists across five stages throughout Navy Pier, the two-day celebration invites Chicagoans and visitors alike to experience the breadth of Chicago’s creative community. This year’s festival features a...


Fall Fest
9/25/2026 to 11/1/2026
Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago’s favorite free and family-friendly festival is back at Lincoln Park Zoo for another season of harvest-time fun! From September through October, stop by the zoo to roast s’mores, watch professional pumpkin carvers, pick your own pumpkin, and catch live music and entertainment as you...


St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest
9/25/2026 to 9/27/2026
St. Alphonsus

Get ready to raise your steins and don your dirndls—St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest is back and bringing a taste of Germany to the heart of Chicago! From September 25-27, this legendary 25th annual festival transforms the intersection of Lincoln/Southport/Wellington into a buzzing Bavarian beer hall...