There’s a special kind of energy in the air. Our kids are counting down the days with growing excitement, while we make sure we’ve checked all the items off our holiday bucket list. Christmas festivities such as Santa meet-and-greets, live nativities, and holiday movies continue to fill our list of things to do with kids this weekend. With the temperatures rising, it’s the ideal time to visit Walk-Through Light Shows or Driving Routes for the Best Christmas Lights Created by Homeowners. However you spend your weekend, we hope you find yourself soaking up magical holiday moments with your loved ones.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Western Suburbs
Please check the details before you go to these events to ensure you know about registration requirements and additional info to maximize your family’s fun. While we do our best to keep the most up-to-date information in our calendar, last minute location or time changes do happen. Want to find “weekend events near me”? We have you covered!
Friday
Stroll through Blackberry Farm’s Holiday Express in Aurora, join the Solstice Celebration at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, or listen to Ballerina Nutcracker Reading with Allegro at Three Stories Books in Lemont.
Wild Child (Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Register in advance.
NCG Free Holiday Family Film Fest (NCG Cinemas, Yorkville)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
ARTstravaganza (Lisle Public Library, Lisle)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Sensory Supported Storytime (Wheaton Public Library, Wheaton)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Register in advance.
Holiday Dance Party (Brookfield Public Library, Brookfield)
December 19, 2025 | 10:30am – 11:00am
Jingle Bell Gym Jam with Santa (BIG Gymnastics, Burr Ridge)
December 19, 2025 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Social Emotional Learning Storytime (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
December 19, 2025 | 11:00am – 11:30am
Included in museum admission.
Homeschool Huddle: Holiday Hoopla (Santori Library, Aurora)
December 19, 2025 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Live Holiday Caroling (JW Marriott Chicago, Chicago)
December 19, 2025 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Reptile Rodeo (North Riverside Public Library, North Riverside)
December 19, 2025 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Holiday Express (Blackberry Farm, Aurora)
December 19, 2025 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Ballerina Nutcracker Reading with Allegro (Three Stories Books, Lemont)
December 19, 2025 | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Solstice Celebration (Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville)
December 19, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Register in advance.
Holiday Lights and Visits with Santa (Lilacia Park, Lombard)
December 19, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Lemont Tractor Club Holiday Rides (Downtown Lemont)
December 19, 2025 | rides begin at 6:00pm
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs (Millenium Park, Chicago)
December 19, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Winter Lights Walk (Willow Pond Park, Willowbrook)
December 19, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Rick “Elvis” Saucedo Blue Christmas Show (Elmhurst Public Library, Elmhurst)
December 19, 2025 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Register in advance.
Saturday
Festive fun continues throughout the day on Saturday with Downtown Oak Park’s Home for the Holidays, Santa and Mrs. Claus at the W Tent in Downtown Wheaton, or Dr. Seuss The Grinch – Free Holiday Movie at Glen Art Theatre in Glen Ellyn.
Saturday Stay and Play (Geneva Public Library, Geneva)
December 20, 2025 | 9:00am – 2:00pm
Chill, Craft and Color (Batavia Public Library, Batavia)
December 20, 2025 | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Winter Break Wonderland (DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville)
December 20, 2025 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Included with memberships and daily admission.
Noon Lions Club Free Vision Screening (Santori Library, Aurora)
December 20, 2025 | 9:30am – 11:30am
Go Nuts for Donuts Storytime (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
December 20, 2025 | 9:30am – 11:00am
NCG Free Holiday Family Film Fest (NCG Cinemas, Yorkville)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Lowe’s Kids’ Workshops (check your local store)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Mario Kart Tournament (Lisle Public Library, Lisle)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Registration required.
Winter Solstice Day (Thatcher Woods Pavilion, River Forest)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Home for the Holidays (Downtown Oak Park)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 3:00pm
Santa is Coming to Downtown Glen Ellyn (Downtown Glen Ellyn)
December 20, 2025 | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Dr. Seuss The Grinch – Free Holiday Movie (Glen Art Theatre, Glen Ellyn)
December 20, 2025 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Santa and Mrs. Claus at the W Tent (Downtown Wheaton)
December 20, 2025 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
December 20, 2025 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Included in general admission.
Meet and Greet with Santa (Maggie Daley Park, Chicago)
December 20, 2025 | 11:00am – 4:00pm
Strolling Carolers (Downtown Downers Grove)
December 20, 2025 | 12:00pm – 4:30pm
Jolly Trolley (Downtown Aurora)
December 20, 2025 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Santa’s House (Downtown St. Charles)
December 20, 2025 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Complimentary Visits with Santa (Downtown Downers Grove)
December 20, 2025 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Santa at the Fire Museum (Aurora Regional Fire Museum, Aurora)
December 20, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Holiday Community Performances (Fox Valley Mall, Aurora)
December 20, 2025 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Train Saturdays (DuPage County Historical Museum, Wheaton)
December 20, 2025 | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Holiday Express (Blackberry Farm, Aurora)
December 20, 2025 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Solstice Celebration (Camp Shabbona Woods, South Holland)
December 20, 2025 | 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Ninja Jingle Jangle Jubilee (Gemini Gymnastics Academy, La Grange)
December 20, 2025 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Register in advance.
Santa Sendoff (Clow International Airport, Bolingbrook)
December 20, 2025 | 3:30pm – 7:30pm
Polar Express Reading (Three Stories Books, Lemont)
December 20, 2025 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Register in advance.
Christmas in the Commons (Village of New Lenox, New Lenox)
December 20, 2025 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Holiday Lights and Visits with Santa (Lilacia Park, Lombard)
December 20, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Lemont Tractor Club Holiday Rides (Downtown Lemont)
December 20, 2025 | rides begin at 6:00pm
Santa’s Trolley Express (Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, South Elgin)
December 20, 2025 | 6:30pm – 7:45pm
Winter Fireworks (Navy Pier, Chicago)
December 20, 2025 | 8:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunday
Explore DuPage Children’s Museum’s Winter Break Wonderland or Pop-in Play: Let It Snow at Helen Plum Library in Lombard. We also love the idea of Chill, Craft and Color at Batavia Public Library before the excitement of Christmas week begins!
Feeding Time at Hidden Oaks (Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Bolingbrook)
December 21, 2025 | 9:00am – 10:00am
Registration required.
Wonder Works for Everyone (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
December 21, 2025 | 9:00am – 10:00am
Included in general admission.
Winter Break Wonderland (DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville)
December 21, 2025 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Included with memberships and daily admission.
NCG Free Holiday Family Film Fest (NCG Cinemas, Yorkville)
December 21, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Santa is Coming to Downtown Glen Ellyn (Downtown Glen Ellyn)
December 21, 2025 | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Meet and Greet with Santa (Maggie Daley Park, Chicago)
December 21, 2025 | 11:00am – 4:00pm
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
December 21, 2025 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Included in general admission.
Frosty Fest (Indian Head Park Village Hall)
December 21, 2025 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Strolling Carolers (Downtown Downers Grove)
December 21, 2025 | 12:00pm – 4:30pm
Sundays with Santa (Batavia Boardwalk Shops, Batavia)
December 21, 2025 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Family Sensory Hour (Elmhurst Public Library, Elmhurst)
December 21, 2025 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Registration required.
Chill, Craft and Color (Batavia Public Library, Batavia)
December 21, 2025 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Santa’s House (Downtown St. Charles)
December 21, 2025 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Complimentary Visits with Santa (Downtown Downers Grove)
December 21, 2025 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Pop-in Play: Let It Snow (Helen Plum Library, Lombard)
December 21, 2025 | 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Sunday Crafternoons (Brookfield Public Library, Brookfield)
December 21, 2025 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Holiday Express (Blackberry Farm, Aurora)
December 21, 2025 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Christmas in the Commons (Village of New Lenox, New Lenox)
December 21, 2025 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Holiday Lights and Visits with Santa (Lilacia Park, Lombard)
December 21, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Winter Solstice Celebration (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs)
December 21, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Registration is required.
Hanukkah Winter Wonderland (NEWCITY, Chicago)
December 21, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Reservations recommended.
Things to Do with Kids This Weekend: Northwest Suburbs
We strive to answer the question “Where can I find weekend events near me?” Our team takes care to stock the calendar full of kid-friendly fun, but please keep in mind that last minute changes to events do happen. We recommend clicking through to the event details to double check if there has been a change in registration requirements and to get additional information before you go. Have fun!
Friday
Schaumburg Township District Library’s Holly Jolly Snoozapalooza, Elmwood Park Public Library’s Holiday Olympics, and Bloomingdale’s Festival of Lights: Holiday Crafts will all be filled with festive fun.
Kids Free Admission with Purchase of Any Adult Admission (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Holly Jolly Snoozapalooza (Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 10:45am
Register in advance.
Paw Patrol Story Time (Barrington Area Library, Barrington)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Golden December at Volo Museum (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Scales-N-Tales Storytime (Franklin Park Public Library, Franklin Park)
December 19, 2025 | 11:00am – 11:30am
Live Holiday Caroling (JW Marriott Chicago, Chicago)
December 19, 2025 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Holiday Olympics (Elmwood Park Public Library, Elmwood Park)
December 19, 2025 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Time Warp Express Jolly Trolley Adventure To Save Santa (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 19, 2025 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Tickets can be purchased in advance.
Festival of Lights: Holiday Crafts (Bloomingdale Park District Museum, Bloomingdale)
December 19, 2025 | 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Winter Solstice Night of Lights (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
December 19, 2025 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Register in advance.
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs (Millenium Park, Chicago)
December 19, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Festival of Lights: Trent James Holiday Magic Show (Bloomingdale Park District Museum, Bloomingdale)
December 19, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Quentin Road Christmas (Quentin Road Baptist Church, Lake Zurich)
December 19, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Tickets can be purchased in advance to ensure participation.
Christmas Karaoke Fun Night (Elmwood Park Public Library, Elmwood Park)
December 19, 2025 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday
We’re loving the options for family fun on Saturday. Create your own sleigh at the Lowe’s Kids’ Workshops, visit the Living Nativity Event at All Saints Lutheran Church in Palatine, or enjoy Super Saturday: Morris, the Magic Man at Indian Trails Public Library – Main Branch in Wheeling.
Adaptive Storytime (Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Lowe’s Kids’ Workshops (check your local store)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Registration is recommended.
Drop-in Art (Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Kids Free Admission with Purchase of Any Adult Admission (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Golden December at Volo Museum (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 20, 2025 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Super Saturday: Morris, the Magic Man (Indian Trails Public Library – Main Branch, Wheeling)
December 20, 2025 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Pick up tickets in advance.
Meet Santa at ABT Electronics (Glenview)
December 20, 2025 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
December 20, 2025 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Included in general admission.
Meet and Greet with Santa (Maggie Daley Park, Chicago)
December 20, 2025 | 11:00am – 4:00pm
Festival of Lights: BINGO with Santa (Bloomingdale Park District Museum, Bloomingdale)
December 20, 2025 | 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Quentin Road Christmas (Quentin Road Baptist Church, Lake Zurich)
December 20, 2025 | 12:30pm – 6:00pm
Tickets can be purchased in advance to ensure participation.
Movie Afternoon (Schiller Park Public Library, Schiller Park)
December 20, 2025 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
What’s On The Menu? (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
December 20, 2025 | 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Time Warp Express Jolly Trolley Adventure To Save Santa (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 20, 2025 | 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Tickets can be purchased in advance.
Living Nativity Event (All Saints Lutheran Church, Palatine)
December 20, 2025 | 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Winter Fireworks (Navy Pier, Chicago)
December 20, 2025 | 8:00pm – 8:30pm
Sunday
Learn the Science of Snow at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington, marvel at Quentin Road Christmas in Lake Zurich, or head to the city for Hanukkah Winter Wonderland at NEWCITY.
Kids Free Admission with Purchase of Any Adult Admission (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 21, 2025 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Golden December at Volo Museum (Volo Museum, Volo)
December 21, 2025 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
Meet and Greet with Santa (Maggie Daley Park, Chicago)
December 21, 2025 | 11:00am – 4:00pm
Budding Botanists (Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago)
December 21, 2025 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Included in general admission.
Meet Santa at ABT Electronics (Glenview)
December 21, 2025 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Quentin Road Christmas (Quentin Road Baptist Church, Lake Zurich)
December 21, 2025 | 12:30pm – 6:00pm
Tickets can be purchased in advance to ensure participation.
Science of Snow (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
December 21, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
What’s On The Menu? (River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook)
December 21, 2025 | 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Hanukkah Winter Wonderland (NEWCITY, Chicago)
December 21, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Reservations recommended.
Want to look ahead to next week?
Check out all the family-friendly events happening in your neighborhood and beyond on our events calendar. You can filter the calendar by day by clicking the date on top, so if you are looking for things to do on a specific day, it’s easy to find!
You might also be interested in…
- Ultimate Holiday Family Fun Guide in Chicagoland
- Your Guide to Amazing Winter Activities for Kids in the West and Northwest Suburbs
- 2025-26 Guide to Kids Classes and Teams
- Where to Have the Best Kids Birthday Party + Entertainers, Rentals, Decor, Food and More
- Find the Right Preschool and Daycare for Your Family
- Your Local Guide to Kids Eat Free
We hope you found some family-friendly fun in our list of things to do with kids this weekend in the west and northwest suburbs of Chicago! This list is updated every week and sent out in the Kidlist emails. (Click here to sign up if you haven’t already.)
We love local businesses, libraries, park districts, villages, and organizations — they plan great events for all of us to enjoy. If you are hosting an event or know of an event that should be on our list, click here to submit it to the Kidlist calendar!
We strive to be the most comprehensive source for family fun, which is why you’ll always see so many weekend events listed. It would definitely be easier to just list the details for a few events and call them “the best weekend events for families”, but we recognize that everyone has different interests. Not to mention, sometimes I’m in the mood to go to a huge festival, and sometimes I’d rather go to a low-key storytime at the library. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. That’s why we work hard and spend a lot of time to find everything going on in our area so you don’t have to!
We hope you find it helpful and we are open to suggestions. The Kidlist Team always talks about how we can improve and evolve to meet your needs, so let us know!
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This is a wonderful site. Thank you.