Fri, Oct 16 · 10am–5pm
Fall Fest
Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Fridays–Sundays
Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗Chicago family weekend: Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18
93 events for the weekend of Oct 16–18, with 89 free and 79 indoors.
Top picks this weekend
Big outings first: festivals, farms, shows and attractions, mixing free and paid, for a range of ages.
Fri, Oct 16 · 6pm–8pm
Night of Nature Play
Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Scavenger hunt, games and crafts under the glowing night (black) lights.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 17
Spooky Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Free all-ages Halloween event with trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, kid-friendly entertainment and free carousel rides.
Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 10am–2pm
BooPalooza and BarkPalooza at Wicker Park
Wicker Park — Chicago (Wicker Park) · Cook Co. · Chicago
Halloween extravaganza with free pumpkins, live entertainment, costume parades and a haunted maze, plus a dog costume parade.
Details at Chicago Park District ↗Sun, Oct 18 · 10am–3pm
Fall Festival
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Celebrate the season with a special autumn fun day.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Oct 17 – Oct 25
Boo! at the Zoo at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Brookfield · Cook Co. · Suburbs
Month-long Halloween fun with trick-or-treating, costume parades, character meets and Halloween inflatables on weekends.
Runs Oct 3–25. Weekends 10am–6pm with extra entertainment.
Details at Brookfield Zoo Chicago ↗Want your family-friendly business here? Sponsor this guide
More big outings
Sat, Oct 17 · 10am–5pm
Fall Fest
Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Fridays–Sundays
Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗Sun, Oct 18 · 10am–5pm
Fall Fest
Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Fridays–Sundays
Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗Museums, gardens & more
Sat, Oct 17 · 11am
Animal Enrichment Studio for Teens
Crabtree Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Create enrichment items for our ambassador animals, then see how they are used as an important part of their care.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 1:30pm
Oak-tober Fall Colors Walk
Sand Ridge Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Enjoy seasonal color changes and learn about our native oaks.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 2pm
Meet the Birds
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Stop by to see our birds at mealtime.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sat, Oct 17 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 18 · 1pm
Wee Wonders: Owls
Sand Ridge Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about nature through sensory experiences, stories and artmaking.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Sun, Oct 18 · 3pm
What’s On The Menu?
River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Library storytimes & programs (79, free)
From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
Friday, Oct 16
Saturday, Oct 17
Sunday, Oct 18
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