Things to do this weekend in and around Chicago
Friendly fun in Chicago and nearby for Friday, September 11, 2026 through Sunday, September 13, 2026. Check out these highlights!
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, September 11, 2026
FREE fall and holiday mini photo sessions with Shoott! - Chicago - September 11-13, 2026 - Chicago, IL. Celebrate the season with a complimentary 30-minute outdoor photo shoot and purchase only the edited images you love.
Morning Glories at the Garfield Conservatory - September 11, 2026 (and select Fridays) - Chicago, IL. Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring lush conservatory displays with time for quiet play and discovery.
Friday Night Playroom at Milwaukee Yard - September 11, 2026 (and select Fridays) - Oak Creek, WI. Kids can run, jump, and play in an indoor sports complex during a special evening open play session.
Dinos at the Brookfield Zoo! - Daily through October 25, 2026, including September 11 - Brookfield, IL. Encounter life-sized dinosaur displays and zoo animals during regular zoo hours.
Visit the Children's Farm at The Center - September 11-13, 2026 - Palos Park, IL. Meet barnyard animals and explore a working children’s farm during daytime visiting hours.
Saturday, September 12, 2026
North Riverside Park Mall's Touch A Truck - September 12, 2026 - North Riverside, IL. Get up close to a variety of trucks and service vehicles, with music, games, and bubbles for all ages.
Flip Circus Brings Big Top Fun to Six Chicago-Area Locations (June 19–September 14) - June 19–September 14, 2026, including September 12 - Chicago area, IL. Experience a traveling big-top circus with high-energy acts and family-friendly performances at rotating locations.
Fall Festival on Thompson Farm - September 12-13, 2026 (and select fall dates) - Bristol, WI. Kick off autumn with farm activities, seasonal treats, and outdoor fun on a working farm.
Fall Fun at Jerry Smith Farm! - September 12-14, 2026 (and continuing through fall) - Kenosha, WI. Enjoy pumpkins, décor, and family attractions at a festive pumpkin farm.
Northcenter Farmers Market - Saturdays, September 12–October 31, 2026 - Chicago, IL. Shop fresh produce and local goods at a neighborhood outdoor market in Northcenter Town Square.
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Budding Botanists at the Garfield Conservatory - September 12-13, 2026 (and select weekend dates) - Chicago, IL. Young nature lovers can explore plants and hands-on activities designed to spark interest in botany.
Falconry at the Forge - September 12-13, 2026 (and select fall dates) - Lemont, IL. Learn about birds of prey and watch trained raptors in flight during interactive falconry sessions in an adventure park setting.
The Pokémon Fossil Museum Exhibition at the Field Museum - Exhibition running on September 13, 2026 and beyond - Chicago, IL. Discover connections between real fossils and Pokémon creatures in a special exhibit blending science and pop culture.
Family Peace Practice - Select Saturdays including September 12, 2026 - Chicago, IL. Families can wind down the weekend together with guided activities focused on calm, connection, and emotional well-being.