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Mother’s Day Weekend 2023 in Chicago: Brunches and More Things To Do With Kids

Our Chicago Calendar Editor, Maureen Wilkey, loves to visit the Lilac Festival on Mother's Day.
Our Chicago Calendar Editor, Maureen Wilkey, loves to visit the Lilac Festival on Mother's Day.
5/10/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Mother's Day weekend.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and grandmoms, and may your breakfast in bed include bottomless coffee and minimal burnt toast. We've got a lot of fun activities on our calendar for this Mother's Day weekend in Chicago: Music loving moms can enjoy a Beatles cover band in Evanston, country in Berwyn, or retro rock in Lombard.  Nature mothers can help clean up the Chicago River for Chicago River Day or celebrate conservation at Cosley Zoo on Saturday. And artsy moms might enjoy art festivals going on in Roscoe Village and Evanston this weekend.

Still need a plan for Mother's Day weekend in Chicago? We've got a list of our favorite Mother's Day brunch and dinner spots and a roundup up of mom-related events for the weekend. Planning ahead for summer? Check out our list of budget getaways from Chicago.

Here are our favorite things to do with kids in Chicago this Mother's Day weekend!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids 

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Things to Do on Mother's Day Weekend in Chicago

Pinocchio

Friday, May 12, 2023—Beverly
Chicago Kids Company - Theater for Children (CKC) presents Pinocchio, a one-hour musical adaptation! Can you help Pinocchio make the right choices and become a real boy? Come meet Geppetto the Toymaker, the Blue Fairy, and the rest of Pinocchio’s friends as he learns to be honest, unselfish, and brave. All CKC productions feature professional actors, colorful scenery and costumes, sing-along songs, and plenty of audience participation. This show is perfect for children ages 2 to 10! READ MORE

Chicago Dogs 2023 Season Opening Day

Friday, May 12, 2023—Rosemont
Join the Chicago Dogs at Impact Field for their 2023 season home opener against the Gary Lincoln Saltdogs. Every fan in attendance on opening night will receive a free replica jersey t-shirt and sign a one-day team contract. Fans will be allowed to run the bases after the game. READ MORE

Mayfest Lincoln Park

Friday, May 12, 2023- Sunday, May 14, 2023—Lincoln Park
End spring and kick off summer with live music and festival foods in Lincoln Park. Families can check out music from Upbeat Music and Miss Foozie's Pet Parade. READ MORE

Mother's Day Family Fun Festival Bridgeview

Friday, May 12, 2023- Sunday, May 14, 2023—Bridgeview
Kids and grown-ups can enjoy lots of different activities including a petting zoo, carnival, and magician in Bridgeview. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. READ MORE

Kids Day at Lilacia Park

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Lombard
Kids can enjoy a concert from Wendy & DV, along with games, art, crafts and special guests at this special day just for them during the Lilac Time festival. READ MORE

Family Day: Shapes and Colors

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Hyde Park
Kids and their caregivers can drop in for a new Family Days centered around creating e colorful and strange-shaped paintings out of wooden panels. Make your own wildly shaped 3D painted sculpture or collaborate with other kids to build with Magna-Tiles. The activities are all inspired by the Wooster-shaped paintings and vibrant colors presented in the summer exhibition, Ted Stamm: In Transit.. READ MORE

The Music of The Beatles for Kids: Mother's Day Celebration

Saturday, May 13, 2023- Sunday, May 14, 2023—Evanston
The Rock and Roll Playhouse and The Cubby Bear host the Music of the Beatles for Kids! Rock n Roll Playhouse hosts regular concert series for kids, featuring some of the favorite music of their grownups. READ MORE

Pink 5K

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Oak Brook
Help fight breast cancer at this pre-Mother's Day 5K run and walk. All proceeds benefit Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Open Arms Breast Cancer Outreach Fund. The family friendly run provides scenic views of Oak Brook's Central Park. READ MORE

Cosley Zoo Conservation Day

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Wheaton
Families can explore various ways to get involved in conservation by visiting with local organizations and businesses. Kids should be on the lookout for the Lorax as they learn how to "spring into action" for the environment. READ MORE

Spring Roscoe Village Art and Craft Festival

Saturday, May 13, 2023-Sunday, May 14, 2023—Roscoe Village
This new spring festival on Chicago's North Side includes fabulous paintings, sculptures, and fiber pieces, as well as décor, jewelry and more, all made by local artists. Live music and kids' art activities add to the weekend fun. Bring your old art to donate to Chicago Furniture Bank. READ MORE

Umbrella Arts Festival

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Evanston
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander culture and art in downtown Evanston. This event is designed to increase visibility and representation of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, create shared experiences, and dispel myths. The umbrella symbolizes the ASPA diaspora which includes a diversity of ethnicities from over 40 countries around the world. READ MORE

Mother's Day Tea Party at Normandy Park

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Midway
Bring your own picnic blanket to Normandy Park for a tea party, crafts, and music. Alice in Wonderland will be there to meet and greet guests. READ MORE

Switch on Summer with ComEd

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Downtown
The whole family can join ComEd and the Chicago Park District to watch the Buckhingham fountain officially switch on at 2 p.m., and enjoy free family-friendly activities and live entertainment!  READ MORE

Chicago River Day

Saturday, May 13, 2023—Various Locations along the Chicago River
Volunteer to help the Friends of the Chicago River create a litter-free environment. Dozens of sites throughout Cook County invite families to come pick up trash, paddle up and down the river, and be inspired by the animals, plants, and people around the river. READ MORE

Palos Park Woman’s Club Mother’s Day Walk

Sunday, May 14, 2023—Palos Park
Walk, roll, or stroll for 1-2 miles around Lake Katherine with other moms this Mother's Day. Participation supports PPWC initiatives of purpose promoting cultural, educational, wellness and civic interest as a charitable organization. Along with this, $5 of every entry will be donated back to Lake Katherine to support the new boat house renovation. READ MORE

Mother's Day Picnic on the Porch

Sunday, May 14, 2023—Oak Park
Kids can bring their moms for some old-fashioned family fun at Pleasant Home in Oak Park. The event features a spring lunch, checkers, games on the lawn, and more. READ MORE

DÍA DE LAS MADRES: MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO

Sunday, May 14—Pilsen
Latin Grammy-nominee Mariachi Herencia de Mexico performs a special Dia de las Madres concert at Pilsen's Thalia Hall. The band promises an unforgettable afternoon of Mexican music and culture celebrating moms. READ MORE

Mother's Day Cruises

Sunday, May 14, 2023—Downtown
The whole family can celebrate mom aboard the Odyssey, with an indulgent meal, live music, dancing, and of course, spectacular views. Guests can choose from several different types of cruises all day long, including brunch or dinner on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.  READ MORE

Moms Get FREE TCBY For Mother's Day!

Sunday, May 14, 2023—City and Suburbs
Make mom’s day a little sweeter with free FroYo from TCBY on Mother’s Day! TCBY (The Country’s Best Yogurt), the world’s original and most iconic frozen yogurt brand, is celebrating Mother’s Day by gifting moms across the country with a free cup (first 6-ounces) of frozen yogurt! The deal will run in-store Sunday, May 14 at participating locations where moms can stop by their local TCBY and grab a free cup of FroYo!   READ MORE

Mosaics for Mother's Day

Sunday, May 14, 2023—Bucktown
Create a beautiful personalized gift for mom with the experts from Epic Art House. Arrange colorful tiles, stones or other materials into a larger image or design. Artists will help kids learn to cut and adhere pieces to make a stunning mosaic. READ MORE

Mother's Day Country Brunch with Iris Marlowe

Sunday, May 14, 2023—Berwyn
Singer-songwriter Iris Marlowe blends her love of 60's music with modern day influences to create music to get lost in the moment to at Fitzegerald's Pub in Berwyn for Mother's Day. Reservations are not required and food and beverages are available for purchase. READ MORE
Try the Pink 5K on Mother's Day. Photo courtesy of the Oak Brook Park District
Try the Pink 5K on Mother's Day. Photo courtesy of the Oak Brook Park District

More Fun Activities in Chicago this Spring

Best Mother’s Day Brunches in Chicago

Spoil mom with these Mother's Day meals around Chicago. READ MORE

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It's May! Time for nature events, Mother's Day, and more! READ MORE

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Places featured in this article: