# Thanksgiving weekend with kids in Chicago, 2026

> There’s no Thanksgiving Day parade on our Chicago list, but Chicago Thanksgiving Parade is Thursday, Nov 26 at 7:45–10am. In all we found nine Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Chicago: four turkey trots with kids’ races and five Black Friday weekend picks, and three are free. We also list three places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 9 listings with dates; 0 not posted or announced yet
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/thanksgiving/
- Free things to do (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/free/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/llms.txt

## Turkey trots with kids’ races

- **Turkey Trot Chicago 5K, 8K and Plymouth Rock Ramble** at Lincoln Park, Cannon Dr. just south of Diversey, Lincoln Park. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 5K and 8K 9am; kids’ race 11am. Price: 5K $60, 8K $65, kids’ race $25 (subject to change). For kids: The Plymouth Rock Ramble is for ages 2 to 12: 50 yards for ages 2–4, a quarter mile for 5–6 and a half mile for 7–12. Kids stage at the Diversey Harbor North lot by 10:30. Strollers are welcome in the 5K and 8K but start in the last wave. No dogs. Packet pickup Nov 24–25 and race morning. Official page: https://www.turkeytrotchicago.com/kids-race/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Turkey Day 5K at Danada** at Danada Forest Preserve, 3S580 Naperville Rd., Naperville, IL · about 30 miles away. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 9am. Price: $39.99 through Nov 7, then $45.99. A 5K through the forest preserve with a finisher medal for every runner. Costumes are encouraged. Official page: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Naperville/TurkeyDay5KDanadaNaperville (checked 2026-10-30)
- **SGFMC Turkey Trot** at St. Giles Gym, 1020 Linden Ave., Oak Park, IL · about 9 miles away. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 9:30am. Price: $25, ages 9 and under $10; the price goes up after Nov 23. The 44th St. Giles Family Mass Community 5K starts in front of the parish gym. Entry is capped, so register before race day if you can. Official page: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/OakPark/SGFMCKTurkeyTrot (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Grove Express 5K** at Main and Grove Streets, downtown Downers Grove, Downers Grove. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 8:30am. Price: $35 plus fee through Oct 31, then $45 plus fee. A Thanksgiving morning run and walk through downtown, hosted by the Grove Express Foundation. Official page: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/DownersGrove/GroveExpress (checked 2026-10-30)

## More on Thanksgiving Day

- **Chicago Thanksgiving Parade** at State Street, Loop. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 7:45–10am. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/chicago-thanksgiving-day-parade/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Friday, the day after Thanksgiving

- **Kohlights** at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026. When: Nov 27, 28 and Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 2026. Time: Early entry 4:30–7pm; regular 5:30–7pm. Price: $20 early, $18 regular ($15 members). Light display opening this weekend. Made for kids up to 8. Official page: https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/special-events/kohlights/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony** at Main Street Train Station, Downers Grove, Downers Grove. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 4:30pm. Price: Free. The village tree is hung with handmade ornaments from local groups, businesses and residents. Official page: https://www.downtowndg.org/event/village-of-downers-grove-main-street-tree-lighting-ceremony/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## Saturday and Sunday

- **Visits with Santa in Downtown Downers Grove** at Downtown Downers Grove, Downtown Downers Grove, Downers Grove, IL. When: Sat-Sun Nov 28-29 and Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20, 2026. Time: 1-4pm. Price: See event page. Santa visits opening this weekend. Santa visits downtown on weekend afternoons from Thanksgiving weekend until the Sunday before Christmas. Official page: https://www.downtowndg.org/whats-happening/2026-events-downtown-downers-grove/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Glenview Holiday in the Park & Parade** at Glenview Road to Jackman Park, 1011 Lehigh Avenue, Glenview, Glenview. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 4-6pm. Price: Free. The parade heads west on Glenview Road to Jackman Park, where Santa, hay rides, a kids' train ride, carolers and hot chocolate wait. Official page: https://business.glenviewchamber.com/events/details/holiday-in-the-park-parade-11-28-2026-7758 (checked 2026-10-30)

## Open or closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday

- **Field Museum**: Thursday: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Friday: not posted. Source: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Kohl Children’s Museum**: Thursday: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Friday: not posted. Source: https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights**: Thursday: ZooLights closed Thanksgiving night. Friday: not posted. Source: https://www.lpzoo.org/event/zoolights/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Thanksgiving events that come back every year

- [Chicago Thanksgiving Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/chicago-thanksgiving-parade-state-street/): next dates Nov 26, 2026
- [Turkey Trot Chicago 5K, 8K and Plymouth Rock Ramble](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/events/turkey-trot-chicago-5k-8k-and-plymouth-rock-ramble-lincoln-park/): next dates Nov 26, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is there a Thanksgiving parade in Chicago?
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Chicago yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.

### Are there turkey trots with kids’ races in Chicago?
Turkey Trot Chicago 5K, 8K and Plymouth Rock Ramble: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. The Plymouth Rock Ramble is for ages 2 to 12: 50 yards for ages 2–4, a quarter mile for 5–6 and a half mile for 7–12. Kids stage at the Diversey Harbor North lot by 10:30. Turkey Day 5K at Danada: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. SGFMC Turkey Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026.

### What can we do with kids in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day?
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has Turkey Trot Chicago 5K, 8K and Plymouth Rock Ramble, Turkey Day 5K at Danada, SGFMC Turkey Trot and Grove Express 5K and 1 more. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.

### What’s open on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago with kids?
Closed on Thanksgiving: Field Museum and Kohl Children’s Museum. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.

### Is the Kohl Children’s Museum open on Thanksgiving?
No. Its hours page lists it as closed Thanksgiving Day. Holiday hours can change, so check [the hours page](https://www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org/) that morning.

### What can we do with kids the day after Thanksgiving in Chicago?
On Friday, Nov. 27: Kohlights and Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony. Times and prices are on each card.

### When is the tree lighting in Chicago Thanksgiving weekend?
Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 4:30pm, Downers Grove. Times come from each organizer’s page.

### What can we do with little kids on Black Friday weekend in Chicago?
Kohlights, Visits with Santa in Downtown Downers Grove, Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony and Glenview Holiday in the Park & Parade. Dates and times are on each card.

### What’s free on Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago?
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, Downers Grove Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony and Glenview Holiday in the Park & Parade are free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on [free things to do in Chicago](https://littlesweekly.com/chicago/free/).

### How do you check these Thanksgiving listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).