Family events in Glen Ellyn, IL

The Morton Arboretum welcomes non-service dogs during Dog Admission, offering one of the limited opportunities each year for canine companions to visit. Guests can explore up to 16 miles of trails and enjoy a range of natural areas together. Service dogs may visit any day at no charge and should be identified at the gatehouse upon arrival. On Dog Admission Days, trail access for dogs spans a broader part of the day and members receive an exclusive early-access window to bring their dogs. On Dog Admission Afternoons, entry for dogs begins later and early member hours are not offered.

Spavone's serves a comfort food special starring tender neckbones simmered for hours, paired with your choice of soup or salad, warm garlic rolls, and a side of pasta for $16.99. Quantities are limited and planned around reservations because the dish takes time to prepare, so calling 630-529-3154 to reserve in advance helps ensure availability while supplies last.

Enjoy a midweek cruise night at One Twenty Live, where a recurring meet brings together car and bike enthusiasts. Expect a wide range of vehicles, from clean builds and period correct rides to classics, imports, exotics, motorcycles and overland rigs. The event is family friendly and open to everyone, and furry friends are welcome. One Twenty Live also offers a menu of food and drinks.

Paulie & The Shakers perform as part of the City of Northlake Summer Concert Series at the Grant Park Gazebo. This free concert is welcoming to all ages, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for comfortable seating.

Enjoy a summer evening of live ’80s hits in the park as The Jolly Ringwalds take the stage at Usher Park. Presented by the Village and Park District, this free community concert brings neighbors together to relax outdoors, enjoy a lively performance, and spend time in good company. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets for comfortable seating on the grass.

This multi-day conformation specialty is part of the fall specialties and is overseen by BaRay as superintendent. A strong turnout is anticipated.

Varsity football pits the Panthers against Batavia, the defending conference champions. The Panthers aim to climb toward the top in this matchup.

Connect with the volunteers and dogs of CILRA Lab Rescue and find out how you can get involved. Learn about the adoption process and ways to volunteer with this Lab rescue focused on the Midwest.

Fliptastic Youth Pinball Club welcomes kids ages 7 to 17 to learn the game and connect with others who enjoy the hobby. The Pinball Capital features 130 pinball machines set to free play, giving plenty of opportunities to practice and explore. Kids accompanied by a parent may enter early with special pricing of $5 per child and $10 per adult. A four-round matchplay tournament in the back room is open to any kid who wants to participate, with prizes from The Pinball Capital for the winner and a prize for every participant.

Hit the mini golf course with your dog and enjoy treats and fun activities together. Frosty Paws will be available for purchase. Dogs must be kept on a leash and be current on vaccinations. Admission is $8.

Hanover Park’s Fall Fun Fest brings a seasonal celebration to the Community Center with activities and entertainment for all ages. Attendees can look forward to live performances by Serendipity and Louder Now, music from a DJ, and a full lineup of games and crafts. Kids can enjoy face painting, balloon art, and hayrides, while community vendors and outreach booths add to the fun. Local restaurants will offer food and treats so there is plenty to enjoy. More details will be announced soon.

Local small businesses come together for a market featuring handmade goods and gifts, fashion and accessories, jewelry, home decor and one-of-a-kind pieces. Find baked treats, coffee, lemonade and other specialty beverages, plus options from food trucks. Browse art and crafts and more from a wide mix of vendors. Enjoy the outdoor market, then head inside The Rustic Fox to explore the boutiques as well.

Walking With Giants is a free outdoor, walkable exhibition presented by the McAninch Art Center and the Cleve Carney Museum of Art in association with the College of DuPage Foundation. Ten painted silhouette sculptures, each about 10 feet tall, are installed along a route surrounding the MAC on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn. Created by contemporary artists with input from the community, the works celebrate American artistic achievement and honor influential figures in visual art, music, theater, and dance, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Dolly Parton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Returning for its second year, this reunion car show and swap meet celebrates the legacy of Strat’s and Skip’s and the wider Chicago cruising scene. All types of show vehicles are welcome. Car show entry is $20, and swap meet spaces are $20. This event is a fundraiser for the Veterans Trust Foundation. The Blue Line Café, part of the ice rink complex, will make nearly 300 parking spaces available while the rink is closed. Parking filled quickly at the previous gathering, so early arrival is recommended, and additional spectator parking is available nearby. Unique Top 40 themed awards will be presented, including special Strat’s and Skip’s honors and a Club Attending Award. Entertainment 101.5 FM Cruising Music Radio will be on site playing Chicago favorites from 1952 to 2024, and Lenny’s Band will perform on the deck with hits from the 1950s through the 2000s. The Blue Line Bar & Café will serve breakfast, lunch, and drink specials, with seating inside or on the deck overlooking the cars and the band. The day also recognizes the history behind these iconic diners. Skip’s Drive-in closed in 1973 following the passing of William “Skip” Nielsen, with the site later redeveloped. Strat’s Diner became a legend of its own and is slated to become a tire center, a decision made after decades of seven-days-a-week service. Stories from 1st and North Ave in Melrose Park and along North Ave in Villa Park reflect seven decades of high-octane meets. Chicago’s hot rod and burger joint culture has thrived since 1948, led first by Skip’s and then by Strat’s, which revived cruising in the mid 1980s and kept it going through 2024.

Daycare gets a playful twist with a shark-themed photoshoot where campers become the stars of their own PAWS inspired movie poster. Each session includes a framed print, two to three edited digital images, and a themed treat bag. This experience is available Monday through Thursday during the event week.

Venardos Circus brings a Broadway-style, animal-free circus experience to Benedictine University, created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos. Inside a custom red and white striped tent, audiences will see a lively blend of aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, hand balancers, comedic performers, daredevils, and magicians presented with theatrical flair. Doors open one hour before showtime for preshow entertainment and photo opportunities, and classic concessions like popcorn, cotton candy, and house-made all-natural pink lemonade are available. The performance runs about 90 minutes with a brief intermission. Free onsite parking is available. Tickets are sold only through the official Venardos Circus website, and tickets from resellers or private social media offers are not accepted.