Spending Memorial Day weekend in Chicago? Here are the best things to do in Chicago for Memorial Day weekend 2026 including the best Memorial Day weekend events and festivals to the top activities and attractions.
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I will be updating it regularly with new events and activities.
Chicago Memorial Day Weekend
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Memorial Day weekend is a great time to visit Chicago. There are tons of fun things to do in Chicago on Memorial Day (May 25, 2026) and even more during the rest of Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25, 2026).
Although summer does not start until June, Memorial Day weekend is considered the kick-off to Chicago’s summer season. Locals and visitors alike are excited to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. This means outdoor concerts, festivals and other events are in full swing until the end of summer.
You will also find plenty of great indoor attractions in case the weather is uncooperative or you prefer being indoors.
What to Pack for Chicago for Memorial Day Weekend
For out of town visitors, please note that the weather in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend is unpredictable and temperatures can vary greatly. Be prepared for either spring (rainy and mild temperatures) or summer weather (hot and humid). Check the weather right before your visit to know what to expect.
Here are essentials things to pack for Chicago for Memorial Day weekend.
• Comfortable walking shoes – Chicago is a very walkable city so you will do a lot of walking
• Reusable water bottle – It can be hot and humid Memorial Day weekend so it is important to stay hydrated
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• A travel umbrella
• Light sweater (and scarf) – For night, lake cruises, indoor places with cold AC
• Waterproof phonecase – Will keep your phone dry when kayaking or swimming
• External battery for your phone – To recharge your phone’s battery when you are outdoors
• Mosquito repellent – If you plan to be outside around dusk or at night.
• Sunscreen – A must if you will be spending a lot of time outside in the day
• Bathing suit and other beach essentials (if you are planning to spend time at the beach)
If you forget to bring something essential, don’t worry. There are many drugstores located close to the popular tourist attractions if you need to pick something up.
Things to Do in Chicago on Memorial Day Weekend (2026)
Here are the best things to do in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend.
Attend an Outdoor Festival
Memorial Day weekend is the start of the summer outdoor festival season. Outdoor festivals taking place during Memorial Day weekend 2026 include: Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival (May 22-24, 2026), Forever Mine Music Festival (new!) (May 23-24, 2026), Sueños Music Festival (May 23-24, 2026), Mayfestiversary (May 23-24, 2026) and Warm Love Cool Dreams Music & Arts Festival (May 23-24, 2026).
Attend a Memorial Day Parade
There are a few Memorial Day parades taking place in Chicago on Memorial Day 2026 weekend: Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade (May 23, 2026), Norwood Park Memorial Day Parade (May 25, 2026) and McKinley Park’s Memorial Day Parade (May 25, 2026).
Chicago Memorial Day Weekend 2026 Events
Other events taking place this Memorial Day weekend include: Chi Food Truck Fest (May 22, 2026), Adults Night Out: Block Party at Lincoln Park Zoo (21+) (May 22, 2026), Soldier Field 10 Memorial Day Run (May 23, 2026), Millennium Park Free Summer Workout (May 23, 2026), Summer Kickoff at Lincoln Park Zoo (May 22-25, 2026), Ravenswood Spring Vintage & Artisan Fest (May 23-24, 2026), Randolph Street Market Festival (May 23-24, 2026), Black Boy Art Show (May 24, 2026) and Secret River Show (May 25, 2026).
For more Memorial Day weekend events, here more of the best weekend events in Chicago.
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue is an immersive adventure that lets you and your friends become heroes, fighting spiders, creepers, and skeletons on your quest to rescue villagers from a zombie attack. Explore eight interactive Minecraft rooms and gather resources for your quest in these interactive biomes. Practice your Minecrafting skills with a handheld Orb to chop down trees, collect resources, and fight mobs.
Where: 9900 Berwyn Ave, in the Pearl District, Rosemont, IL 60018
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
Taking an architecture river cruise is a must on any Chicago bucket list.
Take a Lake Cruise
If you enjoy being on the water, a lake cruise is a fun activity whether in the day, around sunset and in the evening. While you don’t get to see the buildings up close like on a architecture river cruise, you do get to enjoy skyline views and a refreshing cool lake breeze. If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise. Lake cruises depart from Navy Pier or DuSable (Michigan Avenue) bridge.
Join a Memorial Day Party Cruise
Join these Memorial Day themed booze cruises throughout the weekend and party on a boat with music and a festive atmosphere:
“The Lake House” Memorial Weekend Yacht Party – Friday, May 22, 2026, 8-11:30pm
Memorial Day Fireworks Booze Cruise – Saturday, May 23, 2026, 8-11:30pm
Memorial Day Weekend Cruise | All White Attire Party – Sunday, May 24, 2026, 9pm-midnight
Memorial Day Party Cruise – Monday, May 25, 2026, 8:30-11pm
Go Kayaking
A fun way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. You can rent a kayak in the Chicago River here and Ohio beach here.
You can also join a guided kayaking tour in the downtown portion of the Chicago River including this history and architecture kayak tour and this sunset kayak tour.
Please note that you will get a little wet when kayaking so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
Watch Free Fireworks
Memorial Day is the start of firework season in Chicago. Navy Pier puts on free summer fireworks shows starting on Saturday night before Memorial Day weekend.
While you can watch the fireworks show from Navy Pier, you can also watch it from various spots along the Lakefront.
A great way to watch the fireworks is to join a lake or river cruise which will stop on the water for passengers to enjoy the show.
Spend Time at the Beach
Chicago beach season starts Friday before Memorial Day. Oak Street Beach and Ohio Street Beach are conveniently located close to the major tourist attractions. Popular North Avenue Beach is located close to Lincoln Park but is also the most crowded.
Swimming is permitted at beaches when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am – 7 pm daily. You can check swimming conditions here.
You can also rent kayaks, jet skis and boats at various beaches to get out on the lake.
Walk or Bike the Lakefront Trail
Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is a paved path on a 18-mile-long stretch along Lake Michigan. During Memorial Day weekend, the lakefront will be packed with locals and visitors walking, running and riding bikes. Walking or biking all or part of the trail is a great way to see the Chicago skyline, people watch and get some exercise. Here is a map of the trail as well as its access points.
Have Fun at Navy Pier
Fun attractions at Navy Pier include a large Ferris wheel (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line), other rides and games as well as Flyover Chicago.
Navy Pier is also home to the Chicago Children’s Museum which is perfect for toddlers and younger kids.
In addition to Navy Pier’s attractions, visitors can enjoy free live music during Memorial Day weekend in the Navy Pier Beer Garden as part of the Live on the Lake! summer series.
Hang Out on the Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk along the south bank of the Chicago River is one of the best spots in Chicago for people watching. There are restaurants, bars, shops and places to sit along the way -see a map here.
Watch Digital Art at Art on theMart
Looking for a unique thing to do at night? Check out Art on theMART, the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, projecting contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre river-façade of theMART. Spectators can watch the show for free from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
Look for Street Art
Looking for a unique thing to do for Memorial Day weekend? Walk around Chicago looking for street art.
One of the most famous Chicago murals is “Moose Bubblegum Bubble” by Jacob Watts which located at 33 E. Congress (South Wall). This famous mural is part of the Wabash Arts Corridor and is walking distance to Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and other well known tourist attractions.
Another famous mural is The Greetings From Chicago Mural at 2226 N Milwaukee Ave, in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. You can see this mural and other street art on this street art tour.
Watch a Baseball Game
Chicago is known for their love of sports, including baseball. You don’t need to be a baseball fan to enjoy a game – it is fun to just soak in the atmosphere.
Both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are playing at home in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend.
Friday, May 22, 2026 – Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros at Wrigley Field
Saturday, May 23, 2026 – Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros at Wrigley Field (with postgame fireworks)
Sunday, May 24, 2026 – Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros at Wrigley Field
Monday, May 25, 2026 – Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins at Rate Field
Watch Classic Movies on a Rooftop
Want to watch classic movies against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline? Check out Rooftop Cinema Club outdoor screening series to a rooftop in Fulton Market.
Rooftop Cinema Club is located on the fifth floor terrace of The Emily Hotel (311 N Morgan St) and is a high end movie experience complete with tropical decor, lawn games, state-of-the-art LED screens, individual wireless headphones and a range of seating options including lounge chairs and loveseats. Guests can also order drinks and snacks. You can purchase tickets in advance here.
So far I have covered outdoor activities and attractions but there are also plenty of indoor attractions and activities if you need a break from being outside or the weather is still cool and rainy.
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place this Memorial Day weekend include:
90s Unplugged
Tribute to Queen
Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
AirOtic Soirée
AirOtic Soirée is a bold, sensual and provocative cabaret-circus experience returning to Chicago for a full summer run. After sold-out runs across the U.S. and Europe, the internationally acclaimed Airotic Soirée is a show that celebrates desire, sensuality, athletic beauty, and erotic elegance. Airotic Soirée is a blend of erotic cabaret and contemporary circus blending high-level acrobatics, seductive choreography and visual artistry. 21+ with valid ID.
Where: Experience 868, 868 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
Cost: Prices vary. Click here to purchase tickets.
Balloon Museum’s EmotionAir Exhibition
Balloon Museum’s EmotionAir Exhibition is a limited time unique exhibition that explores the profound relationship between art and emotions through the captivating medium of inflatable art. This exhibition, first presented in London in December 2023, is committed to the work of emotions, transforming artworks into mirrors to explore the profound relationship between art and emotions, action, and reaction. This is manifested tangibly through Inflatable Art, which offers itself as a medium to express the most intimate nuances of human feelings. Through a mix of interactive installations, emotional projections, and performance art, EmotionAir aims to transport visitors on an unprecedented sensory journey.
Where: The Fields Studios – Gate 1, 2828 N. Pulaski, Chicago, IL 60641
Cost: Timed-entry tickets are required. Click here to purchase tickets.
Visit the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave) is one of Chicago’s best indoor attractions and one of top museums in the world.
Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines.
Enjoy the Views from 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
360 CHICAGO, the observatory on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Building, has one of the best views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
(Click here to buy a skip the line ticket).
Where: 875 North Michigan Avenue, 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend.
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