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Hyde Park Holly-Day is back for 2023! Presented by the University of Chicago in partnership with Downtown Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, and the South East Chicago Commission. We've planned some great (FREE!) activities for you to enjoy in Hyde Park: ICE CARVING DEMONSTRATION 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Harper Court Watch an ice artist carve two sculptures with a chainsaw from blocks of ice. SELF-GUIDED ICE SCULPTURE STROLL All Day | 53rd Street from S. Lake Park Avenue to S. Woodlawn Avenue. Find all 12 ice sculptures – take a photo/video and tag us at #hphollyday SOUL SANTA & MRS. CLAUS - FREE FAMILY PHOTO 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West NOTE: This is a very popular event. We cannot guarantee everyone will be able to take a picture with Santa. We’ll do our best to accommodate as many people as possible, but we may have to stop the line prior to 1 p.m. to ensure we finish on time. Thanks for your understanding. HOLIDAY CRAFTS (while supplies last) 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West COSTUMED CHARACTERS 12-2 p.m. | Local Businesses TBD BUDDY THE ELF 12:30-3:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for Buddy! He'll be visiting 53rd Street, The Promontory, The Hyde Park Shopping Center, and local businesses. DANCE PERFORMANCES Starting at 1:30 p.m. | The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West LIVE REINDEER & SLEIGH 2-4 p.m. | Hyde Park Shopping Center Courtyard Meet two live reindeer and sit in a sleigh! For event details go to hphollyday.com Interactive Hyde Park online map and app – welcometohydepark.com This is a free event and no RSVP is required. Paid and street parking are available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: acsrodon@uchicago.edu.

Hyde Park Art Center, the renowned non‐profit hub for contemporary art located on Chicago’s vibrant South Side, announces programs for Chicago‐based artist Candace Hunter’s largest solo exhibition to date: Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E Butler Fall Center Days at the Hyde Park Art Center celebrates the opening of Candace Hunter: The Alien‐Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E. Butler with exhibition viewing and related art-making activities, in addition to an Afrofuturism and science fiction popup book shop with local Black women-owned bookstore, Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery. Offered quarterly, Center Days activate the entire building with intergenerational art-making activities, artist workshops, artist talks, open studios, and community collaborations. Hyde Park Arts Center is proud to be free and open to the public seven days a week. The Center is open Mondays - Thursdays from 10 am - 7 pm, Fridays from 10 am - 4:30 pm, Saturdays from 10 am - 4 pm, and Sundays from 11 am - 4 pm. This is a free event and no RSVP is required. Street parking is available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: maggie@silvermangroupchicago.com.

NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday Family Day at Park West Cooperative for a FREE playdate. "Bring the Outdoors In" at the Sunday Family Day with Park West Co-Op Preschool & NPN on Sunday, November 12th, from 9:00-11:00 am. Come with your child to explore outdoor materials inside our award-winning preschool classrooms and indoor gym! Let your child's imagination be your guide and follow them as they investigate a variety of outdoor materials creatively used indoors. Play in our sand and water tables, investigate sticks, leaves, fruits and vegetables. Try painting, build with blocks, complete puzzles, read books, and more. Enjoy the adventure- we hope you will join us! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old, and allergy-friendly snacks provided A goal at Park West Co-op is to infuse our school environment and activities with opportunities for children to further their understanding of literacy, numbers, arts and science in ways that make sense to them and are developmentally appropriate- all in a play-based curriculum. Learn more about Park West Co-op preschool here Park West Cooperative Park West Cooperative is located at 2214 N Bissell St, Chicago, IL 60614. We are accessible just two blocks South of the Fullerton L stop (Red, Brown, Purple lines) and easily accesible from both the Fullerton and Armitage bus. Metered Parking is available on Webster and Street parking is available but please allow some extra time as we are located in the beautiful and busy Lincoln Park Neighborhood.

Free all-ages event at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church in Lincoln Park/Lakeview featuring treats, crafts, art, games, community, and more! This is a free event and no RSVP is required. Street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: office@holycovenantumc.org.

NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at Bennett Day School! Calling all explorers ages 2-5! Join us for a STEAM Sunday playdate on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 9:00 - 11:00 am. Bennett Day School is so excited to be partnering with Neighborhood Parents Network of Chicago (NPN) again to bring Chicago-area families this FREE playdate. There will be fun STEAM activities for kids and light snacks. Parents – grab a cup of coffee and enjoy as your kids have fun and engage with peers! Bennett Day School is located at 955 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 Parking/Public Transportation Info: If you are planning to drive, there is limited parking available in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard (across the street from Bennett's campus). There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave. Bennett Day School is two blocks west of the Grand Blue Line stop and the Halsted 8 bus, and 2 blocks north of the Pink/Green Line Stop at Morgan if those options are convenient to you.

Please join Sacred Heart for a morning of playtime for children under 3, including crafts, music, and free play. And of course, conversation and refreshments for parents, too! These classes take place on Tuesdays through December 19th! No class on October 10 or November 21. Classes are free and open to everyone. Parking available. For more information, please visit this page. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: marjie.murphy@shschicago.org.

Calling all young entrepreneurs! Bennett Day School will be hosting the Acton Children’s Business Fair. This hands-on event provides children with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by selling their own products! This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. However, children must apply to sell a product at the Business Fair. There is a $10 participation fee for those selling products. Please go here to apply. If you are planning to drive, there is limited parking available in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard (across the street from Bennett's campus). There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and the south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: samantha.rud@bennettday.org.

Join the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago for a day of family fun! For this Family Day, explore the overlap between art and science with educators from the Field Museum and artist Assaf Evron. Designed and led by Chicago artists, Family Day is a monthly program that allows families and youth to connect and engage with contemporary art through activities and performances for all ages. Enjoy FREE admission while taking part in workshops, open studio sessions, gallery tours, performances, and more. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Garage parking is available. The parking garage is located on Chicago Avenue just west of Fairbanks Court and adjacent to the museum. The garage does not provide direct access to the museum. When you exit the garage, simply turn right and walk west up Chicago Avenue. Our entrances face Mies Van Der Rohe Way. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: SYPervaiz@mcachicago.org.

After a summer hiatus, Family Days are back! Join the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago for a day of family fun! Designed and led by Chicago artists, Family Day is a monthly program that allows families and youth to connect and engage with contemporary art through activities and performances for all ages. Enjoy FREE admission while taking part in workshops, open studio sessions, gallery tours, performances, and more. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Garage parking is available. The parking garage is located on Chicago Avenue just west of Fairbanks Court and adjacent to the museum. The garage does not provide direct access to the museum. When you exit the garage, simply turn right and walk west up Chicago Avenue. Our entrances face Mies Van Der Rohe Way. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: SYPervaiz@mcachicago.org.

NPN Playdates are a perfect start to the day. Join us for Sunday play at the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park in their indoor/outdoor play space! Children will enjoy unstructured gross motor activities, sensory play, crafts, and light refreshments. Parents, grab a cup of coffee, chat with other parents, and enjoy an easy morning. This event is best for kids aged 2 - 5 years old but children of all ages are welcome. Spots are limited so register today! Parking Information: There is limited street parking both free and metered around the school. There is a pay-to-park garage directly behind the school and you can bring the ticket into the school to validate for a reduced price. There is also a pay-to-park garage in the New City complex across Halsted. British International School of Chicago is located at 814 W Eastman St, Chicago, IL 60642

Discover the power and joy of music! Meet Southport FUNdamentals and join The Music Playhouse of Chicago for singing, dancing, learning, and fun! This class features music and curriculum by The Music Class® Inc. The Class is 45 minutes in length. Southport FUNdamentals is a community center located on the north end of Chicago's Southport Corridor neighborhood dedicated to MAKING LEARNING FUN for kids of all ages (even grown-ups)! This is a FREE in-person indoor class at Southport Fundamentals. RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Free neighborhood street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: erin@themusicplayhouseofchicago.com

For families who are NEW to The Music Playhouse! Learn how to interact musically with your child, and Meet The Music Playhouse! Sing, dance, play, and learn! Engaging and interactive songs and activities are designed and modified to benefit little ones. We use play-based and research-based techniques, gamification, and hands-on, interactive activities that keep students engaged and excited to learn. Our primary goals are to foster development, parent/child bonding, and independent music accuracy, and to instill a lifelong love and understanding of music through variety, repetition, and fun! Research shows that exposure to a variety of sounds and rhythms in the first few months of life creates the strongest foundation for developing communication skills and musical aptitude as they grow. Research also shows that singing to and dancing with your baby enriches emotional and social development. This is a free event. RSVP Required. Go here to register. Free neighborhood street parking is available. This is a repeating event with another free class on September 1, 2023, from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM. This event is located at 5306 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. RSVP Required. Go here to register for the September 1 class. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: erin@themusicplayhouseofchicago.com

Bubblespalooza Block Party is back! Join us as we celebrate Bubbles Academy's 20th Anniversary and come together to raise funds for Whole Child Arts - free arts programming and scholarships. We're gathering with our favorite small businesses and performers for an amazing morning of music, art, a bubble show, photo booth, vendor activities and more! Register ahead and get your ticket for $10. Free parking with online registration. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sarah@bubblesacademy.com

The St. Helen Carnival is a fun-filled three-day family-friendly event featuring rides, great music, and delicious food. Hosted in the heart of Chicago's Ukrainian Village is the largest annual event hosted by St. Helen School. The event is free entry with optional food, beverage, and ride tickets available. A 3-day carnival ride pass is available on-site. Friday 9/29: 5 pm - 10 pm Saturday 9/30: 12 pm - 10 pm Sunday 10/1: 12 pm - 8 pm No RSVP is required, but please go here for more information. The event is free entry with optional food, beverage, and ride tickets available. A 3-day carnival ride pass is available on-site. Neighborhood street parking is available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: jennbarron.chicago@gmail.com.

Join us for Sunday play at City Garden Waldorf School! The playdate will start in the private garden where families and children can explore the sandbox, play train, mushroom house, and the rest of the secure play space. Children can roll dough and bake bread with a teacher and while the bread bakes, enjoy a short, age-appropriate puppet play. Afterward, enjoy the fresh-baked bread, continue playing and mingling with other NPN families, and if you like, use the time as an opportunity to talk with the school staff about their program and Waldorf early childhood education. City Garden Waldorf School is located at 920 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608. There is ample street parking on 19th Street. Enter the school through the garden located between 920 and 912 W. 19th Street.

Join us for Sunday play at Sacred Heart Schools! There will be fun activities and open play on the turf field if it is nice out or in the gym in case of inclement weather. Parents, relax and enjoy coffee and light bites during this relaxed, fun morning! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Sacred Heart is located at 6250 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago. Park in any of the school lots: https://www.shschicago.org/directions-parking

Celebrate July 4th in Hyde Park with the 4th on 53rd Parade and Festival! The day features a parade with floats, marching bands, community groups, and kids on decorated bikes and scooters on the 1.3-mile route. The parade starts at Hyde Park Bank and ends at Nichols Park with a free festival from 12- 3 p.m. with performances, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, a magician, face painting, and much more. Interested in volunteering? Please go here for more information. Participation in the parade is also welcome. If you are interested in marching, please go here. This is a free event, but donations are welcome. Please go here to donate. For more information about this event, please go here. Paid street parking, Harper Court paid parking structure (entrance on S. Lake Park Avenue just south of McDonald's), Harper Avenue paid surface lot (between 53rd Street and 52nd Street). This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: acsrodon@uchicago.edu.

NPN Playdates are back! Join us for Sunday play at Catherine Cook! There will be fun activities on the Rooftop Playground and there will be two drop-in Read Along sessions 9:15 am - 9:30 am and 10:00 am to 10:15 am in their cozy library. Parents, grab a cup of coffee, share some yummy snacks with your children, relax, and enjoy as your kids experience some fun and unique Catherine Cook School activities! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Catherine Cook is located at 226 W Schiller St, Chicago, IL 60610

Sacred Heart is offering a free parent-tot play group this spring on Wednesdays from 9 - 10 a.m. at our preschool location. For ages 1-3 years old. Join us! This is a repeating event with groups meeting at the same time on May 10, 2023, May 17, 2023, and May 24, 2023. RSVP Required. Please go here to register. Please park on the east side of the church, facing the fence. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: marjie.murphy@shschicago.org

Join CPL for a celebration of the power of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math)! Take part in a wide range of activities at the iconic Winter Garden that will help you learn more about STEAM in the world around you. This is a free event for kids 3 to 11 and their families. No RSVP is required, but you can go here for more information about this event. Street parking is available along Lake Street, or you can find a nearby parking facility here. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: onunez@chipublib.org.

NPN Playdates are back! Join us for STEAM Sunday play at Bennett Day School! There will be fun STEAM activities and snacks for the kids! Parents, grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy as your kids have fun and engage with peers! This event is for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Spots are limited so register today! Bennett Day School is located at 955 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 If you are planning to drive, you can park for free in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard. There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave.

Playtime: Family Fun! Come share moments of joy, laughter, and comfort with these vibrant tales about family, friendships, and life—fun for all ages! Presented by Cinema Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival, the 2023 CineYouth Festival runs April 21-23 at FACETS, featuring the work of students and young filmmakers aged 22 years and younger from Chicago, the U.S., and 17 different countries around the world. Over 60 short films will be programmed into themed screening blocks including "Playtime: Family Fun" with films for all ages. CineYouth also offers workshops and filmmaker Q&As and is an excellent opportunity for emerging filmmakers and anyone interested in the arts to learn more about the industry. We encourage local youth and film lovers of all ages to attend! Dates, times, and events vary. Please go here for more information. This is a free event and street parking is available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: lara@bogenriefPR.com.

Designed and led by Chicago artists, Family Day is a monthly program at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago for all families and youth. Enjoy FREE admission while taking part in workshops, open studio sessions, gallery tours, and performances. Free with code FAMILYDAY. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Parking available on site. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: gclarke@mcachicago.org.

To cap off the month of Greek heritage celebrations, Greektown commemorates Greek Independence Day by hosting the Greek Heritage Parade the day after Greece’s national holiday. Presented by The Federation of Hellenic-American Organizations (ENOSIS), and sponsored by Greektown Special Service Area #16, the Greek heritage parade has been established as one of the biggest annual events in the Chicago Greek community since its founding in the 1960s. During this parade celebration, visitors can see colorful traditional costumes, experience traditional Greek music and dance troupe performances, and watch as the community officially celebrates Greek Independence. Keep a look out for more parade announcements on GreektownChicago.org. This is a free event! Street parking is available, as is paid parking for $9. Learn more at greektownchicago.org. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: Maggie@silvermangroupchicago.com.

Join The Goddard School for a fun morning with the Easter Bunny. Enjoy pictures with the Easter Bunny and do arts and crafts with our teachers. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Garage parking is available on Quincy street at the Arkadia garage. Stroller parking is available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: dchicago4il@goddardschools.com.