Joliet

Things to do in Joliet with kids this weekend

No weekend events are posted yet. See the full this weekend list or just the free things to do this weekend.

Photo: Joseph Gage / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory

A historic Lord & Burnham glass conservatory next to Pilcher Park, with a tropical house, cactus room and seasonal floral shows in fall, winter and spring.

Updated Nov 11, 2026

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The Rialto Square Theatre marquee and vertical sign lit up at night in downtown Joliet

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How to Plan Thanksgiving Break in Joliet with Kids (2026)

Joliet District 86 is off Nov 23–27 and District 204 Nov 25–27, 2026. Family ideas in Joliet for Thanksgiving week, with dates and official links.

Right now in Joliet

Perfect day to get outside

Parks, playgrounds and fresh air

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Weather: Open-Meteo

Zero dollars

Free this week

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Kids doing a craft at a table inside the Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville

MuseumsRomeoville

Isle a la Cache Museum

Ages 2–17Free

Photo coming soon

LibrariesWest Joliet

Joliet Public Library: Black Road Branch

Babies–17 yrsFree

The Joliet Public Library's stone Ottawa Street building with a statue out front

LibrariesDowntown Joliet

Joliet Public Library: Ottawa Street Branch

Babies–17 yrsFree

Stay dry

Rainy-day picks

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An indoor waterfall surrounded by tropical plants in the Bird Haven Greenhouse

Parks & trailsEast Joliet

Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory

Babies–17 yrs

The Joliet Area Historical Museum building on Ottawa Street in downtown Joliet

MuseumsDowntown Joliet

Joliet Area Historical Museum

Ages 4–17$

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, with the raised Cass Street bridge behind it

EventSat, Dec 5 – Sun, Dec 6

50th Festival of the Gnomes

Babies–17 yrs$

Photo coming soon

EventSat, Dec 12

Breakfast with Santa & Vendor Expo

Babies–12 yrs

The Joliet Public Library's stone Ottawa Street building with a statue out front

EventSat, Dec 12

Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Ages 3–12Free

Photo coming soon

EventThu, Dec 10

Holiday Cheer at the Library

Babies–17 yrsFree

The Rialto Square Theatre on Chicago Street in Joliet

EventSat, Nov 28

Holiday Movie: The Polar Express

Ages 3–17$

The indoor rink at Inwood Ice Arena in Joliet

Indoor playWest Joliet

Inwood Ice Arena

Ages 3–17$

Kids doing a craft at a table inside the Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville

MuseumsRomeoville

Isle a la Cache Museum

Ages 2–17Free

Photo coming soon

LibrariesWest Joliet

Joliet Public Library: Black Road Branch

Babies–17 yrsFree

The Joliet Public Library's stone Ottawa Street building with a statue out front

LibrariesDowntown Joliet

Joliet Public Library: Ottawa Street Branch

Babies–17 yrsFree

The Joliet Public Library's stone Ottawa Street building with a statue out front

EventThu, Dec 31

Noon Year's Eve Celebration

Babies–17 yrsFree

Tropical plants inside the Bird Haven Greenhouse in Joliet

EventSat, Dec 5 – Sat, Dec 12

Photos with Santa at Bird Haven Greenhouse

Babies–17 yrsFree

The Rialto Square Theatre marquee in downtown Joliet

EventFri, Nov 27

Teddy Bear Tea at the Rialto

Babies–12 yrs$$$

The Rialto Square Theatre lit at night with holiday lights on Chicago Street

EventSun, Nov 29

The Nutcracker (Chicago Festival Ballet)

Ages 4–17$$$

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Photo of Thanksgiving Break in Joliet with Kids

Seasonal guidefall

Thanksgiving Break in Joliet with Kids

Joliet Public Schools District 86 has no school Nov 23–27, 2026, and Joliet Township High School District 204 is off Nov 25–27. The Friday after Thanksgiving is the big day downtown: Light Up the Holidays, the city tree lighting and the parade. Many places close on Thanksgiving Day, so check before you go.

Photo of Holiday Lights & Events in Joliet: Tree Lighting, Gnomes, Santa & More

Seasonal guidewinter

Holiday Lights & Events in Joliet: Tree Lighting, Gnomes, Santa & More

Joliet's season starts Fri, Nov 27 with the City Square tree lighting and the Light Up the Holidays parade. December brings the 50th Festival of the Gnomes (Dec 5–6), Photos with Santa at Bird Haven Greenhouse, the new Jingle & Mingle market (Dec 11–12 and 18–19) and the Santa Send-Off motorcade on Dec 19. The tree stays up through Jan 10.

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Heads up: school breaks & camps

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Joliet Public Schools District 86

Happening now

School break

Veterans Day (no school)

Wed, Nov 11

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  1. EventLight Up the Holidays Festival & ParadeSanta on a lighted parade float at night during the 2025 Light Up the Holidays parade in downtown Joliet
  2. Event50th Festival of the GnomesBillie Limacher Bicentennial Park on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, with the raised Cass Street bridge behind it
  3. EventHoliday Cheer at the Library
  4. Indoor playInwood Ice ArenaThe indoor rink at Inwood Ice Arena in Joliet
  5. EventSanta Send-Off

Ranks 6–15

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An indoor waterfall surrounded by tropical plants in the Bird Haven Greenhouse06

Parks & trailsEast Joliet

Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory

Babies–17 yrs

The Joliet Area Historical Museum building on Ottawa Street in downtown Joliet07

MuseumsDowntown Joliet

Joliet Area Historical Museum

Ages 4–17$

Photo coming soon
08

EventSat, Dec 12

Breakfast with Santa & Vendor Expo

Babies–12 yrs

Photo coming soon
09

EventSun, Dec 13

Candy Cane Quest: A Holiday Family Adventure

Ages 3–10$

Kids in winter coats around a campfire in the snow at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook10

EventSat, Dec 5

Caroling Campfire and So Much S'more

Babies–17 yrsFree

The Joliet Public Library's stone Ottawa Street building with a statue out front11

EventSat, Dec 12

Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Ages 3–12Free

Kids in winter coats around a campfire in the snow at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook12

Parks & trailsBolingbrook

Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Babies–17 yrs

The Rialto Square Theatre on Chicago Street in Joliet13

EventSat, Nov 28

Holiday Movie: The Polar Express

Ages 3–17$

Kids doing a craft at a table inside the Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville14

MuseumsRomeoville

Isle a la Cache Museum

Ages 2–17Free

Chicago Street looking north from Jefferson Street in downtown Joliet15

EventFri, Dec 11 – Sat, Dec 19

Jingle & Mingle Holiday Market

Babies–17 yrs

Fresh on the guide

New & updated

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Photo coming soon

EventSat, Dec 19

Santa Send-Off

Babies–17 yrs

An indoor waterfall surrounded by tropical plants in the Bird Haven Greenhouse

Parks & trailsEast Joliet

Bird Haven Greenhouse & Conservatory

Babies–17 yrs

The Joliet Area Historical Museum building on Ottawa Street in downtown Joliet

MuseumsDowntown Joliet

Joliet Area Historical Museum

Ages 4–17$

Santa on a lighted parade float at night during the 2025 Light Up the Holidays parade in downtown Joliet

EventFri, Nov 27

Light Up the Holidays Festival & Parade

Babies–17 yrsFree

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park on the Des Plaines River in Joliet, with the raised Cass Street bridge behind it

EventSat, Dec 5 – Sun, Dec 6

50th Festival of the Gnomes

Babies–17 yrs$

Photo coming soon

EventSat, Dec 12

Breakfast with Santa & Vendor Expo

Babies–12 yrs

Photo coming soon

EventSun, Dec 13

Candy Cane Quest: A Holiday Family Adventure

Ages 3–10$

Kids in winter coats around a campfire in the snow at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook

EventSat, Dec 5

Caroling Campfire and So Much S'more

Babies–17 yrsFree

The Joliet Public Library's stone Ottawa Street building with a statue out front

EventSat, Dec 12

Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Ages 3–12Free

Kids in winter coats around a campfire in the snow at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook

Parks & trailsBolingbrook

Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Babies–17 yrs

From the editors

Guides & stories

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Photo of Thanksgiving Break in Joliet with Kids

Seasonal guidefall

Thanksgiving Break in Joliet with Kids

Joliet Public Schools District 86 has no school Nov 23–27, 2026, and Joliet Township High School District 204 is off Nov 25–27. The Friday after Thanksgiving is the big day downtown: Light Up the Holidays, the city tree lighting and the parade. Many places close on Thanksgiving Day, so check before you go.

Photo of Holiday Lights & Events in Joliet: Tree Lighting, Gnomes, Santa & More

Seasonal guidewinter

Holiday Lights & Events in Joliet: Tree Lighting, Gnomes, Santa & More

Joliet's season starts Fri, Nov 27 with the City Square tree lighting and the Light Up the Holidays parade. December brings the 50th Festival of the Gnomes (Dec 5–6), Photos with Santa at Bird Haven Greenhouse, the new Jingle & Mingle market (Dec 11–12 and 18–19) and the Santa Send-Off motorcade on Dec 19. The tree stays up through Jan 10.

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The indoor rink at Inwood Ice Arena in Joliet

Indoor playWest Joliet

Inwood Ice Arena

Ages 3–17$

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Questions parents ask

What is Zippy Guide: Joliet?

Zippy Guide is the weekend list for Joliet parents: an independent, family-friendly guide for Joliet parents to things to do in Joliet — story times, museums, parks, farmers markets, classes and open gym times. We gather details from organizers' public websites so you can plan your weekend in minutes.

How do I find things to do with kids in Joliet this weekend?

This weekend (Nov 13–15, 2026) we list 0 events for families. See the full list with times, places, prices and ages on This weekend.

Are there free things to do with kids in Joliet this weekend?

No free events are posted for Nov 13–15, 2026 yet. Check Free this weekend for free anytime spots.

How do I add or claim my event?

Use the form on For businesses to claim your listing or add your event — we'll verify and get back to you.