CHICAGO — There are so many ways to celebrate the unsung heroes who are our mothers, and Sunday marks the perfect occasion to do just that: It’s Mother’s Day. Whether it’s a mom, mother-in-law, aunt or other maternal-like figure in your life, take advantage of the holiday to spotlight them with a special outing or unique present.
Whether you’re looking for gift ideas, a traditional brunch, a comedy showcase, movie screenings, craft workshops or mourning a lost loved one, Chicago offers a variety of creative ways to honor the day.
Here’s a roundup of 28 things to do for Mother’s Day:
Parades, Walks & More
Pre-Mother’s Day Relief Walk & Lantern Release
7-9 p.m. Friday
Meet at the 41st Street Oakwood exit along Lake Shore Drive, 4100 S. Lake Shore Drive
Honor loved ones and connect with fellow Chicagoans who have experienced loss ahead of Mother’s Day. Hosted by the Midnight Hour Grief Relief Foundation, there will be a one-hour walk along the lake followed by a release of lit lanterns. RSVP for free online.
Mother’s Day Run, Walk & Stroll(er)
8-10 a.m. Saturday
Lululemon Bucktown, 1627 N. Damen Ave.
Moms can enjoy a kid-friendly run, walk or stroll with neighbors “for a celebration of motherhood and family.” It’s open to all ages and paces, and kids and strollers are welcome. Learn more here.
Mother’s Day On The Field
12:20 p.m. Sunday
Guaranteed Rate Field, 333 W. 35th St.
Join the White Sox before they take on the Cleveland Guardians with a special pregame parade on the field. There will also be “mom-approved specials” during the game, such as a Mother’s Day retail pop-up, a personalized embroidery artist, a photo booth station, a Mother’s Day cardmaking station, a caricature artist, face painters, balloonists, a watermelon cocktail and more. Learn more and buy tickets for $25.76-$62.72 here.
Mother’s Day Skate Party
5-7 p.m. Sunday
The MLK Family Entertainment Center, 1219 W. 76th St.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with this family-friendly skate party. Admission is $10, or $8 for moms. Skate rentals are an additional $4. Learn more here.
Brunches & Bites
Mom-osas At The Museum Of Ice Cream
Through May 31
Museum of Ice Cream Chicago, 435 N. Michigan Ave., suite G
Moms and families can “chill” out and enjoy sweet treats at Chicago’s Museum of Ice Cream, which will serve a special Mother’s Day mimosa. The “Mom-osa” is a fizzy glass of prosecco with a cotton candy and glitter ball dropped in, available starting Monday through May 31.
Strawberry Macaron LeStan
Saturday-Sunday
Select Stan’s Donuts and Vanille Patisserie locations
Stan’s Donuts and Vanille Patisserie, two local dessert chains, have introduced a menu item ahead of Mother’s Day: a Strawberry Macaron LeStan, a croissant doughnut filled with strawberry cream, tossed in sugar, drizzled with vanilla and topped with a strawberry macaron. The treat is available this weekend for $5.95 apiece. Find participating locations on Vanille Patisserie’s website.
Mother’s Day At Venteux Chicago
7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (brunch) and 4-10 p.m. Sunday (dinner)
Venteux Chicago, 224 N. Michigan Ave.
Venteux Chicago, a French brasserie on Michigan Avenue, will serve a special $49 Mother’s Day meal of lobster frites, a whole grilled lobster serves with frites and hollandaise, available just for the weekend. Attendees can also enjoy a $12 Chandon Garden Spritz from the bar, $12 honey rose latte or $16 Sacher cake. Make a reservation online.
Mother’s Day Drag Brunch
11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Lark, 3441 N. Halsted St.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a drag brunch with Pixel and Joan Jullian. Diners can also enjoy bottomless mimosas or non-alcoholic drinks, a breakfast sweet starter and an entree. Tickets are $59.95 online.
Carnivale’s Mother Day Brunch
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton St.
Families can dine on a Carnivale buffet with breakfast classics, Pan-Latin dishes, desserts and more in honor of Mother’s Day. There will also be coffee, sodas and teas. Brunch is $60 for adults and $25 for children 12 and younger. Reservations can be made on Tock. There is a $10 deposit per person, which will be credited toward the final receipt.
Mother’s Day All-Day Brunch
10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
Le Sud, 2301 W. Roscoe St.
A French Mediterranean restaurant in Roscoe Village, Le Sud is offering a day-long brunch in celebration of Mother’s Day, with specials like egg shawarma and Faroe Island salmon. Learn more and RSVP here.
Mother’s Day Brunch With Tulip Bouquets
11 a.m. Sunday
Pizzeria Portofino, 317 N. Clark St.
Make a reservation at Pizzeria Portofino for a Mother’s Day brunch by the river. Diners can add a tulip bouquet to their reservation for an additional Mother’s Day surprise. Learn more and RSVP here.
Wine Tasting, Blending & Sunday Brunch
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Wild Blossom Meadery and Winery, 9030 S. Hermitage Ave.
Alongside a classic Mother’s Day Brunch, this local winery is offering a guided wine-making session. Moms will be able to learn more about wine flavors and concoct, cork and seal their own blends, whether they prefer it dry or sweet. Winemakers will also be able to make custom labels for their bottles. Learn more and buy tickets for $65 online.
Bar Pendry Brunch
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Pendry Chicago, 81 E. Wacker Place
Bar Pendry, a cocktail lounge at luxury boutique hotel Pendry Chicago, is elevating its usual Sunday tea service for Mother’s Day. This weekend, attendees can enjoy a tower of sweet and savory bites, including an asparagus phyllo tart, angel food cake and Mother’s Day macaron. There is also a selection of teas, vintage and sparkling wines and cocktails. Reservations can be made through Open Table.
Mother’s Day Festa
1-3:30 p.m. Sunday
Eataly Chicago, 43 E. Ohio St.
In a La Festa della Mamma celebration, Eataly will offer more than eight Italian bites, from baked three-cheese pasta and bruschetta primavera to limoncello tiramisu and chocolate almond focaccia. Tickets are $45 and include access to tasting stations and a glass of prosecco. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Mother’s Day Bash
2 p.m. Sunday
Chicago Empanada Mama, 1703 W. Chicago Ave.
Enjoy a special pre-fix menu, live music with Gregory Stewart and a variety of activities, including a sip and paint, bouquet making and more. Learn more and make a reservation here.
Daisies Desserts
Daisies, 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicagoans can celebrate Mother’s Day at Logan Square cafe Daisies with a two-hour, family-style brunch with a pastry board and a choice of three entrees. For bites on the go, Daisies also offers lattes, pastries seasonal treats and cakes, like orange olive oil bundt cakes and fruit and almond tarts. Make reservations and pre-orders on Tock.
Movies, Museums & Shows
‘Woman King’ Mother’s Day Edition Live
7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday
City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St.
Curated and produced by Jayonna B. Sims, the “Woman King” tribute show honors musical icons like Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, Tina Turner and more. The family-oriented production features some of Chicago’s greatest female recording artists and dancers and a live band. Tickets are $25-$45 online.
Mother’s Day At The Insect Asylum
11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
The Insect Asylum, 2870 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Avondale museum and community center The Insect Asylum is offering discounted admission tickets for Mother’s Day. Regularly priced at $25, moms and families can explore thousands of insects, taxidermy and immerse themselves in nature for just $15 this weekend. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Mother’s Day With ‘Roman Holiday’
12:30-5 p.m. Sunday
Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.
Spend Mother’s Day watching a classic movie at an iconic local theater, hosted by the Filmspotting podcast crew. Tickets are $45 online, and VIP passes include priority seating for the movie, podcast recording and a chance to meet the podcasters. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Mother’s Day With ‘MOTHER!’
6 p.m. Sunday
Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.
Spend Mother’s Day catching a screening of Darren Aronofsky’s aptly named psychological allegory “MOTHER!” starring Jennifer Lawrence. Tickets are $10-$12 online.
Bad Momz Of Comedy
7 p.m. May 13
Zanies, 1548 N. Wells St.
Soothe your Mother’s Day hangover with The Bad Momz of Comedy, a Chicago-based group of moms featured on NBC’s “Kelly Clarkson Show.” They’ll honor all the joys and challenges of motherhood, womanhood and aging — and all the crazy things parents think only happen in their homes. Tickets are $30 online.
Shopping & Crafts
Mini Hollow Bookmaking Class: Mother’s Day Edition
4-6 p.m. Tuesday
Goblin Market Manga & Curiosities, 2868 N. Lincoln Ave.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, kids and families can make a handmade and customized hollow book to hold jewelry, trinkets and other small treasures. No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided. Learn more and buy tickets for $18 online.
Irving Park Mother’s Day Hop
4-8 p.m. Thursday
Various Irving Park small businesses
Neighbors can find Mother’s Day gifts and explore local businesses in Irving Park with this Mother’s Day Hop. It kicks off at Katherine Anne Confections, 3653 W. Irving Park Road, where neighbors can pick up a “passport” and then walk, hop or take a trolley to other participating shops for freebies, including dance lessons at Extensions Dance, ice cream at Color Club and flower coupons at The Jade Vine. Learn more here.
Mother’s Day Craft & Shop
3-7:30 p.m. Friday, 11-5 p.m. Saturday and 11-3 p.m. Sunday
Ecclection, 6049 W. Irving Park Road
Families still looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift can stop by Portage Park’s Ecclection. The resale and vintage shop will have crafts, including card-making and ceramics painting starting at $2, plus a variety of local goods to shop — including art, home decor, soaps, candles, jewelry, clothing and more.
DIY Mother’s Day Necklaces
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Adornment and Theory, 2644 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Moms can make personalized necklaces at this independent jewelry store’s DIY necklace bar, complete with birthstones and initial charms. There will also be mimosas and polaroids for photos. Learn more here.
Mother’s Day Sip & Shop
Noon Saturday
Indelible Bliss Candle & Soap Co., 4342 1/2 N. Central Ave.
Shop candles, soaps, reed diffusers, body oils and more at this sip & shop event with four small businesses.
Mother’s Day Flower Origami Workshop
3-5 p.m. Saturday
Japanese Culture Center, 2940 N. Lincoln Ave., unit 2
Chicago-based filmmaker, photographer and Japanese art teacher Ty Yamamoto will lead a Mother’s Day flower-themed origami workshop. Individual tickets are $30, and parent-child tickets are $45 for the two. Learn more about the class and buy tickets here.
Mother’s Day Paint Class
3-5:30 p.m. Saturday
Pink Giraffe Art Studio, 2340 E. 75th St.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at this BYOB art studio. All painting supplies will be provided. Learn more and buy tickets for $25-$35 online.
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