You can swap the noisy playground for a baby-friendly classical concert at this iconic Chicago hotel this weekend — complete with soothing music by Vivaldi and Bach surrounded by a sea of glowing LED candles

Finding ways to keep your little one entertained without screens or overwhelming stimulation can be a challenge, especially when you want to enjoy some of the experiences you loved before becoming a parent. But having a baby doesn’t mean putting live music on hold.

Candlelight Babies offers a chance to enjoy classical music together, with baby-friendly sound levels and a cozy, movement-friendly setting designed for little listeners. Featuring works by Vivaldi, Debussy, Bach and more, these 45-minute concerts make it possible to introduce your baby to live music while enjoying a relaxed experience yourself.

A little music for growing minds

There’s plenty of reason to believe live music can play a key role in a baby’s development, and classical music offers lots for little ears to take in. Research by University of Washington found that musical activities can help babies become more attuned to patterns in sound, including the rhythms and structures they encounter in speech. So while a Candlelight Babies concert is first and foremost a lovely experience to share, it can also be a small, enjoyable way to support those busy little brains as they grow.

Candlelight Babies: classical music for little listeners

The concerts at Candlelight Babies are 45-minutes, designed to be more friendly to the attention spans of babies aged 0–36 months. Beloved works by Bach, Vivaldi, Debussy and Mozart are performed by a string duo at baby-friendly volumes in a cozy space illuminated by LED candles, and the concerts are designed for little ones to wiggle, move and take in the music while parents enjoy some quality time together.

The experience takes place at The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, one of Chicago’s historic downtown venues. With its grand interiors and spacious setting, it provides a change of scenery from the usual baby classes and play spaces, while the soft glow of LED candles helps create a calm atmosphere for this family-friendly concert.

Finally, here’s a baby-friendly plan that’s a little different from the usual soft play or playground trip, and one that parents can enjoy, too. This concert will take place at The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center where you can sit back, soak up some beautiful live music and enjoy some precious time together, all while knowing that your little one is taking in an experience that may also support their developing brain. A win-win for both of you.

👶Designed for babies aged 0–36 months

🎻 Enjoy pieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Debussy, Mozart and more, performed by a string duo

⏱️ Concert time is 45-minutes

📍 The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

🎟️ Tickets start at $31.20