Experimental Station is once again thrilled to welcome back the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Free Neighborhood Tour, bringing world-class puppetry to our space!

This year’s Free Neighborhood Tour features:

Alex & Olmsted: Happy Birthday, Mon Ami
Class, culture, and expectations collide when Jacques’ American cousin, Sam, visits him in Paris for a birthday celebration. A recipient of a 2024 Jim Henson Foundation grant, Happy Birthday, Mon Ami combines glove puppetry, live music, and audience participation for a delightful hour of fun for the whole family. BroadwayWorld called it “tiny, enchanting, and exquisite.”

📍 Catch a Free Show at Experimental Station
📅 Sunday, February 1
🕔 11:00 AM
📍 6100 S. Blackstone Ave

The Puppet Festival’s annual Free Neighborhood Tour brings free, family-friendly performances to community locations beyond Chicago’s theaters, fostering appreciation for puppetry throughout the city. The tour showcases a wide range of high-quality puppetry styles—creating moments of shared joy while expanding Chicago’s community of puppet enthusiasts.

👉 Check here for the complete festival schedule.