Things to do in chicago labor day weekend

Celebrate the end of summer this Labor Day weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Last Fling in Naperville

8/31/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this Labor Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Labor Day weekend in Chicago is a last, sweet taste of summer. And Labor Day Weekend 2022 is no exception. There are many things to do this weekend in Chicago, like listen to music in Hyde Park, Highwood, or at Navy Pier, or burn off the calories from the Labor Day barbecue by biking the drive or playing tennis at Gallagher Way. This may be a good weekend to blow the kids' bedtime for a last late-night hurrah, like the final summer fireworks show on the lake, or head out to a more distant suburb for a variety of end-of-summer, start-of-fall celebrations in Naperville, Buffalo Grove, Melrose Park and Schaumburg.

Give your swimsuits one last workout at the beach, pool, or spray park, and then get ready for fall: Apple picking season is already underway at orchards around Chicago, and our event calendar is filling up with fall fun. Have a great holiday weekend!

More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids:

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• Chicago Family Activity Calendar
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Enjoy the last evening of Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Things To Do in Chicago this Weekend with Kids

Buffalo Grove Days

Thursday, September 1- Monday, September 5—Buffalo Grove

Celebrate the northwest suburbs with a carnival, food trucks, live music for kids and grown-ups, bingo, a family fun walk, a pancake breakfast, and a rotary duck race. Fun and games are available for kids in the children's area.READ MORE

Jazz in the Court

Friday, September 2—Hyde Park

The University of Chicago sponsors free outdoor jazz concerts on the first Friday of each month throughout the summer. The Thaddeus Tukes Quartet plays on Friday, September 2. READ MORE

Last Fling

Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Naperville

Naperville's annual end of summer festival features live music, food vendors, a carnival and Family Fun Land. The family area includes sack races, water balloon contests, and eating contests featuring cotton candy, spaghetti, and cupcakes. Music, dancing, stilt walkers, and a real live princess round out the family fun.READ MORE

Nashwood

Friday, September 2- Sunday, September 4—Highwood—FREE

North suburban Highwood celebrates country music on Labor Day weekend with live country, bluegrass, blues and Southern rock music. Southern inspired food and drinks will also be available. The Pralines and Cream Stage at Chicago Mike's Ice Cream and Tala Coffee Roasters' courtyard will feature family friendly music throughout the festival. READ MORE

Taste of Polonia

Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Jefferson Park

The country's largest Polish festival takes place at the Copernicus Center in Chicago on Labor Day weekend. More than 30 bands will play on four stages over the course of the weekend, and families can enjoy inflatables, a climbing wall, face painting, clowns, Disney characters, tastings and cooking classes, carnival rides, and games. Polish foods from pierogis to sausages to potato pancakes will also be available. READ MORE

African Festival of the Arts

Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Washington Park

Washington Park hosts the annual African Festival of the Arts, featuring vibrant drumming, museum quality and collectible artifacts, colorful and rich handwoven fabric and textile, family friendly activities, music, and food.  READ MORE

Lincoln Square Greekfest

Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square's St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church hosts a different kind of cultural festival with Greek food, live music, and a Greek dance troupe. The event also includes a Hellenic marketplace. All proceeds benefit the church.READ MORE

Taste of Melrose Park

Friday, September 2- Sunday, September 4—Melrose Park

Summer winds down with this 40th annual festival in the near west suburbs. Families can enjoy a live entertainment, including kids' musicians, bagpipes, the Sabor de Mexico stage, and the Jesse White Tumblers, along with carnival rides and games and a free interactive racing game. Taste food from more than 60 booths featuring Chicago classics and unique local treats.READ MORE

Schaumburg September Fest

Saturday, September 3- Monday, September 5—Schaumburg — FREE

Septemberfest offers arts & crafts, live music, kid's activities, carnival, and much more. READ MORE

Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier

Saturday, September 3—Downtown—FREE

Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Wednesday and Saturday night at Navy Pier.  READ MORE

Long Grove Irish Days

Saturday, September 3- Monday, September 5—Long Grove

Experience the luck of the Irish on Labor Day weekend in historic Downtown Long Grove. Visitors can see Irish dancers, hear Irish music, sample Irish inspired food and beverages, and judge contests for best Irish dog and best looking men's legs in a kilt. READ MORE

Bulls Fest 2022

Saturday, September 3- Sunday, September 4—West Loop

Hoops, arts, beats, and eats hit the United Center on Labor Day weekend. Families can play in a 3v3 basketball tournament, try out a basketball clinic, listen to DJs and other live entertainment, taste favorites from Chicago restaurants, and take pictures with current and former Bulls players.READ MORE

Chicago Labor Day Parade

Saturday, September 3—East Side

Celebrate Labor Day on Chicago's far Southeast Side, the birthplace of many Midwestern labor movements and unions. The parade honors the contributions of working class people as it marches south on Ewing Avenue from 104th Street to 112th Street, then proceeding east to Eggers Grove Forest Preserve. READ MORE

'Cue for a Cause

Sunday, September 4—Elmhurst

Elmhurst's annual barbecue competition and family festival highlights backyard grill masters as they prepare ribs and chicken for the judges. This year's contest will also include a pie and cookie bake-off. Families can purchase beer, barbecue, and root beer floats and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day. Kids may enjoy a giant slide, face painting, games, and visits from Wonder Woman and Spider Man. Proceeds benefit the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network. READ MORE

Downtown Batavia Block Party

Sunday, September 4—Batavia

Enjoy a taste of Batavia with $3 tastings from the suburban downtown's favorite restaurants. Live music from ORD Rocks and River City Revival will accompany a family fun zone and a pie bake off.READ MORE

Bike the Drive

Sunday, September 4—Lake Shore Drive

Bike the drive is a five hour event where no cars are allowed on Lake Shore Drive so that bikers of all ages and skill levels can ride their bikes and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the lake!  READ MORE

Bitter Jest Musical Festival

Monday, September 5—Downtown

Each week, a different local band and food vendor will team up to entertain Highland Park families. The series finale will feature the best bands of the fest at Navy Pier on Labor Day weekend.READ MORE

Sundays on State

Sunday, September 4—Downtown

Chicago's State Street is closed from Madison to Lake for a weekly block party full of surprises. Families can enjoy art, culture, active recreation, food, and specials from local retailers. READ MORE

Let's Tennis... at Gallagher Way

Monday, September 5—Wrigleyville

Learn more about tennis from the US Tennis Association by playing games on two mini courts at Gallagher Way. Kids can learn to play with various tennis activities, win prizes, and watch tennis on the big screen.READ MORE

Old Fashioned Family Picnic in the Park

Monday, September 5—Mount Prospect

Woodland Trails Park brings families together for a turtle race, closest to the pin golfing contest and more. Games, music and inflatables are part of the fun. The day closes out with the kids' coin splash.READ MORE

Photo courtesy of Pirates Cove

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Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Chicago

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Drive-In Movie Theaters In and Around Chicago for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Head outside and see a movie this summer. READ MORE

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For when you feel the need for speed. (Or funnel cakes.)READ MORE

Best Orchards for Apple Picking Near Chicago with Kids

We’ve selected 14 of the best apple orchards within a two-hour drive of Chicago for your apple-picking pleasure, many with seasonal extras like hayrides, corn mazes, train rides, and activities for kidsREAD MORE

Chicago's Adler Planetarium with Kids: Top Things to See and Do

Chicago's Museum Campus is the perfect place to visit more than one museum in a day, and the Adler Planetarium gives families the chance to leave Earth from shore of Lake Michigan. Like its siblings The Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, it offers exhibits that appeal to every member of the family and provides lots of interactive learning opportunities. It was opened as part of the first planetarium in the Western hemisphere in 1930 and has evolved into a hub for families looking to learn more about stars, planets, galaxies, and space exploration. One big advantage to the Adler...

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