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Best of September: Top Things To Do in Chicago With Kids

Long Grove Apple Fest photo courtesy of Enjoy Illinois
Long Grove Apple Fest photo courtesy of Enjoy Illinois
8/28/22 - By Maureen Wilkey

We're headed back to school but there are still plenty of fun things to do in Chicago with kids in September. The last of the summer street festivals are wrapping up on Labor Day weekend, so go check out Taste of Polonia or Naperville's Last Fling. Or, embrace the feeling of fall with Printers Row Lit Fest, Septemberfest in Bloomingdale, or Oktoberfest in Lakeview.

Athletic families might enjoy a chance to Bike the Drive at the annual event that shuts down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and has been moved from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weekend. Nostalgia-loving families may enjoy the Throwback Music Fest in , or a Soap Box Derby in Naperville.

Looking for classes to satisfy the interests of kids after school? Our Class Guide has lots of ideas for kids with all kinds of fun hobbies. And don't forget, there's always plenty to see and do, both in-person and virtually, in our family-friendly activity calendar. 

Read on to see the best events for kids in Chicago in September 2022...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Photo courtesy of Bike the Drive
Photo courtesy of Bike the Drive

Family-Friendly Fun for September 2022

Last Fling

Naperville
September 2-5
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

Taste of Polonia

Portage Park
September 2-5
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

Washington Park
September 2-5
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

Chicago Labor Day Parade

Southeast Side
September 3
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

Sundays on State

Downtown
September 4
Chicago's State Street is closed from Madison to Lake for a 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

Wrigleyville
September 5
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

Bulls Fest 2023

West Loop
September 3-4
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

Lincoln Square Greekfest

Lincoln Square
September 2-5
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

Old Fashioned Family Picnic in the Park

Mount Prospect
September 5
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

Taste of Melrose Park

Melrose Park
September 2-4
Summer winds down with this 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

German-American Fest

Lincoln Square
September 10-12
Families can don their dirndls and lederhosen and step out to Lincoln Square for German and American food, music, and gemuetlischkeit. The event features carnival games, the annual Steuben Parade through North Center and Lincoln Square, and traditional German music and dancing. READ MORE

Bike the Drive

DuSable Lake Shore Drive
September 5
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

Printers Row Lit Fest

South Loop
September 11 and 12
Bibliophiles of all ages are welcome at Printers Row Lit Fest, where they can enjoy talks, demonstrations, and workshops with authors of all genres. Kids authors and books will be featured throughout the fest. READ MORE

Millennium Park Summer Film Series

Downtown
September 6
Millennium Park hosts free movies in the park throughout July and August. Films are shown on a state-of-the-art 40-foot LED screen READ MORE

Midnight Circus in the Parks

Parks throughout the City
Saturdays, September 11-October 9
This small, family-run circus is as sweet as they come, bringing the circus to parks all over Chicago for a small, intimate performance! Families can grab a blanket and get cozy in their favorite park to see talented aerialists, gymnasts, tight rope walkers, clowns, and even a dog put on an energetic and awe-inspiring performance. READ MORE

Soap Box Derby 2022 Fall Rally

Naperville
September 11 and 12 and October 9
Build your own car or test run a pre-built car at the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby's track. READ MORE

Community Campfire

Oakbrook Terrace
September 9
Family and friends can gather at Terrace View Park for a campfire and s'mores. The nature center will be open for the first hour of the event so attendees can meet the animals. Bring your own chair or blanket. READ MORE

Public Sun Viewing

Naperville
September 10
Naperville Astronomical Association invites members of the community and especially aspiring astronomers to view the sun through telescopes specifically designed for safe sun-viewing. Check out the sun's surface, sun spots, the sun's "atmosphere" and solar prominences. READ MORE

Throwback Music Fest

Gladstone Park
September 9-11
Introduce kids to the music of the '50s, '60s, '70's, and 80's at this annual northwest side festival. While grownups enjoy tribute bands, a throwback pinup contest, and a classic car show, kids can play games, do crafts, have their faces painted, or bounce in a bounce house. In addition to traditional street festival food, the Kona Ice truck and food trucks featuring pizza, tacos, and Greek food will be on hand. READ MORE

Elmhurst Touch-a-Truck

Elmhurst
September 10
Kids can touch and climb into a variety of trucks at Elmhurst's Beren's Park during this annual free event. Food trucks will be on hand to complete the truck theme, with Smallcakes, Sugar Mama's Mini Donuts and Windy City Ice Cream serving treats. READ MORE

Rock the Block Party

Elmhurst
September 9-10
Families can celebrate the end of summer with live entertainment and local food vendors at this annual Elmhurst festival. Kids can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, games, a photo booth, and a performances from local musicians. Adults can enjoy beverages from the beer and wine tent. READ MORE

Family Concert: The Kid Ups

Wheaton
September 10
Children's entertainers The Kid Ups perform a show full of humor, storytelling, and audience participation at Wheaton Public Library. They'll sing a wide variety of songs from Disney ballads to popular kids show themes. READ MORE

DuPage Comic Con

Wheaton
September 10
Might Con presents the very best new local comic artists along with special guests and deals from comic book and toy vendors at DuPage County Fairgrounds. Free comics, free parking and free admission for kids make this a great day for comic lovers. READ MORE

Bloomingdale Septemberfest

Bloomingdale
September 10
Celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall at this annual event in Bloomingdale. Families can enjoy a parade, live entertainment, carnival rides and games, food and craft vendors, and the Lions Club Beer Tent. The Kiddie Carnival returns to the festival for 2022. READ MORE

Mayfair Fest

Mayfair
September 10
Mayfair Park Advisory Council host a full day of games, food trucks, vendors, drinks, and more for northwest side families. Blues Brothers will headline the musical acts. READ MORE

Glow in the Park Lantern Walk

Glen Ellyn
September 11
Glen Ellyn Park District is partnering with Charlie's Corner Foundation for a lantern walk around Lake Ellyn to benefit Lurie Children's Hospital. The event will include face painting, a balloon artists, a bubble show and live music. Kids can pay $10 to decorate a paper lantern either at home or onsite that day, and at 7:30 p.m., families will walk around the lake with the LED-lit lanterns. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative lanterns. READ MORE

Revolutionary War Reenactment

Wheaton
September 10-11
The 18th century comes alive at Cantigny at this weekend-long battle reenactment. The event will include a fife and drum corp, tomahawk competition, children's games, heritage dance, reenactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and a battle reenactment. Kids can also see demonstrations of artillery and 18th century medicine, and watch a parade featuring clothing from the era. READ MORE

BubblesPalooza

Lincoln Park
September 10
Bubblespalooza Block Party is back!! Join us as we celebrate and come together to raise funds for Whole Child Arts - free arts programming and scholarships. We're gathering with our favorite small businesses and performers for an amazing morning of music, art, vendor activities and more! READ MORE

Migrating Monarchs Celebration

River Forest
September 11
Learn how monarchs migrate to Mexico, how researchers tag them to research their movements, and see how they are raised and released. Kids crafts and educational displays make this event fun for all ages. READ MORE

Memorial Park Summer Entertainment Series

Wheaton
September 9 and 10
The Wheaton Park District presents a series of local bands in Memorial Park on select weekends this summer.  READ MORE

Lincoln Park Gyro Fest

Lincoln Park
September 9-11
St. George Greek Orthodox Church has had so much fun at its annual spring Greek Fest that it decided to add a second gyro-themed event for the fall. Fest-goers can taste flights of gyros from around the world and vote for their favorites all weekend long. The event also includes a gyro-eating contest, a kids' activity area, and both pop and traditional Greek music. READ MORE

Hanover Park Fall Fun Fest

Hanover Park
September 10
Enjoy all things fall at Hanover Park's annual Fall Fun Fest. Families can go on a hayride, complete an inflatable obstacle course, play BINGO and listen to live music. The event also includes glitter tattoos for kids, food trucks, and fall crafts and games. READ MORE

Renegade Craft Fair

Wicker Park
September 10-11
Arts and crafts fans can enjoy Renegade's largest event of the year, featuring over 400 incredible makers and designers from all over the US, as well as live entertainment, local DJs, workshops, art installations, food trucks, nonprofits, cocktails, craft beers, and more. READ MORE

Glen Ellyn Backyard BBQ

Glen Ellyn
September 10
Enter your barbecue recipe, or come taste some of Glen Ellyn's best barbecue while listening to live local bands. Contestants will enter their chicken, ribs, and sauce for judging. Kids' musician Mary Macaroni will play at various times throughout the day while kids enjoy Piglet Playland, which features inflatables, arts and crafts, and face painting. READ MORE

Parkway Bank Park's Family Fall Fest

Rosemont
September 18
Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district will kick off the fall season with the return of its annual “Family Fall Fest” Sunday, September 17. The family-friendly event will feature a variety of free activities including bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon sculptors, and more! READ MORE

Misericordia Family Fest

West Edgewater
September 11
Food, games and fun for the whole family will raise money for Misericordia, a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities. Families can visit Misericordia for live entertainment, children's games, bingo, clowns, food and drink, raffles, art, and in-crowd entertainment. READ MORE

Pilsen Fest

Pilsen
September 17-18
The whole family can celebrate Pilsen Fest, a community event celebrating the neighborhood of Pilsen, featuring musicians, chefs, mixologists, poets, muralists, painters, writers, documentarians, and photographers. There are kid-friendly activities and workshops. READ MORE

Chicago SummerDance Celebration

Downtown
September 17
Enjoy an afternoon and evening of professional dance performances and participatory dancing at Millennium Park. SummerDance Celebration wraps up a full season of performances and workshops in parks throughout the city. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Zoo Movie Fest

Lincoln Park
September 16
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema presents showings of CATS and The Lion King at Lincoln Park Zoo. CATS will be shown on the lawn with pre-show entertainment, movie props, and fun suprises, while The Lion King will play inside the new lion habitat next to an actual pride of lions. Kids can have their faces painted, make crafts, and get goodies. READ MORE

Fall Nature Fest

North Mayfair
September 17
Games, animal ambassadors, native plant giveaways, and the Jesse White Tumblers will be on hand for this third annual celebration of fall at LaBagh Woods. The event is free and no ticket is required. READ MORE

Norwood Park Fall Fest

Norwood Park
September 16-17
Celebrate fall with live entertainment, food and drink vendors, and kids' activities for all ages. Kids can enjoy carnival games, a magic show, tattoos and henna, an inflatable corn maze and kids' music and dance performances. READ MORE

Jefferson Park Movie in the Park: Encanto

Jefferson Park
September 16
Jefferson Park Advisory Council invites families to bring their blankets and chairs for a showing of Encanto in the park. Popcorn will be provided. READ MORE

Teenie Weenie Pumpkins and Munchkins

Carol Stream
September 18
Families can celebrate fall with treats, games, crafts and a hayride. Register before September 2 for early registration fees. READ MORE

Spring Road Fall Fest

Elmhurst
September 17
Families can enjoy fall themed entertainment at the intersection of Spring Road and the Prairie Path in Elmhurst. Activities include a petting zoo, pony rides, a moon jump, temporary tattoos, carnival games and musical entertainment. Kids can also paint pumpkins and enjoy concessions. READ MORE

Bridgeport Kidical Mass

Bridgeport September 17
Join Chicago Family Biking for an easy-going, fun ride around the Bridgeport neighborhood. Kids can decorate their bikes and take a 3-4 mile ride with their parents around the area. The ride is about 5-6 miles per hour and is designed for kids without training wheels or on their parents bike trailers. READ MORE

Fermilab Family Fair

Batavia
September 18
STEM-lovers can learn more about physics from Fermilab scientists at this annual open house event. Kids can take part in activities that include a Fermilab timeline scavenger hunt, a sweep for insects, a visit of the bison herd, a new interactive quantum entanglement demo, netting for pond critters, an exhibit of raptors, fun liquid nitrogen shows by Mr. Freeze and much more. READ MORE

Long Grove Apple Fest

Long Grove
September 23-25
How do you like them apples? Long Grove will make them any way you want-- baked in pies, dipped in chocolate or caramel, or chopped up in sangria. Families can also enjoy a carnival and live music with their apple treats. READ MORE

Lombard Food Truck Social

Lombard
September 24
Foodie families can unite at this Lombard street festival featuring eight of the areas top food trucks, live music, a beer garden, face painting, a balloon artist, yodeling, a magician, and live animals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own picnic blankets or chairs. READ MORE

St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest

Lakeview
September 23-25
Bring your lederhosen and dirndls for some German family fun. Enjoy some bratwurst, some live music, and all things Bavarian, as well as music from favorite Chicago acts. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of The Orchards at Royal Oak Farm
Photo courtesy of The Orchards at Royal Oak Farm

Day Trips from Chicago and Seasonal Activities

Apple Picking near Chicago: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking 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 kids READ MORE

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City. READ MORE

Guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago

Have fun with great classes for kids in Chicago. READ MORE

Best Ice Cream Near Chicago: 12 Ice Cream Parlors and Ice Cream Shops Kids Adore

Head to one of these ice cream shops for a tasty summer treat. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Naperville Central High School
State Street from Madison to Lake
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Lake Shore Drive
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion & Great Lawn
Lake Ellyn Park & Boathouse
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Hanover Park Community Center
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion & Great Lawn
Lombard Historical Society