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Labor Day Weekend 2023 in Chicago: Festivals, Fireworks, and More Things to Do with Kids

Norwood Park's Kona Ice will be at Taste of Polonia this year. Photo courtesy of the festival.
Norwood Park's Kona Ice will be at Taste of Polonia this year. Photo courtesy of the festival.
8/30/23 - 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 2023 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 in Elmhurst by biking the drive . 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.

It may be a hot weekend, so keep our heat wave guide handy! Or get in one last trip to Starved Rock before a long stretch of five-day weeks. 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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Bike the Drive is a car-free biking event for all ages. Photo courtesy of Bike the Drive
Bike the Drive is a car-free biking event for all ages. Photo courtesy of Bike the Drive

Things To Do in Chicago this Weekend with Kids

Buffalo Grove Days

Thursday, August 31- Monday, September 4—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 1—Hyde Park
The University of Chicago sponsors free outdoor jazz concerts on the first Friday of each month throughout the summer. Joe Marcinek plays on June 2, Bill McFarland and the Chicago Horns take the stage on July 7, Denise Thimes Quartet entertains audiences on August 4, and Isaiah Collier, Jeremiah Collier, and the Gemini Project perform on September 1. READ MORE

Last Fling

Friday, September 1- Monday, September 4—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 1- Sunday, September 3—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. Some stages will feature family friendly music throughout the festival. READ MORE

Taste of Polonia

Friday, September 1- Monday, September 4—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 1- Monday, September 4—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

Taste of Melrose Park

Friday, September 1- Sunday, September 3—Melrose Park
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

Schaumburg September Fest

Saturday, September 2- Monday, September 4—Schaumburg — FREE
Septemberfest offers arts & crafts, live music, kid's activities, carnival, and much more. READ MORE

Summer Fireworks Saturdays at Navy Pier

Saturday, September 2—Downtown—FREE, last event of the season
Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Saturday night at Navy Pier.  READ MORE

Long Grove Irish Days

Saturday, September 2- Monday, September 4—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

Chicago Labor Day Parade

Saturday, September 2—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 3—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 face painter, balloon twister, giant slide, Legos, games, crafts, and more. Proceeds benefit the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network. READ MORE

Batavia Block Party & Taste of Batavia

Sunday, September 3—Batavia
Enjoy a taste of Batavia with tastings from the suburban downtown's favorite restaurants. Live music from ORD Rocks and David Fraccaro will accompany a family fun zone and a pie bake off. READ MORE

Bike the Drive

Sunday, September 3—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

Sounds on the Street

Friday, September 1—Glen Ellyn
Downtown Glen Ellyn celebrates the end of summer with a concert on Main Street. The street will be closed down so restaurants can serve local foods and drinks in the street. Food from Marche, A Toda Madre, Koze Wine Room, and Main Street Pub will be available while the Semple Band plays. READ MORE

Spongebob the Musical at the Chopin Theatre

Closes Sunday, September 3—Wicker Park
Kokandy Productions presents this family friendly musical based on the Nickelodeon cartoon centered around a sponge named Spongebob and his friends who save their hometown of Bikini Bottom from total annihilation through friendship, perseverance, and optimism. The score features songs from Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and... READ MORE

Live on the Lake!

Saturday, September 2- Monday, September 4—Downtown—Final weekend
Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening, Navy Pier presents local musical acts performing live for families. From cover bands to jazz to DJs to country music—there is something for everyone at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. READ MORE

Keepataw Day Parade

Sunday, September 3—Lemont
Southwest suburban Lemont celebrates Labor Day by honoring Potawatomi Chief Keepataw, who settled the region before the town was founded. A parade and family fun fest, including live entertainment, face painting, a balloon twister, and a magician, bring out the fun at the end of summer. READ MORE

Chicago Onscreen Film Festival

Monday, August 28- Saturday, September 2—Various parks citywide
Local filmmakers present their tales of Chicago on the big screen at showings at nine parks throughout the city. Different short films play at each park on each evening. For a full schedule, see the festival's website: https://www.chicagoonscreen.com/ READ MORE

Cantigny Outdoor Concerts

Sunday, September 3 and Monday, September 4—Wheaton—Last of the season
Families can enjoy a series of tribute bands, military music, and bluegrass groups at the bandshell at Cantigny every Sunday at 3pm. READ MORE
S'mores at Starved Rock! Photo by Maureen Wilkey
S'mores at Starved Rock! Photo by Maureen Wilkey

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Free and Cheap Afterschool Programs in Chicago

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Apple Picking near Chicago: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids

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Places featured in this article: