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Events and Activities in Chicago for Kids This Weekend
Thursday, September 3 - Monday, September 7
Looking for family-friendly activities in Chicago this weekend? Here are some fun events to add to your list!
Best Things To Do This Weekend In and Near Chicago With Kids
Buffalo Grove Days
Buffalo Grove
Thursday - Monday, September 3-7, 2026
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. Website
Nashwood
Highwood - FREE
Friday - Sunday, September 4-6, 2026
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. Families can take a hayride through downtown to get between venues. Website
Taste of Melrose Park
Melrose Park - Free
Friday - Sunday, September 4-6, 2026
Summer winds down with this annual festival in the near west suburbs. Families can enjoy 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. Website
Last Fling (in Naperville)
Naperville
Friday - Monday, September 4-7, 2026
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. Website
Taste of Polonia (at Copernicus Center)
Jefferson Park
Friday - Monday, September 4-7, 2026
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 throughout the weekend, and families can enjoy inflatables, a climbing wall, face painting, clowns, Disney characters, tastings and cooking classes, carnival rides, and games. Website
Elmhurst Touch-a-Truck
Elmhurst - FREE
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Kids can touch and climb into a variety of trucks at Elmhurst's Berens Park during this annual free event. Food trucks will be on hand to complete the truck theme, with Smallcakes, Kona Ice, and Billy Bricks on Wheels serving treats. Website
Hanover Park Fall Fun Fest Featuring Flavors of Hanover Park
Hanover Park
Saturday, September 5, 2026
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. Families can also taste foods from local restaurants and vendors. Website
Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier
Downtown - FREE, last event of the season
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Wednesday and Saturday night at Navy Pier. Fireworks go off at 9pm on Wednesdays and 10pm on Saturdays. Website
Chicago Labor Day Parade
South Chicago - FREE
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Celebrate Labor Day on Chicago's far Southeast Side, the birthplace of many Midwestern labor movements and unions. The 2026 Chicago Labor Day Parade begins at E 112th Street and S Ave F on Chicago’s Southeast Side. The parade route will then head north up S Ewing Avenue to E 106th Street, where parade entries will disband near 3940 E 106th St. Website
Midnight Circus in the Parks
Brighton Park
Saturday & Sunday, September 5 & 6, 2026
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. Website
African Festival of the Arts (in Washington Park)
Washington Park
Saturday - Monday, September 5-7, 2026
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. Website
Schaumburg September Fest
Schaumburg - FREE
Saturday - Monday, September 5-7, 2026
Septemberfest offers arts and crafts, live music, kids' activities such as face painting and pony rides, a carnival, fireworks, and much more. Website
Long Grove Irish Days
Long Grove - Free
Saturday - Monday, September 5-7, 2026
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. Website
Frankfort Fall Fest
Frankfort - FREE
Saturday - Monday, September 5-7, 2026
Celebrate fall in the southwest suburbs at this annual event featuring concerts, a carnival, food vendors, and more. A parade steps off on Sunday at 1pm, and families can visit the KidWork Children's Museum or Frankfort History Museum nearby. Website
Cantigny Outdoor Concerts
Wheaton - Last of the season
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Families can enjoy a series of tribute bands, military music, and bluegrass groups at the bandshell at Cantigny every Sunday at 3pm. Website
Bike the Drive (on Lake Shore Drive)
Lake Shore Drive
Sunday, September 6, 2026
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!. Website
Keepataw Day Parade (in Downtown Lemont)
Lemont- FREE
Sunday, September 6, 2026
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. Website
Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival (at Wheeler Park)
Geneva
Sunday & Monday, September 6 & 7, 2026
More than 20 artists take to the stage for this two-day festival of music and story telling. Six stages will run continuous entertainment in Wheeler Park in Geneva. Enjoy concerts, storytelling, a themed round robin concert stage, hands-on workshops, and a kids zone with music and craft activities. Website
Live on the Lake! (at Navy Pier)
Downtown - FREE
Ends Monday, September 7, 2026
On select weekend afternoons and evenings, 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. Website
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Kenosha, WI - Final weekend
Ends Monday, September 7, 2026
Families can travel back to a 16th century English village to cheer on knights in a jousting tournament and feast on savory treats and tempting sweets. Kids may want to dress up to see fairies and acrobats or play games of chance and skill. Website