Labor Day Weekend: 10 Fun Things To Do In Chicagoland

https://my.patch.com/article/27243782/edit#Summer doesn't officially end for a few more weeks, but for many, Labor Day weekend is the unofficial farewell to the days of fun in the sun and summer break. With a four-day weekend getting started, there are plenty of local fairs and fests to keep you busy.

Here's a look at some great events happening over Labor Day weekend in Chicago and the suburbs.

Labor Day Weekend Travel: Routes To Avoid, Where To Get Cheap Gas

* = The event is FREE

MUSIC

*39th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival

• What: Local jazz musicians will play along with musical talents from around the country and the world at this traditional Labor Day weekend event.
• When: Thursday, Aug. 31 to Sunday, Sept. 3
• Where: Millennium Park
• Tickets: Free
• More Info: Go to the festival’s website for a complete lineup of performers

North Coast Music Festival

• What: Acts representing a mix of pop music genres play out the summer in style.
• When: Friday, Sept. 1 to Sunday, Sept. 3
• Where: Union Park
• Tickets: $59 to $99
• More Info: Go to the festival’s website for a complete lineup and to buy tickets.

Aretha Franklin At Ravinia Festival

• What: Aretha Franklin's concert at the Ravinia Festival outdoor venue in Highland Park was rescheduled for Labor Day weekend after the original date in July was postponed due to her illness.
• When: Sunday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Donor gates open at 4:30 p.m. and public gates at 5 p.m.
• Where: Ravinia Festival Pavilion, Highland Park
• Tickets: $38 on the lawn, between $85 and $110 for regular seating
• More Info: Find more on the Ravinia Festival page for the Aretha Franklin concert.

CHICAGO

African Festival of the Arts

• What: A simulated African village is just one of the many elements of this festival, which celebrates the art, culture and history of the continent.
• When: Friday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 4
• Where: Washington Park
• Tickets: $5 to $40
• More Info: Go to the festival’s website to buy tickets.

Taste of Polonia

• What: Celebrate Polish culture at this annual festival, which benefits the Copernicus Foundation.
• When: Friday, Sept. 1, to Monday, Sept. 4
• Where: Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.
• Tickets: $5 to $10; kids age 12 and younger get in free
• More Info: Go to the festival’s website to buy tickets.

Great American Lobster Fest

• What: The Midwest's largest lobster and seafood festival, with live music, family friendly activities and cold beverages.
• When: Friday, Sept. 1, to Sunday, Sept. 3
• Where: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
• Tickets: $10 to $139
• More Info: Go to the festival's website to buy tickets.

SUBURBS

Last Fling (Naperville)

• What: This fundraiser for the Naperville Jaycees caps off the summer with a parade, a carnival and live music, including Soul Asylum, Barenaked Ladies and Bret Michaels.
• When: Friday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 4
• Where: Near Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave. (set your GPS to that address if you’re coming from out of town)
• Tickets: $5 to $250 for concerts; admission is free
• More Info: Find concert times and ticket links here.

*Fall Festival (Frankfort)

• What: More than 300 artisans will be on hand to showcase their wares for the more than 300,000 people who attend this arts and crafts event annually.
• When: Saturday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 4
• Where: Historic downtown Frankfort
• Tickets: Free
• More Info: Go to the festival’s website.

Lebanese Food Festival (Lombard)

• What: Celebrate Lebanese culture with food and live entertainment.
• When: Friday, Sept. 1, to Sunday, Sept. 3
• Where: Our Lady of Lebanon Church, 950 N. Grace St., Lombard
• Tickets: $5 donation/free for kids age 10 and younger
• More Info: Visit the church website

Yorkville Hometown Days (Yorkville)

• What: Food, live entertainment, carnival rides, a baby contest, the a bean bags competition, touch-a-truck and the "Ultimate Air Dogs" competition.
• When: Friday, Sept. 1, to Sunday, Sept. 3
• Where: Beecher Community Park, Game Farm Road
• Tickets: Admission is free on Friday, $2 after 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Kids get in free all weekend.
• More Info: Find a full schedule of events here.

Image via City of Chicago

Want to post your next neighborhood event on the Patch? We do too! No matter how big or small it may be, if it's local, it has a place on the Patch calendar.

Posting an event is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Here's how to do it:

1. Create a Patch account and sign up to post your own local content on Patch, totally free. It's probably the easiest thing you'll do all day.
2. Make a Calendar Event and fill it with all the awesome info that people need to add it to their list of things to do in their neighborhood. Choose a fun image to upload and most importantly - have fun with it! It's your event, and the possibilities are endless.
3. Post it on Patch! That's it. Get ready for RSVPs.

You can share your event for free to three Patches, or if you really want to get the community's attention, you can pay $20 to feature your event. When an event is featured, it receives priority placement on the local calendar as well as on the homepage, article pages and in the daily newsletter (if available) the week before the event.