Top 5 Things To Do Labor Day Weekend in Chicago Southland

As the unofficial ending of summer, Labor Day Weekend offers the perfect time to start thinking about the Fall season and festivals. Here are the top five fun things to do over Labor Day weekend in Chicago Southland.

You might also be interested in these articles about Farmers Markets and Harvest Happenings throughout Chicago Southland.

Make sure to tag #ChicagoSouthland in your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram photos and we’ll try to highlight your picture on our social media channels!

1. Festivals: Shop for crafts, go on rides & make memories

Frankfort Fall Festival
Saturday, September 3rd - Monday, September 5th
Downtown Historical Frankfort
Between Kansas & White Streets, Frankfort
(815) 469-3356
Heyyy! It’s Happy Days at this year’s Frankfort Fall Festival! Be happy and free at this outdoor show with almost 300 Artisan booths who offer the finest handmade creations. Over 250,000 attend annually and Sunshine Artist continues to recognize this event as one of the top twelve U.S. Festivals in the country with live entertainment, food court, carnival and parade on Sunday. The Festival has received continued recognition as one of the best shows, and has been ranked #2 in Illinois and #11 in the United States by Sunshine Magazine.
Sa & Su 10AM-6PM; M 10AM-5PM

ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL & HOMECOMING FESTIVAL
Friday, September 2nd - Sunday, September 4th
Robbins Community Center
13800 South Trumbull Avenue, Robbins
(708) 385-8940 x262
This years’ festival will feature performances and entertainment from a variety of groups, a youth and adult basketball tournament, food and craft vendors, youth activities and some of Chicago Southland’s best choirs and singers. The parade has earned the honor of being one of the largest African American Parades in the Chicago Southland area; complete with marching bands, floats, candy and free school supplies.
F 6PM; Sa 7PM; Su 4:30PM (Parade begins Sunday at 2PM throughout the Village)

Paarlberg Heritage Fest
Monday, September 5^th
Paarlberg Park
Paxton Avenue between 172nd & 173rd Streets, South Holland
(708) 210-2918
An annual tradition in South Holland, featuring live music, arts and craft vendors, food, activities, quilters and performances by the South Holland municipal band.
9:30AM-4PM

2. Sports

Saturday, September 3rd
Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union
TOYOTA PARK
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview
888-MLS-FIRE
Get ready to yell out, "COME ON YOU MEN IN RED!" Cheer on the Men in Red during these thrilling Major League Soccer games. Make certain to tag your pictures with #cf97.
7:30PM

Sunday, September 4th
Chicago Red Stars vs. Seattle Reign FC
TOYOTA PARK
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview
(773) 697-8699
It's Sunday Night Futbol! It's Chicago vs. Seattle! Don't miss some of the best women's soccer players battle it out.
6PM

3. Explore the Nature that lies Just Beyond the City Limits

Unplug from your daily routine and explore the nature through more than 40,000 acres of forest preserves.

Saturday, September 3rd
Wee Wonders: Bird Migration
Sand Ridge Nature Center through the Forest Preserve of Cook County
15891 South Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Children in preschool and kindergarten are invited to their very own nature program. Tag all your pictures online with #birdthepreserve.
10AM

Sunday, September 4th
Beekeeping: Meet a Beekeeper
Plum Creek Nature Center through the Will County Forest Preserve
27064 South Dutton Road, north of Goodenow Road, Beecher
(708) 946-2216
Visit Plum Creek Nature Center on the first Sunday of the month to meet with the beekeepers and see a working bee hive on display! The veteran beekeepers will be stationed at the live bee exhibit to tell the story of the most familiar social insect, the honeybee.
12:30-1:30PM

Sunday, September 4th
Pioneer Living
Sand Ridge Nature Center through the Forest Preserve of Cook County
15891 South Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Have you ever wondered what life was like 200 years ago? Visit our cabins and find out what Illinois’ pioneers experienced.
1:30PM

Monday, September 5th
Holiday Program: Singing Insects
Sand Ridge Nature Center through the Forest Preserve of Cook County
15891 South Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Join the nature professionals at Sand Ridge on Labor Day for an insect program. Do you ever hear a chorus outside your window as you try to fall asleep? Come discover the insects that sing. Presentation followed by a short hike to see how many insects you can hear.
1:30PM

4. Catch a Show 

Friday, September 2nd
Oddball Comedy Fest: Sebastian Maniscalco, Brian Regan and John Mulaney
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park
(312) 559-1212
The Oddball Comedy and curiosity festival is back for its 4th year, and it's bigger, better and funnier than ever! This year has an epic line-up and the show will be hosted by Jeffrey Ross, and features: Sebastian Maniscalco, Brian Regan, John Mulaney, Tom Segura, Iliza Shlesinger, Donnell Rawlings, Cameron Esposito, Tony Hinchcliffe and Big Jay Oakerson.
5PM

Saturday, September 3rd
Prophets of Rage - Make America Rage Again Tour
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park
(312) 559-1212
Formed from members of three of the biggest politically charged bands of the last two decades – Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill – this mighty super group has come to bust out some rap rock and Make America Rage Again! Be there!
7PM

Sunday, September 4th
Centennial Park West Concert Featuring: 16 Candles
Centennial Park West in Colette Highlands
Park Station Boulevard & Somerglen Lane, Orland Park
(708) 430-7275
Enjoy the great outdoors before summer is gone. Gather your family and friends and celebrate Labor Day weekend with a live concert. 16 Candles, one of Chicago’s premiere bands, will bring many of your favorite 80s songs to life from artists such as Journey, Duran Duran, Prince, The Clash and much, much more. Fletcher Rockwell jams to Americana rock and small town country. Experience hits from The Beatles to Michael Jackson, U2 and more, with the unique sound of Classic Blast. Concessions will be available for purchase.
2PM

Sunday, September 4th
Black Sabbath: The End
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park
(312) 559-1212
Kings of 70s heavy metal Black Sabbath are embarking on their last ever tour. The bona fide rock gods will be joined by American rockers Rival Sons, for a mighty night of epic music that will blow your socks off!
7:30PM

5. Arts & Culture

Friday, September 2nd - Saturday, September 3rd
The Structure Exhibition
Union Street Gallery & Art Studios
1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights
(708) 754-2601
Artwork by Liz Mares. The stills can be seen below of the work from The Structure, a regional juried exhibit, happening at Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights from August 10 - September 10, 2016.
F 12-6PM; Sa 11AM-4PM


Friday, September 2nd
Project Onward
Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery at Moraine Valley Community College Fine & Performing Arts Center
9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills
(708) 974-5500
Fidencio Martinez was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, but raised in North Carolina after his family migrated. His current work examines immigration, the drug war and socioeconomic issues affecting Mexico. In his work, Martinez manipulates paper, surfaces and maps to refer to the crafts and customs taught to him as a toddler in Oaxaca – ones used to celebrate festivals and mourn the dead. For Martinez, these techniques are a way to reconnect with a time and place no longer present.
9AM-4:30PM

Ongoing

Acorn Sculptures in Oak Lawn"
Oak Lawn Village Green
9446 Raymond Avenue
(708) 636-4400
The giant painted acorns was created by the Oak Lawn Arts Commission and are located around Oak Lawn in accordance to the wishes of the sponsors who purchased them. These iconic acorns are intended to “sow the seeds of the arts in Oak Lawn,” and will be iconic symbols of Oak Lawn for years to come.
Open 7 days a week

If you’re planning further ahead, please check our calendar.

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