There is something to do for all interests this weekend in Chicago Southland. Whether you’re looking for concerts, family fun or outdoor events, you will find it just beyond the city limits.

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 Concerts

Friday, September 4th
TOBY KEITH GOOD TIMES & PICK UP LINES TOUR
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park
(312) 559-1212
A pioneer and maverick of modern day country music, Toby Keith is a man that needs no introduction. Stepping out on his Good Times and Pickup Lines Tour, the party king touches down at Hollywood Casino Ampitheatre for a night of dancing, flirting and great music with support from special guests Eli Young Band! It's going to be a wild one!
7PM

Sunday, September 6th
CENTENNIAL PARK WEST CONCERT: U2 Zoo and MIKE & JOE
Centennial Park West
Park Station Boulevard & Somerglen Lane, Orland Park
(708) 430-7275
Head out early to hear the sounds of U2 Zoo, a tribute to the super band U2. The band’s high energy will get you out of your seats as they tackle the complete U2 concert catalog of hits and fan favorites. Be sure to stick around for headliner, Mike and Joe! The band offers a rock concert experience with mainstream popular rock from the 1990s and 2000s!
3:30PM

Saturday, September 5th
DEF LEPPARD
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park
(312) 559-1212
It's time to rock your socks off!  Fans can not only enjoy the British legends doing what they do best, but they will be joined by fellow bastions of rock Styx and Tesla!
7PM

 

Explore Nature

Saturday, September 5th
WEE WONDERS: GETTING READY FOR BED
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Kids ages 3–6 are invited to their very own nature program. Sand Ridge Nature experts will explore a different seasonal subject each month at this free event.
10AM

WOOLLY BEARS
Saturday, September 5th
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
These fascinating insects emerge in the fall. Join the experts at Little Red Schoolhouse for a walk and learn some folklore about these curious caterpillars. There is a limit of 15 participants.
1:30PM

Saturday, September 5th
COOK COUNTY CRITTERS
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Many animals call the nature center home. Meet one of these animals during a casual afternoon encounter. No registration required.
1:30PM

Saturday, September 5th
LIVE HEALTHY, DISCOVER NATURE! HIKE
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Join Sand Ridge Nature Center's monthly hiking club. A naturalist will lead a vigorous, two-mile hike on their trails.
1:30PM

Monday, September 7th
HOLIDAY PROGRAM: SKULLS AND TEETH
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Join the Sand Ridge nature experts on Labor Day to learn all about animals that are carnivores, herbivores and everything in between by examining skull shapes and teeth.
1:30PM

Farmers Markets

Click here for a complete list of the Farmers Markets throughout Chicago Southland.

Family Fun

Friday, September 4th
ODYSSEY FUN WORLD MOVIES ON THE GREEN
Odyssey Fun World
19111 South Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park
(708) 429-3800
This FREE movie is shown on a giant inflatable screen in their beautiful outdoor park. The feature movie is Wizard of Oz to get you ready for the Midwest Wizard of Oz Fest that will be the following weekend, September 11th-13th. No outside food or drink please, refreshments will be available. You may wish to bring chairs and bug spray as this is an outdoor event.
Dusk

Sunday, September 6th
OAK FOREST OLD TIMES FAMILY PICNIC
Oak Forest Park District's Central Park Building
15601 Central Avenue, Oak Forest
(708) 687-7270
The kids will love the activities, the parents will love the FREE prices on the kiddie rides, pony rides, petting zoo and water balloon toss. There will also be music and performances including Five Guys Named Moe. Food and beverage vendors will open at Noon.
12-7PM

Monday, September 7th
CENTENNIAL WATER PARK OPEN FOR LABOR DAY
Centennial Park Aquatic Center
15600 West Avenue at Fun Drive, Orland Park
(708) 349-4FUN (4386)
Come enjoy the lazy river, body flume slide, tube slides, platform jump, zero depth pool with kiddie play structures and lap lanes. Daily fees apply.

 

Festivals and Parties

Friday, September 4th - Sunday, September 6th
ROBBINS BACK-TO-SCHOOL FESTIVAL
Robins Festival Grounds
13800 South Trumball Avenue, Robbins
(708) 385-8940
This festival will feature live outdoor concerts from a variety of groups, a youth and adult basketball tournament, food, crafts, youth activities and some of Chicago Southland’'s best choirs and singers. Sunday, September 6th there will be a Pre-Labor Day Parade. Robbins’ Pre-Labor Day 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. This event attracts celebrities, politicians and many other dignitaries because of the overwhelming magnitude of spectators that fill the streets early to view the parade each year.
F 6PM, Sa 12PM, Su 4PM

Saturday, September 5th - Monday, September 7th
FRANKFORT FALL FESTIVAL
Downtown Historical Frankfort
Between White Street & Kansas Street, Frankfort
(815) 469-3356
Each year over Labor Day weekend, over 300,000 visitors flock to the charming Village of Frankfort, IL to enjoy the Frankfort Fall Festival. With over 300 participating artisans (from 30 different states), and unlimited entertainment and food options, the festival continues to thrive and grow. There will also be a cooking demonstration from several surrounding chefs that will inspire you to cook the Chicago Southland way. The Festival has received continued recognition as one of the best shows, and has been ranked #1 in Illinois, and #8 in the United States by Sunshine Magazine. Click here for more visitor information.
Sa-Su 10AM-6PM, Mon 10AM-5PM

Learn Something New

Sunday, September 6th
PIONEER LIVING
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Have you ever wondered what life was like 200 years ago? Visit the cabins at Sand Ridge Nature Center and find out what Illinois’ pioneers experienced.
1:30PM

Ongoing
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
700 East Tri-State Tollway, South Holland
(708) 596-8300
Last year the exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America" came to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The traveling exhibit was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The exhibit features eight kiosks and covers Lincoln's childhood, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the Civil War, the 13th Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination and other important periods and events in his life. This is a temporary exhibit, so don't miss the opportunity to learn about a famous part of America's history!
Open 7 days a week

Shopping for Deals

Friday, September 4th
JERRY ROSSEN PUBLIC AUCTIONS
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 997-0245
Auctions will include antiques, collectibles, furniture and more!
6PM

Friday, September 4th - Sunday, September 6th
LABOR DAY CELEBRATION!
Odyssey Fun World
19111 South Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park
(708) 429-3800
Labor Day Weekend Extravaganza! $17 extreme adventure wristbands ($7 savings)! Odyssey Fun World will be closed Monday, September 7th.

 

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