September in Chicago is like a shot of pure refresh, leftover exhale as fall turns the dial.
Brisk mornings turn into sunny afternoons and chilly evenings, perfect for the hundreds of festivals, plays, concerts and general revelry during this magnificent month.
Let me share the top activities in Chicago that will make you September spectacular.
Festivals
Chicago Jazz Festival
Dates: Labor Day Weekend
Location: Millennium Park
The Chicago Jazz Festival celebrates the city’s jazz legacy and influence with multiple stages featuring renowned artists. Nationally acclaimed musicians perform alongside Chicago jazz talent.
Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, settle into the grass, and let the smooth melodies wash over you. Workshop tents allow you to learn more about the history and evolution of jazz.
Food vendors provide sustenance as you enjoy a full weekend of top-notch music. Don’t miss a chance to catch Chicago’s jazz greats live at this beloved free event.
Taste of Polonia
Dates: Labor Day Weekend
Location: Copernicus Center
The Taste of Polonia festival brings Poland to Chicago through authentic food, music, dance, and cultural celebrations. Held annually at the Copernicus Center over Labor Day weekend, this engaging festival offers a chance to experience Polish traditions without leaving town.
Indulge in dishes like pierogi, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, and Polish pastries from various vendors. Folk music and traditional dancers perform on stages, further transporting you. Shop for Polish handicrafts, jewelry, decor, and more from local artisans. With so many tastes, sights, and sounds of Poland, you’ll feel like you took a quick trip to the old country!
North Coast Music Festival
Dates: August 30th – September 1st, 2024.
Location: Union Park
Let loose and dance the weekend away with thousands of fellow electronic music fans at North Coast Music Festival. Living up to its reputation as the “World’s Largest Dance Music Festival”, North Coast takes over Union Park bringing top EDM, house, and hip-hop acts.
Discover new house music and see your favorites perform. North Coast concerts go from afternoon to night, so bring your stamina. Tickets go quickly for this premier Chicago music festival.
Chicago Gourmet Food Festival
Dates: September 26-29
Location: Millennium Park
This premier food festival takes place throughout Millennium Park with events led by celebrity chefs, famous restaurants, and spirit brands.
See Chicago’s top chefs compete in the Hamburger Hop competition. Take your taste buds on a journey with wine seminars and pairings. All food lovers need to indulge in Chicago’s amazing cuisine at this upscale, world-class festival.
ARC Music Festival
Dates: August 30 – September 1, 2024
Location: Millennium Park
ARC Music Festival is Chicago’s premier house and techno festival. The 2024 lineup includes top-tier acts like Disclosure, Carl Cox B2B Green Velvet, and Honey Dijon. The festival also features unique back-to-back sets and special collaborations, along with an extensive after-party series known as ARC After Dark
Plays or Musicals
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Dates: September 18
Location: Music Box Theater
Create an interesting date night or family memory at a Candlelight concert in September. This beloved event series pairs the music of popular artists with an intimate, candlelit atmosphere. Attendees experience the artist’s greatest hits performed by a string quartet and piano at Music Box Theater.
Multiple dates give Swift fans several chances to attend. The combination of candlelight and music makes for a magical evening.
Hamilton
Hamilton
Dates: September 10-15
Location: CIBC Theatre
The hip hop musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton comes to Chicago’s CIBC Theatre in September. Hamilton brings history to life through its diverse casting, choreography, and catchy score that blends hip hop, jazz, R&B and more.
Magic Shows
The Magic Parlor
Dates: Ongoing September shows
Location: Palmer House Hilton Hotel
For intimate, up-close magic that will leave you amazed, check out the long-running Magic Parlor shows in the Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Talented magician Dennis Watkins combines illusions, mind-reading tricks, humor, and storytelling for a well-rounded magical time.
Concerts
Selena Tribute Concert
Date: Friday, Sept 6
Location: Millennium Park
Dance the night away with family and fellow Selena fans at the free Selena tribute concert in Millennium Park. Brought to you by the Latino radio station La Ley 107.9, this energetic event celebrates the Queen of Tejano music.
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard
Dates: September 1
Location: Millennium Park & Various Stages
The psychedelic rockers King Gizzard the Lizard Wizard will play Red Rocks near Chicago on September 1st. Nobody captures their twisting, turning, otherworldly sound better than this wildly creative group of Australians, who all get their hair cut in the exact same style by their touring drummer. They switch between quaint folksy melodies; fast-paced, upbeat, joyous skiffle; dramatic metal; and a whole lot more.
