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Chicago Labor Day Weekend Events - Top Picks
Thursday, September 3 through Monday, September 7, 2009

From Jennifer Roche, for About.com

Taste of Polonia celebrates Polish food and culture every Labor Day Weekend.

Of course, Labor Day is not really the official end of summer. But we all know it's when the party winds down, and Mother Nature stands in the corner with an ice cold broom waiting for us to get over it.

Enjoy these great events in Chicago over Labor Day Weekend beginning Thursday, September 3 and running through Monday, September 7, 2009.

Related: Top 5 Chicago Area Public Golf Courses | Chicago's Best Beaches


  1. Chicago Bears Preseason Game vs. Cleveland Browns - Thursday
    The Chicago Bears final preseason game takes place on the eve of Labor Day weekend, so you can recover for three days.Chicago Bears 2009 Schedule

  2. Made in Chicago - Jazz Prelude at Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion - Thursday
    Beginning at 6:30 at Pritzker Pavilion, the Chicago Jazz Fest gets its prelude with a Benny Goodman Centennial Celebration featuring the Chicago Jazz Ensemble.

  3. Oprah Winfrey's Color Purple - Thursday through Sunday
    The musical stage version of the Alice Walker novel that turned into a movie and fueled Oprah's soaring star is now touring starring American Idol TV sensation Fantasia and sponsored by Oprah. Got that? Check it out at the Arie Crown Theater.

  4. Chicago Sky vs. Washington Mystics - Friday
    Chicago's WNBA plays at 7:30 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion.

  5. Museum of Contemporary Art First Fridays - Friday
    The hipster monthly party at the MCA unfolds this Labor Day weekend. More About the MCA

  6. Chicago White Sox vs. the Boston Red Sox at Home - Friday through Tuesday
    U.S. Cellular is the place for the Labor Day weekend showdown between the White and the Red.
    • Friday at 7:11 p.m.
    • Saturday at 3:05 p.m.
    • Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
    • Monday at 1:05 p.m.
  7. Steely Dan: Takin it to the Seats Internet Request Night - Friday
    Hit-maker Steely Dan plays its fourth night in town at the Chicago Theatre.

  8. 31st Chicago Jazz Festival - Friday through Sunday
    Three days of incredible, free jazz on three stages. (That's free as in pay-no-money, but you can probably also get your fair share of free jazz, too.)

  9. Taste of Polonia - Friday through Monday
    The celebration of Polish culture and food on the city's northwest side turns 30 this year. The epicenter is the Copernicus Center at 5216 West Lawrence.

  10. African Festival of the Arts - Friday through Monday
    The 20th running of this popular festival turns Washington Park into an African Village. Many more performers, culture, arts, and food.

  11. Arlington Park - Friday through Monday Special Events
    Arlington Racetrack trots out a stable of events for your holiday pleasure.
    • Friday - Miller Lite Party in the Park
    • Saturday - Breakfast at Arlington, Handicapping Challenge, Taste of Summer Festival, Labor Day Turf Showcase
    • Sunday - Family Day
    • Monday - Labor Day Turf Showcase


  12. Ricardo Arjona - Saturday
    The Guatemalan-born singer and Grammy award winner begins at 8 p.m.. at Allstate Arena.

  13. Redmoon - Spectacle '09 - Saturday through Monday
    "An enormous evening of song, celebration, and surprise" at Belmont Harbor.

  14. Fireworks over Navy Pier - Saturday and Sunday
    Ooooh and aaaaah your way through Saturday and Sunday nights near the pier.

  15. Historic Run - North Side Colleges - Sunday
    This is one of the most thoughtful running programs in the city. Run approximately 5 miles at a leisurely pace and take in some of Chicago's history. The Sunday morning of Labor Day Weekend will take you along the Chicago River and the campuses of several north side colleges.

  16. Central American Parade - Sunday
    A noon start time for this festival of countries in Central America begins at Montrose and California and runs to Montrose and Kimball.

  17. WWE Monday Night Raw - Monday
    The World Wrestling Entertainment body slams into Allstate Arena for their version of a Monday night throw down.More about Monday Night RAW
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