Every year, September in Chicago percolates with great, summer-extending annual events. Find old and new favorites here.
- Labor Day Weekend - Top Picks
- Mayor Daley's Senior Games - Tuesday, September 2 to Sunday, September 14
A competition for people over 50, all of whom are in much better shape than me. - Guinness Oyster Festival - Saturday, September 6
Drink your favorite beer and swallow oceanic goobers at Roscoe and Damen from 12 noon to 11 p.m. - Auburn Gresham 79th Street Renaissance Festival - Saturday, September 6
On 79th Street between Loomis and Racine. Enjoy from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Mexican Independence Day Parade - Saturday, September 6, 2008
The city's downtown fiesta of Mexican Independence. Parade kick-off time is 12 noon. It departs from Columbus and Balbo and ends at Columbus and Monroe. - German American Fest - Friday, September 5 through Sunday, September 7
With the accompanying General Von Steuben Day Parade - Saturday, September 6
Celebrating German heritage in the heart of Lincoln Square. Go to Leland, Lincoln and Western to oompa-pa-pa.
- Central American Parade - Sunday, September 7
A noon start time for this festival of countries in Central America begins at Montrose and California and runs to Kimball. - Fiesta de la Villita - Thursday, September 11 through Sunday, September 14
A celebration of the Latino family and Mexican Independence Day. Held in conjunction with the 26th Street Independence Day Parade (see below). - SmART Show in Wicker Park - Saturday, September 12 through Sunday, September 14
Fall festival of the arts. -
Taste of Romania - Friday, September 12 through Sunday, September 14
Enjoy Romanian food and musical treats at Addison and California. -
Wine Crush in Old Town - Saturday, September 13
Yes, it does include a grape stomping competition. Wine tasting, arts vendors, and entertainment, too. -
Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade - Saturday, September 13
Pilsen's party begins at 12 noon at Newberry and 18th Street and runs west on 18th Street to Wolcott. -
26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade - Sunday, September 14
This parade kicks off from 26th Street and Albany and runs to Kostner at 12 noon. For more info call (773)521-5387. -
South Chicago Mexican Independence Day Parade - Sunday, September 14
Join the kick off at Commercial Avenue and 87th Street and view along to 100th Street. Start time is noon. - Chicago Celtic Fest - Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14
This Grant Park festival features music and culture from seven Gaelic regions: Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man and Cornwall, Wales, Galicia, Spain; and Brittany, France. More than 150 performances expected across 9 stages. - Renegade Craft Fair - Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14
Find do-it-yourselfers who do it so well, you'll want to buy their stuff. Noon to 10 p.m. on Division between Damen and Hermitage. - Lakeview East Festival of the Arts - Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14
On Broadway between Belmont and Roscoe from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. -
World Music Festival - Friday, September 19 to Thursday, September 25
This festival, which is hosted by the city's Department of Cultural Affairs, spreads throughout the city at many venues and celebrates music from around the globe. - Eli's Cheesecake Festival - Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21
Chicago's home town cheesecake factory rolls out this two-day fest every September to benefit local charities. It takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive. - Chicago's Historical Route 66 Classic Car Show - Sunday, September 21
Get your motor running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3800-3918 W. Ogden Avenue. - World MBA Tour - Monday, September 22
Large MBA traveling information session with recruiters, admissions strategy workshops, scholarship info and more. - Chicago Horror Film Festival - Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28
The creepiest of the creeps on film for three days straight. Boo. -
Dia de los Muertos at National Museum of Mexican Art - Friday, September 26
The annual festival of the day of the dead opens at 1852 W. 19th Street in Chicago. FREE.
- Chicago Gourmet Fest - Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28
Kind of like a rich person's Taste of Chicago. This new festival debuts in Millennium Park this year.
- Hyde Park Arts and Crafts Adventure - Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27
University of Chicago Shopping Center Outdoor Courtyard
55th and Lake Park Avenue
September 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
September 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest - Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28
This Oktoberfest celebrates the heritage of the almost completely vanished German neighborhood where it takes place every year. Fortunately, there are still plenty of beer and brats left to go around.
- Macy's Day of Music - Free All-Day Marathon - Saturday, September 27
This free day fills Symphony Center with the sound of music from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. Symphony Center is located at 220 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
- Hyde Park Jazz Festival - Saturday, September 27
One of the newer festivals in Chicago. Enjoy this all-day jazz fest in the city's culturally rich Hyde Park neighborhood. - Chicago Antique Market - Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28
Wander the market in search of Old Chicago from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1340 W. Washington. - Randolph Street Market - Chicago Antique Market - Chicago Indie Market - Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28
The best of European markets meets the best of Chicago festivals. At 1350 W. Randolph (outside) and 1340 W. Washington - Plumber's Hall(inside). Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. outdoors and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. indoors. Sunday indoors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -
57th Street Children's Book Fair - Sunday, September 28, 2008
This popular festival celebrates children and books from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. It runs on 57th Street between Dorchester and Kimbark and on Kimbark between and 57th Street and 56th.
