Labor Day, created by the labor movement and designated as a federal holiday in 1895, has come to represent the unofficial end to summer and start of the back-to-school season.
The national holiday celebrates the contributions and achievements of the American worker, and its placement on the first Monday in September gives us a coveted three-day weekend to soak up the final rays of summer sunshine.
There are plenty of ways for Chicagoans to close out the season with outdoor music, food festivals and fun events.
Live Outdoor Music
The Chicago Jazz Festival returns this year from Aug. 29 – Sept. 1 in Millennium Park. The free event has been going strong for over forty years, and this year’s lineup will include a mix of Jazz legends, modern masters and new artists. The ARC Music Festival in Union Park will once again feature a world class lineup as it showcases sounds from around the globe. The three day event will run Aug. 30 – Sept. 1, and Hyde Park will host Jazz in the Court, a free neighborhood series hosting local jazz musicians in Harper Court.
Late Summer Food Festivals
Taste of Polonia, the largest Polish festival in the country, will offer a sampling of Polish food, beer, music, dance and entertainment over Labor Day weekend from Aug. 30 - Sept. 2 at the Copernicus Foundation.
Outdoor Events
Fifth Third Bike the Drive is back on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 a.m. The popular event helps raise funds for Active Trans, a non-profit organization working to improve conditions for walking, biking and public transit throughout Chicagoland.
The Chicago White Sox will play home games at Guaranteed Rate Field against the new York Mets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Beach days might be numbered, but there’s still time to grab your swimsuit and towel and picnic, play or relax on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. Enjoy the last of Navy Pier Fireworks with shows until Aug. 31 or check out Art on the Mart until Sept. 11.
Though summer is waning, Labor Day is also the unofficial NFL season kickoff, so there is plenty to look forward to as the summer sun fades and the bright colors of fall come into view.
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