Spending Labor Day weekend in Chicago and looking for things to do? You are in luck because Labor Day weekend (August 30, 2023 – September 2, 2024) is a great time to visit Chicago. There are tons of fun things to do in Chicago on Labor Day and even more during Labor Day weekend.
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as I plan to update it regularly with new events and activities as they are announced.
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What to Pack for Chicago for Labor Day Weekend
For out of town visitors, here are essentials things to pack for Chicago this Labor Day weekend.
• Comfortable walking shoes – Chicago is a very walkable city so you will probably do a lot of walking
• Reusable water bottle – It is usually hot and humid on Labor Day weekend so it is important to stay hydrated
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• A travel umbrella in case it rains
• Light sweater (and scarf) – For night, lake cruises and indoor places with too much air conditioning
• Waterproof case – For your phone if you plan to go kayaking or spend time in the water
• External battery for your phone – To recharge your phone’s battery when you are outdoors
• Mosquito repellent – If you plan to be outside around dusk or at night.
• Sunscreen – A must if you will be spending a lot of time outside in the day
• Bathing suit and other beach essentials (if you are planning to spend time at the beach)
If you forget to bring something essential, don’t worry. There are many drugstores located close to the popular tourist attractions if you need to pick something up.
Things to Do in Chicago on Labor Day Weekend
Here are the best things to do in Chicago during Labor Day weekend.
Watch Free Fireworks at Night
Watch the last free fireworks show of the summer season at Navy Pier on Saturday before Labor Day.
While you can watch the fireworks show from Navy Pier, you can also watch it from various spots along the Lakefront.
The most relaxing way to watch the fireworks is a fireworks lake or river cruise which will stop on the water for passengers to enjoy the show.
You can also see the fireworks and explore Chicago at night on this fireworks segway tour.
Take an Architecture River Cruise
Taking an architecture river cruise is a must on any Chicago bucket list.
Take a Lake Cruise
If you enjoy being on the water, a lake cruise is a fun activity whether in the day, around sunset and in the evening. While you don’t get to see the buildings up close like on a architecture river cruise, you do get to enjoy skyline views and a refreshing cool lake breeze. If your time is short, you can do a combination river and lake cruise. Lake cruises depart from Navy Pier or the Michigan Avenue bridge.
Join a Labor Day Booze Cruise
Want to drink while enjoying being on the water? You can join several Labor Day themed booze cruises:
Labor Day Sunday Funday Sunset Booze Cruise – Sunday at 6:00 p.m
The Lake House: A Labor Day Sunset Cruise in Chicago – Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Go Kayaking
A fun way to explore the city is to go kayaking in the Chicago River or the lake. There are several companies that offer kayaking tours in Chicago including Urban Kayaks, Kayak Chicago and Wateriders and you can choose between day tours, sunset tours and fireworks tours.
Please note that you will get a little wet so bring a waterproof case for your phone and water-resistant or quick-drying clothing.
Have Fun at Navy Pier
Navy Pier can be somewhat of a tourist trap but it is a must do if you are visiting Chicago with toddlers or kids. There are fun attractions at Navy Pier including a large Ferris wheel (click here to purchase a fast pass ticket and skip the long line), restaurants, shops and the Chicago Children’s Museum.
Navy Pier is also the starting point for various sightseeing tours and cruises.
Spend Time at the Beach
Spend time at one of Chicago’s many beaches before they officially close. If you are thinking of getting in the water to cool down, you can check the swimming conditions here.
You can rent SUP paddle boards at North Avenue Beach here and kayaks at Ohio Street Beach here.
Walk or Bike the Lakefront Trail
Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is a paved path on a 18-mile-long stretch along Lake Michigan. During Labor Day weekend, the lakefront will be packed with locals and visitors walking, running and riding bikes. Walking or biking all or part of the trail is a great way to see the Chicago skyline, people watch and get some exercise.
Here is a map of the trail as well as its access points.
Hang Out on the Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk along the south bank of the Chicago River is one of the best spots in Chicago for people watching. There are restaurants, bars, shops and places to sit along the way -see a map here.
Watch Digital Art at Art on theMart
Looking for a unique thing to do at night? Check out Art on theMART, the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, projecting contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre river-façade of theMART. Free 30-minute program of projections are shown nightly. Spectators can watch the show from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
Visit the Art Institute of Chicago
If you want to avoid the heat and sun, Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave) is one of Chicago’s best indoor attractions and one of top museums in the world.
Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines.
Look for Street Art
Looking for a unique thing to do this weekend? Walk around Chicago looking for street art.
One of the most famous Chicago murals is “Moose Bubblegum Bubble” by Jacob Watts which located at 33 E. Congress (South Wall). This famous mural is part of the Wabash Arts Corridor and is walking distance to Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago and other well known tourist attractions.
Another famous mural is The Greetings From Chicago Mural at 2226 N Milwaukee Ave, in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. You can see this mural and more on this street art tour.
Walk Through a Sunflower Field
Visiting sunflower fields was a popular activity for Chicagoans this summer. Many sunflower fields and mazes are still in bloom and open for visitors on Labor Day weekend. Here is a list of the best sunflower fields near Chicago with locations, dates, hours, prices and all the information you need to plan your visit.
Go Apple Picking
Looking for a fun outdoor activity in the Chicago area? Take a day trip to a nearby apple orchard to go apple picking or indulge in fresh apple cider donuts. There are many apple orchards are located in the Chicago suburbs about an hour or less from downtown. Some apple orchards also offer kid friendly attractions and activities like corn mazes, kid farms and more.
Here is a list of the best apple orchards near Chicago for apple picking with locations, dates, hours, prices and all the information you need to plan your visit.
Attend an Outdoor Festival
Enjoy food, live music and other fun activities at an outdoor festival. Outdoor festivals taking place in Chicago during Labor Day weekend include: Chicago Jazz Festival, ARC Music Festival, North Coast Music Festival and Taste of Polonia Festival.
More Chicago Labor Day Weekend Events
Other events taking place in Chicago duribg Labor Day weekend include: Chicago Labor Day Parade and Fifth Third Bike the Drive.
As you can see there are many things to do in Chicago on Labor Day weekend.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Check out my Chicago guides and itineraries:
