Best Things to Do with Chicagoland Kids in September

Plan ahead! We've rounded up some of the best activities and events to do with kids in Chicago and suburbs this month.

When raising kids, you know life can get busy. That’s why it’s sometimes helpful to plan ahead when searching for exciting events and attractions in Chicagoland. To make things easier for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with kids in September.

Be sure to check out the fall festivals happening this month. Also, be sure to find other seasonal events such as apple orchards and where to see fall colors.

Keep on scrolling to see our top picks of kid-friendly events in Chicago and the suburbs. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar.

Through Sept. 3, 2023

This annual event showcases Chicago’s vast jazz talent along with national and international artists to entertain and educate a jazz audience of all ages. See Ron Carter and Foursight, Dianne Reeves, Makaya McCraven, Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars and more.

Sept. 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-30, 2023

Experience new instruments, technologies and audience participation at the Blue Man Group Chicago. This family-friendly performance is great for ages 3 and up.

Sept. 1, 2023

Parents and their littles can sing, dance, play and learn with Family Picnic at this in-person class offered outdoors.

Sept. 1-4, 2023

Enjoy a true cultural experience that includes nonstop live music on three stages, authentic Polish food, arts and crafts, games, movie screenings, casino, face painting, balloons and more.

Sept. 2-3, 2023

Enjoy four blocks of art in all different mediums as talented artists showcase and sell creative work. Plus, enjoy interactive art, live music, children’s crafts and more.

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2023

Glenwood Sunday Market features 23 vendors for the 2023 season. The market offers a variety of products ranging from produce, meat, honey, dairy, pickles, bakeries, sweets, tofu, flowers, coffee and more. Dogs will be allowed in the market area on short leashes.

Sept. 3, 2023

This new Pride event features House dance lessons, cultural performances, drag makeovers,yoga, skateboard school and an all-ages Slo ‘Mo dance party with a fab DJ lineup. RSVP for free tickets.

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023

Come out to Edgewater’s Monday Market to buy produce fresh from the farm, unique artisanal goods and more. It showcases more than 20 local vendors and features kids activities and live music.

Through Sept. 4, 2023

Enjoy 30,000 square feet of hands-on magical interactivity, including games, exploration, sensory activations and more that celebrate Harry’s own journey in discovering the wizarding world.

Through Sept. 4, 2023

View two immersive exhibits with one ticket and see the life and music of Mozart and iconic art by Van Gogh.

Sept. 6, 2023

Take the kids out to Eckhart Park for a showing of Grease. The movie begins at dusk.

Sept. 8-10, 2023

The family-friendly festival features live bands, food, beer, wine, carnival games and more.

Sept. 8, 2023

Families can head to Lake Shore Park for a movie beginning at dusk. Grease is on Sept. 8.

Sept. 8-10, 2023

Taste all the things that make Chicago great with more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, plus three stages of performances and the Lifeway Family Village with games, bounce houses and activities.

Sept. 9, 2023

Enjoy a day of live music, kids activities, bubble show, photo booth and more.

Sept. 9, 2023

Participate in monarch butterfly tagging demos, enjoy a story time, see a vibrant performance by the Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance company and more. Registration required.

Sept. 9, 2023

This celebratory kick-off to the Harris’ 20th anniversary season will feature performances spanning jazz, ballet and contemporary dance, as well as classical music, opera, and interactive workshops hosted by participating artists.

Sept. 9, 2023

Head to Jonquil Park for a showing of Lightyear, beginning at dusk. For all ages.

Sept. 9-10, 2023

More than 100,000 visitors are expected over the two-day festival, which will feature carefully selected offerings from more than 100 booksellers.

Sept. 10, 2023

Come out to Antique Taco Bridgeport to see little kids doing big things as it celebrates its fourth year. There will be 30 kids vendors ages 5-12. Enjoy crafts, food and cool stuff.

Sept. 12, 26, 2023

Enjoy a summer concert featuring rock, pop and folk music, free dance lessons and other interactive music experiences. For all ages.

Sept. 13, 2023

See this epic saga that follows the rise of Alexander Hamilton, based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It blends the sounds of hip-hop, R&B, jazz and Broadway music. For ages 5 and up.

Sept. 13, 27, 2023

Head out to Gallagher Way for its summer programming series. In September, see Back to the Future and The Blues Brothers. Reservations required.

Sept. 21-Nov. 3, 2023

Spend an autumn night outside making memories while you get lost in Chicago’s largest corn maze, enjoy nighttime light displays and pick a pumpkin from the patch. There are also carnival games, fortune tellers, gem mining, food trucks, photo opportunities and more. For all ages.

Sept. 22-24, 2023

Join in on the fun at one of Chicago’s most popular fall celebrations and all things Bavarian. There will be food, music and more.

Sept. 23-24; Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 2023

Ages 7 and up can visit Chicago Children’s Theatre to see Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery. Kids will laugh as they engage their minds to solve this mystery, fueled with stories about Ben Franklin’s many scientific discoveries and inventions.

Sept. 23, 2023

Watch a screening of Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse while listening to a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop. It will feature live musicians and turntables featuring a DJ scratcher live on stage.

Sept. 23, 2023

Falling on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the round shape and completeness of the full moon symbolize family and friends reunion.

Sept. 24, 2023

Briar Street Theatre will be transformed into a calming environment complete with bean bags, dim lighting and quiet corners for anyone seeking a sensory break from the excitement of the show.

Sept. 29-Oct. 29, 2023

Celebrate fall with seasonal décor, music, large-scale chalk art, professional pumpkin carving and fall photo ops among the pumpkin patches. Ticketed activities include a harvest maze, fun slide, inflatable obstacle course and Kiddie Wheel.

Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023

There will be more than 50 market vendors and apple items from six farms at this annual event.

Through Oct. 14, 2023

Step into a fully immersive experience with Doodles x Camp. It is a 3,500-square-foot experience with features like Stoodio Magic, Rainbow Valley, Glowing Adventures and more.

Through Oct. 31, 2023

Check out this interactive game that takes place across multiple locations in downtown Chicago, starting at Block 37. In this new spin on the classic mystery game, guests step into the roles of characters as detectives to solve the mystery of who murdered Mr. Boddy. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Through Dec. 31, 2023

This exhibit features a collection of popular, rare and experimental Mold-A-Rama souvenirs from the past. Take home colorful souvenirs made by several machines featured in the exhibit and around the museum.

Through Jan. 15, 2024

See this immersive educational museum exhibit, “Pompeii: The Exhibition,” and be transported back in time to learn about Pompeii and see more than 150 historical artifacts.

Through Jan. 28, 2024

View this exhibit at the Field Museum that gathered more than 700 exquisite objects, such as jewelry, armor, weapons and more.

Sept. 2-4, 2023

This immersive family attraction contains eight different interactive inflatables, including a 600-foot-long obstacle course, a bottomless ball pit, a silent disco dome with live DJs, lights and special effects, a customized sports arena, tons of selfie stations and so much more! For all ages.

Sept. 2-4, 2023

This outdoor festival features entertainment, arts and crafts show, a carnival, pony rides, fireworks and a Labor Day parade.

Sept. 3-4, 2023

This annual art fair features the work of 120 exhibitors in a variety of disciplines, including glass, wood, fiber, ceramics, digital art, jewelry, metal, drawing/pastels, graphics/printmaking, painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media.

Sept. 7, 2023

Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by The Jolly Ringwalds. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.

Sept. 9-10, 2023

This art festival will feature the work from more than 75 of the nation’s top juried artists, family-friendly activities, live musical performances and more.

Sept. 9, 2023

Stop by The Book Stall to celebrate the release of Elves are the Worst, the newest picture book by author, Alex Willan. Recommended for kids ages 4-8.

Sept. 10, 2023

Ages 4-12 can enjoy a drop-in craft and visit with their mascot, Clayson, the Family Dog.

Sept. 10, 2023

Join Illinois Holocaust Museum for a live conversation with “Hour of Need” author Ralph Shayne and illustrator Tatiana Goldberg as they discuss the inspiration behind, collaboration and creation process for this graphic novel. Registration required.

Sept. 10, 2023

Join Little Miss Ann and her band at John & Nancy Hughes Theater in the Gordon Center. Kids will sing, jump and dance along to the upbeat music.

Sept. 14-Oct. 8, 2023

Ages 8 and up can see this comical performance that embraces the wackiness in every family. Although it’s based on the Addams Family, it features an original story.

Sept. 15-16, 2023

Enjoy traditional German food, games and activities, live music and so much more at the annual Elk Grove Village Oktoberfest celebration.

Sept. 16-Oct. 29, 2023

Pumpkin Fest features family activities and attractions for all ages, including amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more.

Sept. 21, 2023

Enjoy live music on the front lawn at The Dole by Galway Gals. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks.

Sept. 22-23, 2023

Oktoberfest features live entertainment with authentic German food and drinks. Plus, a kids’ portion for their fall fest on Saturday.

Sept. 22-24, 2023

Enjoy the beautiful fall outdoor ambiance and free live music throughout the historic village. Get your apple fix on treats like brown bag apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, hot apple cider, caramel apple lattes and more.

Sept. 24, 2023

This family-friendly event gives visitors a chance to spend the afternoon at the Wilmette Historical Museum checking out the vehicles and chatting with the owners.

Through Sept. 24, 2023

This exhibit explores 14-year-old Rywka Lipszyc’s diary that was discovered in the ashes of a destroyed crematorium at Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2023

Enjoy carnival rides, beer garden, food vendors, lots of fall activities, live music and family fun. There will also be a fireworks display Saturday night.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023

See your favorite children of legendary monsters in an all-new live show. In Monster High Live, Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura, Frankie Stein and their boo crew get ready for the school’s annual Monster Ball.

Sept. 30, 2023

This annual family-friendly event features live entertainment, shopping, classic games and community resources.

Sept. 30, 2023

The weekend excitement will include a beer garden, traditional eats and live music acts along with activities for youngsters and families.

Sept. 2-4, 2023

This fall fest features more than 300 artisans, live entertainment, a carnival, food, beverages and a parade at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Sept. 4, 2023

This annual 5K fun run race helps raise money for building wells in South Africa. Registration required.

Sept. 15-16, 2023

This fall event includes a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, music, artisan and food vendors, face painting, bounce house and more.

Sept. 15-17, 2023

Resembles the traditional Oktoberfest held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany with food, drink, traditional dancing, a vendor fair, a carnival and more.

Sept. 23, 2023

This 4th annual festival features a vendor market, live entertainment, resource fair, food trucks, kids zone and more.

Sept. 1-4, 2023

The festival includes an entertainment stage, food vendors, business expo vendors, family activities, Labor Day parade and a carnival.

Sept. 8, 2023

Families can enjoy this “creative-reuse carnival” with themed games made from re-purposed materials along with prizes learning about nature and more.

Sept. 9, 2023

There will be an assortment of all different kinds of vehicles, from police cars, fire trucks, cranes, a garbage truck and even a helicopter! Kids will be able to sit behind the steering wheels, take pictures and explore everything about their favorite vehicles. There will also be a DJ, train rides, games and giveaways.

Through Sept. 10, 2023

“Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop” allows visitors to experience Andy Warhol’s life through interactive exhibits, recreations and videos created exclusively for this exhibition.

Sept. 10, 2023

Featuring live entertainment, activities for children, free pony rides and story time by Elsa from Frozen. Scandinavian walkway with vendors, displays and Scandinavian food.

Sept. 15-16, 2023

The family-friendly festival includes an international food court, live music, beer garden and more.

Sept. 22-23, 2023

This annual fall festival features a premiere music lineup, specialty craft beers, delicious fall foods from local places and a Kids’ Root Beer Garden. The kids activities include hands-on activities, games, root beer floats, zucchini races, games and more.

Sept. 24, 2023

This monthly event provides a modified environment for play and learning for children and their caregivers. It is intended for families with disabilities, on the autism spectrum and/or with sensory processing disorders. Pre-registration is required.

Sept. 25-Oct. 8, 2023

Dinos are taking over Wheaton for family fun and education. Popular animatronic dinos like the T. rex and Triceratops are joined by the Herrerasaurus, the Minmi and rare Amargasaurus.

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