September is packed with festivals, parades and plenty of outdoor fun for families across Chicagoland. From fall favorites like pumpkin farms and Oktoberfests to hands-on workshops and cultural celebrations, there’s something for kids of all ages.
Scroll through our top picks of kid-friendly September 2025 events in Chicago and the suburbs. Find even more family events in our calendar, and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @chicagoparent if you check any of them out!
Best September family events in Chicago
From Oktoberfests to butterfly festivals, the city is full of ways to celebrate the season. Families will find everything from hands-on museum programs to parades and community gatherings.
Taste of Polonia Festival
5–10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29
Noon–10:30 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 30–31
Noon–9:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1
- Address: 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $10+
Families can enjoy live music, dance shows, authentic Polish food and carnival rides, plus games, inflatables and more for kids. Movie screenings and vendors round out this four-day community celebration.
German American Oktoberfest
5–10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5
Noon–10 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 6–7
- Address: 4521 Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free admission
This family-friendly festival in Lincoln Square offers live bands, food, beer, wine and carnival games. Families can also enjoy the parade on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Girls Build! Day
10 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
- Address: 111 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free with registration
Youth in grades six through 12 can explore architecture, design and engineering through hands-on activities and walking tours. The event is free but requires advance registration.
40th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 6–7
- Address: S. Dearborn, from Ida B. Wells to Polk St., Chicago
- Cost: Free admission
Families can celebrate the Midwest’s largest literary event with children’s storytelling, author talks and activities for all ages. More than 100 booksellers, food vendors and live programs will be featured across six stages.
Flutter into Fall
10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 (members may enter at 9 a.m.)
- Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Included with museum admission; Museums for All pricing available upon request
Families can celebrate monarch migration with crafts, butterfly tagging, nature walks and Aztec dance performances. Kids will love the daily tropical butterfly release in the Butterfly Haven.
Little Lawndale In The Park
Noon–7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
- Address: Douglass Park Flower Hall and Formal Gardens, Ogden and Sacramento, Chicago
- Cost: Free admission
This free community festival celebrates the cultures of North and South Lawndale with live music, youth performances and art. Families can also enjoy food trucks and kid-friendly activities from local organizations and vendors.
Chicago Flower Festival
10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
- Address: 1651 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free admission; bouquet-making class $45–$55
Families can explore flowers from more than 25 local farms, build bouquets at a giant DIY bouquet bar and enjoy tacos and coffee. Admission is free, with an optional bouquet-making class offered in the afternoon.
Chicago Kid Fest
9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14
- Address: 1018 N. California Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free admission
Celebrate back-to-school with free mini activities, games, face painting and giveaways at Music House in Humboldt Park. Families can also learn about local enrichment programs in music, sports, art, dance and more.
Oktoberfest with the Cubs
4–10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19
11 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
Noon–7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21
- Address: Wrigleyville, Chicago
- Cost: General admission $15 (children 10 and under free); weekend pass $30; VIP $75 (children 3 and under free; additional fees may apply)
Families can celebrate Oktoberfest in Wrigleyville with carnival rides, crafts, face painting and balloon artists during Kinderfest hours on Saturday and Sunday. Adults can enjoy beer tents, food and live music, plus Bavarian-themed games and competitions all weekend.
Monarch Butterfly Shadow Puppet Workshop
10 a.m.–noon Saturday, Sept. 27
- Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Discounted admission for Family and Family+ members; general admission tickets available online
Kids ages 6 and up can create their own butterfly shadow puppets in this hands-on workshop at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Families will end the program by bringing their puppets to life in a shadow puppet theater. Advance registration is required.
Best September family events in the North/Northwest Suburbs
Carnivals, fireworks and Oktoberfests are the highlights of September in the North/Northwest Suburbs. Families can also check out big performances like Monster Jam at Allstate Arena.
Schaumburg Septemberfest
10 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 30–31
10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1
- Address: 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg
- Cost: Free admission; food, rides and some activities available for purchase
Families can celebrate Labor Day weekend with carnival rides, a parade, live music, fireworks and a craft fair at the Prairie Center for the Arts grounds. Food, entertainment and plenty of kid-friendly activities are part of this three-day tradition.
Monster Jam
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12
1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 (Pit Party 10:30 a.m.–noon)
1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 (Pit Party 10:30 a.m.–noon)
- Address: Allstate Arena, Rosemont
- Cost: Ticket prices vary; Pit Party passes sold separately (additional fees may apply)
Families can cheer on trucks like Grave Digger, El Toro Loco and the new Bailey Circuit as they compete in racing, two-wheel skills and freestyle. Kids will also love the Pit Party, where they can get photos, autographs and a close-up look at the trucks.
Fall Festival/Oktoberfest in Mount Prospect
4–11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19
Noon–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
- Address: Intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, Mount Prospect
- Cost: Free admission; fees for food
Families can enjoy live entertainment along with German food and drinks during this two-day festival. Saturday also features kid-friendly fall activities as part of the community celebration.
Elk Grove Village Oktoberfest
6–10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19
3–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
- Address: 164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village
- Cost: Free admission; tickets required for food and drinks
This annual celebration features traditional German food, live music, games and family activities. Kids can join in the fun while adults enjoy authentic food and drinks.
W.I.S.E. Up!® Session for 4th–6th Graders
9:30–11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
- Address: 2049 Ridge Ave., Evanston
- Cost: $75 per child (parents included)
This workshop supports adopted and foster children in exploring their feelings about adoption and handling intrusive questions. Parents must attend with their child, and advance registration is required as space is limited.
Huntley Fall Fest
5–11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26
10 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27
11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28
- Address: 12015 Mill St., Huntley
- Cost: Free admission
Families can enjoy carnival rides, food vendors, live music and seasonal activities at this community festival. Kids will find plenty to do during the day, and fireworks light up the sky on Friday and Saturday nights.
Evanston’s OktoberFiesta
3–9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27
- Address: 1012 Lake St., Evanston
- Cost: $5 wristband per person; kids 5 and under free; food and drinks available for purchase
Families can celebrate fall with German and Mexican food, local craft brews and live music. Kids will enjoy activities like nine-square and sidewalk chalk while parents take in performances from mariachi, folk and rock bands.
Best September family events in the South Suburbs
The South Suburbs bring together artisan fairs, cultural celebrations and plenty of fall festival fun. Families can expect parades, fireworks, pumpkin farms and seasonal activities throughout the month.
Frankfort Fall Festival
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 30–31
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1
- Address: Kansas and White streets, Frankfort
- Cost: Free admission; $10 donation for parking
Families can explore more than 300 artisan booths, enjoy carnival rides and food, and take in live entertainment throughout the weekend. The festival parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Labor Day Unlimited Attractions Wristband
Noon–9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1
- Address: 7759 S. Harlem Ave., Burbank
- Cost: $36.95 per guest
Families can celebrate Labor Day with unlimited go-karts, mini golf, Crazy Cabs, the Miner Mike Coaster and more at Haunted Trails. Kids will also enjoy half-price games available all day.
Bengtson’s Fall Fest
11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m. weekends and Columbus Day (closed Sept. 8–11) Sept. 5–Nov. 2
- Address: 13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen
- Cost: Ticket prices vary; children under 2 free
Families can enjoy unlimited rides, hayrides, pig races, a petting zoo, a corn box and more at this popular pumpkin farm. Fall fun also includes live entertainment and award-winning food all season long.
Monee Fall Fest
5–11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5
11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
9 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7
- Address: 5218 West Court St., Monee
- Cost: Free admission; fees for rides
This community festival features live music, a car show, parade, carnival rides, food trucks and a beer garden. Families can also enjoy fireworks and kid-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
Celebración de Raíces / Celebration of Roots
11 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
- Address: Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland
- Cost: Free admission
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with music, games and food at Sand Ridge Nature Center. Families can also enjoy cultural activities that honor the region’s history of migration.
Fiesta Chicago Heights
Sept. 13–14; Times vary (check website for details)
- Address: Chicago Heights
- Cost: Free admission
Families can celebrate Latino culture with live music, authentic food and activities for all ages. The festival showcases traditions from across Central and South America in a fun, family-friendly setting.
Tinley Park Oktoberfest
5–11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19
1–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
1–6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21
- Address: 18001 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park
- Cost: $10 entry; fees for rides
This three-day festival brings Bavarian traditions to Tinley Park with food, drinks, traditional dancing, a vendor fair and a carnival. Families can enjoy kid-friendly activities while adults take in authentic Oktoberfest fun.
Best September family events in the Western Suburbs
From Winfield to Naperville, September in the Western Suburbs offers music festivals, touch-a-truck events, and zoo adventures. Families can also enjoy unique performances and traditional fall favorites.
Naperville Last Fling
Aug. 29–Sept. 1; Times vary (check website for schedule)
- Address: 100 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville
- Cost: Free admission; fees for activities
Families can enjoy a Labor Day weekend filled with live entertainment, food vendors, a carnival and family activities. The festival also includes a parade and business expo.
Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival
11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday–Monday, Aug. 31–Sept. 1
- Address: 822 N. 1st St. (Rt. 31), Geneva
- Cost: Suggested donation: adults $35/day, students and seniors $20/day, families $80/day, free for kids under 12
Families can enjoy two days of music, storytelling, workshops, dancing and food trucks at Wheeler Park. The festival also includes a kids’ zone with activities designed just for children.
Good Old Days Festival
Sept. 5–7; Times vary by day (check website for schedule)
- Address: Downtown Winfield, Winfield
- Cost: Free admission; food and activities available for purchase
Families can enjoy live music, trolley tours, a parade and quirky contests like a meatball-eating challenge and duck race on the DuPage River. The festival also features a Kid Zone, car show and local food vendors.
Touch-A-Truck
10 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6
- Address: 7501 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside
- Cost: Free admission
Kids can climb on and explore vehicles from local businesses and services at this hands-on event. Families can also enjoy music, games, bubble fun and prize giveaways.
Zoo After Dark: Animal Adoption Adventure
4–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20
- Address: 31st Street and Golfview Avenue, Brookfield
- Cost: Ticketed admission (check zoo website for pricing); free parking included
Families can experience Brookfield Zoo after hours with scavenger hunts, evening animal viewing and free carousel rides. The event also features live music, vet talks, zoo chats and special adoption deals.
Oaktoberfest
Sept. 26–27; Times vary (check website for schedule)
- Address: Downtown Oak Park, between Marion Street and North Boulevard, south of Lake Street, Oak Park
- Cost: Free admission; fees for food
This annual Oak Park festival features live music, craft beer and fall foods from local vendors. Families can stop by the Kids Root Beer Garden for hands-on activities, face painting, balloon twisting and root beer floats.
Jesus Christ Superstar Ted Neeley Farewell Tour
Showtimes vary, Sept. 26–28 (check website for schedule)
- Address: 1001 75th St., No. 153, Woodridge
- Cost: Standard movie admission; ticket required for photos/autographs
Fans can see Ted Neeley in his final appearance as Jesus at Hollywood Boulevard Cinema. Each screening includes a live introduction, with photo and autograph opportunities an hour before showtime.
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