Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade, Chicago Jazz Festival, ARC Music Fest, Labor Day Parade & Eddie Fest, and Ye at Soldier Field Headline Weekend Special Events in Chicago

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CHICAGO - With many festivals, concerts, and athletic events this weekend, the City of Chicago is advising residents and visitors to be aware of street closures, additional crowds, increased traffic and to plan accordingly. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reminding residents and visitors of security measures in place and stresses the importance of always being aware of your surroundings and to report suspicious activity to on - site event security or by calling 9-1-1.

The City of Chicago will have citywide deployments for the weekend to ensure the safety and security of the public. The OEMC will also coordinate security efforts and resources amongst the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago infrastructure departments, city agencies and private partners

Sign up for the NEW OEMC Newsletter

OEMC is excited to announce our monthly newsletter launching today! This newsletter will serve as a message with relevant information about how Chicagoans can prepare for emergencies they may experience, as well as stay informed on public safety updates and events happening in the city.

OEMC strongly encourages residents to sign up for this newsletter by clicking here and signing up.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you See Something Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. City of Chicago :: If You See Something, Say Something

Chicago OEMC App and CHI Safe Walk

By downloading the OEMC App, residents and event attendees can utilize the CHI Safe Walk feature that allows you to temporarily share your location with a trusted family member or friend who can track your whereabouts until you arrive at your destination safely. Should you or someone you know need emergency assistance, you are able to screenshot and share with 911 call takers and dispatchers the last known location of the person you are trying to help.

Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade

Saturday, September 5, 12:00 p.m.

The 25th annual Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade steps off this Saturday at noon. The parade will go down 18th Street and Newberry to Harrison Park. Expect street closures along the parade route. For more information, please visit: Pilsen Mexican Independence Day Parade

Chicago Jazz Festival

Thursday, September 3, 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 4, 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Saturday - Sunday, September 5 - 6, 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Chicago Jazz Festival is a Labor Day weekend tradition that promotes all forms of jazz through free, high-quality music programming. The festival showcases Chicago's local talent alongside national and international artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city's most beloved art forms. For more information, please visit: Chicago Jazz Fest

Chicago Labor Day Parade & Eddie Fest

Saturday, September 5, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Chicago Labor Day Parade & Eddie Fest is on Saturday morning. The parade route will tentatively begin at East 112th Street and South Avenue F on Chicago's Southeast Side. The parade route will then head north up South Ewing Avenue to East 106th Street, where parade entries will disband near 3940 East 106th Street. Eddie Fest begins immediately after parade finishes. For more information, please visit: Chicago Labor Day Parade & Eddie Fest

ARC Music Festival

Friday - Sunday, September 4 - 7, 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The ARC Music Festival starts this Labor Day Weekend on Friday afternoon through Monday night in Union Park. For more information, please visit: Chicago Arc Music Festival

Ye Live in Chicago at Soldier Field

Thursday - Friday, September 3 - 4, 8:00 p.m.

Ye performs at Soldier Field Thursday and Friday night this week. Expect congestion near Soldier Field. For more information, please visit: Ye Live at Soldier Field

Bike The Drive

Sunday, September 6, 6:30 a.m.

Bike the Drive is set to begin at 6:30 a.m. start in Grant Park on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from Hyde Park to Edgewater. DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed to vehicles at 6 a.m. The 30-mile loop extends from Bryn Mawr Ave. to 57^th Street. Bikes will occupy all northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive with vehicle access retained around I-55. The 15-mile route is half of the loop from Grant Park. Riders can safely enter DuSable Lake Shore Drive at any one of the following locations: Main Festival in Grant Park, Bryn Mawr Ave, Fullerton Ave, Oakwood Blvd, and the Museum of Science & Industry. DuSable Lake Shore Drive will reopen to vehicles between 11:30 a.m. and Noon. For more information, please visit: Bike The Drive

Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Sox

Friday, September 4, 6:40 p.m., Saturday, September 5, 6:10 p.m., Sunday, September 6, 5:20 p.m.

The Minnesota Twins come to the South Side to play the White Sox for a Labor Day Weekend three game series. For more information, please visit: Chicago White Sox

Navy Pier Summer Fireworks (LAST OF 2026)

Wednesday, September 2, 9:00 p.m., Saturday, September 5, 10:00 p.m.

Experience Navy Pier's free, award-winning fireworks with dazzling displays over the lake and iconic skyline views. Enjoy the spectacular display every Wednesday at 9 PM and Saturday at 10 PM, free from May 23rd to September 5th. For more information, please visit: Summer Fireworks | Navy Pier

Pole Markes / Location Identifiers

For public safety on the lakefront, event and concert attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area as well as along DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South and various points along the lakefront trail. The pole markers help reference their location within the park to event security and first responders if there is an emergency. Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. There will be some street closures in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at events citywide to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. Public transportation is encouraged. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR-I CTA.

Weather and Public Safety

OEMC will monitor events through a collaboration with public safety partners. OEMC advises Chicagoans to be aware of weather conditions and to follow instructions and heed all warnings from public safety officials. For the most up-to-date weather information, please tune into local media or download a weather app.

OEMC advises people going out this Labor Day weekend to monitor weather conditions before heading outside, especially if you plan on being outdoors for extended periods.