Chicago Labor Day Parade & Eddie Fest: Chicago’s Labor Day parade tradition dates back to the 1880s. And for the second year, you can find it in the Pullman Historic District — followed by Eddie Fest, a festival named for United Steelworkers labor activist Edward “Oilcan” Sadlowski. Expect the usual festival fixtures — food trucks, bounce houses and live music — along with O-gauge model railroad tracks, dry land fishing clinics for beginners and kids, Illinois Department of Natural Resources exhibits, and a sneak peek of plans for the Pullman State Historic Site’s restoration and development. Parade steps off at noon Aug. 31 from Cottage Grove Avenue at 107th Street and heads south to 112th Street; free festival begins immediately following the parade at Arcade and Pullman parks. More information at chicagolaborparade.com
Bike the Drive: Sure, you’ve maybe pedaled along the Lakefront Trail, but for the morning of Sept. 1, bicyclists can have all of DuSable Lakeshore Drive to themselves. Between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., cyclists have the opportunity to bike a 30-mile loop — and earn a 30-Mile Challenge medal. With three rest stops providing access to restrooms, water, snacks and bicycle mechanics (free safety checks and minor repairs only), the event is a fan favorite among all ages. Proceeds support the Active Transportation Alliance. 6:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sept. 1 on DuSable Lakeshore Drive; register ($18-$78) at bikethedrive.org
Naperville Jaycees’ Last Fling: What is Labor Day if not the official last fling of summer? Celebrate at this Naperville festival, featuring a parade, carnival, food and music (including the yacht rock of the The Ron Burgundys. Aug. 30-Sept. 2 along Jackson Avenue between Ewing and Main streets; more information on the free event at www.lastfling.org
Chicago Jazz Festival: The Chicago Jazz Festival takes over Millennium Park this holiday weekend, with four stages and a lineup featuring Catherine Russell, Kenny Garrett and Sounds From the Ancestors and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug. 30 and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Aug 31-Sept. 1 in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; more information on the free event at ChicagoJazzFestival.us
Free Movie Weekend: In the mood for a free film at the Music Box? Choose from screenings of “Between the Temples,” a dramedy starring Jason Schwartzman as a grieving cantor; “The Paragon,” about a guy who becomes a psychic to avenge his own hit-and-run; and the 1989 cult classic “Weekend at Bernies.” Aug. 31-Sept. 1 at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; reservations at musicboxtheatre.com
ARC: Union Park will be thumping. The ARC music festival brings EDM and house music back home to Chicago with a mix of legends (Marshall Jefferson, Derrick Carter) and up-and-comers (Hiroko Yamamura). Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St.; tickets $199.99-$1599.99 at arcmusicfestival.com
North Coast Music Festival: Bridgeview? Also thumping. The EDM fest takes over SeatGeek Stadium, offering a mud-free, seven-stage experience. Headliners include Two Friends, Alan Walker, Illenium, Seven Lions and Subtronics and Sullivan King. Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview; tickets $176.74-$1285.19 at northcoastfestival.com
“The Normal Heart”: Head to the renovated Redtwist Theatre to see a solid ensemble performance of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart,” a play the Tribune called “a masterful, autobigoraphical work that charts the shockingly pathetic initial response from the New York authorities to the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s.” Through Sept. 29 at the Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; tickets $35 at redtwisttheatre.org
The Big Bounce: Do you secretly envy your children when they gleefully jump to their hearts’ content at festival bounce houses? Now’s your chance to join in the fun. A bounce “landscape” is coming to Skokie Sports Park with attractions suitable for adults as well as kids. In fact, some of the courses are for those 16 and older only. Aug. 31-Sept. 8 at Skokie Sports Park, 3459 Oakton St.; tickets $22-$45 at thebigbounceamerica.com
Rapbrary Launch Party: Celebrate Rapbrary, a special library designed to preserve rap as a literary art form, as well as the 10th studio album by Roy Kinsey. DJ Skoli, Dj Mochi and other special guests will perform. 5 p.m. Sept. 1 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets $25-$270 at thaliahallchicago.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
