National School Picture Day

National TV Dinner Day

National Swap Ideas Day

National Anti-Junk Light Day

World Suicide Prevention Day

Hideaway Brew Garden: Check out the Hoffman Estates Platzkonzert Germanfest this weekend from Sept. 11–13 at Hideaway Brew Garden. This one-weekend-only, free to attend Oktoberfest-style celebration is filled with so many fun activities! It’s happening 5–11 p.m. on Sept. 11, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 12–5 p.m. on Sept. 13.

The three-day celebration will feature Hofbräu beer, authentic German food, live music, family-friendly activities, competitions and much more. Friday night will also include the official keg tapping and the first round of the annual Platzkonzert Games. Admission is free all weekend.

Some of the biggest highlights happen Saturday, including a Fall Makers Market, free kids’ activities, a German costume contest, German dancers and a drone show at 9:30 p.m. The Platzkonzert Games continue on Saturday as well with stein hoisting, stein carrying, barrel racing and more.

Sunday will include a Chicago Bears watch party on the big screen starting at noon, more free kids’ activities and the annual Dachshund Dash (register your dog) from 1:30–3 p.m. You can also catch live German music and a performance from the Edelweiss Chicago German Dance Group.

Harry Styles: Harry Styles is coming to Chicago! He just announced two shows at Soldier Field on May 28 and 29 as part of his “Together, Together” 2027 tour. The back-to-back Chicago concerts will close out the U.S. leg of the tour before Styles heads to Europe, with The Womack Sisters opening both shows. Tickets go on sale Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. with the presale on Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. Sign up for the Artist Presale by Sept. 13 at 10:59 p.m.

Chicago Fire: Chicago is a football city, now in more ways than one! The Chicago Fire set a new club attendance record last night with 63,094 fans packing Soldier Field to see Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi face off. The two soccer legends shared an embrace at midfield before the game, which ended in a 1–1 draw with a Lewandowski goal, a Messi assist and a special appearance by Patrick Kane to Sound the Alarm.

Open House Chicago: The full site list is out for Open House Chicago, taking place Oct. 17 and 18. One of the largest architecture festivals in the world, the free annual event gives people behind-the-scenes access to more than 200 architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites across 30 Chicago neighborhoods, including 20 locations that are new this year.

Chicago River Swim: The Chicago River Swim is returning for its second year on Sunday, Sept. 20, with up to 750 qualified swimmers expected to take the plunge, nearly triple last year’s 263 participants. Applications have reopened for a limited time for swimmers with prior open-water experience. As a precursor to the event, the city is bringing back The Big Jump on Sept. 18, offering another rare chance to legally jump into the Chicago River.

Chicago Ranked #1: A new global study found Chicago to be the best-positioned city in the world to withstand the impacts of climate change, ranking first among 72 major cities. Chicago’s relatively low exposure to climate-related risks helped put it on top, thanks in part to its location, temperate climate and access to Lake Michigan. See the full 72-city rankings list.

Chicago Bears: Are you ready for some football? The 2026 NFL season officially kicked off last night, and the Chicago Bears will make their season debut this Sunday on the road against the Carolina Panthers. Kickoff is set for noon, with the Bears currently favored by three points. As the new season gets underway, here are the Bears’ five team captains for 2026, including Caleb Williams, who addressed his mustache with the media this week.

Chicago Water Music: The third annual Chicago Water Music took place last night on the Chicago River, with Music of the Baroque performing from a boat as crowds watched for free along the Riverwalk. The concert featured music from Handel and Vivaldi, young singers from seven Chicago public high schools and a citywide “Hallelujah” sing-along.

Stevie Wonder: Stevie Wonder is coming to the United Center on Nov. 21 as part of a limited tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of his iconic album “Songs in the Key of Life.” The Chicago show is one of only six currently scheduled in the U.S., with Wonder performing the Grammy-winning album in its entirety along with some of his other classics. Tickets went on sale this morning at 10 a.m.

Cubs Playoff Tickets: Registration is now open for the Cubs’ Fly the W Presale, giving fans a chance to purchase select tickets to potential 2026 postseason games at Wrigley Field, starting with the Wild Card Series. Fans will be selected at random and remain eligible for additional ticket opportunities throughout the playoffs.

Ravenswood ArtWalk: The 24th annual Ravenswood ArtWalk takes over the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The free two-day event features open studios and galleries, an outdoor arts market with more than 80 local vendors and artists, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, kids’ activities and more.

Eataly Chicago: One of Eataly’s best and biggest events of the year is happening Friday, Sept. 18. All You Can Eataly: Septemberfest is an all-inclusive, four-hour party from 7 to 11 p.m. with unlimited food and drinks throughout the entire Eataly marketplace.

This year’s event features 30+ chef-curated Italian bites and 15 stations pouring unlimited Italian wine, beer and cocktails. Expect handmade pasta, pizza, calamari, salumi & formaggi, tiramisu, ricotta cake and more.

The entire marketplace will transform into an Italian piazza for the night with live music, bocce, indoor lawn games, raffles, a 360° photobooth, wine bottle engraving and take-home treats. It’s basically one giant Italian party to celebrate the end of summer.

Tickets are available for either 7 or 7:30 p.m. entry, giving you up to four hours to eat, drink and enjoy everything happening throughout Eataly. A couple of ticket options have already sold out, so we recommend getting yours soon.

German-American Oktoberfest: The Chicago German-American Oktoberfest returns to Lincoln Square this weekend at a new location at Western and Lincoln. The free three-day festival runs Friday through Sunday with authentic German food and drinks, live music, traditional singing and dancing, carnival games and more. The annual parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday along Lincoln Ave. from Irving Park Rd. to Western Ave.

Printers Row Lit Fest: Printers Row in South Loop turns into a book lover’s paradise this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest is free and features more than 100 exhibitors, author talks, readings, panels and more along South Dearborn from Ida B. Wells to Polk.

El Grito Chicago: After taking a pause last year, El Grito Chicago returns to Grant Park this Saturday and Sunday from 2–10 p.m. The ticketed Mexican Independence Day celebration features live music, mariachi, ballet folclórico, Mexican food and drinks, family activities and more.

Renegade Craft: The flagship Wicker Park Renegade Craft Fair takes over Division Street between Damen and Ashland this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. The free outdoor fair features more than 400 curated artists selling ceramics, jewelry, art, food and more.

Wicker Park Fine Art Fair: While in Wicker Park, you can also check out the Wicker Park Fine Art Fair, returning for its second year this Saturday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The free event takes place inside Wicker Park at Damen Ave. and Schiller St., with artists and their work set up among the park’s paths and gardens.

Musky Fest: Will’s Northwoods Inn is celebrating the 35th edition of Musky Fest this Friday through Sunday in Lakeview. The free three-day street fest features live music, food and drinks, DJs, the annual Musky Queen competition and more along Nelson St. and Racine Ave., plus Sunday’s Packers vs. Vikings game on the street.

Sunrise: 6:25 a.m. (7 minutes later)

Sunset: 7:11 p.m. (9 minutes earlier)