National Skyscraper Day

International Cabernet Day

U.S. Bowling League Day

National Welsh Rarebit Day

International Skate Park Day

Lettuce Entertain You: The End of Summer Scratch Off promotion is back through Sept. 30, giving Lettuce Frequent Diner Club members the chance to earn 2X, 3X, 4X or 5X points at 80+ participating restaurants. Some of our favorites include Aba, Crying Tiger, Gus’ Sip & Dip, Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, Pizzeria Portofino, RPM Seafood, Sushi-san, Tre Dita and more.

Members normally earn 1 point for every $1 spent, with every 150 points earning $10 in Reward Dollars. Scratch a 5X multiplier and a $30 dinner could earn you enough points for $10 in Reward Dollars.

Playing is easy! Join the Lettuce Frequent Diner Club for free through the LettuceEats app, then check in through the app when dining at a participating restaurant to reveal your multiplier. You can also play when ordering carryout or delivery directly through the app.

Scratch Off ends Sept. 30, so you have through the end of the month to take advantage. Check out all of the participating restaurants and download the LettuceEats app to start playing.

Lake Shore Drive Bridge: It’s been hot in Chicago this week, and apparently even our bridges are feeling it. The DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge got stuck after a scheduled boat lift yesterday when heat-related expansion prevented it from fully closing, blocking traffic for more than four hours. Crews even used a fireboat to spray the bridge with water to cool it down before it finally reopened around 2:30 p.m.

Music Festivals: Two popular music festivals take over Chicago and the suburbs this Labor Day weekend. ARC Music Festival returns to Union Park Sept. 4 to 7 with four days of house, techno and electronic music. North Coast Music Festival takes over SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview Sept. 4 to 6 with more than 75 artists across six stages and other festival experiences.

Free Museum Days: You can visit Griffin MSI for free for half of September, with 15 free Museum Entry days for Illinois residents. You can also use code BESTDATEFOOD for free admission to Anne Frank The Exhibition, a $19 value, any day throughout September. Even better, the two offers can be combined on free museum days at Griffin MSI. The immersive exhibition features a full-scale recreation of the Annex and original collection pieces from the Anne Frank House. See our roundup of free Chicago September museum days.

Old Town Whole Foods: Big news for anyone who lives in the Old Town/Lincoln Park area. Old Town is finally getting a grocery store back in the former Treasure Island space that has sat vacant since 2018. Whole Foods has signed a lease for 1639 N. Wells St., where Treasure Island operated for decades before the entire chain closed. An opening timeline has not yet been announced.

Cubs Rom-Com: It looks like the Bears aren’t the only Chicago sports team getting a rom-com this fall. The Cubs are launching “Nine Innings to Love,” a 17-episode scripted series inspired by the real-life phenomenon of fans falling in love at games. The story follows an aspiring romance writer helping her seatmate find love in the Budweiser Bleachers at Wrigley Field before the final out. The series debuts tomorrow, Sept. 4, on the Cubs’ TikTok account.

Final Summer Fireworks: Navy Pier’s Summer Fireworks come to an end this weekend with one final show over the lake. The final display takes place Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 p.m. We recommend watching from the southeast end of Navy Pier for some of the best fireworks and skyline views.

Daley Plaza Pop-Up: Chicago packed Daley Plaza yesterday afternoon in 92-degree heat for a free house music dance party with Chicago DJ Green Velvet. The pop-up served as an early kickoff to ARC Music Festival this weekend, and when “The Percolator” came on, Chicago did what Chicago does best. You have to see it.

Labor Day Parade: Chicago’s Labor Day Parade and Eddie Fest return to the Southeast Side this Saturday, Sept. 5. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. near 112th Street and Avenue F before heading north along Ewing Avenue to 106th Street. Eddie Fest immediately follows from noon to 5 p.m. with live music, craft vendors, food and drinks and kids’ entertainment. Free parking is available on 87th Street.

AVP Beach Volleyball: The AVP League Championships take over Oak Street Beach this weekend, Sept. 5 and 6, on probably the coolest volleyball court you’ll ever see in Chicago, with skyline views right from the sand. Tickets start at $35, with Saturday general admission still available, while Sunday is sold out.

The Beef Stand: Buona Beef opened a limited-time pop-up in Wicker Park yesterday, Sept. 2, inspired by Chicago’s old-school Italian beef stands. The Beef Stand serves Buona’s Italian beef and chips from a walk-up window at 1750 W. Division St., right next to The Original Rainbow Cone. Look for the orange awning and backlit sign.

Chicago Jazz Festival: The Chicago Jazz Festival, the oldest of Chicago’s free lakefront music festivals, returns Sept. 3 to 6 for four days of live music. The 40+ year tradition brings Chicago jazz talent and musicians from around the world to Millennium Park, with performances across multiple stages throughout the weekend. This year’s lineup includes Robert Glasper, Dee Dee Bridgewater, M.E.B. (Miles Electric Band) and Paquito D’Rivera.

Taste of Polonia: The largest and oldest Polish festival in the U.S. takes place Sept. 4 to 7 in Jefferson Park at the Copernicus Center. Taste of Polonia is a four-day celebration with nonstop live music, dance performances, authentic Polish food and beer, exhibitions, local vendors and a Kids Zone packed with activities. The festival opens at 4:30 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. Saturday through Monday. Tickets start at $10.

Bike the Drive: This Sunday, Sept. 6, Lake Shore Drive will be closed to cars and opened exclusively to cyclists for the annual Bike the Drive event. Riders can start anytime between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., though it’s recommended to begin before 8 a.m. to make the most of the ride and take in the skyline and lakefront views. Registration starts at $78 per person and is required to participate.

African Festival of the Arts: The 36th annual African Festival of the Arts celebrates African and African Diaspora culture Sept. 5 to 7 in Washington Park’s Sunken Garden. The three-day festival features live music and performances, art, African and Diaspora cuisine, cultural demonstrations, family activities and one of the Midwest’s largest African marketplaces. One-day general admission tickets are $31.60.

Great American Lobster Fest: The Great American Lobster Fest returns to Navy Pier Sept. 5 and 6 with fresh East Coast lobster, live music, vendors, drinks and lakefront views. The festival is free to attend, with food and drinks available for purchase. Lobster Meal Experiences start at $70 and include a full 1.25-pound lobster with sides, a drink and reserved communal seating overlooking Lake Michigan.

Sunrise: 6:18 a.m. (7 minutes later)

Sunset: 7:20 p.m. (13 minutes earlier)