Plans for September

September
 
Labor Day weekend is upon us marking the unofficial end of summer. I hope you have enjoyed a fun packed summer with loads of things to do for FREE. But this does not mark the end of FREE things to do in Chicago.
 
In case you haven’t already filled your weekend with activities, here is one more activity to do and some others to plan for later in the month for FREE
 
CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL

This year September 3-4, 2016 is the annual Chicago Jazz Festival. Held in various locations throughout Millennium Park the weekend is packed full of world-class music and it is FREE. Each day the concerts start at 11:30am and end at 3:30pm (15:30 on the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace. On the south promenade, The Von Freeman Pavilion performances run from noon to 3:30pm (15:30). The Jazz and Heritage Pavilion on the north promenade hosts musicians from 12:30pm to 3:30pm (15:30). Then end your day at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion starting at 5:30 (17:30) and ending at 8:30pm (20:30).  For the complete lineup  check out the Chicago Jazz Festival website.
 
BARGAIN
The Midnight Circus in the Park started its 10th season last Saturday but will perform every weekend through October 16, 2016. Shows are offered at 3PM (15:00) on both Saturdays and Sundays and tickers are only $5.00. This is a great family-friendly and affordable event. You will find weekly locations on the Midnight Circus in the Park website.
 
BIRD WATCHING WITH AN EXPERT
Stop by on the way to work and look for birds along the rivewalk with the experts from the National Audubon Society on October 7, 2016. Meet on the Chicago Riverwalk at LaSalle Street & Wacker Drive between 8am and 8:30am. Everyone is welcome including beginners. Don’t forget to take your own binoculars, but some extras will be loaned if needed.

BRIDGE LIFTS
As fall approaches we can look forward to the “boat runs”. As the sailboats head to dry dock for the season, each of the movable bridges on the main and south branches of the river are lifted. Check the schedule at www.chicagoloopbridges.com/schedule.
 

SMITHSONIAN FREE DAY OF MUSEUMS
Museum Day Live! is the annual celebration hosted by the Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket. On their website click on “find a museum” then search by state, zip code or keyword. Click on your choice, enter you name and email and a ticket good for 2 people will be emailed to you. It’s that easy. 
 
The participating museums in Chicago include:
The Adler Planetarium,
Clarke House Museum,
DuSable Museum of African-American History,
Glessner House Museum,
International Museum of Surgical Science,
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art,
Loyola University museum of Art,
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago,
National Hellenic Museum,
Smart Museum of Art,
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

 (Hint: Not in Chicago? There are participating museums all over the country.)

FREE TOURS
Don't forget about the International Greeter Day. To celebrate the volunteer Greeters all over the world and to show off Chicago, the Chicago Greeters will be conducting FREE guided walks on September 10, 2106. Join us for 1 or more of the fun and  interesting walks.



​The summer may be coming to a close, but that does not mean the end of FREE things to do in Chicago.
 
 
All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the websites to get the most up-to-date information.
 
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If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at ChicagoFreeForAll@gmail.com
 
Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com
 
Until then I hope to see you in Chicago!