Chicago
Chicago Jazz Festival
- Location: Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E Randolph St
- Dates/Times: Aug 28–Aug 31; highlights Aug 30 11 AM–9 PM, multiple performances, evening headliners start around 6 PM
- Summary: Free outdoor jazz concerts with local and international stars.
Navy Pier Fireworks and Festivities
- Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave
- Dates/Times: Saturday 10 PM. Fireworks are Wednesdays at 9 PM and Saturdays at 10 PM all summer.
- Summary: Festival atmosphere with music, food, rides, and nighttime show over the lake.
Taste of Greektown
- Location: Halsted Street between Adams and Van Buren, West Loop
- Dates/Times: August 22 (4–10 PM), August 23 & 24 (12–10 PM).
- Summary: Greek food, music, and dancing in Chicago’s historic Greek district.
North Coast Music Festival
- Location: SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S Harlem Ave, Bridgeview
- Dates/Times: August 29–31; doors open 2–3 PM, music til late.
- Summary: Three-day EDM, hip-hop, and indie festival.
Chicago SummerDance
- Location: Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park, 601 S Michigan Ave + neighborhood parks
- Dates/Times: Various dates, Aug & early Sept, typically evenings (6–9 PM Thu–Sat).
- Summary: Free dance lessons and music outdoors.
Chicago Cubs vs. Braves
- Location: Wrigley Field, 1060 W Addison St
- Dates/Times: Monday, Sept 1, 2025 at 1:20 PM.
- Summary: Major League Baseball games, classic Chicago experience.
African Festival of the Arts
- Location: Washington Park, Sunken Garden, near DuSable Museum
- Dates/Times: Aug 30–Sept 1; 11 AM–9 PM daily.
- Summary: Celebration of African culture, art, and music.
Millennium Park Summer Music Series
- Location: Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- Dates/Times: Mondays & Thursdays, 6:30 PM (main summer series); Jazz Fest overlaps end of August.
- Summary: Free concerts from diverse genres.
Great American Lobster Fest
- Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave
- Dates/Times: Labor Day weekend, hours typically 12 PM–9 PM.
- Summary: Seafood festival and music at Chicago’s lakefront landmark.
Art on theMART
- Location: Merchandise Mart, view from Riverwalk
- Dates/Times: Dusk (approx 8:30 PM), nightly projections.
- Summary: Massive outdoor art display illuminated on the building.
For further events, the locations and times can be found similarly by querying the official festival or venue websites, but these are the major, core activities spanning Chicago’s Labor Day weekend. If more details for Atlanta and Los Angeles are requested, those can be supplied with matching list formatting and precision on venue and timing.
Los Angeles
Leimert Park Jazz Festival
- Location: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza rooftop, 3650 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
- Date/Time: Saturday, August 30. Doors open at 11:30 AM, music 12:30 PM–8:30 PM
- Summary: Free and pay-what-you-wish, with live jazz, art, kids’ activities, DJs, food court.
Hollywood Bowl Concerts
- Location: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
- Dates/Times: Aug 29 (Cyndi Lauper) & Aug 30, 8 PM; Aug 31 (Dave Koz), 6:30 PM
- Summary: Big-name music acts, classic LA outdoor venue, ticketed shows.
Avalon Hollywood Labor Day Rave
- Location: Avalon Hollywood, 1735 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
- Date/Time: Sunday, August 31, 9 PM–3 AM
- Summary: 3 stages, EDM, house, techno, silent disco; ages 21+
Gelato Festival World Masters
- Location: Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
- Dates/Times: Saturday & Sunday, Aug 30–31, 10 AM–7 PM
- Summary: Gelato tastings, chef demos, vote for best flavor; tickets required.
Robot Karaoke at The Elysian
- Location: The Elysian Theater, 1944 Riverside Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039
- Date/Time: Friday, August 29, 8 PM
- Summary: Comedic algorithm-based karaoke; tickets from $10.
FOG Dance at Kirk Douglas Theater
- Location: Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
- Dates/Times: Aug 29–30; check venue schedule for showtimes
- Summary: Contemporary dance world premiere; ticketed.
Bollywood Express Union Station
- Location: Union Station, 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Date/Time: Saturday, August 30, 7–10 PM
- Summary: Free event, Indian music, dance, henna, food vendors.
Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival
- Location: The Old Zoo dell, Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
- Dates/Times: Aug 6–31, performances Wed–Sun at 7 PM
- Summary: Free outdoor Shakespeare, RSVP recommended.
Smorgasburg LA Food Market
- Location: ROW DTLA, 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
- Date/Time: Sunday, Aug 31, 10 AM–4 PM
- Summary: Food festival, dozens of vendors, free entry.
Grand Performances California Plaza
- Location: California Plaza, 350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
- Date/Time: Typically Friday–Saturday, Aug 29–30, evening events (check website for exact timing)
- Summary: Free outdoor concerts, global music.
Major L.A. events run Friday–Sunday, with most outdoor concerts starting in mid-to-late afternoon or early evening for maximum festive atmosphere.
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Atlanta
Dragon Con
- Location: Downtown Atlanta host hotels (Hyatt Regency, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Westin Peachtree, Courtland Grand) & AmericasMart
- Dates/Times: Aug 28–Sept 1; events all day; Dragon Con Parade Saturday, Aug 30, 10 AM (free/public)
- Summary: Giant pop culture, sci-fi, and cosplay convention.
Stone Mountain Park Labor Day Lasershow
- Location: Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
- Dates/Times: Aug 30–Sept 1, park opens 10:30 AM, laser show 9:30 PM
- Summary: Daylong park attractions, laser show and fireworks finale.
Aflac Kickoff Game (College Football)
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- Date/Time: Labor Day weekend, Saturday, Aug 30, time varies (usually 3:30 PM or 7:30 PM)
- Summary: Major college football opener.
Atlanta Black Pride Festival
- Location: Downtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park and other venues
- Dates/Times: Aug 29–Sept 2; daily outdoor events and parties from 11 AM–late night
- Summary: LGBTQ festival, parades, parties, live performances.
Taste of Soul Atlanta
- Location: Across from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Northside Dr NW & Mitchell St SW
- Dates/Times: Aug 30–31, Noon–9 PM
- Summary: Free event with soul food, music, and cocktail tents.
Pioneer Days Festival & Carnival
- Location: Sam Smith Park, 1155 Douthit Ferry Rd, Cartersville, GA 30120
- Dates/Times: Aug 30 (4–11 PM), Aug 31–Sept 1 (Noon–11 PM), Sept 2 (Noon–10 PM)
- Summary: Classic carnival with rides, games, and food.
Duluth Live
- Location: Parsons Alley, Downtown Duluth
- Dates/Times: Aug 29–30, 6–9 PM
- Summary: Free outdoor concert series, family-friendly.
Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival
- Location: Old Fourth Ward Skatepark/Historic Fourth Ward Park
- Dates/Times: Sat–Sun, times likely Noon–9 PM
- Summary: Free, celebrates hip-hop with live music and food vendors.
Center for Puppetry Arts
- Location: 1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
- Dates/Times: Aug 29–Sept 1, 10 AM–5 PM
- Summary: Discounted admission with Dragon Con badge, museum and puppet shows.
Puttshack Atlanta
- Location: 1115 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA
- Date/Time: Sept 1, BOGO 50% mini-golf until 4 PM
- Summary: Modern mini-golf deal for families and groups.
BrandsMart USA Labor Day Sale
- Location: Multiple locations, e.g., 5000 Motors Industrial Way, Atlanta, GA
- Dates: Through Sept 10 (store hours, often 10 AM–9 PM)
- Summary: Appliance, audio, and tech sales event.
Grant Park Summer Shade Festival
- Location: Grant Park, 840 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta
- Dates/Times: Aug 30–31, 10 AM–10 PM
- Summary: Live music, food trucks, art vendors, family area.
Atlanta Symphony Hall Concerts
- Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
- Dates/Times: Aug 28 – Sept 1, most concerts start at 8 PM
- Summary: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The McElroys, and more on stage.
Terminal West Concerts
- Location: Terminal West, 887 West Marietta St NW STE C, Atlanta
- Dates/Times: Aug 28–31, main acts at 8 PM
- Summary: Electronic, indie, and hip-hop concerts.
Atlanta Comedy Theaters & Events
- Location: Kat’s Cafe, Red Light Cafe, Uptown Comedy Corner & others
- Dates/Times: All weekend, shows at 7/8:30/9 PM and late-night
- Summary: Comedy showcases and stand-up specials.
Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade
- Location: Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Date/Time: Evening, exact time varies (usually after 8 PM)
- Summary: DIY lanterns, marching bands, community art.
Sweet Auburn Springfest
- Location: Auburn Ave. NE, Sweet Auburn District
- Dates/Times: Labor Day weekend, 11 AM–9 PM
- Summary: Large street festival with food, art, music.
Red Light Cafe Burlesque & Roots Nights
- Location: 553-1 Amsterdam Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
- Dates/Times: Shows Sunday/Monday evenings, 8 PM or 9 PM
- Summary: Americana, burlesque, and cabaret acts.
Woodruff Park Urban Picnic
- Location: 91 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA
- Date/Time: Daytime, picnic and games (no formal start, ends by 8 PM)
- Summary: Lawn games, playgrounds, and city views.
Eddie’s Attic Acoustic Marathon
- Location: 515 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA
- Dates/Times: Labor Day weekend, daily shows start 7 PM, open mic Sunday.
- Summary: Renowned venue for live singer-songwriters and open mic.
These are the keystone events for Atlanta’s 2025 Labor Day weekend—expect vibrant crowds, creative energy, and plenty for every traveler or local to enjoy across the city.
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