ARE Partners

09/04/2026

LABOR DAY WEEKEND: WHAT’S ON YOUR LIST?

Labor Day weekend is here—and there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy!

Whether you’rein Chicago or Northwest Indiana, looking for live music, a festival, fireworks, or simply a good excuse to get outside, here are a few ideas for the long weekend.

NORTHWEST INDIANA

MICHIGAN CITY OKTOBERFEST | SEPT. 4–7
Four days of live music, food, vendors and lakeside fun at Washington Park. Friday–Sunday, noon–10 p.m.; Monday, noon–6 p.m.
https://michigancityin.gov/city-event/oktoberfest-2026/

LOWELL LABOR DAY FESTIVAL | SEPT. 5–7
A true Northwest Indiana tradition with food, live music, vendors, a kids zone and fireworks. The Kiddie Parade is Sunday, and the 107th Annual Labor Day Parade is Monday morning.
https://www.lowell-ldf.com/

INDIANA DUNES OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FESTIVAL | SEPT. 4–20
If your idea of fun involves getting outside, check this one out. More than 50 events—including hiking, biking, photography, yoga, birding and more—are happening throughout Northwest Indiana. Many are free.
https://www.dunesoutdoorfestival.com/

HESSTON STEAM & POWER SHOW | SEPT. 4–7
A little different—and a lot of fun. Head toward La Porte for operating steam tractors, antique machinery, railroads, a sawmill and more.
https://hesston.org/plan

CHICAGOLAND

CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL | SEPT. 3–6
One of Chicago’s great Labor Day traditions—and it’s FREE. Enjoy four days of live jazz in Millennium Park.
https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/chicago-jazz-festival/

BIKE THE DRIVE | SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
For one morning each year, DuSable Lake Shore Drive belongs to the bikes. Enjoy a 30-mile car-free ride along Chicago’s lakefront, followed by a post-ride festival in Grant Park.
https://bikethedrive.org/

TASTE OF POLONIA | SEPT. 4–7
Food, music, dancing and Polish culture take over the Copernicus Center in Jefferson Park. Children 12 and under enter FREE.
https://copernicuscenter.org/taste-of-polonia-2026/

NAVY PIER FIREWORKS | SATURDAY, SEPT. 5
Catch the final Saturday fireworks show of the summer over Lake Michigan. The show begins at 10 p.m. and is free to watch.
https://navypier.org/eat-drink-and-play/fireworks/

AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS | SEPT. 5–7
Celebrate art, music, food and culture from across the African diaspora at Washington Park.
https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/labor-day-weekend-events-in-13th Floor Haunted House Chicago

WHITE SOX VS. TWINS | SEPT. 4–6
Looking for a classic Chicago weekend? The White Sox host Minnesota for three games at Rate Field.
https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/schedule/2026-09

ARC MUSIC FESTIVAL | SEPT. 4–7
House music and techno take over Union Park for a four-day Labor Day weekend celebration of Chicago’s influence on electronic music.
https://arcmusicfestival.com/

AND, OF COURSE, THERE’S ALWAYS THE SIMPLEST OPTION…

Head to the beach.
Take a hike.
Grab some ice cream.
Watch the sunset.
Find a great local coffee shop.
Or just enjoy one more long summer weekend close to home.

There’s a lot to love about living in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

What’s on YOUR Labor Day weekend list? Drop your favorite local tradition, event or hidden gem in the comments—we might add it to our list!

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!

A.R.E. Partners
We A.R.E. Your Partners.
Your Life. Your Future. Our Partnership.

09/03/2026

Application: https://nira.aflip.in/RealtorReliefApplication

The Northwest Indiana Realtor Association is proud to help connect those affected by the August 11 storms with an additional resource.
Through a REALTORS® Relief Foundation grant awarded to Indiana REALTORS®, with the MIBOR REALTOR® Foundation serving as fiscal manager, eligible households may receive up to $1,000 in housing-related relief assistance.

The statewide fund totals $500,000 and is open to anyone who qualifies, you do not need to be a REALTOR® to apply.

If you or someone you know was displaced or faced housing-related expenses because of the storms, we encourage you to review the eligibility requirements and apply.

Please share this information so it reaches the neighbors and families who may need it most. Our Northwest Indiana communities are resilient, and no one should have to navigate recovery alone.

08/21/2026

Wishing a super awesome happy birthday to our very own Ericka Irby! All the best for many more!

08/03/2026

Help us wish a very happy A.R.E.-versary to our very own Amber Arciniega, who goes above and beyond to be the amazing person that she is.
amberarciniega.arepartners.com

07/21/2026

07/10/2026

Happy Birthday to A.R.E.'s own Devin Zelenika! All the best for a great day surrounded by family, friends, dogs, horses, and all the things you love!

07/03/2026

As we commemorate 250 years of American independence, all of us at A.R.E. Partners wish you a safe, relaxing, and memorable Independence Day weekend.

Whether you're spending time with family, enjoying your community, or watching the fireworks, we hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Looking for fireworks near you? Check out this helpful guide:
>>> Chicagoland: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/full-list-of-chicago-area-fourth-of-july-fireworks-shows-from-navy-pier-to-suburbs/3956300/
>>> NW Indiana: https://www.southshorecva.com/blog/post/4th-of-july-celebrations-across-northwest-indiana/

Happy Fourth of July!

— The A.R.E. Partners Team
Your Life. Your Future. Our Partnership.

07/02/2026

Happy Birthday Taher! Wishing you health, happiness, and an amazing day filled with great memories.

06/22/2026

The best real estate professionals don’t just follow the market—they help shape the conversation... and there's still time for you to be part of it!

A.R.E. Partners is proud to announce that President Antje Gehrken will be facilitating a discussion with Jim Letchinger, JDL Development, on the evolution of Lincoln Yards into today’s Foundry Park. Tuesday, June 30 at noon.

From financing and infrastructure to market shifts and redevelopment strategy, these are the kinds of real-world conversations that deepen our understanding of commercial real estate and ultimately help us better serve our clients, agents, and communities.

REGISTER HERE: https://chicagorealtor.com/event/commercialforum-power-lunch-repositioning-chicagos-megaproject/

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day from all of us here at A.R.E. Partners. Enjoy the start to a great summer.