Autumn Fests and More Fall Fun

Cities and towns all over Chicagoland come alive in the next two months with Seasonal Celebrations: Festivals, Street Dances, Music of all Varieties, Ethnic Celebrations, Oktoberfests, Art Fairs, STEM and so much more!

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SEPTEMBER

• Yorkville Hometown Days Festival – 9/1-4. Beecher Community Park. Carnival games, rides, more. Yorkville.il.us
• Buffalo Grove Days – 9/1-5. Buffalo Grove. Bgdays.com
• Septemberfest – 9/3- 5. Live entertainment, carnival, craft show, fun and more. Schaumburg. villageofschaumburg.com
• Wauconda Street Dance – 9/3. Live music on multiple stages, food, drink and dancing. Wauconda. waucondachamber.org
• Maple Park Fun Fest – 9/3-5. Free. Softball, Beer Garden, rock climbing wall, toilet bowl races, bike parade . Maple Park. Mapleparkfunfest.com
• Irish Days – 9/4-6. Celebrate Irish culture with dance, food, music, folk bands, children’s activities. Long Grove. longgrove.org.
• Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival – 9/3-5. Virtual bands, musicians, dancing, storytelling. Geneva. foxvalleyfolk.com.
• St. Charles Jazz Festival – 9/8-11. Enjoy jazz performances at 14 different venues over the weekend. stcjazzweekend.com
• Aurora Water Lantern Festival – Floating lantern event at Rivers Edge Park. 4:30-9PM. Waterlanternfestival.com
• Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival – 9/9-11. Demonstrations, classes, raffle, silent auction, contests, Jefferson, WI. wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com
• Itasca Oktoberfest – 9/9-10. Enjoy German food, music and entertainment. Itascaparkdistrict.com
• Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival – 9/10-11. Fine art, plus boutiques, cafes and a children’s art area. Downers Grove. Dowtowndg.org
• Fall Festival at Veteran’s Memorial Park – 9/10. 11AM-3PM. Giant pumpkins, family activities and entertainment kenosha.org
• Stades Annual Arts and Crafts Show – 9/10-11. 10AM-4PM. Crafts, jewelry making, paintings and more. McHenry. stadesfarmandmarket.com

“A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous” Sept 10 and 11. Early American party with all the trimmings! Join this festive gathering of fur trappers, settlers, craftsmen, and entertainers along the banks of the Des Plaines River. ARiverThru History.com
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42nd Annual  Scandinavian Day Festival | Sept. 11. Scandinavian food, crafts, gifts and entertainment. 10AM-5PM. Vasa Park, along the Fox River. www.Scandinaviandayil.com
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• Goebbert’s Fall Festival – 9/11-10/30. 9AM-6PM. Pumpkin eating dinosaur, games, animals, duck derby, haunted house. South Barrington. goebbertsgardencenter.com
• Glow in the Park Lantern Walk – 9/11. 5-8PM. Food, face painting, balloon artist, live music followed by a paper lantern walk around the lake. Glen Ellyn. gepark.org
• Brew at the Bridge – 9/14. Oswego’s annual craft beer festival at the scenic Fox River. 1-7PM. Oswego. Enjoyaurora.com

Mexican Independence Day | Sept. 15 – 18. Town of Cicero. Carnival, Crafts, Food,  Parade. Town of Cicero Fairgrounds. www.thetownofcicero.com

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10th Annual Glendale Heights Oktoberfest | Sept. 15 – 25 . Authentic German food, and beer, live entertainment daily, souvenirs, hats, and steins. Free Parking. Camera Park. 101 E Fullerton, Glendale Heights. www.glendaleheightsoktoberfest.com
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• Johansen Farms Children’s Zoo and Fall Festival – Opens 9/15-10/31. Farm zoo, hayrides, and pumpkin patch. Bolingbrook. johansenfarms.com
• Berwyn’s Oktoberfest – 9/16-17. Live music, international food court, beer garden. Berwyn.net

Fall Fest Des Plaines | Sept. 16 – 18 – 9/16 (6-11pm), 9/17 (noon-11pm) and 9/18 (noon-7pm). A Three-Day Family-Friendly Festival! Great bands, carnival rides, food, fun family activities. FREE Admission. Lake Park, 2200 Lee St., Des Plaines. www.FallFestDesPlaines.com
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• Oktoberfest – 9/16-18. Authentic German Food, carnival, vendor fair, and traditional music. Tinley Park Metra Station. Tinleychamber.org
• Bengston’s Pumpkin Farm and Fall Fest – 9/16-10/31. Pumpkins, donuts, BBQ, hayrides, pumpkin chucker. Homer Glen. pumpkinfarm.com
• DesPlaines Fall Fest – 9/16-18. Carnival, free concerts, KidZone, Food, Free admission! Fallfestdesplaines.com

Taste of Egypt Festival | Sept. 17 & 18. Delicious Egyptian Food! Fun Activities for all Ages! Camel rides, petting zoo, jewelry, souvenirs & more! 15 W 455 79th St, Burr Ridge. www.TasteofEgyptFestival.com
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• Autumn Fair – 9/17. 11AM-3PM. Crafts, games, hayrides, music, and fall activities. Free Admission. Peck Farm Park.. genevaparks.org
• Autumn Fest – 9/17. Oak Brook. Family friendly festival with kids’ activities, music, food, carnival games and more! 2- 5 PM. obparks,org
• Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest – 9/17. 1  6 PM.  Elmhurst History Museum. elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com
• Kuipers Pumpkin Farm Festival – 9/17-10/30. Hay rides, autumn treats, corn maze, pig races, Big Rig Pumpkin and a jumping pillow. Maple Park. kuipersfamilyfarm.com
• Fiestas Patrias Festival– 9/17.- 18. Features tfood vendors, cultural activities, a free carnival, and entertainment. RiverEdge Park, Aurora. aurorafiestaspatrias.com

Fox Fall Fest | Sept. 18. 9AM-3PM. Fun family filled day! Artisan Market, vendors, games and  more! Downtown Oswego. www.facebook.com/FoxFallFest
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• Vintage Illinois Wine Festival – 9/18-19. More than 25 wineries, plus music and food. 11AM-6PM Sat; 11AM-5PM Sun. Utica. vintageillinois.com.
• Barrington Hills Fall Festival – 9/18. 12-4PM. Live music, games, entertainment and food. Riding Center. Barrington Hills. Vbhil.gov/fall-fest
• Windy Acres Farm – 9/18-10/31. Family friendly with food, beer garden and live music. windyacresfarmstand.com.
• Didier Farms Pumpkin Fest – 9/19-10/31. Mini Zoo, corn maze, farm stand, pig races. Lincolnshire. didierfarms.com
• Fall Fest – 9/23-25. Entertainment, beer garden, food, a carnival and fireworks. Huntley. HuntleyFallFest.com
• Aurora Greek Fest – 9/23-25. Celebration of Greek food and culture. St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church. Enjoyaurora.com
• Oaktoberfest – 9/23-24. Free. Live music, delicious fall foods, craft beers and a kids’ root beer garden. Oak Park. Oakterberfest.net
• Warrens Cranberry Festival – 9/23-25. 7AM-5PM. Cranfest marsh, food booths, Arts and crafts and Flea Market. Parade Sunday at 1PM. Warrens, WI. Cranfest.com
• Apple Fest – 9/23-25. Bushels of apple inspired treats, pie-eating contest, live music. Long Grove. longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest
• Keepataw Day Parade & Fun Fest – 9/24. Inflatables, Live Bands, Games, Food Vendors Beer Tent. Parade 1PM. Lemont. keepatawparade.com
• Scarecrow Festival – 9/24. Downtown Ottawa. “Toddler Friendly” annual fest has something to offer every member of the family! pickusottawail.com
• Johnny Appleseed Festival – 9/24. Live entertainment, scarecrow decorating contest, Great Ball race. Crystal Lake. downtowncl.org
• Autumn Hayrides – 9/24-10/22. Cruise around the fields and make s’mores over your own private fire. St. Charles. Tickets at primrosefarm.org/events.
• Navy Pier Chicago Live! – 9/24-25. Chicago’s top cultural organizations in back-to-back performances. Navy Pier. Chicago. Navypier.org
• Polyanna Brewing Oktoberfest – 9/24. 12-11PM. Live music, food from Weber Grill, free shuttle buses. The Forge, Lemont Quarries. Forgeparks.com
• Autumn Family Fun Fest – 9/24. 1-4PM. Hayrides, pumpkin launch, petting zoo and a prairie maze. Eaton Preserve. Plainfield. Plfdparks.org
• Oktoberfest – 9/24. Live polka music at the beer garden from 11AM-5PM. Free with zoo general admission. Brookfield Zoo. Czs.org/Oktoberfest

Harvest of the Acorn Moon Festival | Sept. 25 . Pumpkin painting, hayrides, crafts, hikes and folk music. Noon – 3PM. FREE. Oakhurst Forest Preserve, Aurora.  www.kaneforest.com
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• Autumn Opener Festival – 9/25. Pony rides, petting zoo, performers and games! Bring clothes to make a scarecrow. Castaldo Park, Woodridge. woodridgeparks.org
• Scarecrow Parade – 9/25. 1PM. Kid-friendly event with a scarecrow theme. pickusottawail.com

Harvest Fest | Sept. 30 – Oct 2. Fischer Farm, Bensenville. Food & Drink. Family Fun. Animals. Live Music. Free Parking.  www.BvilleParks.org/harvestfest
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• Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement – 9/30-10/1. Live music, German Beer Garden, German Cuisine, Family Activities. Naperville. napersettlement.org
• Harmony Fest – 9/30-10/1. Food & Local Business tents. Family fun and live music. Arlington Heights. DiscoverArlington.com
• Oktoberfest – 9/30-10/2. Buffalo Creek Brewing hosts a Bavarian themed event. Lake Zurich. Buffalocreekbrewing.com
• Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo – 9/30 – 10/30. Celebrate the harvest season with family-friendly activities. lpzoo.org

OCTOBER

• Fallin’ For Oregon – 10/1-2. Autumn on Parade includes 180 booths in Ogle County Courthouse Square. Homegrown and handmade items with a Kids Fun Zone with petting zoo and inflatables. Oregon, IL autumnonparade.com
• Pumpkin Patch Festival – 10/1. South Elgin. Family-friendly. Southelgin.com
• Pumpkin Fest – 10/1-31. Farm animals and pumpkins! Children’s rides. Cosley Zoo, Wheaton. cosleyzoo.org
• Pumpkin Patch Creations – 10/1-22. 3:30-5PM. Tractor-drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch and come back to the decoration station to create your work of art. Primrose Farms, St. Charles. Primrosefarm.org/events
• Cody’s Farm Pumpkin Fest – 10/1-10/31, Weekends. 10AM-6PM. Corn maze, pumpkins, apple orchard, kids’ rides, food and more. Marengo. Codysfarm.com
• Autumn Hayrides – Fridays & Saturdays 10/1-23. Tractor-drawn wagon ride, bonfire & s’mores. Primrose Farm, St. Charles. Register: primrosefarm.org
• Galena Oktoberfest – 10/1. 12-10PM. Food and beer, Polka lessons, Bean Bag tournament, bounce house. visitgalena.com
• Pumpkin Weekends – 10/1-10/22. 11AM-4PM. Pumpkin Bounce House, New features each weekend. Check web page for details. Buy tickets online, $8, Blackberry Farm, Aurora. foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
• The Last Straw – 10/2. Scarecrows, pumpkins, pan for gold, hayrides, learn about life in the past. 12-4PM. The Gregg House Museum. westmontparks.org
• Autumn Harvest Festival – 10/2. 4PM. Experience the fall harvest in 19th century farm life demonstrations with crafts, games, music, food. Schaumburg. Parkfun.com

International Houby Fest | Oct. 6-10. Carnival, float filled parade, live music, food, crafts and more. Rich, cultural tradition. The Towns of Cicero and Berwyn. www.cicerofestivals.com
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• Bayfield Apple Festival – 10/7-9. Tour the orchards and wineries, peruse fine arts and crafts. Live music and carnival. Bayfield, WI. bayfield.org
• Fall Festival and Bulb Sale – 10/7-9. Purchase bulbs shipped from Holland and enjoy family activities and Harvest Market at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe. Chicagobotanic.org
• St. Charles Scarecrow Festival – 10/7-9. Children’s rides, fish fry, scarecrow sculpting, parade, bingo and more! St. Charles. scarecrowfest.com
• Smoketoberfest – 10/8. Downtown Ottawa. Inaugural Backyard BBQ Competition for backyard chefs with pig roast & live music. pickusottawail.com
• Bronkberry Farms Fall Fest –  Oct.8-9. Hayrides, farm fun. 9AM-6PM FREE. Plainfield. bronkberryfarms.com
• Oktoberfest – 10/8. 3-8PM. Food, beer, music and entertainment. Wheeling. wheelingparkdistrict.com
• Fall Festival at Palatine Stables – 10/8. 10:45AM-3:45PM. Pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin decorating and photo ops. Palatineparks.org
• Boo at the Zoo – 10/8-23. Family Halloween celebration in the Zoo’s West Mall. Creepy Carousel, and the Craized Maize. Weekends. Brookfield. Czs.org
• Fall Fest – 10/8. DJ, entertainment, hayrides, arts, crafts, giant slide, s’mores and more. 6-8PM. Bloomingdale. Bloomingdaleparks.org
• Cantigny Fall Festival – 10/8. Celebrate at Cantigny with harvest-time fun for all ages! Food and shopping, music, crafts, children’s book fair, inflatables and more! 10AM-4PM. Wheaton. cantigny.org
• Burgoo Festival – 10/8-9. Street party featuring over 100 vendors, craftsmen, musicians. Utica. lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org.
• Founders Day Festival – 10/8. 2-7PM. 100 Birthday with zip line, rock climbing wall, bounce house, corn maze, beer garden and much more. Lake Park West Campus. Roselle. Rparks.org
• Fall Fest – 10/8. 9AM-12PM. Safety Town trick-or-treating, photo ops, fall games and more. The Depot at Wild Meadows Trace, Elmhurst. epd.org
• Glass Pumpkin Patch – 10/12–16. Features demos of the country’s top glassblowers and unique, handcrafted designs available for purchase. Morton Arboretum, Lisle. mortonarb.org
• Autumn Drive, Woodstock to Marengo – 10/14-16. Progressive festival with barnyards, farmhouse doors and studios open to the public. Garage and antique sales. autumndrive.net
• Frankenstein’s Kiddie Carnival – 10/14. Wear Halloween costume and enjoy carnival games, crafts, popcorn PARCC Plainfield. Plfdparks.org
• Fall Fest – 10/14-16. Fall Fest parade, great food and music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities and classic car show. WI. sisterbay.com

STEM Fest | Sat. Oct. 15. Free family fun celebrating science, technology, engineering and math. Featuring drone flying, a Haunted Physics Lab, engaging stage presentations, science demo shows and more! 10AM – 4PM. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb Campus. Go.niu.edu/STEMFest2022
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• Autumn Fair – 10/17. 11AM-3PM. Peck Farm Park. Food, petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkins and more. Geneva.  genevaparks.org
• Caravan to Candyland – 10/19. Drive along the Halloween themed path and stop at candy/prize stations along the way. Prizes geared for ages 10 and under. St. Charles. Stparks.org
• Pumpkin Swim – 10/21. Pumpkin hunt at the Family Aquatic Center, Oak Brook. Search for candy and prizes in the pool, with free swim after until 8:45PM. obparks.org
• Gourds on Parade – Carve your pumpkin and drop off to the Pottawatomie Community Center by 10/21 for guests to view on a walk along the path. St. Charles. Stcparks.org
• Trail of Terror – 10/22. Wander the Haunted course trails among live ghouls and goblins. May not be suitable for young children. St. Charles. Stparks.org
• Boonanza – 10/21. 4-7PM. Children 10 and under, pumpkin decorating, crafts, carnival games, and balloonist. wheelingparkdistrict.com
• Howlin’ at the Moon – 10/21-22 5-10PM. 21yrs and older only – local bands, food trucks, fire dancers and curiosities. Naper Settlement, Naperville. napersettlement.org
• Bolingbrook Fall Festival – 10/22-23. Crafters, makers, bakery goods, and other fall and Halloween related items. Bolingbrook. Shoppingpromenade.com
• Sycamore Pumpkin Festival – 10/26-30. Decorated pumpkins, carnivals crafs, and parade. sycamorepumpkinfestival.com
• Fall Fest – 10/28. 6-9PM. Costume contest, inflatables, games, crafts, petting zoo, wine and live music. Warrenville. Warrenvilleparks.org