Fall in the suburbs.
Bigger festivals, Oktoberfests and seasonal events happening around the Chicago suburbs.
September and October fill up fast around here. Here’s what’s actually worth knowing about.
September gets it started.
Schaumburg Septemberfest
Three days of live entertainment, carnival rides, arts and crafts, food, a beer and wine garden, a Sunday drone display and Monday’s Labor Day parade.
Frankfort Fall Festival
Historic downtown fills with 300+ artisans, festival food, live entertainment, carnival rides and the Sunday parade.
St. Cletus Fall Fest
A four-day parish festival with food, games, carnival rides and live entertainment.
Oktoberfest by Schnitzel Platz
German bands, schnitzel and bratwurst, German beer and a kids inflatable area at Camera Park.
Itasca Oktoberfest
Traditional German music, food and stein-holding at Washington Park.
Geneva Festival of the Vine
Downtown Geneva pairs restaurant dishes and wine with live music, an arts and crafts show, children’s activities and carriage rides.
Downers Grove Oktoberfest
Downtown tents, live music, a Kids Zone and Oktoberfest food in a traditional German-festival setup.
Palatine Oktoberfest
Three days of German music, food and drink just south of the Palatine Metra station, including family programming during the weekend.
AuroraLand Oktoberfest
German beer and food, live entertainment, contests and kids activities at Phillips Park Main Pavilion.
Abbey Farms Pumpkin Daze
Forty acres of pumpkins, a large corn maze, hayrides, an activity park and seasonal food.
Woodridge Oktoberfest
Two nights at Cypress Cove with German food, beer, live bands, stein holding and a pretzel toss.
Cantigny Fall Fest
A weekend market with live music, garden tours, food trucks, kids crafts, bounce houses, a petting zoo and a beer garden.
Then October takes over.
Naper Settlement Oktoberfest
German food and beer under a giant heated tent, plus live music, a stein-holding contest and a children’s activity area.
Cider and Ale Festival
More than 30 breweries and cideries pour 60+ varieties along the fall trails at The Morton Arboretum.
St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend
Downtown St. Charles fills with more than 120 handmade scarecrows, family activities and a craft show.
Glass Pumpkin Patch
Thousands of one-of-a-kind blown-glass pumpkins plus live glassblowing demonstrations at The Morton Arboretum.
Bottles, Barrels & Brews
An afternoon at Museums at Lisle Station Park with tastings, live music, yard games and food.
Howlin’ at the Moon
A 21+ Halloween weekend at Naper Settlement with live music, drinks and a costume-ready nighttime atmosphere.
The Thursday email is still the shorter list for the weekend itself. Get the Thursday email →