Skip to guide
SEPTEMBER 25–27 · CHICAGO SUBURBS

This Weekend, Sorted.

Fall festivals, live music, cultural events and a few ticketed detours worth knowing about for September 25–27.

Hi Neighbors,

Fall has fully taken over the calendar. This weekend brings Oktoberfests, apple festivals, live music, family events, comedy and a few bigger ticketed nights.

START HERE

Five Worth Leaving the House For

01
DETOUR OF THE WEEK

Huntley Fall Fest

FRIDAY–SUNDAY · Fri 5–11 PM; Sat 10 AM–11 PM; Sun 11 AM–7 PM · Huntley · Free admission; carnival/food/drinks extra

Three-day fall fest with live music, carnival, petting zoo and Saturday fireworks.

Best forFamilies, groups and anyone who wants a full-scale fall festival with enough to fill a day.
Why it made the cutThree-day fall fest with live music, carnival, petting zoo and Saturday fireworks.
The catch: Large festival; carnival and food cost extra
02FREE / CHEAP

Glenview Blocktoberfest with Los Lobos

SATURDAY · 11 AM–11 PM; Los Lobos at 9 PM · Glenview · Free general admission; food/beer and optional supporter passes extra

Free downtown block party headlined by Los Lobos with two stages and kids zone.

Best forLive-music fans, adults and families who want a free daytime-to-night block party.
Why it made the cutFree downtown block party headlined by Los Lobos with two stages and kids zone.
The catch: Crowds build toward the 9 PM headliner
03TICKETED

Celebración de los Árboles

SATURDAY–SUNDAY · Festival programming 9 AM–5 PM; general event listing 9 AM–4 PM · Lisle · Included with Arboretum general admission; optional tram tours extra

Latin American music, dance, food, artisan vendors and Lucha Libre.

Best forFamilies, culture seekers and anyone who wants a destination-style Arboretum day.
Why it made the cutLatin American music, dance, food, artisan vendors and Lucha Libre.
The catch: Requires Arboretum admission; optional tours cost extra
04FREE / CHEAP

Long Grove Apple Fest

FRIDAY–SUNDAY · Fri–Sun; entertainment and vendor hours vary · Long Grove · $7 daily GA; ages 12 and under free; food/rides extra

Apple-heavy fall festival with three stages, carnival, shopping and strong tribute lineup.

Best forCouples, families and fall-festival people who want food, music, shopping and carnival energy.
Why it made the cutApple-heavy fall festival with three stages, carnival, shopping and strong tribute lineup.
The catch: Admission excludes food, drinks and carnival rides
05TICKETED

Frank Caliendo

FRIDAY–SATURDAY · Fri 7 PM; Sat 7 PM & 9:30 PM · Schaumburg · $52.62–$72.15 listed; two-item showroom minimum

One-weekend comedy run from a recognizable impressions headliner.

Best forAdults, comedy fans and date-night crowds looking for a recognizable headliner.
Why it made the cutOne-weekend comedy run from a recognizable impressions headliner.
The catch: Two-item minimum in showroom; all sales final
THE FULL GUIDE

More Plans, Organized by Day

The featured five are not repeated below. The rest is split by day and price so you can get to a plan faster. Every event name opens the best current event or ticket page.

NEXT WEEKEND, BEFORE FRIDAY

Want next weekend figured out before Friday?

Get the free Thursday shortlist. No giant event dump, just the plans that look most worth your time.

Get the Thursday email
Need a faster filter?Free + cheapLive musicFamily-friendlyDate night
SEP
25

Friday

Also featured above: Huntley Fall Fest, Long Grove Apple Fest, Frank Caliendo

FREE + CHEAP
4 free/cheap choices.
4 PICKS
Oaktoberfest
Fri 4–10 PM; Sat noon–10 PM · Free admission; food/drink extra · Oak Park
Aurora Greek Fest
Fri noon–9 PM; Sat noon–9 PM; Sun noon–7 PM · Free admission and parking; food extra · Aurora
La Grange Oktoberfest
Three-day downtown festival; programming varies by day · Community festival; food/drinks and select activities extra · La Grange
Johnny Appleseed Festival & Great Ball Race
Fri Taste of Downtown 5–9 PM; Sat festival 10 AM–4 PM, Taste through 8 PM; Great Ball Race 3 PM · Free general entry; some kids activities and Great Ball Race tickets extra · Crystal Lake
TICKETED + HIGHER COST
3 ticketed/higher-cost choices.
3 PICKS
Some ticket and booking links are affiliate links. The Local Detour may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mean Girls
Multiple weekend performances; check ticket page for exact performance selected · Tickets start at $34 in person; online/phone fees extra · Aurora
SEP
26

Saturday

Also featured above: Huntley Fall Fest, Glenview Blocktoberfest with Los Lobos, Celebración de los Árboles, Long Grove Apple Fest, Frank Caliendo

FREE + CHEAP
10 free/cheap choices.
10 PICKS
Oaktoberfest
Fri 4–10 PM; Sat noon–10 PM · Free admission; food/drink extra · Oak Park
Aurora Greek Fest
Fri noon–9 PM; Sat noon–9 PM; Sun noon–7 PM · Free admission and parking; food extra · Aurora
La Grange Oktoberfest
Three-day downtown festival; programming varies by day · Community festival; food/drinks and select activities extra · La Grange
Rosetober Fest
Noon–6 PM · Free; parking free with venue validation · Rosemont
Johnny Appleseed Festival & Great Ball Race
Fri Taste of Downtown 5–9 PM; Sat festival 10 AM–4 PM, Taste through 8 PM; Great Ball Race 3 PM · Free general entry; some kids activities and Great Ball Race tickets extra · Crystal Lake
Cantigny Fall Fest
10 AM–4 PM both days · $21 parking per car; festival activities include free and paid add-ons · Wheaton
Nostalgialand Show & Sale
Sat 9 AM–5 PM; Sun 9 AM–3 PM · $9 regular admission, good for both days; free parking · St. Charles
TICKETED + HIGHER COST
5 ticketed/higher-cost choices.
5 PICKS
Some ticket and booking links are affiliate links. The Local Detour may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Bluff City Cemetery Walk
Sat 3 PM & 5:30 PM; Sun 11 AM & 1:30 PM · $20 museum members / $25 guests / $15 junior-senior high · Elgin
Mean Girls
Multiple weekend performances; check ticket page for exact performance selected · Tickets start at $34 in person; online/phone fees extra · Aurora
SEP
27

Sunday

Also featured above: Huntley Fall Fest, Celebración de los Árboles, Long Grove Apple Fest

FREE + CHEAP
5 free/cheap choices.
5 PICKS
Aurora Greek Fest
Fri noon–9 PM; Sat noon–9 PM; Sun noon–7 PM · Free admission and parking; food extra · Aurora
La Grange Oktoberfest
Three-day downtown festival; programming varies by day · Community festival; food/drinks and select activities extra · La Grange
Cantigny Fall Fest
10 AM–4 PM both days · $21 parking per car; festival activities include free and paid add-ons · Wheaton
Nostalgialand Show & Sale
Sat 9 AM–5 PM; Sun 9 AM–3 PM · $9 regular admission, good for both days; free parking · St. Charles
TICKETED + HIGHER COST
5 ticketed/higher-cost choices.
5 PICKS
Some ticket and booking links are affiliate links. The Local Detour may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Bluff City Cemetery Walk
Sat 3 PM & 5:30 PM; Sun 11 AM & 1:30 PM · $20 museum members / $25 guests / $15 junior-senior high · Elgin
Mean Girls
Multiple weekend performances; check ticket page for exact performance selected · Tickets start at $34 in person; online/phone fees extra · Aurora
SAVED YOU SOME SCROLLING?
Help keep The Local Detour going. Chip In Here →
SPONSORED BY · Therapeutic Mobility LLC
Customized massage therapy for tension, recovery & relaxation · Book online →