Weekend Windup {Fall Fun in the Chicago Suburbs October 6-9, 2023}

 

Fall Fun in the Chicago Suburbs October 6-9, 2023

Fall weekends are some of the best particularly in October -- full of pumpkins, fall colors, and ghosts! There is a little of each this weekend -- here are my picks:

Ongoing

February 4-December 23 Viking's Voyage, Geneva History Museum, learn about the history of the replica Viking ship in Geneva which started as an attraction at the World's Columbian Exhibition in 1893, $5 per adult, $2 kids and seniors, free for members, closed Sundays and Mondays

May 2 - November 3 Infrastructure: Creating 19th Century Clothing Then and Now, exhibit starts with the fabric scrapbook of Hannah Ditzler Asplaugh. Her memories of creating and recreating 19th century clothing over 50 years inspired the exhibit.  Explore the connection of clothing and memory as well as how the fashions were made then and now. See website for hours and admission.

September 16 - October 28 Pumpkin Daze, Abbey Farm, Aurora, corn maze, pumpkin picking, wagon rides, and so much more fun -- see website

September 16 - October 29 World's Largest Corn Maze at Richardson Adventure Farm, see website

September 25 - October 8 Dinos in Downtown Wheaton, 10 life-sized animatronic dinos will be in downtown Wheaton

through October 29 Shades of Autumn Festival: Apple picking, pumpkin picking, a corn maze, a pumpkin cannon, farm animals to meet, a hayride, and so much more fun makes Stade's Farm & Market an easy family fall fun favorite! Plus, there is always something great to pick up in the farm market. The event has already started for this year and runs through October 29.

September 9 - January 7 Picasso 50 Years Later, Elmhurst Art Museum, works by Picasso and his contemporaries, with admission

Pumpkin Weekends: Pumpkin Weekends in October at Blackberry Farm treat families to pumpkin fun while visiting the farm. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, pumpkin-themed activities as well as special events each day. Purchase tickets online. You can also enjoy the event on Columbus day.

Through October 31 The Halloween Experience, Elgin, on select days, a drive-through Halloween experience, $15 pp but a variety of packages exist, see website for tickets, family-friendly 

October 17-31 Pleasant Prairie Halloween Lights Tour, Pleasant Prairie, WI

Fall is for hiking! Check out my Chicago Suburban Hiking Recommendations for ideas. Also, see 20 Chicago Suburbs Forest Preserve for Fall Colors!

Friday, October 6

St. Charles Scarecrow Festival: Scarecrows invade St. Charles for the annual festival to be held on October 6-8 this year. Over 85 scarecrows crafted by businesses, families and organizations will be scattered all over town. Visitors vote for their favorites in a variety of categories. Family fun, a craft fair, pumpkin carving, and live entertainment and more elements of fun. Head over to the website for the full schedule. 

October 6-8 The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival: The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival (October 6-8, 2023)  is one of my favorites of the year -- hundreds of jack-o-lanterns adorn walls lining the streets. They are lit up at night creating a fab fall atmosphere. The event includes live music, a kids costume contest, a pet costume contest, pumpkin carving, hayrides, carnival rides, and more. See schedule for more details. The festival also includes Skeletons on Display which has some truly comical skeleton displays created by local businesses. The skeletons stay on display through October.

October 6 & 7 Tales and Tombstones, Lombard, candlelit tour of the oldest cemetery in Lombard, meet past residents, various times, must register, $25 per ages 13-adult, ages 4-12 $5

October 6 & 7 Oktoberfest, Naper Settlement, live music, German food, live pumpkin carving, hold the stein contest, $20 for ages 13-adult, $15 youth 4-12, purchase tickets online

Saturday, October 7

October 7-8 Fall Festival at Danada, Danada Equestrian Center, Wheaton, 11AM-5PM, performances, barn tours, kids activities and more, free but small fees for some activities

October 7 Affy Tapple Family Fun Day, Niles, 10AM-4PM, enjoy affy tapples for a $1 donation or donation of non perishable food item for the food pantry, face painting, magician, and more

October 7 DIY Scarecrow Fest Long Grove, Brothers Field, 12PM-4PM, register, $10 pp, gather clothing and accessories for your scarecrow

October 7 Founders Day Festival, Roselle, 2PM-7PM

October 7 Northbrook Autumn Fest, Village Green, 2PM-5PM, bonfire with s'mores, dj, pumpkin decorating, bouncy house and more

October 7 Pumpkin Jubilee, Fox Lake, 3PM-7PM, pumpkin carving, artisans and crafts, food and more

Sunday, October 8

October 8 & 9 Fall Walk, River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, 10:30am and 1:30pm, free but registration required 847-824-8360.

October 8 Theodore Roosevelt Visits the Powers Walker House, Ringwood, 12PM-4PM, learn about the life of the 26th president from an interpreter, free, for all ages but under 13 accompanied by adult

Monday, October 9

October 9 Indigenous People's Day, The Grove, Glenview, 11AM-3PM, visit the Long House to learn about the Indigenous people of our region and their history, participate in Indigenous activities, there also is an Indigenous Drum Demonstration at 5:30pm, please register if interested in staying for the demo by emailing Meredith.Suangka@glenviewparks.org