18 Fall Favorites in the Chicago Suburbs for 2024
Time to plan for fall weekends in the Chicago suburbs! Enjoy this list of my favorite fall events for this year:
Shades of Autumn Festival: Shades of Autumn Festival at Stade's Farm Market has long been one of my favorite fall events -- apple picking, pumpkin picking, a corn maze, a pumpkin cannon, farm animals to meet, a hayride, and so much more fall fun! Plus, there is always fresh produce and treats to pick up in the farm market. The event has already started for this year and runs through October.
Pumpkin Daze: Located in Aurora, Abbey Farms invites the family to a fall day on the farm. Pumpkin picking, a corn maze, a tire hill, a tire tunnel, a rope maze, and so much more fun craft the perfect fall day. The event runs September 21 through October 27th.
Richardson "World's Largest" Corn Maze: Every year, I eagerly anticipate the unveiling of the new corn maze. This year's maze honors John Deere. Richardson also has heaps of additional fall fun including a petting zoo, ziplines, apple cider donuts, wagon rides, campfires, a sunflower field, a pumpkin patch, and more. Admission fees apply. This year's maze will be open until October 27. See website for ticketing info and times.
Apple Fest: A regional tradition, Long Grove's Apple Fest is September 20-22 this year. Enjoy all sorts of apple creations plus live music, carnival rides, and artisan fair and more. Tickets may be purchased online.
Mount Prospect Fall Festival: Mount Prospect's Fall Festival is famous for its trick-or-treat line! The September 21 (1PM-4PM) festival will also include hayrides, pumpkin decorating and more.
Party for the Preserves: Party for Our Preserves on September 28 is a day to celebrate the amazing and beautiful nature spaces nearby. There are a number of nature events scheduled scattered among the Cook County Forest Preserves so see the website for more details.
Johnny Appleseed Festival: Come out and meet the famous man himself at Crystal Lake's annual festival celebrated this year on September 28. The event includes storytelling, wagon rides, a craft fair, scarecrows on stilts, inflatables, pumpkin bowling, and more.
Pumpkin Weekends: Pumpkin Weekends in October at Blackberry Farm treat families to pumpkin fun while visiting the farm. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, pumpkin-themed activities as well as special events each day. Purchase tickets online. You can also enjoy the event on Columbus day.v
Autumn Harvest Festival: On October 6, families are invited for fall on the farm at Schaumburg's Heritage Farm. The fun includes 1890s fall farm activity demos as well as the opportunity to participate in some. Pumpkin decorating and wagon rides supplement the fun. Live music and kids crafts add to the day. The event runs 12PM-4PM, $5 pp or $20 per family.
St. Charles Scarecrow Festival: Scarecrows invade St. Charles for the annual festival to be held on October 11-13 this year. Over 110 scarecrows crafted by businesses, families and organizations will be scattered all over town. Family fun, photo ops, a craft fair, pumpkin carving, and live entertainment and more elements of fun. Head over to the website for the full schedule.
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival: The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival (October 4-6, 2024) 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.
Night of 1.000 Jack-o-Lanterns: Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns is one of the most magically spooky events of the season. Wander a path of jack-o-lanterns intricately carved into both creepy and sweet creations. The event also features live carving demos and entertainers. This year's event runs select days October 16-20 and 23-27 with limited ticket availability so you better get your tix soon!
Scarecrow Trail and Glass Pumpkin Patch: Each year, scarecrows decorated by local scout groups and organizations surround Meadow Lake at The Morton Arboretum. The creativity displayed is pretty impressive! If you visit October 11-13, you will be able to visit the Glass Pumpkin Patch full of glass pumpkins of colors and sizes for sale plus you can watch a demo! Both are included with admission to the Arboretum.
Cantigny Fall Festival: For the first time ever, Fall Festival will be a full weekend this year October 13-15! Friday and Saturday night will feature German-style food and beer, live music, lawn games, and a campfire. Saturday and Sunday during the day will feature fall family fun. See website for full schedule and ticketing info.
Creating Glass Pumpkins: At Mundelein's Patterson Glassworks, fall is the time to craft glass pumpkins! Open Houses for creating glass pumpkins are October 12 & 13, 19 & 20 and November 2 & 3, 9 & 10. The experience is $55-$95 depending on size and type of pumpkin. The Open House runs 11AM-4PM each day. Call 847-949-0013 to book your time.
Autumn Drive: Woodstock's Autumn Drive invites exploring country roads to visit farms for apple picking, pumpkin picking, petting farm animals, hayrides, tractor rides, and shopping for local products. This year's event is October 18-20.
Fall Festival: One of the first fall festivals I attended in this region happens to be the Fall Festival at River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook. This year's festival is on October 20 and will feature autumn fun, beekeeping demos, pumpkin painting, honey sales, and more.
Carol Stream Halloween Decorating Contest: Every year, Carol Stream has a village Halloween Decorating contest!Pay attention to the Carol Stream website -- they will post a map of the village's spooky houses.
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