Weekend Windup {Fall Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs October 11-14, 2024}

 

Fall Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs October 11-14, 2024

Another wonderful fall weekend is ahead! This time of year is always bustling with activity and there is so much fun to enjoy. Here are my picks for this weekend in the Chicago suburbs:

Ongoing

February 10 - December 21 Saving the Fabyan's Legacy: The Darlene Larson Story, Geneva History Museum, learn how the Fabyan estate and Japanese garden were saved, see website for admission information and times.

June 30 - October The Olmec Trails, the work of 33 artists painted on sculptures recreating the art of ancient Mexican culture will be on display throughout DuPage County

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.

Enjoy fall by exploring these fall favorite adventures: https://www.alittletimeandakeyboard.com/2024/09/chicago-suburbs-fall-fun.html

Or go on a Fall Color Hike at one of these preserves: https://www.alittletimeandakeyboard.com/2023/10/chicago-suburbs-fall-colors.html

Friday, October 11

October 11-13 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.

October 11-13 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.

October 11-13 Cantigny Fall Festival: For the first time ever, Fall Festival will be a full weekend this year October 11-13! 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.

October 11-13 Monster Mash Festival, The Forge Lemont Quarries, Lemont, free admission, live music,  dance party, hayrides and more, see website for ticket cost for carnival rides

Saturday, October 12

October 12-13 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. 

October 12-13 Rail Fest, Woodstock, explore model railroads throughout downtown, 20 locations, 10AM-5PM Sat, 11AM-4PM Sun.

October 12-13 Fall Festival at Danada, Wheaton, 11AM-5PM, equestrian performances and demos, hayrides, kids activities, and more, free admission but small fees for some activities

October 12 Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills, 12PM-4PM, folkloric performances, live music, crafts, and more, free

October 12 DIY Scarecrow Day in Long Grove, 12PM-4PM, $10 per scarecrow station donated to HDLGBA, builders should bring scarecrow clothes, etc, walk-ins as space permits, register online

October 12 Ghost Stories at Volo Bog Natural Area, Ingleside, 5PM-9PM

October 12 Ghost Story Train, Fox River Trolley Museum, South Elgin, suitable for all ages, $20 pp, reserve tickets online, variety of times

Sunday, October 13

October 13 Indigenous Environmentalists Walk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 10AM, enjoy a casual walk while learning about Indigenous Environmentalists

October 13 Pet Parade, Brother's Field, Long Grove, 12PM

Monday, October 14

October 14 Indigenous People's Day, Free Admission to the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Evanston, 10AM-5PM

October 14 Indigenous Environmentalists Walk, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 10AM, enjoy a casual walk while learning about Indigenous Environmentalists