Chicago Fall Festivals – Fall 2024 IL Events
Chicago Tardis - Lombard, IL - Nov 29 to Dec 1, 2024
Held since 2000, this festival is held by fans, for fans of both the new and classic Doctor Who series, and features panels, parties, and more. The event includes guests who were stars from the show, including 2019 guest Tosin Cole, who played the thirteenth Doctor’s companion, Ryan Sinclair. Tickets are available for single-day admission for both adults and children,plus weekend access, VIP, and more, so you can choose your experience!
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade - Chicago, IL - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
Turkey Day 5K/8K Trot - Chicago, IL - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
Supporting the Greater Chicago Food Depository, you will join fellow runners, joggers and walkers in some light hearted fun while ensuring no Chicagoan will go hungry this holiday season.
Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot - Elmhurst, IL - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
5k fundraiser run on Thanksgiving. To date, The Dan Gibbons Foundation has donated nearly $3.9 million dollars and keeps all funds raised within the County of DuPage
North Shore Turkey Trot - Highland Park, IL - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
5k and 10k on Thanksgiving
Turkey Trot 5 Mile Run - Glen Ellyn, IL - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
Get active for a good cause by starting your Thanksgiving at the Turkey Trot 5-Mile Predicto Race! The top two runners who most accurately predict their finish time will win a Thanksgiving treat. Prizes will also be awarded for Best Costume. The Turkey Trot is free and open to the public
Grant Park Turkey Trot 5K - Chicago, IL - Nov 28 to Nov 28, 2024
5K and 10K at Grant Park with Do-Rite Donuts waiting for you at the finish line.
The Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights - Chicago, IL - Nov 23 to Nov 23, 2024
Musical performances and tree-lighting parade with Santa Clause, all along the Magnificent Mile. If you can’t make it, it is televised across the US and Canada!
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL - Nov 15 to Jan 5, 2025
Mesmerizing light display at the zoo. Chicago’s favorite holiday tradition is back and better than ever in 2021 with the new Pepper Family Wildlife Center at the heart of the zoo, a new holiday lights experience on the Main Mall, and an exciting new light show on the South Lawn. Also new this year: sensory-friendly visit times and an impressive 18-foot holiday tree sure to inspire festive oohs and aahs. Members only nights, free and $5 admission nights, sensory friendly nights, and other special events.
WhiskyFest Chicago - Chicago, IL - Nov 15 to Nov 15, 2024
Meet the whisky distillers, master blenders, and other whisky experts who will be in attendance. This is your chance to taste from a selection of single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Japanese, Canadian, French, Taiwanese, and craft-distilled whiskies, all assembled in one place. High-end rum, brandy, and other spirits will be available as well.
Sycamore Pumpkin Festival - Sycamore, IL - Oct 23 to Oct 27, 2024
Annual decorated pumpkin display with parade, carnivals and indoor craft show. The festival started in 1956 to offer a creative outlet for the students of Sycamore has grown into a city wide event
Chicago International Film Festival - Chicago, IL - Oct 16 to Oct 27, 2024
Exhibiting films from around the world for five decades.
Chicago Marathon - Chicago, IL - Oct 13 to Oct 13, 2024
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known for its flat and fast course. The race starts and finishes in Grant Park and travels through one of the world’s most magnificent cities. The course has produced four world records, several national records and countless personal bests. Runners enjoy the support of 1.7 million spectators as they run through 29 neighborhoods.
Friendship Center Oktoberfest - Chicago, IL - Oct 12 to Oct 13, 2024
Food trucks, live music, and of course, lots of beer, as a fundraiser for the Friendship Center to feed the hungry of Chicagoland
Scarecrow Festival - St. Charles, IL - Oct 11 to Oct 13, 2024
Award winning event with more than 100+ hand-crafted scarecrows, live entertainment, carnival and craft show.
Villa Park Brewfest - Villa Park, IL - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2024
Sample from more than 80 different styles of beers from America’s best craft brewers.
Lincoln Square AppleFest - Chicago, IL - Oct 5 to Oct 6, 2024
A Lincoln Square tradition to celebrate fall with local musicians, children’s activities and everything apple!
Highwood Pumpkin Festival - Highwood, IL - Oct 4 to Oct 6, 2024
This fan favorite event is held to not only break the Guinness World Record of 30,581 for most pumpkins carved in one place, but to take it a step further by lighting a pumpkin for everyone affected by autism in Illinois- a staggering 52,000 individuals! Imagine pumpkins lining the streets on scaffolding towering over 30 feet lit and synced to music. It’s a site to behold and the ultimate family event!
Walk4Hearing Chicago - Chicago, IL - Sep 29 to Sep 29, 2024
Empowers and inspires those affected by hearing loss while raising money for national and local programs that provide information, education, support, and advocacy. Vendors will be on site to provide resources for individuals and families affected by hearing loss.
Chicago Half Marathon and 5k - Chicago, IL - Sep 29 to Sep 29, 2024
Take in breathtaking cityscape views, lakefront breezes, vibrant neighborhoods and the beauty of the Windy City in the fall. Earn a HUGE finisher medal and relish in your post race glory at the Chi town infused finish line festival.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival - Chicago, IL - Sep 28 to Sep 29, 2024
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is a collaborative platform dedicated to supporting the presentation and ongoing development of jazz, particularly on the South Side of Chicago. We do this by creating opportunities for a diverse community of listeners to engage with the music and its creators, and by working with artists, organizational partners and networks to celebrate the rich tradition of jazz and to support the development of new work and ideas.
Elim Dutch Festival - Palos Heights, IL - Sep 28 to Sep 28, 2024
Free admission and free parking for a day of fun for the whole family!
Lansing Autumnfest - Lansing, IL - Sep 27 to Sep 28, 2024
Over 20,000 people come out each year to enjoy a weekend of great food, children’s activities, military tribute, a Marketplace, beer garden, and 2 stages of live entertainment.
Huntley Fall Fest - Huntley, IL - Sep 27 to Sep 29, 2024
A three day community celebration with entertainment, a beer garden, food vendors, a full carnival midway, plenty of fall activities, and a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday night! Free admission!
Manteno Oktoberfest - Manteno, IL - Sep 26 to Sep 29, 2024
A four day festival attended by approximately 10,000, this annual Oktoberfest is hosted by the Manteno Chamber of Commerce. Beer garden with stage offering live music. Carnival including ferris wheel and amusement rides on Main Street. Bike Night, Lighted Parade (Saturday), pet parade, grass volleyball tournament, bean bag tournament and scarecrow contest for residents of Manteno. Also a lawnmower poker run, car show and performances by Dance Alive! Dance Studio. There are also garage sales in conjunction with the event, map available two weeks prior.
Grundy County Corn Festival - Morris, IL - Sep 25 to Sep 29, 2024
Parade; Corn, grain, and flower show; hobby and handicraft contest, pie eating contest, and more
Pere Marquette Lodge Apple Festival - Grafton, IL - Sep 22 to Sep 22, 2024
Warm apple pie, hand-dipped caramel apples, handmade crafts, live music and fresh produce are just a few of the offerings at the Apple Festival at Pere Marquette. The festivities also includes apple wine tasting, kid’s activities and restaurant favorites. An apple pie walk (similar to a cake walk) will be held where visitors will purchase tickets and take a walk for a chance to take home a fresh baked apple pie. Proceeds for the apple pie walk will be donated to the Friends of Pere Marquette Foundation. The Lodge also hosts the annual Pumpkin Roll. Participants can bring their own pumpkin or purchase one at the festival to decorate for a competitive roll down the hill in front of the Lodge. Second and third place participants will win gift certificates for the Restaurant and the fastest pumpkin will win the grand prize of a free nights stay at the historic Lodge. Best of all, there’s free admission!
Two Brothers Oktoberfest - Aurora, IL - Sep 22 to Sep 28, 2024
The official Oktoberfest celebration will be held at the Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, with the Tap House the following weekend. Enjoy a beer stein while eating authentic German food and playing classic Oktoberfest games! Free admission
American Aid Society of German Descendants Oktoberfest - Lake Villa, IL - Sep 21 to Oct 5, 2024
Three separate Saturdays of Oktoberfest and live music starting at 6:30 pm.
Chicago Gourmet - Chicago, IL - Sep 21 to Sep 29, 2024
Celebrate food and wine in downtown Chicago with this Bon Appetit event featuring more than 100 wineries, breweries and spirit makers as well as more than 150 top restaurants and chefs.
St. John Oktoberfest - St. John, IN - Sep 20 to Sep 22, 2024
Annual Indiana Oktoberfest from St. John the Evangelist Parish. Music, bier garden with HB and Miller, wine, German food, and kids activities such as pumpkin decorating and moon bounce. They have featured live music running all three days.
Palatine Oktoberfest - Palatine, IL - Sep 20 to Sep 22, 2024
Attendance is free at this Oktoberfest event under the big heated tent in downtown Palatine. Expect good food, good beer, good music, and lots of family friendly festival type things to do. Saturday is family day with special activities for the kids. Event is put on by the Rotary Club of Palatine as their principal fund raising event. Their support raises thousands of dollars for local charities. Opening ceremonies are at 5:00 pm on Friday. Saturday features their music and dance performances by youth groups and area choirs. Kids love the face painting, crafts and arts tables. Don’t miss Scarecrows on Parade.
Mount Prospect Oktoberfest - Mount Prospect, IL - Sep 20 to Sep 22, 2024
Riot Fest - Chicago, IL - Sep 20 to Sep 22, 2024
A three-day music festival featuring various forms of punk at Douglas Park.
Long Grove Apple Festival - Long Grove, IL - Sep 20 to Sep 22, 2024
Welcome Autumn with this annual apple festival! From apple popcorn to apple lattes, enjoy hundreds of apple-inspired treats, a pop-up apple orchard with local merchangs, three stages of live entertainment, Kid Zone, and more
The Chicago LGBT International Film Festival (Reeling) - Chicago, IL - Sep 19 to Oct 6, 2024
The first Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival took place in April 1981 in a 90-seat folding-chair screening room, with nearly every screening sold out. The demand and enthusiasm for the festival made it an annual event that has been going strong ever since. The mission of Reeling is to recognize the important artistic contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender filmmakers have made, educate the general population, and investigate the history of LGBTQ+ film, and to counteract this sterotyping with valid, meaningful and diverse portrayals of those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Chicago South Asian Film Festival - Chicago, IL - Sep 19 to Sep 22, 2024
The film festival aims to advance diversity in Chicagoland through cinema, conversation, and culture, and gives South Asian talent, stories, and themes a world platform. Held in several venues in downtown Chicago, the festival includes screenings of films, panel discussions, and other opportunities for attendees to connect with filmakers, and attend musical performances, industry workshops, tributes to major artists and awards galas
Oaktoberfest Oak Park - Oak Park, IL - Sep 13 to Sep 14, 2024
Celebrate the changing seasons at Oaktoberfest! Enjoy a premier music line up, delicious fall foods, specialty craft beers, and a kids’ root beer garden! Free admission!
Downers Grove Oktoberfest - Downers Grove, IL - Sep 13 to Sep 14, 2024
Annual fundraiser for the Downers Grove Education Foundation, with live music, food, beer, children’s activities and more!
Des Plaines Family Festival - Des Plaines, IL - Sep 13 to Sep 15, 2024
Free admission, musical entertainment and parking at this Lake Park fair with carnival, KidZone, car show, festival food, pie eating contest and open air market.
Mundelein Arts Festival - Mundelein, IL - Sep 7 to Sep 8, 2024
A two-day juried art event with tasty food, local musicians and 45 top artists, plus artwork from local high school students, all at Kracklauer Park.
German American Oktoberfest - Chicago, IL - Sep 6 to Sep 8, 2024
A parade, German hospitality, food and fun hosted by the United German-American Societies of Greater Chicago at Lincoln Square
German American Fest - Chicago, IL - Sep 6 to Sep 8, 2024
Three days and nights of German heritage fun with free admission. Not called an Oktoberfest but it does have all the festival foods, German music, singing and dancing, beverages, plus events you might expect from a big city event.
German American Heritage Center Oktoberfest - Frankfort, IL - Sep 6 to Sep 8, 2024
The German American Heritage Center invites you & your family to their Haus to celebrate Oktoberfest! Entertainment, including German music, split-the-pot raffles, vendors, German food & beer for purchase and a Kinder Area. $10 adult admission/FREE children under 18. Gates open at 2pm.
Sandwich Fair - Sandwich, IL - Sep 4 to Sep 8, 2024
The Dekalb County fair is the oldest continuing fair in the State of Illinois. It is also the largest display of agricultural and home arts exhibits in the Midwest. Since 1888.
Frankfort Fall Festival - Frankfort, IL - Aug 31 to Sep 2, 2024
Each year during Labor Day weekend, over 250,000 visitors gather to the charming Village of Frankfort to enjoy the Frankfort Fall Festival. The festival welcomes over 300 artisans from all over the United States to exhibit their elite products and services. In addition, many of Frankfort’s local organizations collaborate by sponsoring special events that highlight Frankfort Fall Festivities. There is something for everyone from carnival rides to main stage entertainment, to walking tacos and funnel cakes, and more
Septemberfest - Schaumberg, IA - Aug 31 to Sep 2, 2024
Arts & crafts show, craft beer & wine tent, carnival, 3 stages of live entertainment, Taste of Schaumburg, parade, fireworks and more at the municipal center on Schaumburg Ct. Free admission
Taste of Polonia - Chicago, IL - Aug 30 to Sep 2, 2024
This annual Labor Day weekend festival at the Copernicus Center in Chicago’s Jefferson Park offers live music, Polish food, and fun for four days.
North Coast Music Festival - Chicago, IL - Aug 30 to Sep 1, 2024
Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival - Evanston, IL - Aug 16 to Aug 18, 2024
A weekend-long celebration of local art and flavorful fare including painting, sculpture, and photography along with handmade jewelry, one-of-a-kind furniture, and home accessories.
Autumn Fest - Oak Brook, IL - Sep 23 to Sep 23, 2023
This free, family-friendly event will start with kid entertainment from 2-3:30pm with a DJ, juggler, face painter, carnival games, arts & crafts, hayrides, and more! Live music will be on stage from 3:30-5pm. All the while there will be food, beer, and wine available for purchase.
Oktoberfest Chicago - Chicago, IL - Sep 22 to Sep 24, 2023
Featuring handmade bratwurst, cold beer and authentic German music, this popular Chicago Oktoberfest hosted by St. Alphonsus Church. Received a 10Best Reader’s Choice Award from USA Today in 2015. Adult admission is $5-10.
DeKalb Kite Fest - DeKalb, IL - Sep 10 to Sep 10, 2023
Free admission to enjoy the colorful kites that take to the sky, including giant inflatable kites, dancing kites, and stunt kites attract kite enthusiasts and families – bring your own kite or make on there!
Northern Illinois Air Show - Waukegan, IL - Sep 9 to Sep 9, 2023
Over 15,000 visitors from Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin are expected to attend this regional air show. Formerly called the Wings Over Waukegan or Waugekan Air Show.
Festival of the Vine - Geneva, IL - Sep 8 to Sep 10, 2023
Sample wine and food as you enjoy live music and family fun.
ChangeFest Film Festival - Chicago, IL - Jul 25 to Jul 25, 2023
For 2023, a mid summer film watch party/discussion. Normally: Enjoy films that promote ideas with action.
Batfest - Batavia, IL - Oct 29 to Oct 29, 2022
Batavia’s annual Halloween themed family event attracts over 2,500 for downtown trick-or-treating, parade, pumpkin bowl, contests, art, games, and more
Revolution Oktoberfest - Chicago, IL - Sep 23 to Sep 24, 2022
Head to Revolution Brewing’s Taproom for a fun day of games, contests, music, food, and of course — German beer!
OktoberWest - Itasca, IL - Sep 10 to Sep 10, 2022
Celebrate the unofficial beginning of autumn with the annual international OktoberWest train crawl, coming to the Milwaukee West line. Go around the world, no passport required! With five bars ending at a German Oktoberfest street festival, it’s one of their most popular crawls.
Cafe 20 Oktoberfest - Marengo, IL - Sep 7 to Sep 11, 2022
15th annual. Authentic celebration with live music and German food and bier. Location: 756 Grant Highway, Marengo, Illinois.
Thanksgiving Eve at Howl at the Moon Chicago - Chicago, IL - Nov 24 to Nov 24, 2021
Turkey is good, but booze is better! Celebrate the long holiday weekend with some live music, dancing and drinks, with featured drinks, games, dancing and a great night out!
Wizard World Comic Con Chicago - Rosemont, IL - Oct 15 to Oct 17, 2021
Oathtoberfest - Naperville, IL - Oct 9 to Oct 9, 2021
Solemn Oath Brewing hosts an Oktoberfest Celebration with Wurst Kitchen. Food, music, and of course, beer!
Chicago Ideas Week - Chicago, IL - Oct 12 to Oct 17, 2019
The world’s largest affordable ideas festival comes to Chicago, with events taking place at Harris Theater, Venue SIX10, and MCA, covering topics that affect Chicago and beyond. Guests can hear from politicians, actors, writers, and many more.