Fall is here, and it’s time to celebrate pumpkin season. For as much as I love summer in Chicago, there’s something so perfect about our fall weather.
Our roundup of fall festivals and Oktoberfests is packed with hayrides, petting zoos, and live music, as well as apples, pretzels, and all your favorite pumpkin-flavored foods. Grab your favorite sweatshirt and enjoy a beautiful fall day at these fall festivals and Oktoberfests.
This guide is sponsored by Western Springs Park District and Business Association, St. Cletus School, Downtown Downers Grove, and Downtown Oak Park.
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St. Cletus Fall Fest
St. Cletus Fall Fest
600 W. 55th St.
La Grange, IL 60525
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 5-10pm
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 5-10pm
Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 12-10pm
Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 12-9pm
The St. Cletus Parish Fall Fest community tradition kicks off on September 4th and runs for four fun-filled days with food, live music, and a carnival. Perfect for families, friends, and festival-goers of all ages!
Western Springs Harvest Fest
Harvest Fest
September 5, 2025 | 5:00pm – 10:00pm
September 6, 2025 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Spring Rock Park
4400 Central Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
Harvest Fest is a two-day event this year!
On Friday, there will be remote control car racing, a reptile and bug show, food trucks, and live music.
Saturday is going to be action packed with sports clinics, a 3K run, bubble show, stilt walker, bounce houses, reptile and bug show, remote control car racing, face painters, balloon artists, Can Jam, corn hole, and spikeball games, and two small rides along with food trucks, beer and wine, five different bands, and fireworks at 8:15pm.
Pre-ordered wristbands are only $10! Click here to reserve your wristbands through September 4.
This event is co-hosted by the Western Springs Business Association and Western Springs Park District. For more information follow them on Instagram: @westernspringsparkdistrict and @westernspringsbusiness
Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival
Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival
September 6-7, 2025 | 10:00am – 5:00pm
The 48th Annual Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival returns September 6–7, from 10am–5pm. Stroll through the streets as talented juried artists showcase and sell their work in a wide range of mediums: jewelry, painting, photography, woodworking, mixed media, drawing, fiber, ceramics, glass, and metalworking. While you shop, enjoy live entertainment and let the kids get creative at the children’s art booth.
On Saturday from 10:30am–1:30pm, stop by Smile Downers Grove for family fun with games, face painting, and balloons. Between browsing booths, explore our one-of-a-kind boutiques and relax at one of our restaurants. Whether you’re looking to add a special piece to your home or simply enjoy a day filled with art, music, and community, this event has something for everyone.
For event details including a list of participating artists & musicians, visit www.downtowndg.org.
Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park
Oaktoberfest
September 26, 2025 | 4:00pm – 10:00pm
September 27, 2025 | 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Marion Street and North Boulevard, South of Lake Street
Website | Facebook | Instagram
This year marks the 33rd anniversary of Downtown Oak Park’s Oaktoberfest two-day festival, celebrating the fall season with great music, beer, and food. The event will be held on Friday, September 26, from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 27, from noon to 10:00 p.m. It is located in Downtown Oak Park, south of Lake Street on Marion Street and North Boulevard. Admission is free.
The Kids’ Root Beer Garden is September 27 from noon-5pm, which offers kids the chance to participate in artistic, educational, and hands-on activities.
Fall Festivals and Oktoberfests in the Western Suburbs
Fall Festivals and Oktoberfests in the Northwest Suburbs
Fall Festivals That Run Throughout the Season
Looking for more fall fun? Check out these pumpkin patches that have activities that run all autumn long.
- Abbey Farms Pumpkin Daze (Aurora): Starts September 20
- Pumpkin Weekends (Blackberry Farm, Aurora): Starts October 4, runs Saturdays and Sundays.
- Fitzgeralds Fall Fair (Berwyn): Saturdays and Sundays starting October 5
- Johansen Farms Children’s Zoo & Fall Festival (Bolingbrook): Starts September 15
- Dollinger’s Family Pumpkin Farm (Channahon): Starts September 15
- Bengtson’s Farm and Fall Fest (Homer Glen): Starts September 5
- Konow’s Corn Maze (Homer Glen): Starts September 20
- Siegel’s Pumpkin Farm (Lockport): Starts September 20
- Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm (Minooka): Starts September 20
- Goebbert’s Fall Festival (South Barrington): Starts September 6
- Sonny Acres Farm Fall Festival (West Chicago): Starts September 20
- Santa’s Village Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival (West Dundee): Starts September 6
- Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest (Wheaton): Starts October 1
- Harvest Tyme Family Farm (Lowell, IN): Starts September 20, runs Saturdays and Sundays
- Happy Times Pumpkin Fest (Lincolnshire): Starts September 18. Note: The Didier family retired at the end of 2022, but Happy Times Pumpkin Fest is running at Didier Farms.
- Fall Fest (Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago): Starts September 26, runs Fridays through Sundays
Looking for more fall fun? Head over to our Guide to Fall Activities for Kids!
4 Comments. Leave new
I love yalls ideas there so great and fun.
Thank you for all this great info on fun things to do!!
You have Westmonts Last Straw event on there but their Wicked West Fest on October 19th also includes a costume contest, trick or treating and casket races for kiddos.
https://westmontevents.com/wicked-west-fest
Thanks for pointing those out! Since they involve costumes and trick-or-treating, we’ve included them on our Halloween events list: https://mykidlist.com/family-friendly-halloween-events/