Enjoy a wonderful array of fruits, vegetables, baked goods and much more at one of the busiest and well-visited Farmers Markets in the suburbs! Open from 8 AM - 1 PM on Sundays through October.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Farmer’s Markets.

Join the Willow Springs Lioness Club this Sunday the 17th from 8am - 12pm for their annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. Tickets are available at the door or from your favorite Lioness.

The DuPage Doubles resale has over 100 sellers with over 20,000 items to browse. It's a fantastic, economical way to shop for those essentials (and fun stuff, too!). Everything you need from infants, toddlers & teens for the upcoming Fall/Winter season. For more information please visit our dedicated Resale Facebook Group   For information on...

Entry to Wonder Works will be FREE FOR ALL on Sunday, September 17, thanks to sponsorship by Bright Start College Savings. To best manage crowds, we ask that you pre-register for a specific entry time at https://wonder-works.org/2023-free-museum-day/ . The museum will open early, at 9:30am. The first 100 children to register will receive a free...

Come see works from some of the country's best artists. Learn more: https://bit.ly/46YBc23    For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Art Festivals.

Ride with the conductor in the Big Red Caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive!

Save the date for the 11th Annual Westmont Pets in the Park event! Bring you pets and enjoy a day in the park together! Pick up something for them and you at our vendor booths. Don't have a pet? There will be plenty on hand with a number of animal shelter booths to visit. All...

Celebrate the Makerplace's 2nd Anniversary with us! Join us at the Makerplace open house and explore a variety of hands-on activities. Laser engrave a pint glass, express yourself with suburban sketching, discover the new equipment added to the Makerplace in 2023, and sample a snack inspired by the current One Book One Village book. Plus,...

Join Us at Ribfest 2023 Today to Enjoy Food and Family Fun in Wheaton this Septemeber! For Ribfest 2023, there will be a $5.00 park admission price. This price includes entrance to park to enjoy the Ribbers, Expos and Family Fun Area. This does not include the concert area. Those that purchase a concert area...

The Weekend long celebration takes place from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The Festival is held in historic downtown West Chicago. Activities for the day include performances by Ballet Folklorico, musical performances, children’s activities, and a 13 foot piñata. Food vendors and local businesses and organizations are...

Join Mayor Mark Gaffino on a bike ride on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 3pm! The bike ride will take place along the Fox River Trail (approx. a 3.7 mile loop) from Village Hall (25 East State Street) up to The Wilds at Red Oak and will feature multiple stops along the route for discussion....

Stop in and play a few games of lotería. All families with children welcome.

Drop in for some piratey activities! Also test your treasure-hunting skills with our pirate-themed scavenger hunt, which will be running all day long!

Members of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) present monthly science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics. For grades 2-5. September 19: Diffraction of Light Discuss what light is and how diffraction gradients separate light into its components. Make kaleidoscopes using diffraction gradients and toilet paper rolls. October 24: Secret Messages Learn about the...

Join us at Berens Park for a free concert! Industrial Drive will take to the stage, performing rock hits from across the decades. Concert will begin at 5:30 pm, but activities begin at 5 pm, including sponsors, food trucks and yard games. Plus, stop by The Hub - miniature golf and batting cages will be...

We’ll seek out fun destinations to hike, make a craft, and explore new topics each week. The program is 45 minutes long and is recommended for families with children 2 years old and older. In case of inclement weather, call ahead (630-968-0074) to find out if the trams are running that day. Space is limited....

Practice your American Sign Language skills, learn about the Deaf community, and meet other ASL users.

Make your own paintbrush with various items found around the house and in nature! With our "unusual" paintbrushes, we will create beautiful art to take home!

We’ll seek out fun destinations to hike, make a craft, and explore new topics each week. The program is 45 minutes long and is recommended for families with children 2 years old and older. In case of inclement weather, call ahead (630-968-0074) to find out if the trams are running that day. Space is limited....

Put your heads and hands together to construct a unique family project — and some special memories to boot. Together you'll create a playable drum kit and other instruments from recycled materials. Best for families with children ages 4 and older. Please attend either session: Monday, September 11 or Thursday, September 21. No registration required.

This is a FREE and easy way to stay active and connect with the community. Join us as we walk around the paths of Rolling Meadows. GO Meadows is open to everyone, and has no fee. Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothes and a water bottle. Walks are a manageable 30 minutes, but you are...

We'll meet inside for an intro to using telescopes, then we'll move outdoors for viewing, weather permitting. If you have a telescope, you are welcome to bring it. Dress for the weather. Live in-person. Registration required.

Get ready for Autumn with some songs, stories, and dancing. Drop in. BALibrary Lawn.

Celebrate the start of fall with a Nature Play Date at Lincoln Marsh. Enjoy activities and open play then stay afterwards for a picnic lunch. Registration requested. For details, visit lincolnmarsh.org 

Our favorite Blue Heeler family is returning with more wackadoo games, crafts, and activities! Please register all children and adults who will be attending.

Calling all bargain hunters, book lovers, movie buffs and puzzle fans! The Friends of the Bartlett Library invite you to a Book, Jigsaw Puzzle & More Sale. Lots of wondeerful books, puzzles and DVDs from which to choose. Fill a small bag for $2 or a large bag for $5 (bags provided).

Kiddos and their grownups can learn easy techniques to create some beautiful artworks together. Dress for a mess. Age 4-Kindergarten, with caregiver.

Grades 3 and older. You’ve been accepted to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Get sorted into your Hogwarts house then celebrate the start of term with snacks and crafts. Registration required.

Join the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association for their annual Fall Fest and Oktoberfest on Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, at the intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue in Downtown Mount Prospect. Friday, September 22 Oktoberfest – 4:00 – 11:00 p.m. Live entertainment will get the party going while you enjoy your favorite...

Our favorite Blue Heeler family is returning with more wackadoo games, crafts, and activities! Please register all children and adults who will be attending.

Come out and catch that prize-winning fish at the Buffalo Grove Park District’s annual Fishing Derby. Awards and raffle prizes will be given. This event is for children only. If there is inclement weather, please check the Rainout Line at 847.235.6857. For more information, contact Mike Pfeiffer at 847.850.2108 or mikep@bgparks.org.   For information on...

The WSBA is excited to announce that Fall Festival is back this September! Please save the date for Friday, September 22rd from 4:00 – 9:00pm. A huge thank you to our Headline Sponsors, Domino’s Pizza, Standring Financial and McNeily & Company. Stop by the Beer Tent sponsored by Trish Orndorff Real Estate and craft and...

Pay less admission for the same amount of fun! Just $5 admission per person starting at 5:00 pm. Every visit to DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) is an adventure that will spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and lead to new discoveries. After a long week of school (or work!) unwind with a trip to the Museum. Make...

Take the opportunity to showcase your talents on stage! Sing that song you’ve always wanted to perform, try out that stand-up act you’ve been working on, or show off those guitar skills you’ve been perfecting! To audition, visit Genevaparks.org/playhouse. Ages 6-18. To audition, please register by Sept. 10. Tickets: $5 each – can be purchased...

Join us for a FREE movie on the green! Pack up your chairs, blankets, and snacks and head over to the Lombard Golf Course for a viewing of the golf classic movie, The Legend of Bagger Vance (PG-13). The Club House will be open for restrooms and concessions.

Calling all anglers! Come on out to Hidden Lakes Trout Farm and try your hand at fishing. We invite you to find the best spot along the shore and try your luck at catching fish. We will provide one free container of nightcrawlers. First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded for the biggest catch....

Register by Wednesday, September 20. So you think you can fish? Then this event is for you! All participants will have two hours to catch as many fish as they can. Prizes are then awarded in a variety of categories. All fishermen are required to register before the deadline, as registration will not take place...

Sharpen skills and discover hidden fishing talents at the Bloomingdale Park District’s annual Fishing Derby! Stocked each spring at the Bloomingdale-Roselle Rotary Club Fish Release, Lakeview Park is filled to the brim with an abundance of fish species. Prizes are awarded for all types of catches including biggest, smallest, weirdest, and more. Participants must bring...

Help us celebrate 40 years of conservation, historic preservation, recreation and community at Spring Valley during two days of environmental stewardship, nature education and family fun. Saturday September 23 Celebration of Community Stewardship 9:00am - 12:00pm Spring Valley Birthday Party Picnic 12:00pm - 2:00pm 40th Birthday Beer Garden 4:00pm - 6:00pm Sunday September 24 The...

3k fun run/walk or stroll and roll.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of 5K Races and Kids’ Fun Runs.

Calling all bargain hunters, book lovers, movie buffs and puzzle fans! The Friends of the Bartlett Library invite you to a Book, Jigsaw Puzzle & More Sale. Lots of wondeerful books, puzzles and DVDs from which to choose. Fill a small bag for $2 or a large bag for $5 (bags provided).

The River Trail Ride is Saturday, September 23, 2023; registration is at 9am, the ride starts at 10am. Ride will start and end at the Forest Preserve Shelter off Algonquin Road, just south of the campground.

Join us for the FREE Winston Plaza Chalk Art Festival 2023! 🖍️✨🎨 Let your creativity shine and reserve your spot today to showcase your chalk art skills!

Travel to the shores of South America with this high-energy performance from the Tierra Colombiana Dance Ensemble showcasing music and dance from Colombia. Celebrating Columbian culture and tradition with its vibrant costumes and traditional dances, Tierra Colombiana has promoted cultural understanding and appreciation for more than three decades. This program is sponsored by the Mount...

Ray Graham Association is providing a series of free resource fairs for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Family support, life skills, community living, and recreation opportunities help people be happier and healthier. A variety of experts will be available to answer your questions and share resources. Join us on Saturdays, Apr. 29,...

You're invited to join us as we welcome the fall season at our Fall Family Fun Fest! Come enjoy bounce houses, carnival games, horse rides, hayrides, and facepainting for free! Activities are geared for families with kids ages preschool through 6th grade. Food is available for purchase, and we will have silent auction items to...

Let your baby explore using their developing senses with our messy sensory stations. These activities are aimed at children 0-24 months. Tickets are available 30 minutes before the program at the Children's desk.

Discover the joy of bilingual storytelling as nature comes alive through enchanting tales and interactive activities during an engaging Spanish-English nature storytime program in The Morton Arboretum Children’s Garden. This drop-in program, which is part of the Arboretum’s Hispanic Heritage Month programming, is recommended for ages 2 through 6, though all ages are welcome. More...

Interested in meeting LGBTQ+ families in the area? Want to build a welcoming community for your little one(s) and your family? Join us for some fun at the park!

On September 23, 2023 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM, Fox River Trolley Museum and Illinois Operation Lifesaver are teaming up to offer hourly FREE trolley rides! Come down to learn about rail safety around our while riding out trains.

Una celebración del día de la independencia para toda la familia. An Independence Day celebration for the whole family! Celebremos los países hispanos y latinoamericanos que observan el día de la independencia en septiembre. Este evento, por el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, es para toda la familia, con estaciones que incluyen kits sencillos de...

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a Salsa Dance Party. Enjoy bilingual hikes and family activities. Programa ofrecido en Espanol.

Let’s bring in the new school year on a positive note! Join us and meet Linda Odom, children's book author of A Positive Note. You don’t want to miss the dancing book characters, treats, and much more!

Spend some time outdoors to celebrate your preserve system. We will have a variety of programming.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day. Enjoy food, drinks, games, Jesse White Tumblers, animal ambassadors and much more. For more information, visit commissionerdegnen.com/fallnaturefest/.

Station tours, demonstrations, giveaways, activities.   For information on more events like this, check out our roundup of Fire Prevention Week.

Hinsdale in Lights will tell the story of Hinsdale and its residents via an immersive light show featuring outstanding Hinsdaleans, organizations, architecture, and events.

Join the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association for their annual Fall Fest and Oktoberfest on Friday, September 22, and Saturday, September 23, at the intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue in Downtown Mount Prospect. Friday, September 22 Oktoberfest – 4:00 – 11:00 p.m. Live entertainment will get the party going while you enjoy your favorite...

Our Lemont Oktoberfest celebration is back at The Forge Adventure Park and better than ever! Featuring more bus transportation, more food, a full day of live music, and plenty of award winning Pollyanna beer (and cocktails!), we're proud to be the only brewery celebrating Oktoberfest at The Forge’s beautiful outdoor concert space! Our Oktoberfest will...

The Oak Brook Park District invites you to this year’s Autumn Fest on September 23rd from 2-5pm! This free, family-friendly event will start with kid entertainment from the Hinsdale School of Rock Band from 2-3:30pm, juggler, face painter, carnival games, arts & crafts, hayrides, and more! Nashville Electric Band will be on stage performing from...

Listen to traditional Irish folk tales and songs and make a shamrock craft. All ages with an adult caregiver

Join us for a day of family fun, food and music to celebrate the 10th anniversary of One Book, One Village and Catherine Adel West’s The Two Lives of Sara with a BBQ Party! Get a taste of Memphis BBQ and more from our food vendors and trucks. Enjoy outdoor fun for the whole family...