Things to do Sept. 12-18: Barrington Hills Fall Festival, Des Plaines Fall Fest, Meadows Fest and more

By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald

Starts before Friday

St. Charles Jazz Weekend: Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 11-14, at various St. Charles venues. Live jazz featuring Haley Reinhart, Frank Catalano, Inversion Jazz Trio, Megan Kranz Quartet, On the AIR, Black and Blue Hearts, Extraordinary Popular Delusions, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, STC North High School Jazz Band and Kirby Fellis, Andrew Egizio, STC East High School Jazz Band, Toby Morden Trio, Mike Horton Quartet, Beveled, New Vintage Strings, Shout Section Big Band, John Wesley Experience, Matt Ulery Quintet, Samuel Wyatt, Diego Rodriguez Big Band, Andy Schlinder & Kevin Brown, Michael Shebar Trio, Gregory Hyde, Ten Cat Swing, Elaine Dame Trio, Sincerely Sinatra Big Band with Nick Pontarelli, and Mario Dueñas Electric Group. Tickets and covers at some locations. stcjazzweekend.com.

Friday, Sept. 12

Alzheimer’s Fundraising Pancake Breakfast: 8-10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Rakow Center’s Adult Activities Center, 665 Barrington Ave, Carpentersville. In honor of World Alzheimer’s Day Sept. 21, the park district is partnering with the Algonquin and Carpentersville police departments and the Carpentersville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4790 for a pancake breakfast with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association. All-you-can-eat break­fast with pancakes, sausage and refreshments. $5 (cash only). dtpd.org.

Downtown Elgin Market: 3-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, on South Riverside Drive, Elgin. Farmers, makers, live music, Sip N’ Shop and kids’ activities. Dog-friendly. LINK Matching program. downtownelgin.com/market.

Glow in the Park Lantern Walk: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Family-friendly event features entertainment, activities, food for purchase and a glowing lantern walk around the lake at 7:20 p.m. in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Music by Tres Moustache, face painting, a balloon artist, a bubble show, an inflatable obstacle course, an inflatable slide, and a life-size inflatable Hungry Hippos game. Lanterns can be decorated on-site for $10 while supplies last, or participants may bring their own pre-decorated lanterns. Lantern kits are available for $10 at Main Street Recreation Center through Thursday, Sept. 11. Free; cash donations to Lurie Children’s Hospital are encouraged. gepark.org/glow.

Meadows Fest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12; 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in Kimball Hill Park, 3286 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Taste of Rolling Meadows, beer, live music and more. DJ at 5:30 p.m. and Duck Race at 7 p.m. Music lineup: The Taylor Experience at 8 p.m. Friday, Hi Infidelity at 8 p.m. Saturday and 7th heaven at 6 p.m. Sunday. Free. cityrm.org

Des Plaines Fall Fest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Lake Park, 2200 Lee St., Des Plaines. Carnival rides, music, games, food and more. Music lineup: Friday: Libido Funk Circus at 6:30 p.m. and Too Hype Crew at 9 p.m.; Saturday: Blooze Brothers at 4:15 p.m., Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience at 6:30 p.m. and Sixteen Candles at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Beyond the Blonde at 2:15 p.m. and Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press at 5 p.m. Free. fallfestdesplaines.com.

Heritage Fest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in downtown West Dundee. Fireworks show at 8 p.m. Friday; Dundee Lions 5K and 1.75-mile walk at 8 a.m. Saturday; art and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; car show from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; business expo; and community breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Sunday. Music lineup: Friday: Bad Motor Scooter (Sammy Hagar tribute) at 6 p.m. and Hi Infidelity at 8:30 p.m.; Saturday: Bishop Super Band (hits from Dundee Middle School staff, students and friends of the late Matt Bishop) at 1:30 p.m., The Sofa Kings at 4:30 p.m., Sixes & Sevens (rock and country) at 6:30 p.m., and ARRA at 9 p.m.; and Sunday: Controlled Burn (folk rock) at 1 p.m. and The Lennys! from 3-5 p.m. Free. wdundeeheritagefest.org.

Monster Jam: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. World champion athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks compete in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. Pit Party from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday; passes required. Tickets start at $22.60. monsterjam.com

ETC’s “The Tempest”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 12-21, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., 8th floor, Elgin. Elgin Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s final work, an enchanting blend of comedy, romance, revenge, fantasy, magic and mortality. General admission (no reserved seats): $23-$25. elgin-theatre.org/next-production.

“Puffs”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Elgin Community College’s SecondSpace, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Follow Wayne and his Puff pals as they navigate classes, friendships and hilariously chaotic events. $16-$18. eccartscenter.org

Saturday, Sept. 13

Lions Heritage Fest 5K Run and 1.75 Mile Walk: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. Race starts and finishes at Oregon Avenue and South First Street at the VFW Post 2298 in West Dundee. Proceeds benefit the Dundee Township Lions Club and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce and their charities. Donate used eyeglasses and/or a nonperishable food item at the race. $28.19-$49.54. Register: wdundeeheritagefest.org

Hoffman Estates Community Garage Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Seascape Family Aquatic Center, 1300 Moon Lake Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Shop for treasures from local vendors. Free admission for shoppers, $30-$35 for vendors. heparks.org

La Fiesta de Elgin Parade: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. The inaugural parade will step off at Slade and Douglas Avenue and end at Grove and Division Street, near Elgin city hall. Seating is available along Grove Avenue in the public right of way from Slade Avenue to the end of the route. elginil.gov/2525/La-Fiesta-de-Elgin.

Vintage Computer Festival Midwest 20: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. A gathering of collectors, hobbyists and those who enjoy tinkering with the computers of decades past. Free. vcfmw.org.

Classic Car, Truck & Tractor Show: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Stade’s Farm & Market, 3709 Miller Road, McHenry. Classic vehicles of all kinds on display, attractions and games, a pumpkin cannon and food. Free admission to the car show. facebook.com/stadesfarmandmarket.

La Fiesta de Elgin: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, on Riverside Drive in downtown Elgin and 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. During the day, El Mercado features Latino-owned businesses, live music, a car show and family-friendly activities such as the Illuminate Elgin interactive light board and the piñata smash. In the evening, see a large-scale Angel of Independence and art installations celebrating Mexican heritage. Authentic Mexican food, micheladas and paleta from local food vendors. Live performances by Los Yaguarú, Estilo Al Norte, Sonora Dinamita and Banda Los Sebastianes. DJ Eddy P will be emceeing and spinning tunes between sets. El Grito and fireworks at dusk. elginil.gov/2525/La-Fiesta-de-Elgin.

Revolutionary War Reenactment: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Dozens of reenactors from the Northwest Territory Alliance camp at the park to stage mock battles and provide a look at what life was like in the 18th century. Food for purchase. $16 per car. cantigny.org

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays in September, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays in October, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 13 through Nov. 1; plus 5-11 p.m. Fridays starting Sept. 26; 6-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 2, at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. Tickets start at $45. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.

El Grito — Mexican Independence Day Celebration: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Music, dance, food and more. cville.org.

Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, on the grounds of Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. Craft brews, meads, ciders, seltzers and food at the 10th annual fundraiser for the museum and Churchville one-room schoolhouse. Early entry at 1 p.m. is $55. Regular admission is $45 or $20 for designated driver. elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.

Rock the Block: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, on Main Street in Lake Zurich. Annual block party with music, food and activities. Free. lakezurich.org.

Food Truck Series: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. Food trucks will be located in front of Pottery Barn and Kendra Scott to the traffic circle. Live DJ and dog-friendly. Free. shopdeerparktowncenter.com.

Bourbon & Beer Fest: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at The Vine, 101 Center St., Grayslake. Live bands, food vendors, cigars and over 20 breweries offering more than 40 beers and 80 types of whiskeys and more. VIP Entry at 6 p.m., general admission at 7 p.m. $50, $80 for VIP, $25 for designated drivers. beerfests.com

Sunday, Sept. 14

Barrington Hills Fall Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Hills Park District Riding Center, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills. Food, drinks, attractions, live music and more. Rain or shine. Free. barringtonhills-il.gov/fall-fest

Buffalo Grove Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in Mike Rylko Park, 951 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Meat, cheese, bakery, coffee, knife sharpening and more from 42 vendors, with weekly entertainment, a kids’ craft tent and Business of the Week vendors and nonprofits. vbg.org/165/Farmers-Market.

Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ at The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, on the front lawn of the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Live music, kids’ activities, beverages, food trucks and more. farmersmarketatthedole.org.

Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Bimonthly show that hosts vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.

Fall Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride with the conductor in the Big Red Caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive. $5-$8. foxtrolley.org/special-events.

Family Fall Fest: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Interactive seasonal activities including bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon sculptors, pumpkin painting and more. Live music by Jeanie B! and The Jelly Beans. Free. ParkwayBankPark.com.

Railroad Street Block Party: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Duke’s Alehouse parking lot, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. Local bands, food from local eateries, and family activities and games for kids. Free. facebook.com/dukesalehouse.

Summer Concerts at Phil’s Beach: 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Phil’s Beach, 328 N. Main St., Wauconda. Industrial Drive will perform. Free. waucondaparks.com.

Monday, Sept. 15

Motor Monday Cruise Nights: 5 p.m. to dusk Monday, Sept. 15, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. In partnership with the Midwest Racing Preservation Association, open to cars and trucks from all makes and models. Also, food, drink and music. eastdundee.net.

Tuesday, Sept. 16

Wauconda Cruise Nights: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 101 N. Main St., Wauconda. Cars on display and family-friendly activities. Free. waucondacruisenight.com.

Wednesday, Sept. 17

Car Fun on 21: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, on Church and Cook streets, Libertyville. Classic car show featuring cars, trucks and motorcycles 25 years and older, music and food from Rosati’s Pizza. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Thursday, Sept. 18

El Grito — Mexican Independence Day Celebration: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. Music, dance, food and more. cville.org.

Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, on the grounds of Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. Craft brews, meads, ciders, seltzers and food at the 10th annual fundraiser for the museum and Churchville one-room schoolhouse. Early entry at 1 p.m. is $55. Regular admission is $45 or $20 for designated driver. elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.

Rock the Block: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, on Main Street in Lake Zurich. Annual block party with music, food and activities. Free. lakezurich.org.

Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, from Thursday, Sept. 18, though Sunday, Oct. 26, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more. Free entry; fees for rides and attractions. happytimespumpkinfest.com

Ongoing

Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 30 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31, at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Animals, corn stalk mazes, wagon rides, pig races, fall food, produce and more. Some attractions only available on weekends. $19 weekdays; $23 in advance online and $26 at the door on weekends; free for kids 2 and younger. Extra fees for animal rides ($8) and gem mining ($10-$25). goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.

McHenry Stade’s Farm Market: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31 at 3709 Miller Road, McHenry. Free. stadesfarmandmarket.com.

Alex Ross — Heroes & Villains: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays, and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays, through Feb. 16, 2026, at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. A larger-than-life presentation of the work of legendary comic book artist Alex Ross featuring heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes. Museum admission $3-$10, exhibit tickets $5-$10, free for kids 3 and younger. LCFPD.org/planyourvisit.

Patterned by Nature: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Sept. 21 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Celebrates the universal attraction to patterns through playfully planted gardens and nature-inspired artistic installations. Admission: $19.95-$21.95 for adults, $13.95-$15.95 for kids 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. chicagobotanic.org/patterns.

Richardson Adventure Farm: 3-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays in September; open through Oct. 26 at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, observation tower, zip line, zorbing, pig races and more. $24, $20 for kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger; $30/$24 Saturdays and Sundays in October. richardsonadventurefarm.com.

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