Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns returns Wednesdays through Sundays, Oct. 8-26, to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. | Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden
By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Friday, Oct. 3
MainStreet Libertyville’s First Fridays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, on Main Street in Libertyville. Music, refreshments and more. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.
Festival of Arts & Crafts Show: 2-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Shop for handcrafted products exhibited by local and national crafters. $5. stepbysteppromotions.com
Downtown Elgin Market: 3-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, on South Riverside Drive, Elgin. Farmers, makers, live music, Sip N’ Shop and kids’ activities. Dog-friendly. LINK Matching program. downtownelgin.com/market.
GT Sports Autograph & Sports Card Show: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Sports card and autograph vendors, authenticators and more. Scheduled guests include Warren Moon, Colson Montgomery, Noah Schultz, Colston Loveland and others. $5 for Friday, $10 for Saturday or Sunday. gtsportsshows.com.
The Taste of Arlington Heights returns Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com, Sept. 27, 2024
Harmony Fest Featuring the Taste of Arlington Heights: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and 3-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Harmony Park, Campbell Street and Vail Avenue, Arlington Heights. Concerts and food and drinks from local restaurants. Music lineup: Friday: Student Body at 5 p.m. and Mike & Joe at 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday: Fearless: The Taylor Tribute at 3 p.m., The Breakfast Club at 5 p.m., and Hello Weekend at 8:30 p.m. Free. vah.com/harmonyfest.
Lincoln Park Wine Fest: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood, Chicago. Open-air market featuring wine tastings and food pavilions. Admission starts at $32.50. chicagoevents.com/event/lincoln-park-wine-fest.
Hayrides at Hoffman Park: 6, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 5:15, 6, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 3-25, at the dog park at Hoffman Park, West Main Street, Cary. Hayride and campfire under the stars. $10 per person. Register: carypark.com.
“Beetlejuice Jr.”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Theatre 121 students perform in this zany afterlife adventure based on the Tim Burton classic. $15-$25. woodstockil.gov
GreenRoom’s First Fridays Improv: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Hemmens Theatre in the Round, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $15-$20. hemmens.org.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Family Fall Fest: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 4, at The Depot at Wild Meadows Trace, 511 S. York St., Elmhurst. Safety Town trick-or-treating and fall festivities. Costumes encouraged. Food trucks: Brown’s Chicken, Nick’s Wood Fired Pizza Truck, Tacos El Amigazo, D’s Treats & Ice Cream and Smallcakes. Free. epd.org
The South Elgin Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival returns to SEBA Park Saturday, Oct. 4. | John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com, 2021
Pumpkin Patch Festival: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at SEBA Park, 151 S. Water St., South Elgin. South Elgin Parks & Rec’s annual fall event features a costume pet parade at 10 a.m., craft show, inflatable, face painting, pyramid of hay and painting station with purchase. New: pumpkin decorating contest for local businesses and service organizations. For details, email Jess Day at JDay@southelgin.com. Free. southelgin.com/pumpkin.
Algonquin Harvest Market: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Main Street in downtown Algonquin. Algonquin Rotary Club’s eighth annual event with fresh produce, artisans, crafters, food, entertainment, giveaways and more. Free. AlgonquinHarvestMarket.com.
Boo at the Zoo: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, Oct. 4-31, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Annual family-friendly Halloween celebration with not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations and more. On weekends, there’s trick-or-treating, a magician and other activities. Included with zoo admission. brookfieldzoo.org/BooAtTheZoo.
The Pet Costume Parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday during the South Elgin Pumpkin Patch Festival. | Courtesy of Village of South Elgin
South Elgin Pet Costume Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at SEBA Park, 151 S. Water St., South Elgin. Parade begins at approximately 10 a.m. along the sidewalk on South Water Street. Categories: scariest, cutest, funniest and best owner/pet costume. Pets must be leashed. Come early for the Pumpkin Patch Festival. On-site registration from 9:30-9:50 a.m. Free. southelgin.com/petparade.
Rolling Meadows Hometown Hoedown: 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Kimball Hill Park, 3286 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Family activities and a performance by Buckle at 6 p.m. Free. cityrm.org.
Roselle Founders Day: 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Claus Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Music from the Jolly Ringwalds and ’90s Pop Nation. Pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin jump, hayrides, food truck, beer garden, obstacle course, bumper cars, face painting, balloonist, giant slide, Euro bungee, zip line and rock wall. Hosted by the village of Roselle and Roselle Park District. Free. rparks.org.
Special guests, including the World’s Tallest Scarecrow, entertain visitors at Blackberry Farm during Pumpkin Weekends.
Randhurst Village Fall Fest: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Randhurst Village, off Randhurst Village Drive, Mount Prospect. Pumpkin decorating, tractor rides, face painting, balloon twisters, stilt walkers, bounce house and more. Stillman Nature Preserve will be bringing owls. Free entry and activities. No tickets required. randhurstvillage.com.
Light Up the Sky: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at James O. Breen Community Park, 3615 Campton Hills Drive, St. Charles. Lighted kite show by professionals from Chicago Kite. DJ entertainment from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Treats for purchase from Sugar Mama’s Mini Donuts and Wild Fries food trucks. Free. stcparks.org/events.
Chicago Beer Fest: 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Sample seasonal beers from over 65 breweries while perusing select museum exhibits. Early admission $70; general admission $55. No tickets will be sold at the door. thechicagobeerfestival.com.
Tasting booths from more than 30 local breweries will be stationed along Meadow Lake Trail, the Conifer Walk and the Frost Hill walking path during the Cider and Ale Festival Saturday at Morton Arboretum. | Courtesy of Morton Arboretum
Cider and Ale Festival: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Tasting booths offering more than 60 different ciders and ales from more than 30 local breweries will be stationed along Meadow Lake Trail, the Conifer Walk and the Frost Hill walking path. Tasting tickets include 20 3-ounce samples. There will be no general admission to the Arboretum Saturday. $65-$85; designated driver: $25-$35; kids: free for members, $12 for nonmembers. mortonarb.org.
Corridos y Canciones: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Performance by BFH (formerly known as Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl). $25, $22 for seniors, and $15 for kids 10 and younger. eccartscenter.org
Classic Albums Live: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Hemmens Cultural Center Main Stage Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 multiplatinum album “Rumours” is re-created live on stage. $26-$58. Tickets: (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org.
Sunday, Oct. 5
Buffalo Grove Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 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.
Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Over 110 exhibitors selling new and used model trains, accessories, parts and more. $7 online or $8 at the gate; cash only. Free for kids 11 and younger with an adult. trainshow.com.
Crystal Lake Farmers Market+ At The Dole: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 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.
Get a look at 19th-century farm life Sunday, Oct. 5, during the Autumn Harvest Festival at Spring Valley Nature Center Heritage Farm in Schaumburg. | Daily Herald file photo, 2023
Autumn Harvest Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. Demonstrations of 19th-century farm life, kids’ crafts and games, pumpkin decorating, live music, food and beverages and more. $5 per person or $20 per family; free for kids 2 and younger. parkfun.com.
Oktoberfest: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Twin Lakes Recreational Area, 1200 E. Twin Lakes Drive, Palatine. Games, hayrides, food and drinks, raffles and more. Live music by Die Musikmeisters. Food for purchase includes bratwurst with sauerkraut, German potato salad and Oktoberfest beer. Donate five nonperishable food items to receive a free pumpkin, or buy one for $5. Free. saltcreekpd.com
Authors Fair 2025: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Meet with local authors. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Free. gailborden.info.
“John Candy: I Like Me”: An Evening with Ryan Reynolds & Friends: 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. The 2025 documentary presented by producer Ryan Reynolds. Tickets start at $79.05. msg.com
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns: 6-10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Oct. 8-12, 15-19 and 22-26, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See hand-carved, LED-lit jack-o’-lanterns staged along a festive paved pathway where visitors will encounter characters and can watch live pumpkin carving. $22-$27 for adults, $15-$18 for kids 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. chicagobotanic.org/halloween.
Thursday, Oct. 9
During Witches Night Out Thursday, Oct. 9, take advantage of specials, discounts, giveaways and more at participating business in Long Grove. | Courtesy of Grimaldi Public Relations
Witches Night Out: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Downtown businesses will offer specials, discounts, giveaways and more. Check in and registration will take place at the Village Tavern, 135 Old McHenry Road. Free; registration is recommended but not required. longgrove.org/festival/october-days.
John Cleese & The Holy Grail at 50: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Celebrate 50 years of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” with John Cleese. Tickets start at $75.50. geneseetheatre.com.
Ongoing
Goebbert’s Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 30 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 are only available on the 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.
Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Nov. 2 at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Pedal tractors, pumpkins and fall treats for sale, and on weekends, hayrides for $3 and animal shows at 1:30 p.m. $6; free for kids 1 and younger and U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/fall-festival.
Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays, 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
Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 5-11 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 1, 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. Plus, kids Boo Fest and Oktoberfest. Tickets start at $45. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events.
Jack O’Lantern World: Time slots start around 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 1 at Paulus Park, 215 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, and The Forge, 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, Lemont. See and explore thousands of pumpkins arranged in displays and more, plus a pumpkin patch, 30-foot inflatables, food trucks, a beer garden, mini golf and more. Tickets range from $17.99-$27.99. Thejackolanternworld.com.
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