Thought your only option for pumpkins in Chicago was the grocery store? Think again. Urban dwellers can get a taste of the pumpkin patch close to home. Check out these fun city festivals and farmers markets that are practically brimming with pumpkins.
4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 3
Get your fall festivities started a little early! Not only does Apple Fest have everything apple you could possibly imagine, but it's got pumpkins, too! Admission is free, and you can enjoy music, kids' activities, food and craft beer.
Lincoln Park Zoo Pumpkin Patch
2001 N. Clark St.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily in October
See the lions, tigers and bears and buy a pumpkin, too. Throughout October, visitors can enjoy Lincoln Park Zoo's beautiful pumpkin patch. And on Halloween itself, you can watch animals snack on the annual treat.
3546 W. Addison
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 10-11
Last year, almost a thousand pumpkins were sold at this volunteer-run fest. Admission is free, but tickets are sold for pumpkins, pony rides and the petting zoo. Capture your festive fall photo in the pumpkin patch, then listen to music and enjoy some cider or delicious pumpkin treats.
Gethsemane Garden Center Fall Children's Festival
5739 N. Clark St.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 31
Get your costumes on and go to Gethsemane for a fabulous free children's festival, featuring face painting, balloon animals, pony rides, a maze and more. You're sure to love the creatively decorated pumpkins!
Farmers markets
By October, farmers markets should be selling some of those perfectly plump pumpkins that make for adorably gap-toothed jack-o-lanterns. Check your local market to see what's available and when.
Lincoln Park between Clarkand Stockton Drive, lnear 1817 N. Clark
7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 31
Stop by the Green Acres or Nichols Farm& Orchard booths for pumpkins this October. And don't miss Prairie Grass Café's delectable stuffed pumpkin French toast.
Berwyn Avenue between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue
3-7 p.m. Oct. 7 and 14
Pumpkins are available for purchase, as well as delicious ready-made treats (pumpkin pie, anyone?). Come for the food, stick around for the family-friendly entertainment.
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Farmers Market
Municipal parking lot at North Lincoln and West Leland (adjacent to CTA Western Station)
4-7 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Stop by for the goodness of fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade baked goods and pumpkins, all in one place. Local artists and wellness non-profits are also featured at this Thursday market.
Chicago Park District
Chicago Park District hosts pumpkin patches, fall harvest fests and many other Halloween events throughout October. Check chicagoparkdistrict.com for details.
Pumpkin Patch at Lincoln Park Cultural Center
2045 N. Lincoln Park West
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 3
Harvest Fest at Indian Boundary Park
2500 W. Lunt Ave.
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 4
Fall Fest at Jesse White Community Center
410 W. Chicago Ave.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 10
Pumpkin Patch at Wrightwood Park
2534 N. Greenview Ave.
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 17
Pumpkin Patch at Skinner Park
1331 W. Monroe St.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 17
Pumpkin Patch at Taylor-Lauridsen Playground Park
704 W. 42nd St.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17
Fall Fest at Armour Square Park
3309 S. Shields Ave.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 24
