The calendar might say that summer is officially over, but here in Chicagoland, festival season continues in earnest, even after the leaves have started to turn. Our fall festival scene gets us even more excited for the cooler season.
Savor the smells of falling leaves and the tastes of all things pumpkin and apple at some of our favorite fall festivals. Find more kid-friendly fall fests near you listed in our calendar.
Looking for more fun things to do with kids this fall? Check out our fall family guide!
CityÂ
Taste of Polonia Festival at Copernicus Center
Sept. 1-4, 2023
- Address:Â 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago Â
- Cost:Â $10-$15/general admission
Enjoy a true cultural experience that includes nonstop live music on three stages, authentic Polish food, arts and crafts, games, movie screenings, casino, face painting, balloons and more.
West Loop Art Fest
Sept. 2-3, 2023
- Address: West Fulton Street and North Sangamon Street, Chicago Â
- Cost:Â Free
Enjoy four blocks of art in all different mediums as talented artists showcase and sell creative work. Plus, enjoy interactive art, live music and children’s crafts.
German American Oktoberfest at Lincoln Square
Sept. 8-10, 2023
- Address:Â N. Lincoln Ave. and W. Leland Ave., Chicago
- Cost:Â Free admission
The family-friendly festival features live bands, food, beer, wine, carnival games and more.
Taste of Chicago at Grant Park
Sept. 8-10, 2023
- Address: 331 E. Randolph St., Chicago Â
- Cost:Â Free; fees for food
Taste all the things that make Chicago great with more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, plus three stages of performances and the Lifeway Family Village with games, bounce houses and activities.
Bubblespalooza at Bubbles Academy
Sept. 9, 2023
- Address:Â 2184 N. Elston Ave., Chicago
- Cost:Â $10
Join Bubbles Academy to celebrate its 20th anniversary and come together to raise funds for Whole Child Arts, a free arts programming. Enjoy a day of live music, kids activities, bubble show, photo booth and more.
Printers Row Lit Fest in Historic Printers Row
Sept. 9-10, 2023
- Address:Â 637 S. Dearborn St., ChicagoÂ
- Cost:Â Free
This two-day festival features carefully selected offerings from more than 100 booksellers who present everything from the tattered to the rare to ‘hot off the press,’ newly published works.
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up at Goose Island
Sept. 21-Nov. 3, 2023
- Address: 1265 W. Le Moyne, Chicago Â
- Cost:Â $30-plus
Spend an autumn night outside making memories while you get lost in Chicago’s largest corn maze, enjoy nighttime light displays and pick a pumpkin from the patch. Also, carnival games, fortune tellers, gem mining, food trucks and photo opportunities. All ages are welcome.
Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus Church
Sept. 22-24, 2023
- Address:Â 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago
- Cost:Â $10
Join in on the fun at one of Chicago’s most popular fall celebrations and all things Bavarian. There will be food, music and more.
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival at Burnham (Daniel) Park
Sept. 23, 2023
- Address:Â 1200-5700 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost:Â Free
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional events in Asia, like Christmas and Thanksgiving in the West. The event falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the round shape and completeness of the full moon symbolize family and friends reunion.
Lakeview East Oktoberfest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023
- Address:Â 708 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
- Cost:Â Contact for prices
This 2nd annual festival features live music, food and Oktoberfest activities for the whole family. A portion of the proceeds support the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and the Lakeview East Community Partnership.
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
Sept. 29-Oct. 29, 2023
- Address:Â 2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost:Â Free admission; fees for some experiences
Celebrate fall with seasonal décor, music, large-scale chalk art, professional
pumpkin carving and fall photo ops among the pumpkin patches. Ticketed
activities include a harvest maze, fun slide, inflatable obstacle course and Kiddie Wheel.
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2023
- Address:Â Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Sunnyside, Chicago
- Cost:Â $5/suggested donation
There will be more than 50 market vendors and apple items from six farms at this annual event.
Harvest Fest at Indian Boundary Park
Oct. 1, 2023
- Address:Â 2500 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago
- Cost:Â Free, $5/pumpkin
Enjoy a family-friendly event where kids can pick their own pumpkins from the field and decorate them. Also, carnival-themed games, photo stations and a reptile show.
Pumpkin Patch at Horner (Henry) Park
Oct. 14, 2023
- Address:Â 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago
- Cost:Â Free, $5/pumpkin
Enjoy a family-friendly event where kids can pick their own pumpkins and decorate them. Also, carnival-themed games, inflatables, photo stations and a reptile show.
Pumpkin Patch at Hamlin (Hannibal) Park
Oct. 21, 2023
- Address:Â 3035 N. Hoyne Ave., Chicago
- Cost:Â Free, $5/pumpkin
Enjoy a family-friendly event where kids can pick their own pumpkins from the field and decorate them. Also, carnival-themed games, inflatables, photo stations and a reptile show.
North/Northwest Suburbs
Schaumburg Septemberfest
Sept. 2-4, 2023
- Address:Â 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg
- Cost:Â Free admission
This outdoor festival features entertainment, arts and crafts show, a carnival, pony rides, fireworks and a Labor Day parade.
Art Fair on the Square in Historic Lake Forest Market Square
Sept. 3-4, 2023
- Address:Â 264 Market Square Court, Lake Forest
- Cost:Â Free
This annual event features 120 exhibitors work in a variety of disciplines including glass, wood, fiber, ceramics, digital art, jewelry, metal, drawing/pastels, graphics/printmaking, painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media.
Art on the Fox
Sept. 9-10, 2023
- Address:Â Main Street and Washington Street, Algonquin
- Cost:Â Free
This art festival shows the work from more than 75 of the nation’s top juried artists, family-friendly activities, live musical performances and more.
Elk Grove Village Oktoberfest at Rotary Green
Sept. 15-16, 2023
- Address:Â 164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village
- Cost:Â Free; purchase tickets for food and drinks
Enjoy traditional German food, games and activities, live music and so much more at the annual Elk Grove Village Oktoberfest Celebration.Â
Happy Times Pumpkin Fest at Didier Farms
Sept. 16-Oct. 29, 2023
- Address: 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire
- Cost: Free admission and parking; $1/attraction ticket
Pumpkin Fest is back and it will feature family activities and attractions for all ages including amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, fall treats and more.
Fall Festival/Oktoberfest
Sept. 22-23, 2023
- Address:Â Intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Avenue, Mount Prospect
- Cost:Â Free, fees for food
Oktoberfest features live entertainment with authentic German food and drinks. Plus, a kids spot on Saturday.
Long Grove Apple Fest in Downtown Long Grove
Sept. 22-24, 2023
- Address:Â 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
- Cost:Â $5/day pass, $10/three-day pass, free/kids 12 and under
Enjoy the beautiful fall outdoor ambiance and free live music throughout the historic village. Get your apple fix on treats like brown bag apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, hot apple cider, caramel apple lattes and more.
Huntley Fall Fest at Huntley Park District
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023
- Address:Â 12015 Mill St., Huntley
- Cost:Â Free admission
Enjoy carnival rides, beer garden, food vendors, lots of fall activities, live music and family fun at this fall festival. There will be a fireworks display Saturday night.Â
Annual Lake County Family Fun Fest at College of Lake County
Sept. 30, 2023
- Address:Â 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
- Cost:Â Free
This annual family-friendly event features live entertainment, shopping, classic games and community resources.
Highland Park Oktoberfest at The Lot
Sept. 30, 2023
- Address:Â 523 Central Ave., Highwood
- Cost:Â Free
The weekend excitement will include a beer garden, traditional eats and live music acts along with activities for youngsters and families.
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest & Skeleton Invasion
Oct. 6-8, 2023
- Address:Â Downtown Highland Park
- Cost:Â Free admission; fees for rides
You can expect carnival rides, pumpkin carving stations, live music, vendors, hayrides, pumpkin walls, contests and more.
South Suburbs
Autumn in the Park Festival at Palos Park Village Green
Sept. 15-16, 2023Â
- Address:Â 8901 W. 123rd St., Palos Park
- Cost:Â Free admission
This fall event includes a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, music, artisan and food vendors, face painting, bounce house and more.Â
Tinley Park Oktoberfest at the 80th Avenue Metra Train Station
Sept. 15-17, 2023Â
- Address:Â 18001 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park
- Cost:Â Free, fees for food and drink and some activities
This event resembles the traditional Oktoberfest held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, with food, drink, traditional dancing, a vendor fair, a carnival and more.
Joliet PrideFest at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre
Sept. 23, 2023Â
- Address:Â 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
- Cost:Â Free
This 4th annual festival will feature a vendor market, live entertainment, resource fair, food trucks, kids zone and more.
Western Suburbs
Naperville Last Fling
Sept. 1-4, 2023
- Address:Â 100 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville
- Cost:Â Free admission; fees for activities
The festival will include an entertainment stage, food vendors, business expo vendors, family activities, Labor Day parade and a carnival.
Scandinavian Day Festival at Vasa Park
Sept. 10, 2023
- Address:Â 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin
- Cost:Â $10/person, free/children 12 and under, free/parking
The 43rd annual festival celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Featuring live entertainment, activities for children, free pony rides and story time by Elsa from Frozen. Scandinavian walkway with vendors, displays and Scandinavian food.
Berwyn Oktoberfest at Berwyn’s Depot District
Sept. 15-16, 2023
- Address:Â 3229 Grove Ave., Berwyn
- Cost:Â Free
The family-friendly festival includes an international food court, live music, beer garden and more at Berwyn’s Depot District.
Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park
Sept. 22-23, 2023
- Address:Â Between Marion Street and North Boulevard, south of Lake Street, Oak Park
- Cost:Â Free; fees for food
This annual fall festival features a premiere music lineup, specialty craft beers, delicious fall foods from local places and a Kids Root Beer Garden. The kids activities include hands-on activities, games, root beer floats, zucchini races, games and more.
The Last Straw at Gregg House Museum
Oct. 1, 2023
- Address:Â 115 S. Linden Ave., Westmont
- Cost:Â Free admission; fees for some activities
Enjoy lots of fall fun and family-friendly activities. Features include decorating a pumpkin, making a scarecrow, taking a hayride, listening to music, making crafts and more.
Naper Settlement Oktoberfest
Oct. 6-7, 2023
- Address:Â 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
- Cost:Â $20/adult, $15/ages 4-12, free/ages 3 and under
At this annual event, guests can enjoy German food, local and traditional Oktoberfest beer varieties, pop-polka music and more.
St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
Oct. 6-8, 2023Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Address:Â Route 64 and Fox River, St. Charles
- Cost:Â Free admission
Vote for your favorite scarecrow, purchase and build your own, see a professional pumpkin carver in action, visit the craft show and more.
Family Fall Fest at The Depot at Wild Meadows Trace
Oct. 7, 2023
- Address:Â 511 S. York St., Elmhurst
- Cost:Â Free admission
Bring the family out to The Depot for Safety Town trick-or-treating plus fall festivities, games and food trucks.
This post is updated annually.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.