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!
City
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at Tom (Ping) Memorial Park
Sept. 3, 2022
- Address: 1700 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
This festival is one of the most important traditional events in Asia, like Christmas and Thanksgiving in the West. The event will include including song singing, instrumental playing, folk dancing, fashion shows and more.
The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival at Burnham (Daniel) Park
Sept. 10, 2022
- Address: 1200-5700 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: 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.
Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus. Church
Sept. 23-25, 2022
- Address: 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $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.
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
Oct. 1-2, 2022
- Address: Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Wilson, Chicago
- Cost: $10/suggested donation
There will be more than 50 market vendors and apple items from four farms at this annual event.
North/Northwest Suburbs
Elk Grove Village Oktoberfest at Rotary Green
Sept. 16-17, 2022
- Address: 164 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village
- Cost: 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.
Highland Park Oktoberfest in Downtown Highland Park
Sept. 16-17, 2022
- Address: 523 Central Ave., Highland Park
- Cost: Free
The weekend excitement will include a beer garden, traditional eats and live music acts along with activities for youngsters and families.
Huntley Fall Fest at Huntley Park District
Sept. 23-25, 2022
- Address: 12015 Mill St., Huntley
- Cost: Free admission
Enjoy carnival rides, beer garden, food vendors, lots of fall activities, live music and family fun at this fall festival. There will also be a firework display Saturday night.
Long Grove Apple Fest in Downtown Long Grove
Sept. 23-25, 2022
- Address: 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
- Cost: $5/person, 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 donuts, hot apple cider, caramel apple lattes and more.
Fall Family Fun Fest at Triton College
Oct. 1, 2022
- Address: 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove
- Cost: Free
Celebrate this fall fest with Triton College as they return to their Botanical Gardens for an in-person event. This festival will offer food, games and seasonal entertainment.
Fall Festival/Oktoberfest
Oct. 7-8, 2022
- Address: Intersection of Emerson St. & Busse Ave., Mount Prospect
- Cost: Free, fees for food
Oktoberfest features live entertainment with authentic German food and drinks. Fall Festival activities will include hayrides, pumpkin decorating and the never-ending trick-or-treat candy line.
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest & Skeleton Invasion
Oct. 7-9, 2022
- Address: Downtown Highland Park
- Cost: Free admission; fees for rides
You can expect carnival rides, pumpkin carving stations, live music, vendors, hay rides, pumpkin walls, contests and more at this annual.
South Suburbs
Autumn in the Park Festival at Palos Park Village Green
Sept. 16-17, 2022
- Address: 8901 W. 123rd St., Palos Park
- Cost: Free admission
This fall event includes a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, a BBQ rib and chicken cook-off, music, artisan vendors, petting zoo, bounce house and more.
Tinley Park Oktoberfest at the 80th Avenue Metra Train Station
Sept. 16-18, 2022
- Address: 18001 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park
- Cost: 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.
Western Suburbs
Fall Festival & Pet Event at Bartlett Gazebo Park
Sept. 10, 2022
- Address: 102 N. Eastern Ave., Bartlett
- Cost: Free
This annual pet event includes a fall festival this year. Meet and greet with local rescue organizations, visit with pet-related vendors, enjoy a horse-drawn hayride and more.
Scandinavian Day Festival at Vasa Park
Sept. 11, 2022
- Address: 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin
- Cost: $10/person, free/children 12 and under, free/parking
The 42nd 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. 16-17, 2022
- Address: 3229 Grove Ave., Berwyn
- Cost: Free
The family-friendly festival includes an international food court, live bands, beer garden and more.
Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park
Sept. 23-24, 2022
- Address: Between Marion St. and Forest Ave., Oak Park
- Cost: 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 kid’s activities include hands-on activities, games, root beer floats, zucchini races, a ninja obstacle course and more.
Naper Settlement Oktoberfest
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 2022
- Address: 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
- Cost: $20/adult, $14/ages 4-12, free/ages 3 and under
At this annual event, guests will be able to enjoy German food, local and traditional Oktoberfest beer varieties, polka and rock music and more.
Pumpkin Fest at Cosley Zoo
Oct. 1-31, 2022
- Address: 1356 Gary Ave., Wheaton
- Cost: Included with general admission
Visit the Cosley Zoo this fall to enjoy the colors of the season, see the animals, and pick out your pumpkins. Pumpkins, gourds, apples, cider, corn stalks, and straw bales are all available for purchase.
The Last Straw at Gregg House Museum
Oct. 2, 2022
- Address: 115 S. Linden Ave., Westmont
- Cost: Free admission; fees for some activities
Enjoy lots of fall fun and family-friendly activities at Gregg House Museum. Features include decorating a pumpkin, making a scarecrow, take a hayride, listen to music, make crafts and more.
St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
Oct. 7-9, 2022
- Address: Route 64 and Fox River, St. Charles
- Cost: 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. There will also be a family zone with live entertainment and activities for the whole fam.
Family Fall Fest at The Depot at Wild Meadows Trace
Oct. 8, 2022
- Address: 511 S. York St., Elmhurst
- Cost: Free admission
Bring the family out to The Depot at Wild Meadows Trace for Safety Town trick-or-treating plus fall festivities, games and food trucks.
