October is full of fun fall festivals for families to enjoy and they can be found in each region of the state. We’ve listed 28 that are considered by EnjoyIllinois.com to be among the most popular fall festivals in Illinois. Many begin during the second weekend of the month and end on Halloween, so if you haven’t made any plans, now’s the time! Browse through this list if you’re in need of any ideas.
[Images from EnjoyIllinois.com]
1. Touchstone Energy Balloon Fest – Shelbyville
When: October 10 – 12
Where: Lake Shelbyville
Come and enjoy watching as these balloons are filled and then take off for various areas. Friday night is a launch from Dam West Recreation Area (9th St). Saturday morning, they will launch from various locations and try to hit their targets as they float through the air. There will be a balloon glow and basket burn at the Shelby County Airport Saturday night with food and entertainment. You can meet the pilots on Friday evening. Sunday morning will be another opportunity to watch. These colorful balloons will be launched daily (weather permitting) and you can watch as they fly and do tasks around the Lake Shelbyville area.
2. Mt. Vernon Fall Festival – Mt. Vernon
When: October 17 – 19
Where: Downtown Mt. Vernon
This three day October festival in downtown Mt. Vernon includes a beer tent with live entertainment, parade, children’s area, food, fun, car show, band competition, pumpkin competition, and so much more!
3. Fall Color Festival – Lisle
When: October 1 – 31
Where: The Morton Arboretum
Visit The Morton Arboretum this season and enjoy the beautiful fall color of trees and plants from more than 40 different countries. On select days in October, enjoy a variety of seasonally-themed activities for kids and families. Admire nature-themed scarecrows showcased around Meadow Lake on our Scarecrow Trail, open daily in October from 7 a.m. – sunset. The Fall Color 5K Run & Walk will be Sunday, October 5 at 8 a.m. Run under a canopy of brilliant fall color on our rolling, USATF-certified course. Enjoy our Theatre-Hikes at 3 p.m. on weekends in October plus Columbus Day.
4. Sycamore Pumpkin Fest – Sycamore
When: October 22 – 26
Where: 133 W. State Street
2014 is the 53rd Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. Back in 1956, Wally Thurow, who is known as Sycamore’s “Mr. Pumpkin,” began what was to become the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival when he displayed a few decorated pumpkins on his front lawn to turn Halloween into a time of fun and creativity. In 1962, through the efforts of Mr. Pumpkin and the Sycamore Lions Club, the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival became an official celebration in Sycamore. The Courthouse lawn is the center of activities, including thousands of decorated pumpkins on display, there are also art and craft shows, a house walk, a pie eating contest, a carnival, a fun fair, a race and other events. The festival is concluded by a giant parade on Sunday afternoon.
5. Didier’ Farms’ Pumpkin Fest – Buffalo Grove/Lincolnshire
When: September 20 – October 31
Where: 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire, IL
Bring the family out for this annual fall festival. Hayrides, pony rides, camel rides. Children’s kiddie rides, exotic petting zoo, parakeet exhibit, corn maze, concessions, pig races (weekends only). Be sure to visit Grandma D.’s Bake Shop for the best pies, cookies, and fudge. Homemade apple cider, fresh made kettle korn and pumpkin donuts also available.
6. Downtown Car Show/Cruise Night – Mt. Vernon
When: October 18
Where: Downtown Mt. Vernon
Downtown Car Show / Mt. Vernon Cruise Night – The Car Show will be located on 9th Street between Harrison and Jordan. Features cruise night, car, truck, and motorcycle show; entertainment, food, demonstrations, and a 50/50 drawing. The Car Show will have various models from “Classics” to “Modern”.
7. Vulture Fest – Makanda
When: October 18 – 19
Where: Downtown Makanda
Visit downtown Makanda, Gateway to Giant City State Park, where black vultures and turkey vultures fly and swoop in the skies each fall. This event is a celebration of the vulture’s annual migration with live music and displays by local artists for purchase.
8. Jacksonville Main Street’s Pumpkin Fest – Jacksonville
When: October 25
Where: Central Park (25 S. Central Park Plaza)
Join them for a weekend of free family fun! Children and adult costume contest, pet costume contest, pumpkin decorating, food, games and entertainment.
9. Lansing Autumn Festival
When: October 10 – 12
Where: Downtown Lansing
The annual three-day Lansing Autumn Fest returns for its 3rd year. The family friendly event includes musical entertainment, food vendors, vendor Market Place and craft fair, vintage baseball game, kids zone with second entertainment stage and kids games, chili cook-off, military recognition day, pancake breakfast, 5K Hero Walk/Run, $10,000 Pumpkin Cash Raffle. For more information or to be a sponsor or vendor, visit lansingautumfest.org or call 708-646-5606.
10. Trail of Terror – Polo
When: September 1 – October 31
Where: 201 N. Franklin Ave.
Tucked among the charming small towns, lush scenery and hassle-free motoring in Northern Illinois is the Trail of Terror, a self-guided tour of the area’s finest haunted houses, cemetery walks, pumpkin patches, wineries, festivals and other spook-tacular seasonal sensations. The fun begins in September and continues through all of October across Carroll, DeKalb, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson & Whiteside counties. For all the details & more information on all of the cool creepiness, visit www.illinoistrailofterror.com.
11. Fall Festival at New Salem – Petersburg
When: October 25 – 26
Where: Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site (15588 History Lane)
Typical autumn life on the 1830s Illinois prairie will be demonstrated. Costumed interpreters will demonstrate daily tasks such as candle dipping, butter churning, soap making, basket making, spinning wool, gardening, natural dyeing, and fishing with nets. Demonstrations of meat smoking will take place in one of the log village’s period smokehouses, and wild game cooking will be demonstrated in the log homes. Visitors can step down into the cellar at the tavern to see how fruits and vegetables were preserved during the winter.
12. The Pumpkin Patch – Caledonia
When: September 13 – October 31
Where: 3178 IL Route 173
An ideal family outing for fall! Explore two miles of trails, turns, dead ends and U-turns at this newly designed six-acre corn maze (assistance available). Then stop by the Pumpkin Patch for a bite to eat at the Goblin Grill.
13. Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad and Silvercreek Museum Fall Harvest Demonstrations – Freeport
When: October 18 – 19
Where: 2954 S. Walnut Road
All aboard as a 36-ton 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses for a four-mile ride through farmlands. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts, and browse the Freight House Gift Shop and Silvercreek Museum. Weather permitting, there will be fall harvest demonstrations with horses and tractors. The museum will feature sauerkraut, brats, hot dogs, chili and dessert. Train: Adults: $7; Children under 12: $3; Cab Rides: $15; Museum: Adults: $3; Children under 12: Free.
14. Batfest – Batavia
When: October 25
Where: 4 1/2 W. Wilson Street
BatFest is Batavia’s annual Halloween themed family event attracting over 2,500 ghouls. BatFest includes, downtown trick-or-treating, Mothers’ Club Parade, pumpkin roll, contests, BatArt and games for free family fun.
15. CROCtoberfest – Lake Forest
When: October 26
Where: Wildlife Discovery Center (1401 Middlefork Drive)
During this fun-filled event for all ages, you can meet live crocodilians, including Bubba the world famous American Alligator, who will be on hand until 2 p.m. The expert staff and members of the Chicago Herpetological Society and the Madison Area Herpetological Society will give short talks about crocodiles and their kin, while also providing some close-up encounters with a variety of reptiles. There will also be kid-friendly activities, face painting, a story teller, craft vendors, the WDC’s Wildside Store, food and refreshments.
16. C-U Oktoberfest – Champaign
When: October 11
Where: One Main Street
Back for it’s second year, the C-U Oktoberfest features locally brewed beer, food by locally owned restaurants and authentic German festival music from Die Musikmeisters, The Polkaholics and the Bolzen Beer Band. Come dressed in your lederhosen or dirndl and enjoy a specially brewed “bier”, C-U Oktoberfest, just for the occasion!
17. Art in the Park – Highland
When: October 11 – 12
Where: 2123 Park Street
The vibrant colors of autumn provide the perfect canvas to paint a relaxing weekend filled with fine art, mouthwatering food and superb entertainment. Lindendale Park offers a tranquil setting where nearly 70 professional artists display their works of fine art. Festival attendees can shop for works of art in twelve categories. Children, too, can shop for just $5.00 at a special art gallery of work donated by the artists.
18. Chili Fest – Effingham
When: October 17
Where: 201 E. Jefferson
Nearly two dozen businesses will host either a complimentary chili tasting stop or other treats and refreshments throughout the evening. Festival goers will be given ballots to vote for their favorite chili. Live entertainment will be provided throughout the night.
19. 29th Annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival – St. Charles
When: October 10 – 12
Where: Downtown St. Charles (Main Street)
Fri-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. More than 100 hand-crafted scarecrows on display. View and vote for your favorites. Huge juried craft show, carnival, great food, continuous free live entertainment, many free children’s activities.
20. Mardi Gras – Pinckneyville
When: October 25
Where: 104 S. Walnut Street
All the events are family friendly from the flea market and craft fair to the entertainment and kids’ games. Don’t miss the evening lighted parade or the area’s largest end-of-season car show. Be sure to buy into the huge 50/50 drawing (past winners have taken home as much as $12,307).
21. Pumpkin Fest 2014 – Lockport
When: September 20 – November 1
Where: Cottonwood Farm (17250 Weber Road)
Pumpkin Fest features over 20 attractions included in general admission! Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm is “The Place” to Harvest your Family Memories on 40 Acres of “Affordable Family Fun®.” Siegel’s corn maze, Zach’s Petting Zoo and Farmer Frank’s Haunted Barn are just several activities Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm has to offer. Admission weekday $10 with coupon; weekends and Columbus Day $12 with online coupon. Children 2 and under enter FREE! Open Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
22. The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival – Highwood
When: October 17 – 19
Where: Highwood Avenue & Sheridan Road
The City of Highwood is honored to once again transform into Pumpkin Fest headquarters. This event orchestrates fan favorite activities including a pet costume contest, Light Up the Night Parade, 5K Pumpkin Run, Walk & Kids’ Dash, onsite carving, nightly pumpkin wall lighting ceremonies, hay rides, pumpkin bowling, pony rides, petting zoo, carnival rides, kids crafts, live entertainment, pumpkin beer tasting, and seasonal food and beverage vendors galore.
23. Oblong’s Annual Fall Follies – Oblong
When: October 25
Where: 206 S. Range Street
48th Annual event, featuring “Spooktacular” Band Festival, band field competition, craft and food booths, entertainment, Little Miss & Mister contest and Illinois’ largest nighttime parade with approx. 30 marching bands.
24. 45th Annual Burgoo Festival – Utica
When: October 12
Where: 101 E. Canal Street
LaSalle County Historical Society’s 45th Annual Burgoo Festival takes place in downtown Utica. Stroll the main streets of Utica for a day of crafts, shopping food and fun. While you are there be sure to try the pioneer stew (Burgoo). 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
25. Lyon Farm Halloween Festival – Yorkville
When: October 19 – 26
Where: 7935 Route 71
Old-fashioned games, trick-or-treating, a costume parade, hayrides and prizes will be available at the two Halloween parties at the Lyon Farm. Families with children of all ages are welcome. Takes place on Sunday, October 19, and Sunday, October 26.
26. Annual Pumpkin Festival – Olympia Fields
When: October 18
Where: 20712 Western Avenue
Celebrate the harvest season this fall at Sgt. Means Park for their largest event of the year, the Annual Pumpkin Festival! Enjoy hayrides, face painting, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and much more! This event is loaded with great activities and tons of family fun. You won’t want to miss it!
27. Mt. Carroll Pumpkinfest – Mt. Carroll
When: October 25
Where: 302 N. Main Street
Mt. Carroll Pumpkin Fest includes a 5k Ghoulish Gallop, decorated lampposts, food booths selling everything PUMPKIN, farmers market, pumpkin catapult, pumpkin drag races, celebrated haunted house tours and more. Visit our website for an updated activity list.
28. C-U Comedy Festival – Champaign
When: October 22 – 26
Where: 55 E. Main Street
Nothing beats a good laugh. The kind you let out when something hilarious happens. Get your fill of laughs October 22-25 at the first C-U Comedy Festival, held at a variety of locations including Champaign’s infamous Memphis on Main and Urbana’s iconic Canopy Club. This laugh-fest will feature local comedians as well has headliners from St. Louis and Chicago!
NEXT ARTICLE: BOO! 50 most haunted places in Illinois
[RECOMMENDED]
- 12 Illinois state parks you must see with family and friends this fall
- Travel these 10 creepy roads… if you dare
- 8 abandoned places in Illinois that will creep you out!
- How much are Division I head football coaches making at Illinois’ public universities?
- Want to tell your elected officials what you think of the state of government in Illinois? Use our Sound Off tool
Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform. Follow us on Facebook.