Local hosts team up with artists, who either make new work or set up ready-made pieces on front lawns, porches, balconies, windows or rooftops.

Participants can paint pumpkins, “Touch-A-Tractor,” play games, ride pedal tractors, create nature crafts and enjoy live folk music and seasonal treats.

When your arms are straining during the stein holding competition at the 8th annual Yorktoberfest, remember “it’s all for the kids.” The fest returns Sept. 26-27.

Try the Mega Hike at Starved Rock State Park.

Enjoy live Oompah music and a special Oktoberfest beer.

The Taylor Swift–themed event is a celebration of community, music and local businesses.

The festive event will feature garden tours, hayrides, kids activities, live music, beer, food and more.

These northern Illinois pumpkin farms are ready to welcome guests for a day of family-friendly fall fun.

The fall fun festival will open in Lake Zurich on Sept. 26 in Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road. Jack O’Lantern World in Lemont, to be held at The Forge Lemont Quarries, 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, will open for its first year Oct. 2.

The southern Will County vineyard will host a grape stomp event on Saturday, Sept. 27.

From wine tastings to historic tours, Galena is the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway.

The Prairie Point Pumpkin Patch replaces the long-standing Brew At The Bridge event, which had taken place at Hudson Crossing Park in Oswego. The event had seen declining attendance in recent years.

Joliet Pride Fest is Saturday, Sept. 20 at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park.

The final Third Friday event of the season is Friday, Sept. 19 in downtown Ottawa. Princeton's Artisan

Fox Republic Brewing, The Law Office Pub & Music Hall will have live music events this weekend in Kendall County.

The Fiesta Day Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.

Naperville Irish Fest is Saturday, Sept. 20 at Central Park, while Glen Ellyn's Oktoberfest is at Two Hound Red Brewing Co. Thursday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Sept. 20.

The theatre is celebrating the owner's 25th year in the theater industry with family-friendly events.

Check out these family-friendly seasonal events happening this fall in Whiteside County.

The festival opens Thursday, Sept. 18 and runs through Saturday, Sept. 20 in downtown Aurora.

Bureau County is home to a number of exciting fall and holiday events in 2025.

The festive event will include craft beer samples and food from local vendors.

Hayride of Horror and Curse of the Bayou run on Fridays, Saturdays and select Sundays in October at Dellwood Park in Lockport.

The village of Montgomery invites the community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a free bilingual concert in the park. “We look forward to a great evening of music and fun in Montgomery," Village President Matt Brolley said.

The cult classic film will be shown at its original filming location in Joliet on Oct. 4.

Beer, Bands and Barns, an outdoor music and brews festival, is Saturday, Sept. 20 at Dickson-Murst Farm in Montgomery.

The rural Oglesby farm provides a unique agritourism experience.

American Scream Park, located next to Richardson Adventure Farm, will have five themed haunted attractions in the cornfields.

A father and child reunion is only an ocean away for a pair of Prophetstown natives who love getting together to make music

The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum hosted a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Rialto Theatre in Joliet on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Cantigny will offer a number of events this September, including a Revolutionary War Reenactment, Red Oak Farm Dinner, car show and more.

Bears Army Sauk Valley is a new Chicago Bears fan club for those who want to watch games together and earn perks along the way.

First Pour Fridays events feature wine, small bites and live music at the new Patrick J. Callahan Community Center.

Downers Grove Oktoberfest runs Friday and Saturday in downtown Downers Grove. Grammy Award-winning band Gipsy Kings will perform Friday night.

Check out classic cars and hot rods at Jalopy Fest Sept. 12-13.

The 13th annual Taste of Fiesta is Saturday afternoon in RB&W Park in Rock Falls. Morrison hosts the monthly 3 French Hens Country Market on Saturday.

The BBQ & Blues Fest is set for Friday, Sept. 12, while the Jazz'N the Street Festival is Saturday, Sept. 13.

The Fiesta en el Bicentennial Park is set for Saturday, Sept. 13 in Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park.

Sturdy Shelter Brewing’s third annual Oktoberfest will bring German traditions, live music and authentic food and drink to Batavia - in September.

Performers include Richard Marx, Enuff Z'Nuff, Billy Branch with Elevation and more at the Sept. 14 ceremony.

Plein air painting, which derives its name from the French term for “painting outdoors,” originated in the 19th century when artists began leaving their studios to capture natural light and scenery firsthand.

‘Lincoln’s Ottawa: Stories from Valley View’ take guests on a tour of several historic sites in the Illinois Valley related to Abraham Lincoln.

The 2025 corn maze at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove celebrates the 40th anniversary of the classic film "Back to the Future."

This year's selections include 'The Lost Boys,' 'Night of the Living Dead' and more.

Water Street Studios in Batavia will celebrate their 16th anniversary on Friday, Sept. 12.

Heritage Corridor Destinations partners with NCIArtworks for series of pop-up gallery shows.

The Clinton Symphony Orchestra will open its 72nd concert season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in the new Durgin Performing Arts Center at Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa.

Sable Creek offers a diverse selection of hand-crafted wines in the southwest suburbs.

The zoo's Frontera Farm-to-Table Dinner is Sept. 12, while Oktoberfest is set for Sept. 28. Many additional events are also scheduled throughout the season.

Football season is back! Watch the game at one of these lively sports bars in northern Illinois.