The Forest Preserve District of Will County has announced its 2026 event calendar, featuring a year of art exhibits, festivals, live music, educational programs and outdoor experiences across Will County.

Dailey Damhoff of Morrison has been named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

Joliet residents are encouraged to dispose of leaves according to the yard waste guidelines provided by Waste Management. Commercial fire pits are permitted within city limits, with restrictions.

The week of Nov. 24-29 will be the last week for putting out yard waste for curbside collection for the year.

Several businesses and organizations handed out treats to more than 600 children in the community.

The Oswego Junior Women's Club hosted a pumpkin smash community composting event at Prairie Point Community Park in Oswego on Nov. 8, 2025.

Start your morning viewing resident and winter birds from the comfort of the exhibit room and Grand Hall while enjoying warm beverages and muffins Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon.

The village refuse hauler, LRS Recycling, will provide bagged leaf pickup at no charge to residents on their regularly scheduled collection days for two weeks, Nov. 10-21

Joliet Public Schools District 86 hosted a pop-up pumpkin patch for special education students at Sator Sanchez and Lynne Thigpen Elementary Schools on Oct. 23.

The programs are set for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook and Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township.

Studies across the U.S. have tracked white-tailed deer vehicle collision rates in relation to time changes, with some showing a 16% spike in deer-vehicle collisions after the fall time shift.

The fall colors are in full peak at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Check out some spectacular fall photos from photo editor Scott Anderson.

In the fall, natural areas often become dumping spots for yard waste, pumpkins, straw, and other organic decorations. Many think that a thrown-away pumpkin will break down and disappear. Not exactly.

In the fall, natural areas often become dumping spots for yard waste, pumpkins, straw, and other organic decorations. Many think that a thrown-away pumpkin will break down and disappear. Not exactly.

Here are Forest Preserve District of Will County programs for the week of Nov. 3. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org.

Each year from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 9,200 fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. over a three-day period around Halloween, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

The second annual fall Arts & Crafts Show continues Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway in East Moline.

Trees begin to turn color on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at Starved Rock State Park. The fall colors have been late this season due to the dry drought conditions and warmer temperatures.

More than 2,000 people have participated this year in the forest preserve district's Be a Trailblazer program, completing over 60,000 nature-themed missions.

Get into fall and the holiday spirit at these craft fairs throughout October and November.

Save-A-Pet is excited to once again partner with Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, for a day of fall fun that gives back.

Midwest Veterans Closet will host a Military Family Pumpkin Octoberfest on Oct. 25.

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

The collection event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St., in Joliet.

A long-time Yorkville tradition is returning this weekend at the Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ. Sale held Friday and Saturday.

From youth basketball to adult volleyball, the Fox Valley Family YMCA is rolling out a wide range of fall athletic programs for all ages.

It appears the peak of the fall color season could be delayed by the recent unseasonably warm temperatures and drought.

Fall droughts can be subtle but have lasting impacts. With timely care, trees can weather dry spells and head into winter strong.

Participants will learn how to grow an oak tree from an acorn, discover more about Joliet’s urban forest and ongoing efforts to protect it, according to the city of Joliet.

The Mendota 4-H BB Gun Club is a youth program focused on teaching firearm safety, the responsible use of firearms, and marksmanship skills through BB guns.

Hawthorn has announced a diverse calendar of events designed to provide rich, family-friendly experiences throughout the autumn season.

Fall colors and seasonal activities are found across Will and Grundy counties this October.

Let Freedom Ring's Fall Family Festival on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Mt. Morris offered kids' games and trunk or treat.

Downers Grove will host several family-friendly Halloween events to celebrate the season.

Two local musical ensembles, the New Horizons Band and the River Valley Wind and String Ensembles, will host their free fall concerts this month.

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office shared these tips from the state Department of Agriculture for keeping roads safe this season.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has announced its schedule of programs for the week of Oct. 13. Online registration is available on the Event Calendar at reconnectwithnature.org.

Harvest began on time in mid-September and moisture early in the season helped the earlier planted pumpkins size up with good weight and color.

The Yorkville Public Library has unveiled a slate of fall programs for October.

Chances to check out the “World’s Largest” Corn Maze — and all of the other fun to be had — draw to a close the weekend before Halloween.

All Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra concerts are held in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, in the Northern Illinois University Music Building. The season opens Oct. 11

Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ will hold its spring rummage and bake sale on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25.

The village of St. Anne celebrated its annual Pumpkin Festival over the weekend, including the Grand Pumpkin Parade on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

The annual Fox Fall Fest in downtown Oswego on Sunday, Oct. 5 helped welcome fall with a number of family-friendly activities.

The Ottawa Fall Fest & Parade took place on Sunday. The parade was followed by live music and food trucks around the Jordan Block.

The 38th annual Scarecrow Festival had many scarecrows on display Saturday, along with other fall activities from children's games to a pie-eating contest.

Classic Car Show, a two-day event set for Oct. 4-5 at the Grundy County Fairgrounds, features classic vehicles, a swap meet, craft show and raffle drawings.

Yorktoberfest was two days of fun, food, beer, live music, and activities for the whole family down at Riverfront Park in Yorkville on Saturday and Sunday. The event was put on by the Kiwanis Club of Yorkville.

The annual Autumn on Parade festival will fill downtown Oregon with artisans, food vendors, classic cars, and family fun Oct. 4 and 5, 2025.

Fortitude Community Outreach leadership has no plans to have its bus shelter return for a third year.