Check out these delightfully frightening haunted houses in northern Illinois, guaranteed to bring the scares this season.

Crystal Lake-based Raue Center for the Arts received a multi-year $150,000 grant to help the nonprofit expand into East Dundee.

Did you guess Ned Ryerson as the 2026 Woodstock Groundhog Days special guest? If so, “Bing!”

Here are the winners for Best Taco and Best Mexican Restaurant in the 2025 Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley and Sauk Valley Favorites contests.

The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum will now host its Fall Festival event at the campus in Union, a change from the previously announced location.

The self-proclaimed Bozologist — he’s written the book on Bozo — has taken his massive collection of toys, merchandise, research, and historical ephemera and put it in one place in downtown Elgin.

Looking for an outdoorsy getaway this season? Check out these four destinations in northern Illinois.

Marengo Settlers' Days, Algonquin Wine & Dessert Walk, live music and more this weekend in McHenry County.

Activities include hemp harvesting, hemp leaf juicing, caramel-making workshop, hemp paper making, a farm-to-table buffet, live music, drum circle, bonfire and much more.

The '25 Years of Paradise' tour celebrates the 25th anniversary of Vassar’s breakout No. 1 single, 'Just Another Day in Paradise.'

“Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience” is now open at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Camp Duncan off Route 12 in Ingleside. The experience runs through Nov. 2.

The band is touring to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its debut album 'Sparkle and Fade.'

Take a private ghost tour of Waukegan's Genesee Theatre during this Halloween season.

Watch football and baseball playoff games at one of these lively sports bars in northern Illinois.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Rotary Club of Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers.

Fusing modern electro-pop with retro grooves and cinematic energy, Rosaway offers a captivating live show featuring flute, drums and soulful vocals that blend French sophistication with infectious, danceable rhythms.

The Norge Ski Club's Jumptoberfest is set for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5 at the Fox River Grove club.

Fans can see Taylor Swift's new music video, behind the scenes footage and more in this special movie screening.

Check out these award-winning pizza places in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, as well as the Sauk Valley and Illinois Valley, to celebrate National Pizza Month during October.

Check out these fantastic fall festivals in Sycamore, St. Charles, Utica, Aurora and more.

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

For the entire month, wine lovers are encouraged to host small, casual get-togethers to celebrate their love of wine.

The lineup includes several national touring artists, tribute shows, classic movies with Q & A with their stars, comedy shows, holiday performances and more.

Take a ghost tour of the historic building on Wednesdays in October, and enjoy craft beer and spirits at McHenry Brews & Barrel Fest Oct. 18.

The group that draws inspiration from around the globe, incorporating elements of folk, rock and chamber pop with Celtic and world music to create a wholly original sound.

McHenry's 15 fire globes along its Riverwalk were set aglow Saturday for Light the Night. The globes – all with a different theme and donated to the park by families and businesses – have LED lights in them the rest of the year. But for each Saturday until the end of October, fires are set inside the globes in the evening, weather permitting.

Huntley's 20th annual Fall Fest wrapped up Sunday with food, face-painting and lots of fun.

People flock to downtown Crystal Lake for the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival and - a new feature - Taste of Downtown on Saturday. The festival featured live performances, food and family-friendly activities.

McHenry's Light the Night 2025, which happens Saturday, Sept. 27, includes fireworks and grand opening for the McHenry Riverwalk's last two sections.

Now through Nov. 2, the Volo Museum invites guests to step aboard its train for an extraordinary journey where history and mystery intertwine.

Nick's Tavern in Lemont beat out Crystal Lake-based food truck Smash'D Burgers and Fries in a WGN competition for best burger in the Chicago area.

The 2025 Johnny Appleseed Festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 in downtown Crystal Lake.

Fan Halen will perform at Raue Center for the Arts in downtown Crystal Lake Saturday, Sept. 27.

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

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.

While many Oktoberfest celebrations happen in September, here's a list of German-themed beer festivals happening in October.

The Island Lake Oktober Fest returns Friday, Sept. 26 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 28.

The annual autumn event is Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 28.

A Crystal Lake-based food truck and a Lemont restaurant beat out dozens of competitors for the best burger and are now in the championship round in WGN radio’s first-ever Chicago’s Very Own Eats: Best Burgers Tournament.

New at this year's festival is the addition of Taste of Downtown, which runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Brink Street.

Audiences will be treated to a hit-packed setlist featuring fan favorites such as “You’re No Good,” “It’s So Easy,” “That’ll Be the Day” and more.

Burger fans have until 6 a.m. Monday to vote for Smash’D Burgers and Fries, a food truck owned by a Crystal Lake man competing in WGN radio’s first-ever “Chicago’s Very Own Eats: Best Burgers Tournament.”

McHenry will host its first chalk art festival Sunday, called Chalkwalk, at Miller Point Park and the Riverwalk.

Cary Main Street Fest is Sept. 19-21, while Woodstock's Art Fair on the Square is Sept. 20-21.

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

With country star Luke Bryan's Farm Tour headed to little Prairie Grove on Friday, Sept. 19, the community will have 50 police officers to direct traffic and help move an estimated 20,000 fans into and out of the area.

McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett gave the City Council an update on how the 4th McHenry Music Fest went; two headliners for 2026 announced.

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

Luke Bryan will perform at Berning Family Farm in Prairie Grove Sept. 19.

The star of the brunch menu is The Greggory’s Big Baller Brunch, which includes a cooked-to-perfection 32-ounce Senku Wagyu Tomahawk, a buttermilk pancake tower with all the fixings, eight eggs any style, crispy hash browns and bottomless mimosas.