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9/1/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Chicago is full of kid-friendly fall festivals, and many of them are FREE. From neighborhood festivals honoring Chicago's diverse communities, like Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest or 79th Street Renaissance Festival, to kid-friendly festivals in Chicago that dig deep into our thriving food and art scenes, like the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts or Renegade Craft Fair, there's a celebration happening every weekend from now 'til Thanksgiving.

Even Oktoberfest celebrations in Chicago, which might make you think of boozy crowds, make room for families with kids' zones and activities. And of course, there's Halloween and all the fun that comes with it.

Bookmark this long list of the best fall festivals in Chicago to do with kids. And get your calendar and your favorite fall sweater ready!

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There's a kid-friendly fall festival nearly every weekend. Photo courtesy of Last Fling in Naperville
There's a kid-friendly fall festival nearly every weekend. Photo courtesy of Last Fling in Naperville

September Fairs and Festivals in Chicago for Kids

Buffalo Grove Days

Buffalo Grove
Thursday, August 29-Monday, September 2, 2024
Celebrate the northwest suburbs with a carnival, food trucks, live music for kids and grown-ups, bingo, a family fun walk, a pancake breakfast, and a rotary duck race. Fun and games are available for kids in the children's area. READ MORE

Taste of Polonia

Jefferson Park
Friday, August 30-Monday, September 2, 2024
The country's largest Polish festival takes place at the Copernicus Center in Chicago on Labor Day weekend. More than 30 bands will play on four stages throughout the weekend, and families can enjoy inflatables, a climbing wall, face painting, clowns, Disney characters, tastings and cooking classes, carnival rides, and games. READ MORE

African Festival of the Arts

Washington Park
Friday, August 30-Monday, September 2, 2024
Washington Park hosts the annual African Festival of the Arts, featuring vibrant drumming, museum quality and collectible artifacts, colorful and rich handwoven fabric and textile, family friendly activities, music, and food.  READ MORE

Nashwood

Highwood- FREE
Friday, August 30-Sunday, September 1, 2024
North suburban Highwood celebrates country music on Labor Day weekend with live country, bluegrass, blues and Southern rock music. Southern inspired food and drinks will also be available. Families can take a hayride through downtown to get between venues. Some stages will feature family friendly music throughout the festival. READ MORE

Last Fling

Naperville
Friday, August 30-Monday, September 2, 2024
Naperville's annual end of summer festival features live music, food vendors, a carnival and Family Fun Land. The family area includes sack races, water balloon contests, and eating contests featuring cotton candy, spaghetti, and cupcakes. Music, dancing, stilt walkers, and a real live princess round out the family fun. READ MORE

Taste of Melrose Park

Melrose Park - FREE
Friday, August 30-Sunday, September 1, 2024
Summer winds down with this annual festival in the near west suburbs. Families can enjoy a live entertainment, including kids' musicians, bagpipes, the Sabor de Mexico stage, and the Jesse White Tumblers, along with carnival rides and games and a free interactive racing game. READ MORE

West Loop Art Festival

West Loop - FREE
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Stroll through four blocks of amazing artwork and visit food vendors to try tasty treats in the West Loop. Art is available in a variety of mediums and at all price points, making this festival a shopping destination for even casual art lovers. READ MORE

Schaumburg September Fest

Schaumburg
Saturday, August 31-Monday, September 2, 2024
Septemberfest offers arts & crafts, live music, kid's activities, carnival, and much more. READ MORE

Long Grove Irish Days

Long Grove - FREE
Saturday, August 31-Monday, September 2, 2024
Experience the luck of the Irish on Labor Day weekend in historic Downtown Long Grove. Visitors can see Irish dancers, hear Irish music, sample Irish inspired food and beverages, and judge contests for best Irish dog and best looking men's legs in a kilt. READ MORE

Frankfort Fall Fest

Frankfort - FREE
Saturday, August 31-Monday, September 2, 2024
Celebrate fall in the southwest suburbs at this annual event featuring concerts, a carnival, food vendors, and more. A parade steps off on Sunday at 1pm, and families can visit the KidWork Children's Museum or Frankfort History Museum nearby. READ MORE

Winfield Good Old Days

Winfield - FREE
Friday, September 6-Sunday, September 8, 2024
Bike races, a bags tournament, a steak cook-off, duck races, shoe-kicking contests, and a meatball eating contest are the highlights of this nostalgic west suburban festival. Kids can also enjoy historic trolley rides, live music, and a parade on Sunday at Church and Beecher Streets in downtown Winfield. READ MORE

Renegade Craft Fair

Wicker Park - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 8-September 7, 2024
Arts and crafts fans can enjoy Renegade's largest event of the year, featuring over 400 incredible makers and designers from all over the US, as well as live entertainment, local DJs, workshops, art installations, food trucks, nonprofits, cocktails, craft beers, and more. READ MORE

Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival

Downers Grove - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 7-September 8, 2024
Visual artists and musicians will display their works at the 43rd Annual Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival. Look out for kids' art activities at the festival, including local students playing music on the festival stages, and don’t miss games, face painting, balloons & fun outside of Smile Downers Grove. READ MORE

German-American Fest

Lincoln Square - FREE
Friday, September 6-Sunday, September 8, 2024
Families can don their dirndls and lederhosen and step out to Lincoln Square for German and American food, music, and gemuetlischkeit. The event features carnival games, the annual Steuben Parade through North Center and Lincoln Square, and traditional German music and dancing. READ MORE

Printers Row Lit Fest

South Loop - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 7-September 8, 2024
Bibliophiles of all ages are welcome at Printers Row Lit Fest, where they can enjoy talks, demonstrations, and workshops with authors of all genres. Kids authors and books will be featured throughout the fest. READ MORE

Rock the Block Party

Elmhurst - FREE
Friday & Saturday, September 6-September 7, 2024
Families can celebrate the end of summer with live entertainment and local food vendors at this annual Elmhurst festival. Kids can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, games, a photo booth, and a performances from local musicians. Adults can enjoy beverages from the beer and wine tent. READ MORE

Throwback Music Fest

Norwood Park - FREE
Friday, September 6-Sunday, September 8, 2024
Introduce kids to the music of the '50s, '60s, '70s, and 80's at this annual northwest side festival. While grownups enjoy tribute bands, a throwback pinup contest, and a classic car show, kids can play games, do crafts, enjoy face painting, or bounce in a bounce house.   READ MORE

Taste of Chicago Grant Park

Downtown - FREE
Friday, September 6-Sunday, September 8, 2024
Foodies of all ages can enjoy Chicago restaurants, live music, and family-friendly activities at the annual Taste of Chicago outdoor food festival. The summer series of festivals culminates in September with a full weekend of foodie fun in Grant Park. READ MORE

79th Street Renaissance Festival

Auburn Gresham - FREE
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Attendees can enjoy local food, retailers, organizations, and performers from all genres from cultural to modern dance and blues to hip hop at the 79th Street Renaissance Festival! READ MORE

Glendale Heights Oktoberfest

Glendale Heights
Thursday, September 12-Sunday, September 22, 2024
Families can enjoy German foods and music under a spacious tent in Camera Park for a full 10 days at this Glendale Heights Festival. Strolling Oompah bands and souvenirs like German hats and steins will complete the fun. READ MORE

Norwood Park Fall Fest

Norwood Park
Saturday & Sunday, September 13-September 14, 2024
Celebrate fall with live entertainment, food and drink vendors, and kids' activities for all ages. Kids can enjoy carnival games, a magic show, tattoos and henna, an inflatable corn maze and kids' music and dance performances. READ MORE

Ravenswood ArtWalk: 22nd Annual Tour of Arts & Industry

Ravenswood - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 14-September 15, 2024
The ultimate end-of-summer festival returns to Chicago’s northside with the 20th Annual Ravenswood Artwalk on Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th. The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) partners with the historic Ravenswood Industrial Corridor for a weekend that showcases the bustling hub of artisans, manufacturers, and brewers. READ MORE

Oaktoberfest

Oak Park- FREE
Friday & Saturday, September 13-September 14, 2024
Oak Park celebrates the changing seasons at Oaktoberfest with music, food from local restaurants, specialty craft beers, and a kids' root beer garden open from noon to 5pm on Saturday, September 14. The pint-sized fun includes zucchini races, a ninja obstacle court, root beer floats, crafts, and other activities sponsored by local businesses. READ MORE

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts

Lakeview - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 14-September 15, 2024
Lakeview East Festival of the Arts offers over 150 artists, featuring paintings, sculptures, photography furniture, jewelry, and more. In addition to live music on two stages, the festival includes live demonstrations, family activities and a garden oasis.     READ MORE

World Dumpling Fest

Logan Square - FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Logan Square hosts the World Dumpling Fest, where dumpling fans of all ages can come together to celebrate and experience diverse cultures through performance, art, and delicious dumplings! Try empanadas, empierogis, falafel, tandoor, chaat, pierogis and more.  READ MORE

Tinley Park Oktoberfest

Tinley Park- FREE
Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 22, 2024
Families can enjoy authentic German food and drinks, oompah and polka music, a carnival and a ceremonial keg tapping at this annual Tinley Park event. Guests are encouraged to wear traditional German garb to celebrate the arrival of fall. READ MORE

West Loop Bavarian Block Party

West Loop
Friday & Saturday, September 20-September 21, 2024
Families can enjoy live music and fun food vendors at this annual fundraiser for Haymarket Center. Donations will benefit underserved community members who need mental health and substance abuse services.The Bavarian Block Party will center on an authentic celebration of German culture, complete with popular German foods such as bratwurst and pretzels along with traditional American fare. READ MORE

Long Grove Apple Fest

Long Grove
Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 22, 2024
How do you like them apples? Long Grove will make them any way you want—baked in pies, dipped in chocolate or caramel, or chopped up in sangria. Families can also enjoy a carnival and live music with their apple treats. READ MORE

West End Arts Festival

LaGrange - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 21-September 22, 2024
Families can enjoy visual, culinary and performing arts at this annual festival in west suburban LaGrange. More than 60 artists will display their works, while jazz musicians will perform throughout the festival. Chefs from local restaurants will offer cooking demonstrations and kids can enjoy art activities including face painting near Stone Avenue train station. READ MORE

World Music Festival

Citywide - FREE
Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 29
World music fans can enjoy FREE concerts throughout the City of Chicago during the 23rd Annual World Music Festival. This city-wide, multi-venue, 10-day festival will include 34 bands representing 22 countries. Experience music from all regions of the world including Brazil, South Korea, and Senegal. READ MORE

Lemont Scarecrow Fest

Lemont - FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Families can walk the scarecrow trail and vote for their favorites at Lemont Heritage Woodland Sanctuary and Community Center. Kids can also make crafts, play games, go on a hay ride or a nature trail scavenger hunt, and gather around a campfire for cider and stories. READ MORE

Celebración de los Árboles

Lisle
Saturday & Sunday, September 28-September 29, 2024
This fun-filled festival at The Morton Arboretum will immerse guests in celebrating the diverse cultures of Latin America. Sample foods from different Latin America countries, listen to music, and learn traditional dances at this family friendly outdoor event. READ MORE

St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest

Lakeview
Friday, September 27-Sunday, September 29, 2024
Bring your lederhosen and dirndls for some German family fun. Enjoy some bratwurst, some live music, and all things Bavarian, as well as music from favorite Chicago acts. READ MORE

Beverly Art Walk

Beverly - FREE
Saturday, September 28, 2024
The Beverly Art Walk is a free art festival celebrating work from over 150 juried artists, as well as live music, food, and hands-on activities for art lovers of all ages. Guests can embark on self-guided tours through over 100 participating venues. READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Oktoberfest

Brookfield
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Put on your lederhosen or dirndl and enjoy some polka music at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Bands will be playing throughout the day on the East Mall, or families can catch mobile music from the PolkaPedi. German foods will be available for purchase throughout the zoo. READ MORE

Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Hyde Park - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 28-September 29, 2024
Music fans of all ages can enjoy free performances by world class jazz musicians at Hyde Park Jazz Festival, as well as local food vendors and a free shuttle between concert locations! READ MORE
"Night of 1,000 Jack-o'- Lanterns. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

October Fairs and Festivals in Chicago for Kids

Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest

Lincoln Square
Saturday & Sunday, October 5-October 6, 2024
The 37th annual Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest offers activities for apple lovers of all ages. Food vendors and farm vendors will be on hand for families to buy fall-themed foods! Kids can enjoy apple themed activities like an apple sensory bin and an apple slime kit, as well as activities from Fit City Kids, Itsy Bitsy Play & Cafe, Nonku's Corner, and several local schools. READ MORE

Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up

Goose Island
September 19-November 3, 2024
Jack's is one of Chicago's largest fall themed festivals. With 10,000 pumpkins, fortune tellers, a corn maze with a secret bar, gem mining, photo opportunities, carnival games, and food trucks, Jack's provides to unique experience for each guest that comes through the doors. It is also kid friendly! READ MORE

Fall Fest - Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park
September 27-October 27, 2024
Fall Fest offers a pumpkin patch, hay mountain, professional pumpkin carvers, Ferris wheel and more throughout Lincoln Park Zoo. READ MORE

Bunker Hill Pumpkin Palooza

Niles - FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Families can enjoy nature's contributions to Halloween by painting pumpkins, playing gourd ring toss, making leaf rubbings, and running through a fall-themed obstacle course. READ MORE

Naper Settlement Oktoberfest

Naperville
Friday & Saturday, October 4-October 5, 2024
Naperville Heritage Society celebrates October with its signature beer tent full of local Oktoberfest brews for the grown-ups, plus plenty of kids activities for the little ones. Live polka and rock music take center stage while families can also participate in themed contests. Live pumpkin carving and a stein holding competition round out the fun. READ MORE

Boo at the Zoo

Brookfield
Saturdays & Sundays, October 5-20, 2024
Kids can trick or treat with the animals at Brookfield Zoo at this not-so-scary event during the three weekends leading up to Halloween. Other activities include giant pumpkin carving, a Halloween craft, cupcake and cookie decorating, a haunted hayride, a creepy cowboy carousel, a corn maze, a pumpkin smasher, a costume parade, and a costume contest. READ MORE

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival

Highwood - FREE
Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 6, 2024
Visit Highwood for all the pumpkin-based fun you could wish for. This three-day festival includes all-you-can-carve pumpkin stations, a carnival, live entertainment, a 5k, craft and food vendors, and pet and kid costume contests. READ MORE

Family Fall Fest

Elmhurst - FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Safety Town trick-or-treating, an inflatable corn maze obstacle course, and fall games are on hand for families at Wild Meadows Trace in Elmhurst. Families can stay for lunch to visit food trucks including Serna's Grill, Spoon Burger, Smallcakes, and Mario's Cart. Kids can also enjoy face painting and a balloon artist. READ MORE

Lombard Fall Fest

Lombard - FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Kids can kick off the Halloween season at Lombard's annual fall event. Kids can enjoy games, dancing, face painting, and a candy hunt. The Lombard Community Building will host Boo Bingo from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. READ MORE

Columbus Day Parade

Chicago Loop - FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Chicagoans of all ages can enjoy watching 150 groups, including bands, floats, and marchers, march down State Street for the 72nd annual Columbus Day Parade.  READ MORE

Cantigny Fall Fest

Wheaton
Friday & Saturday, October 11- October 12, 2024
Cantigny Park hosts a celebration of fall complete with hay rides, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, wax hands, inflatables, and face painting. Live music will play on Cantigny's Parade FIeld. Families can purchase seasonal foods at food trucks or at Bernie's Bistro in the Visitors Center. A kids' book fair and plant and pumpkin sale bring more seasonal fun to the event. READ MORE

St. Charles Scarecrow Festival

St. Charles - FREE
Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13, 2024
More than 100 handmade and mechanical scarecrows will be on display in downtown St. Charles for this 35th annual fall tradition. Families can make their own scarecrow, enjoy live entertainment, shop at the arts and crafts show, or ride carnival rides while enjoying the fall weather. READ MORE

Night of 1,000 Jack-o'- Lanterns

Glencoe
October 16-20 and October 23-27, 2024
Don't be a scaredy cat, these hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns are a real treat. Explore the Chicago Botanical Gardens for a spook-tacular adventure with more than 1,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns to light the way. This event tends to sell out.  READ MORE

Arts in the Dark

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Arts in the Dark is an evening parade that celebrates Halloween as the "artist's holiday," bringing together Chicago institutions and organizations dedicated to art and education. Audience members will be delighted by unique floats, spectacle puppets, and creative performances set against the backdrop of Chicago’s majestic skyline. READ MORE

Harvest Pow Wow

Wheaton
Saturday & Sunday, October 12-October 13, 2024
Touring a tipi, making arrowheads, watching presentations about horses and birds of prey, and listening to Native American music are just a few of the activities available for children at SOARRING's Annual Harvest Pow Wow. Dancers and drummers will perform continuously throughout most of the festival, and families can also sample Native American foods and learn more about Native American Culture. READ MORE

Hinsdale Fall Family Fest

Hinsdale - FREE
Saturday, October 12, 2024
West suburban families can visit Katherine Legge Park to paint pumpkins, enjoy giveaways from local businesses, visit food trucks, and trick-or-treat at downtown businesses. Inflatables and roaming entertainment will also be on hand. READ MORE

Open House Chicago

Citywide - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 19-October 20, 2024
The Chicago Architecture Center hosts Open House Chicago, a free public festival that offers behind-the-scenes access to more than 20 buildings throughout Chicago. Guests can enjoy access to Chicago's architectural gems, including skyscrapers, repurposed mansions, opulent theaters, exclusive private clubs, private offices, and breathtaking sacred spaces. READ MORE

Fall Paddle Festival

Winnetka - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Enjoy some fall time out on the water with a canoe trip. Families can also learn about archery, take a guided hike, paint pumpkins, and play in nature. READ MORE

BOOmingdale Halloween Party

Bloomingdale - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Fall festivities abound at this event sponsored by the Bloomingdale Park District, Village of Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale Public Library, and Friends of the Bloomingdale Public Library. The Police and Fire Department will offer Halloween-themed building tours and trunk or treat while the library will host a hay maze, moon jump, balloon artist, face painter, and refreshments.   READ MORE

Spooky Zoo

Lincoln Park
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Kids can trick-or-treat at Lincoln Park Zoo from 10am until the candy runs out. Family-friendly entertainment will keep the party going. READ MORE

Batfest

Batavia - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Visit downtown Batavia to enjoy bat-themed fun including trick or treating, a parade, pumpkin bowl, bat art, stories, games and more. Kids can see a show of live bats, see dance performances, and listen to live music. READ MORE

Pumpkin Palooza

Naperville
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Kids can celebrate the season by coming in costume to the DuPage Children's Museum for STEAM-themed, non-scary activities. Build your own Franken buddy from recycled toys, create wearable art, brew your own slime, and mix and mash pumpkin guts! READ MORE

Lincoln Scared and Ravenswoooooood

Lincoln Square and Ravenswood- FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Lincoln Square and Ravenswood transform into Lincoln Scared and Ravenswooooooood for early trick-or-treating. Businesses hand out candy and other treats, and a pumpkin decorating station sets up on Damen Avenue. READ MORE

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

Lakeview - FREE
Thursday, October 31, 2024
North Halsted Street in Boystown celebrates Halloween unlike any other neighborhood in Chicago. Parade entries may include LED robots, the Lakeside Marching Band, and Chicago Full Moon Jam fire performers. A costume contest awards cash prizes to contestants in seven different categories, including a category for youth. READ MORE
Illuminations: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of the Arboretum
Illuminations: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of the Arboretum

November Fairs and Festivals in Chicago for Kids

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Glencoe
Opens November 15, 2024
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. READ MORE

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Opens November 16, 2024
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. Stop along the way to roast s'mores around a campfire or drink a hot beverage from concession stands.  READ MORE

Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza

Downtown - FREE
Opens November 22, 2024
The 25th annual Christkindlmarket features holiday themed drinks, snacks, shopping, and games outside the Daley Center. READ MORE

Christkindlmarket Aurora

Aurora - FREE
Opens November 22, 2024
The annual Christkindlmarket features a variety of German and European vendors selling holiday decor, gifts and treats. Throughout the market, families can also experience live performances from European artists. READ MORE

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Magnificent Mile - FREE
November 23, 2024
Chicago's Magnificent Mile hosts the annual Lights Festival with a parade of lights with Grand Marshalls Minnie and Mickey Mouse. The event includes booths full of family-friendly activities, including pictures with Santa. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield
Thursdays through Sundays, November 22-December 31, 2024
Featuring more than a million LED lights, a 41-foot talking Christmas tree, and a 600-foot tunnel of lights with coordinating music, Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic highlights the holidays and loads of animals. READ MORE

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Downtown - FREE
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade will have the theme of "Where Grateful Hearts Gather." Families can watch as floats, bands, and dignitaries travel along State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Naperville Central High School
Various sites throughout Chicago
Lemont Township Community Center
Logan Center for the Arts
The Morton Arboretum