wkndSun Oct 11 2026, 11am to 5pmFreeDanada Equestrian CenterFree fall weekend at the working horse farm: trick riding and vaulting demos, carriage driving, barn tours, pony rides, a straw maze, and hayrides. Free admission and parking; small fees for some activities.
Sun Oct 11 2026, 10am to 5pmMorton ArboretumMore than 8,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins for sale amid the fall color, with live glassblowing demos through the weekend. Included with Arboretum admission.
Fri Oct 9 2026, 12 to 6pmFreeSt. CharlesFree downtown festival with 120+ handmade scarecrows, a Family Zone in Lincoln Park, live entertainment, and activities along the Fox River.
Fri Oct 9 2026, 10am to 6pmBrookfield ZooFamily-friendly Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating (11 AM-5 PM), festive decor, costume parades, and photo ops. Included with zoo admission; free for members.
Fri Oct 9 2026, 10am to 5pmFreeLincoln Park ZooFree fall festival at the zoo with pumpkin patches, harvest mazes, animal chats, and seasonal photo ops. Rides and some activities are ticketed separately.
Fri Oct 9 2026, 10am to 4pmFreePeggy Notebaert Nature MuseumFree general admission for Illinois residents on select weekdays (a suggested household donation applies). The butterfly exhibit may carry a separate fee.
Wed Oct 7 2026, 9:30am to 4pmFreeGriffin Museum of Science and IndustryIllinois residents get free general admission on select days. Special exhibits and tours cost extra. Sunday hours 9:30 AM-5:30 PM; weekday hours 9:30 AM-4 PM.
Sun Oct 4 2026, 9am to 6pmChicagoNeighborhood apple fest with a Kids Zone, apple treats, live music, and artisan vendors. Free entry; $5 donation suggested.
Sun Oct 4 2026, 10am to 3pmFreeChicagoThe final 2026 market day of Chicago's 114-year-old Sunday open-air market: international food, handmade crafts, vintage goods, live entertainment, and free walking tours. Free and open to the public.
Sun Oct 4 2026, 10am to 12pmChicagoFamily program inaugurating the Nature Museum's ofrenda, with crafts in Wilderness Walk starting the countdown to the Day of the Dead. Free with museum admission.
Sat Oct 3 2026, 3 to 10pm$25NapervilleFamily-friendly Oktoberfest with children's activities and inflatables on Saturday, German food, music, and historic village grounds. $25 adults, $15 ages 4-12, under 4 free. All ages welcome.
Sun Sep 27 2026, 10am to 6pm$7Long GroveApple harvest festival with orchard treats, live music, kids' activities, and artisan vendors. $7 per day; children 12 and younger are free.
Sun Sep 27 2026, 10am to 4pmWheatonFall festival with family crafts, bounce houses, a petting zoo, live music, and a market on Cantigny's grounds. $21 per-car parking.
Sat Sep 26 2026, 12 to 10pmFreeOak ParkOak Park's free fall festival on Marion Street with live music, food vendors, and family activities. The Kids Root Beer Garden runs Saturday, noon to 5 PM.
Sat Sep 26 2026, 10am to 6pmBrookfieldLive music and cultural performances celebrating Hispanic heritage, included with zoo admission at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
Sat Sep 26 2026, 12 to 5pmFreeBensenvilleFree-admission harvest festival at the historic Fischer Farm with family activities and seasonal fun. Food and some activities use paid tickets.
Fri Sep 25 2026, 4 to 7pmFreeChicagoFree late-night admission to the Swedish American Museum and the Brunk Children's Museum of Immigration, 4 to 7 PM.
Fri Sep 25 2026, 10am to 5pmChicagoAll children age 17 and younger get free admission to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, 10 AM to 5 PM. Adult admission applies; check the source for current adult pricing.
The most recent ended items, newest first.