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Arlington Heights: Fall Fun Fest (Free)
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Venue: Southminster Presbyterian Church, 916 E. Central Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly autumn activities featuring trunk-or-treating, costume prizes, games, snacks, apple cider, and live music. The community celebration also provides an opportunity to explore the church's newly remodeled space.
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Bartlett: Home for the Holidays Arts & Craft Show (Free Admission; Donations Welcome)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Venue: Bartlett High School, 701 Schick Rd., Bartlett, IL
The 20th annual Home for the Holidays Arts & Craft Show features more than 100 crafters and vendors selling handmade gifts, seasonal decorations, and specialty merchandise. The event also includes raffles, a Food Truck Fest from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and activities supporting Bartlett High School's Fine Arts Booster programs.
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Bartlett: Fall Fest & Eco Friendly Craft Fair (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Venue: Bartlett Nature Center, Bartlett, IL (street address requires confirmation)
Celebrate the autumn season with hayrides, crafts, animal encounters, vendors, and family activities. An eco-friendly craft fair is held alongside the festival, featuring handmade goods, upcycled creations, and environmentally conscious products. Pumpkin purchases and certain activities may have separate charges.
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Cary: United Women in Faith Gifts & Goodies Fair (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (9:30 AM – 3:00 PM)
Venue: Cary United Methodist Church, 500 N. First St., Cary, IL
Shop a community craft and vendor fair featuring handmade cards, wooden crafts, gifts, and products from local sellers. Visitors can also enjoy the Souperb Lunch from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, or until supplies sell out. Food and merchandise are available for purchase.
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Crystal Lake: Crystal Lake Community Expo (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Venue: Holiday Inn Crystal Lake, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Organized by the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, this community expo connects residents with local businesses, service providers, and organizations. Attendees can discover products and services, meet business representatives, and learn about resources available in the Crystal Lake area.
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Crystal Lake: Halloweekend at The Dole ($$)
Date: Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Friday 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM; Saturday beginning at 5:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Venue: The Dole, 401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Enjoy three days of Halloween-themed entertainment. Friday features a Monster Mash costume party, Saturday offers a Hocus Pocus-themed movie event, and Sunday includes the Witches Ride during Farmers Market+ at The Dole, supporting local children's charities. Admission and registration requirements vary by activity.
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Crystal Lake: First Church Fall Festival (Free)
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Venue: First Church, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Enjoy a free, family-friendly fall festival featuring festive games, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, delicious fall treats, and more. Families and children are welcome to spend the afternoon celebrating autumn with fun seasonal activities.
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Des Plaines: Harvest Hoot (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Venue: Oakton College, Parking Lot A, 1600 E. Golf Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60016
The City of Des Plaines hosts its annual Harvest Hoot featuring live entertainment on two stages, an inflatable corn maze, bounce houses, a live pumpkin-carving demonstration, Touch-a-Truck, a harvest artisan market with more than two dozen vendors, food trucks, and family activities. Admission and family activities are free; food and vendor purchases cost extra.
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Elgin: Gingerbread Bazaar (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Venue: Journey of Hope United Methodist Church, 37W040 Highland Ave., Elgin, IL
Browse handmade crafts, seasonal gifts, baked goods, and specialty merchandise at this community bazaar. Lunch is available for purchase, and complimentary gingerbread is offered while supplies last. The event features local crafters and artisans.
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Elgin: Nightmare on Chicago Street ($40+)
Date: Friday, October 16 – Saturday, October 17, 2026
Venue: Downtown Elgin, Chicago Street and surrounding downtown blocks, Elgin, IL
Elgin's Halloween-themed street festival features live music, themed entertainment, costumed performers, specialty vendors, food trucks, photo opportunities, and immersive attractions.
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Grayslake: Lake County Home Show (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Venue: Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake, IL
Explore home improvement, remodeling, renovation, and repair ideas at this regional home expo. Visitors can meet local service providers, browse products, compare home improvement solutions, and learn about projects for indoor and outdoor living spaces. Admission and parking are listed as free.
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Hoffman Estates: Haunted Hoffman Family Fest & Trick or Treat Path (Free Admission)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Venue: Fabbrini Park, Hoffman Estates, IL
The Hoffman Estates Park District hosts a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring a trick-or-treat path and seasonal activities. Families can dress in costumes and enjoy a festive outdoor community gathering.
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Hoffman Estates: Conant Boosters Craft Fair ($1)
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Venue: Conant High School, 700 E. Cougar Trail, Hoffman Estates, IL
Browse more than 250 vendors offering handmade crafts, seasonal decorations, unique gifts, and specialty merchandise. This long-running craft fair supports the Conant High School Booster Club and provides a large indoor shopping experience for visitors.
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Palatine: Palatine/Arlington Heights Senior Expo (Free)
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
Venue: Falcon Park Recreation Center, Palatine, IL
Hosted by Senior Expo USA, this community expo brings together organizations and service providers supporting older adults and their families. Visitors can explore local resources, meet representatives, learn about health and wellness services, and participate in event activities.
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Palatine: Palatine Plaza Fall Fun Fest (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Venue: Palatine Plaza, 211–333 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine, IL 60067
Enjoy a free fall celebration featuring trick-or-treating, games, an obstacle course, shopping promotions, and family-friendly activities organized by participating businesses at Palatine Plaza.
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Palatine: Roper Romp – People Helping People-Palatine ($20/$25)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Venue: Downtown Palatine, starting at Madcats, Palatine, IL
This community fundraiser brings participants to more than 30 participating downtown locations. Visitors can explore local establishments, take part in special promotions and activities, and support charitable efforts benefiting people in the Palatine community.
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Prospect Heights: Fall Fest (Free)
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Venue: River Trail Nature Center, Prospect Heights, IL
A seasonal community celebration listed for the Prospect Heights Public Library District. The published regional listing identifies a fall-themed event with free admission.
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Schaumburg: Halloween Carnival ($32+)
Date: Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Friday 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Sunday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Venue: Wintrust Field, 1999 S. Springinsguth Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60193
Enjoy a Halloween-themed carnival featuring amusement rides, midway games, carnival food, vendor trick-or-treating, face painting, and children's craft activities. Carnival admission is free, with ride tickets and wristbands sold separately. Parking is listed at $8.
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Schaumburg: Pinball Expo 2026 ($55–$60 Single-Day Admission; Kids 10 & Under Free)
Date: Wednesday, October 14 – Saturday, October 17, 2026 (Wednesday: Bumper Blast welcome party 7:00–10:00 PM at Enterrium; Thursday: 12:00–11:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM–12:00 AM; Saturday: 10:00 AM–1:00 AM Sunday)
Venue: Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg, IL 60173
Experience hundreds of playable pinball machines and classic arcade games, tournaments, manufacturer exhibits, seminars, autograph sessions, vendors, and pinball factory tours. Admission includes access to free-play machines in the convention hall. Single-day tickets cost $55 Thursday or Friday and $60 Saturday; a three-day pass costs $160. Children ages 10 and under receive free convention-hall admission. Special activities and factory tours may require separate registration or fees.
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Skokie: Health and Wellness Fair (Free)
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (9:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
Venue: Weber Center, Skokie, IL
A special community health and wellness fair hosted through the Skokie Park District. The event is listed on the district's official calendar, although participating organizations, services, and activities require additional confirmation.
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