Table of Contents
Elgin Fringe Festival (Elgin): $4+
Date: Wednesday, September 23 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (multiple performance times throughout the festival)
Venue: Downtown Elgin, with Fringe Central at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Ct., Elgin, IL 60120
A five-day celebration of bold and experimental performing arts featuring nearly 90 performances across downtown Elgin, including theater, dance, comedy, music, magic, and other unique art forms. The festival is uncurated and showcases both local and visiting artists in intimate venues throughout downtown. A $4 Festival Entry Button is required, with individual performance tickets ranging from free to $12; a $95 festival pass provides access to all events.
(Link)
Family Fall Extravaganza (Wauconda): Free
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026 (5 PM - 6:30 PM)
Venue: Wauconda Park District, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda, IL 60084
Join the Wauconda Park District and Wauconda Area Public Library for an evening of family fun featuring pumpkin decorating, games, and a balloon artist. Visitors can also stroll the Cook Park walking path and vote for their favorite scarecrow.
(Link)
33rd Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival (Crystal Lake): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (10 AM - 8 PM)
Venue: Downtown Crystal Lake, North Williams Street & Depot Park, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Enjoy a family-friendly fall celebration featuring a craft fair, farmers market, kids’ activities, wagon rides, pumpkin train, special performances, live music, and the Great Ball Race.
(Link)
Taste of DTCL (Crystal Lake): Free Admission
Date: Friday, September 25 – Saturday, September 26, 2026 (Friday 5 PM - 9 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 8 PM)
Venue: Depot Park, 211 Railroad Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Sample food and drinks from local restaurants while enjoying live music and the lively atmosphere of Downtown Crystal Lake during the Johnny Appleseed Festival weekend. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
(Link)
Cary Main Street Fest (Cary): Free
Date: Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Friday 5 PM - 10 PM, Saturday 1 PM - 10 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM - 1 PM)
Venue: Downtown Cary, 100 W. Main Street, Cary, IL 60013
Enjoy a three-day community celebration featuring live music, food trucks, downtown dining, family activities, beverage tents, a Sunday farmers market, 5K, community breakfast, and an exclusive car show. The festival is free to attend and takes place rain or shine.
(Link)
Meadows Fest (Rolling Meadows): Free
Date: Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Friday 5 PM - 10 PM, Saturday 2 PM - 10 PM, Sunday 12 PM - 6:30 PM)
Venue: Kimball Hill Park, 400 S. Plum Grove Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Meadows Fest is a three-day community celebration featuring live music, food, family activities, games, vendors, and more. Saturday and Sunday include Family Fun activities and market vendors, with a Duck Race on Sunday.
(Link)
8th Annual East Dundee Oktoberfest (East Dundee): Free
Date: Friday, September 25 – Saturday, September 26, 2026 (5–10 PM Friday; 2–10 PM Saturday)
Venue: The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee, IL 60118
A two-day fall festival featuring live music, German-inspired food, an artisan market, inflatables, Touch-a-Truck, face painting, balloon twisting, a scarecrow display and contest, and other family-friendly activities. The festival also features live performances throughout the weekend.
(Link)
Park Party (Vernon Hills): Free
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026 (6 PM - 10 PM)
Venue: Hartmann Park, 292 Oakwood Road, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Enjoy a family-friendly evening in the park with food trucks, outdoor activities, and a movie under the stars. Bring the family and enjoy this free community event.
(Link)
Annual Fall Craft Fair (Des Plaines): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (9 AM – 3 PM)
Venue: Trinity Lutheran Church, 675 E. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
An annual fall craft fair featuring handmade crafts, baked goods, and a selection of retail vendors, with around 40 exhibitors. Admission is free, and the event is rain or shine.
(Link)
Rosetober Fest (Rosemont): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (12 PM - 6 PM)
Venue: Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont, IL 60018
Enjoy a festive Oktoberfest celebration featuring live German music by Paloma, German dancing by the Society of Danube Swabians Youth Group, live wood carving demonstrations, stein-hoisting competitions, a couples partner pretzel toss, and German-inspired food and drinks available from Parkway Bank Park venues.
(Link)
We Back The Blue Fall Fest (South Elgin): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (11 AM – 6 PM)
Venue: Panton Mill Park, 10 Water Street, South Elgin, IL 60177
A community fall festival held in appreciation of local first responders, featuring live music, food vendors, shopping, entertainment, and activities for all ages. The event also includes a car show with all makes and models welcome, with awards presented throughout the afternoon.
(Link)
Wildwood Annual Harvest Fest (Grayslake): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (12 PM - 6 PM; Car Show 10 AM - 3 PM)
Venue: Rule Park, 33325 N. Sears Boulevard, Grayslake, IL 60030
Enjoy a family-friendly fall celebration featuring live music, local food trucks and vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin painting, face painting, tractor and barrel train rides, a dunk tank, kids’ activities, a car show, and more. The 2026 festival also celebrates the Wildwood Park District’s 50th anniversary, with the Judson Brown Band performing from 4 PM - 6 PM.
(Link)
Lake County Fall Boat Show (Grayslake): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Saturday 10 AM - 8 PM, Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM)
Venue: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake, IL 60030
This longstanding, end-of-season nautical expo gathers boating enthusiasts and families from across the Chain O'Lakes region. The massive fairground exhibition highlights various new and late-model watercraft, marine gear, electronics, and water sports equipment with exclusive end-of-season clearance incentives. Both parking and general admission are entirely free, offering an approachable daytime activity for anyone interested in the lake life.
(Link)
Aquashella Chicago (Schaumburg): $25+
Date: Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (10 AM – 6 PM Saturday; 10 AM – 5 PM Sunday)
Venue: Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive N., Schaumburg, IL 60173
A large aquarium festival bringing together freshwater and saltwater aquatics, aquascaping, koi, reptiles, aquatic art, expert speakers, specialty vendors, contests, and interactive activities. The Chicago event also features kids’ aquascaping and terrascaping contests, live demonstrations, aquascaping competitions, and an American Shrimp Contest. General admission starts at $25, with kids ages 3–12 starting at $15; children age 4 and under are free.
(Link)
51st Annual Art in the Barn (Barrington): $5
Date: Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (10 AM - 5 PM both days)
Venue: Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Grounds, 450 W. Highway 22, Barrington, IL 60010
Enjoy a juried fine art festival featuring more than 150 artists showcasing paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, glass, fiber, and other mediums. The event also includes live entertainment, food vendors, children's art activities, pumpkin painting, and a petting zoo. Children under 12 are free; no pets are allowed.
(Link)
Five-O Family Fest (Mount Prospect): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (1 PM – 3 PM)
Venue: Mount Prospect Police Headquarters, 911 E. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
A free family event featuring games and activities for kids, emergency vehicles, giveaways, a photo booth, a balloon artist, Kona Ice, and opportunities to meet local police officers and police dogs. Families are encouraged to dress as their favorite hero, and non-perishable food donations for the Mount Prospect Food Pantry are welcome.
(Link)
Apple Fest (Long Grove): $7+
Date: Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (Friday 12 PM - 7 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM, Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM)
Venue: Historic Downtown Long Grove, around Robert Parker Coffin Road & Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, IL 60047
Enjoy a three-day fall festival featuring apple pies, donuts, caramel and candied apples, live music on multiple stages, artisan and vendor booths, kids’ activities, shopping, local restaurant specials, and a classic carnival. General admission is $7 per day; children 12 and under are free. Carnival rides are separate.
(Link)
Village of Bartlett Oktoberfest (Bartlett): Free
Date: Friday, September 25 – Saturday, September 26, 2026 (Friday 4 PM - 10:30 PM, Saturday 1 PM - 10:30 PM; Family Activities Saturday 1 PM - 5 PM)
Venue: Leiseberg Park, 325 E. Devon Avenue, Bartlett, IL 60103
Enjoy a festive community Oktoberfest featuring live music, food, family activities, and German-inspired festival entertainment. Saturday includes family activities from 1 PM - 5 PM, with the traditional tapping of the Golden Keg at 4:30 PM.
(Link)
Festa Italiana with Jewel-Osco (Schaumburg): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (12 PM - 4 PM)
Venue: Jewel-Osco, 2501 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Celebrate Italian food and culture with live music from Stevie Swing, authentic Italian food and drink tastings, a professional cooking demonstration by Italian culinary expert Mario Rizzotti, free caricature portraits, giveaways, and a special appearance by Jewel-Osco's mascot, JoJo. No tickets are required.
(Link)
25th Annual Barrington Scarecrow Festival (Barrington): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (11 AM - 2 PM)
Venue: Memorial Park, Hough Street & Lincoln Avenue, Barrington, IL 60010
Enjoy a free, family-friendly fall festival featuring pumpkin painting, scarecrow decorating, face painting, balloon artistry, food, music, and more. The event is held rain or shine.
(Link)
Ability Celebration (Arlington Heights): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (11 AM - 2 PM)
Venue: Camelot Park Community Center , 1005 E. Suffield Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Celebrate inclusion and accessibility with adaptive recreation activities, sensory-friendly activities, entertainment, hands-on activity stations, resource tables, and opportunities for people of all abilities and their families to connect with community organizations.
(Link)
Party for the Preserves (Barrington): Free
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (10:30 AM - 3 PM)
Venue: Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington, IL 60010
Enjoy an eco-friendly community celebration featuring bilingual Spanish/English prairie tours, family activities, and opportunities to hand-collect native prairie seeds while learning about the local preserves.
(Link)
Ignite the Night Festival (Barrington Hills): $75+
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (Starts at 5 PM)
Venue: Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington, IL 60010
Enjoy an autumn evening celebration with a large community cookout, horse-drawn wagon rides, stargazing through high-powered telescopes, live birds of prey, live music, and a community bonfire under the night sky.
(Link)
UDMA 2026 Dance Teacher Expo (Schaumburg): $25–$50
Date: Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 2026 (10 AM – 5 PM Saturday; 10 AM – 2 PM Sunday)
Venue: Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive N., Schaumburg, IL 60173
A dance industry expo for studio owners, teachers, and staff featuring dance costumes, shoes, flooring, ballet equipment, curriculum, competition resources, travel providers, studio management tools, fundraising, ticketing, and other dance-related vendors. Attendees can shop, network, and plan for the upcoming dance season.
(Link)
Make Some Noise: Art & Sound in the Square (Palatine): Free
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (12 PM - 6 PM)
Venue: Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine, IL 60067
Enjoy a free afternoon celebrating art, music, and community in Downtown Palatine, featuring live music from local musicians and artwork displayed by local artists.
(Link)
Algonquin Kite Fest (Algonquin): Free
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (11 AM - 3 PM)
Venue: Spella Park, 2610 Harnish Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102
Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon featuring professional stunt kite demonstrations, giant kite displays, a fly-your-own-kite area, music, food trucks, and a free kite-themed craft for children while supplies last. The event is weather permitting.
(Link)
