Chicago Area Fall Festivals: Craft Shows, Oktoberfests, Street Markets

ILLINOIS — Although the calendar just flipped to September, it's already time for Oktoberfest, fall festivals, pumpkin patches and more autumn-themed fun.

From live music to food to pumpkin spice beverages, Illinois will have no shortage of festivals for residents to enjoy in the coming months. Here's a look at what is planned across the Chicago area during autumn:

Oak Lawn Fall Music Fest: The fest kicks off 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Sept. 9; 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 10; and 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. Music will fill the air at the three-day Oak Lawn Music Fest showcasing popular bands from the Midwest and some bands you’ve never heard of before on the village green, 95th Street and Cook Avenue.

Northbrook Brewfest: 2 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 at Village Green Park, 1810 Walters Ave. An afternoon of craft beer tastings, live entertainment, food. Tickets are on sale now at nbparks.org/brewfest.

The West End Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 11, at La Grange's Stone Avenue Train Station. This event is in its 26th year. Juried art festival for artists to showcase their work.

Pathways Parade and PathFest: The parade steps off at 2 p.m. at Lily Cache Lane and Raider Way in Bolingbrook. The fest will be held behind Town Center, at 375 W. Briarcliff Road, in Bolingbrook. The event will feature parade awards, food, a petting zoo and games.

Deerfield Area Historical Society’s Annual Fall Festival: Sept. 11, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Deerfield Historic Village, 517 Deerfield Road. The event features classic cars, artisan demonstrations, food, music, tours of historic buildings, and activities for kids including visiting a one-room schoolhouse. Crafters include a vintage photographer, blacksmith, weaver, potter, soap maker and more.

Tinley Park Oktoberfest: Sept. 16-Sept. 18; 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, at the 80th Avenue Metra Train Station lot in Tinley Park. Participants will enjoy authentic German food, a carnival, vendor fair, traditional and modern musical entertainment, ceremonial keg tapping, food and beer from local vendors.

Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave. Sample dozens of local breweries, listen to live music and walk the museum's grounds. Tickets are for sale. Visit elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.

Harvest Fest: Gates open at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, Deerfield Road and Park Avenue in Deerfield. Featuring a live concert, food vendors, a beer tent and a bags tournament.

Autumn In The Park: Sept. 16, from 6 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 17, starting with a parade at 11 a.m., with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Autumn In The Park features music, food, beer, wine, spirits, bouncy houses, artisans, kids, crafts, a BBQ contest, community performances and more on the Palos Park Village Green, 8901 W. 123rd St.

Spring Road's Fall Fest: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Wild Meadows Trace Park in Elmhurst. It will feature a petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games, pumpkin painting, photo cutout boards and concessions.

Orland Park BrewFest: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, at the Village of Orland Park Public Works building located at 15655 S. Ravinia Ave. This year’s event features offerings from local craft breweries, a full dinner spread and live entertainment.

Fall on Canal: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 18, on Canal Street in downtown Lemont. The market will feature 40+ local vendors, live music, food trucks and Pollyanna Brewing Company.

Alsip Presents Flannel Fall Fest: The fest runs noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Sprayfari Aquatic Park, 11930 S. Kostner Ave., Alsip. Fall Flannel Fest features live bands, a craft fair, hayrides, beer tent, bingo tent, food trucks, petting zoo, family entertainment, and a lumberjack show.

Johnny Appleseed Festival: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 24, in downtown Crystal Lake. Featuring rides, games, a petting zoo, food vendors and live music.

Homewood Fall Fest: 12 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 24 on Martin Avenue from Hickory Road to Ridge Road, in Homewood. The festival features live entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides through downtown, craft vendors, a pumpkin patch, children’s crafts, and scrumptious cuisine prepared by local eateries.

Pollyanna Oktoberfest: 2 to 11 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Forge: Lemont Quarries, 1001 Main St., in Lemont. The event will feature bus transportation, food, live music and lots of Pollyanna beer and cocktails, according to the event page. Oktoberfest will feature food from Weber Grill Restaurant and Forgefire.

Welcome Scarecrow Fest: 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at Lemont Township Community Center, 16300 Alba St. Featuring games, raffles and a walk along the scarecrow trail.

Woodridge Oktoberfest: Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 5 to 10:30 p.m., in the parking Lot of Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park, 8301 S. Janes Ave., Woodridge. A chance to celebrate German culture with live music, brews, a sausage toss and other fun contests.

Arts and Craft Show: Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. The show will have between 200 and 300 booths, featuring crafters that sell unique and quality products.

Harvest Market: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the plaza south of the Algonquin Village Hall. The Algonquin Rotary Club will host its fifth annual harvest market; and will include vendors, fresh produce, crafts, entertainment and a kid's corner.

Arts and Drafts: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the grounds of Orland Park Crossing located on the northeast corner of 143d Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park. Admission is free for the event, which gathers one-of-a-kind art, the best “drafts” from select local breweries, live entertainment, and good eats for a memorable experience. As you savor culinary favorites, sip specialty brews, and view the collections of exceptional local artists, you might also enjoy an afternoon shopping among specialty shops.

Scarecrow Festival: Oct. 7-Oct. 9 in downtown St. Charles. This year's festival will run from 12 to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and will include a family zone with live entertainment and family activities, a festive photo op area, special and promotions throughout town.

Halloween Hoedown: 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 in downtown Lemont. The free event includes a parade, costume contest, trick-or-treating downtown Lemont, and photo opportunities.