October In Rockford: Fall Fun, Festivals & More

Fall is officially here in Rockford, and there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of it. From festivals and farmers markets to pumpkin patches, live music and other seasonal fun, October brings plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy what’s happening close to home.

Here are some events and activities happening in and around Rockford this October.

Dates, hours and other event details can change. Check with organizers before heading out.

North End City Market

When: Saturdays through Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Rockford City Market, 1431 N. Main St., Rockford

Spend a crisp fall morning shopping local at the North End City Market. The farmer-focused market features seasonal produce, baked goods, handmade items and other products from local and regional vendors. The free, rain-or-shine market is also dog-friendly and accepts SNAP/Link benefits.

Fall On The Farm At Lockwood Park

When: Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford

Enjoy a mix of free and ticketed autumn activities during Fall on the Farm at Lockwood Park. Admission to the park is free, with activities including visits with animals at Sarver Children's Farm, a straw slide and mountain, games and fall photo opportunities. Visitors can purchase tickets for additional attractions such as pony rides, a goat experience, barrel train rides and a package featuring a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, corn maze, pumpkin launch and s'mores.

Eerie Autumn Lights

When: Thursdays through Sundays, Oct. 1-25, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford

See Klehm Arboretum in a different light during Eerie Autumn Lights, a family-friendly nighttime Halloween experience featuring more than 14,000 feet of lighting throughout the gardens and landscapes. The half-mile journey includes a 2,500-square-foot children's straw bale maze, Halloween displays, photo opportunities and the Ghostly Market, plus an optional slightly spookier route. Tickets are sold online by date, with last entry at 8 p.m.

Village Of Roscoe Truck Or Treat

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 3-6 p.m.
Where: Porter Park, 6545 Windflower Lane, Roscoe

Take a short drive from Rockford for a Halloween celebration with a twist at the Village of Roscoe Truck or Treat. The family-friendly event combines traditional trunk-or-treating with a touch-a-truck experience featuring vehicles from public works and local police and fire departments. Food trucks will also be on hand, and past celebrations have included pumpkin decorating, crafts, games, balloon twisting and other activities.

Lindberg Pumpkin Patch

When: Daily through Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Lindberg Pumpkin Patch, Caledonia

For another fall outing less than a half-hour from Rockford, spend some time exploring Lindberg Pumpkin Patch. Families can tackle the farm's 7-acre corn maze, which gets a new design each year, or visit the petting zoo to meet and feed goats and sheep. Chickens, an alpaca and other farm animals round out the barnyard experience, while additional seasonal activities offer more ways to enjoy an autumn day on the farm.

Looking for more things to do in Rockford this fall? Check out the Patch events calendar for more local events and activities.

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