Things To Do This Weekend September 21-23
By: Jack Nelson 09/20/2018
The leaves are falling, the colors are changing and that could only mean one thing; autumn has arrived! ? Many of the top things to do this weekend September 21-23 celebrate the changing of the seasons with festivals, food, fun and more. In fact, we've compiled a comprehensive list of Fall Festivals in Lake County using complex algorithms and quantum physics ?. See our work
here.
For a complete of all other Lake County events and activities, continue here.
Hoist a stein to the season and continue reading for the top things to do this weekend September 21-23.
You won’t need to fall far from the tree to attend Historic Downtown Long Grove’s treasured Apple Fest. The fruit-themed festival brings hundreds of delicious apple-inspired treats for lovers young and old. Visitors can wind through the cobblestone streets of the historic village and peruse through a variety of apple-themed treats like chocolate, caramel and candy covered apples, sangria, hard ciders, donuts and an array of other selections. The three-day event will feature live music from local artists like 7th Heaven, Brass Buckle Band, 16 Candles, iPop, American English and more. The family-friendly fare festival features several pie eating contests, carnival rides, a kid zone and more throughout the weekend. The carnival requires separate admission.
Friday-Sunday, September 21-23; Fri.: Noon-11 p.m. Sat.: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: $5-$20, free for ages 12 and under. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Historical Ln.
Fill your autumn void with a pumpkin ‘patch.’ Gather your ‘gourd’ friends and family and head to the Didier Farms Pumpkinfest opening weekend. The family-run homestead is a quintessential attraction for all things autumn in Lake County. The Prairie View facility features tractor drawn hayrides, a corn maze, mining, pony rides, kiddie rides, a pumpkin patch and more. Head to the Pumpkin Patch Café to grab a cup of homemade apple cider paired with a fresh and delicious pumpkin donut, or satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade fudge or ice cream. Didier Farms’ Pumpkinfest runs through October 31.
Saturday-Sunday, September 22-23; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free; Farm attractions: $1-$5 each. Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Rd., Prairie View.
Trot south this Saturday for Deerfield’s annual Harvest Fest. The day-long event begins with a bountiful farmers market that includes touch-a-truck, face-painting and more. After an intermission, the fall-themed festival begins in the evening featuring live music from the local band, Not for Profit. Visitors will experience seasonal bites, brews and baked goods local vendors including City Barbeque and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Saturday, September 22; Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Harvest Festival: 5:30-9 p.m. Free admission. Deerfield Road and Park Avenue, Deerfield.
Carve a trip to Vernon Hills into your schedule. The 14th annual Oktoberfest Celebration will host a slew of amicable activities including free kids crafts, pumpkin painting, hay rack rides, air brush tattoos, inflatables, balloon sculpting, live entertainment and more. The Vernon Hills festival will offer a touch-a-truck display from the Lincolnshire/Riverwoods Fire Protection District and a mobile book display from Cook Memorial Library.
Saturday, September 22; 5-9:45 p.m. Free admission. Vernon Hills Metra Station, 75 E. Route 45.
“And we’ll all float on” to the Waukegan’s Genesee Theatre as rock band Modest Mouse performs on Saturday. The Grammy-nominated band gained its popularity from songs like “Float On,” “King Rat,” “The World at Large” and more. Noted for their quirky vocals, poetic lyrics and fascinating melodies, Modest Mouse has been the gold standard of their genre for nearly two decades.
Saturday, September 22; 8 p.m. Admission: $39.50-$48. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan.
Raise your glass to the season at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center’s Farm Heritage Days and Oktoberfest events. The Grayslake celebration includes the Harvest Hustle 5K run/mile walk, a handful of tractors to see and touch, farming demonstrations, autumn cuisine and brews, live tunes and so much more. Immediately following Farm Heritage Days on Saturday, Oktoberfest begins with a stein hoisting challenge and a mobile escape room. Admission to Oktoberfest is free with paid admission to Heritage Days. The Harvest Hustle has a separate admission that includes a Harvest Fest/Oktoberfest T-shirt, an Oktoberfest stein and a beer or refreshment ticket.
Farm Heritage Days: Saturday-Sunday, September 22-23; Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $5-$10. Harvest Hustle 5K and One-Mile Walk: Saturday, September 22; 9-10:30 a.m. Admission: $25-$40. Oktoberfest: Saturday, September 22; 5-11 p.m. Admission: $5-$10; free with paid admission to Farm Heritage Days. Lake County Fairgrounds and Events Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
“It’s a fine day for drinking beer,” is the mantra of Roaring Table Brewery. On Saturday, it will be a fine day to blow out the candles on the Lake Zurich brewery’s first anniversary cake. The brew house invites all to commemorate one orbit around the sun with its homegrown craft brews and live tunes provided by Robert Krause of the Darling Suns as well as LInsdey Joy Ward and the Moonlight Pickers. The suds factory will release eight new beers on its date of birth. The party will feature fare from Alma food truck from 2-5 p.m. and Cheesie’s Food Truck from 5:30-8 p.m.
Saturday, September 22; 2 p.m.-midnight. Free admission. 739 W. Route 22, Lake Zurich.
This weekend marks the curtain call for “Calendar Girls” at Antioch’s PM&L Theatre. “Calendar Girls” is a comedy based on a true story that follows a Yorkshire Women’s institute member and production protagonist Annie. Her husband has lost a bout to leukemia and she is hoping to raise funds for an uncomfortable sofa in the hospital’s waiting room. The idea Annie and her friend Chris decide to convince 10 of the institute members to pose in their “birthday suits” for a calendar to fundraise the money. The hilarious play was seen on the big screen in 2003 and starred actress Helen Mirren.
Friday-Sunday, September 21-23; Fri. and Sat.: 8 p.m. Sun.: 2:30 p.m. Admission: $10-$18. PM&L Theatre, 877 N. Main St., Antioch.
For all other things to do this weekend September 21-23, continue here.
