Embark on the exceptional vibrancy of autumn’s glows first hand while heading to an Oktoberfest, getting the living daylights scared out of you, picking out enormous orange fruits or just getting lost in a maze of maize.
Taste the harvest goodness, embrace sweater weather, breathe in the autumn feels and get to a fall festival in Lake County!
Ravinia Festival, the eldest outdoor festival in the United States, kicks off its season with an all-star cast. The showcase is a staple of Lake County. Since 1905, the Highland Park fest has featured the top musicians in a variety of genres. Here’s the schedule for the final month of the century-old staple.
Fall is drinking season, and you can experience the local suds that come with autumn at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. Experience this Lake County Forest Preserve District’s beer flights for sippers ages 21 and older while viewing the area’s natural beauty. The beer garden’s Mile 15 Hazy & Lazy created by Waukegan Lake County Libation Trail partnerZümBier Brewery and the Lake County Forest Preserves is the featured adult beverage this summer in its inception year. The New England India Pale Ale dons its name from Independence Grove’s hiking and biking location along the Des Plaines River Trail. The Libertyville forest preserve encourages libationers to find marker 15 on the Illinois-Wisconsin, as mentioned earlier, trail and snap a photo with the brew. Besides the Waukeganite “liquid courage,” the beer garden is also highlighted by Lake County Libation Trail partnersMickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville, Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein, Half Day Brewing in Lincolnshire, Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, Ravinia Brewing Co. in Highland Park, Light the Lamp Brewery in Grayslake, Black Lung Brewing Co. in Round Lake Beach and Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich. The Beer Garden also offers non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. S'mores kits, lakeside fire pits, and free firewood for also available while supplies last.
You’ll be amazed by their maize mazes. Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze is known for having the world’s most massive corn maze. This year’s theme to the renowned maze is celebrating the Spring Grove farm’s 20th anniversary. The design features the elements of their farm, from their overlooking structure of the labyrinth to the barn, to the Christmas Tree Farms, to the pumpkins and the tulip fest launched earlier this year. The Spring Grove area spans 33 acres of land and is equipped with 11 miles of trails. Besides the famous maze, the Adventure Farm features another five mazes, a zip line, a pumpkin patch, Zorbing rides (a ride inside a giant 11-ball available on weekends), live pig races, a wooded picnic area, free campfires, pedal carts, pedal trikes, a goat farm, a farm carousel and more. Richardson Adventure Farm runs on select days through Halloween.
Experience a “Boo”tiful weekend in Lake County during the annual Spooks and Spirits Autumn Celebration. There’s something for everyone: fall festivals, costume parades, haunted houses, corn mazes and pumpkin patches, “supernatural” attractions and more. Don’t miss the land of lakes’ scary-good, locally-made brews, wines, and spirits for the adults.
¡Feliz dia de la Independencia Mexicana en Waukegan! This festival s celebrates Mexican Independence Day. The event features four live bands, a kid-zone full of activities, delicious Mexican cuisine and more.
Thirsty for a cold beer? Downtown Grayslake honors the art of beer by offering a ton of selections from more than 12 different breweries at their ninth annual Craft Beer Festival. Admission includes a commemorative glass and a festival program. The fest also features live entertainment. From the Lake County Libation Trail, Half Day Brewing Co. of Lincolnshire, Mickey Finn's Brewing Co. of Libertyville, Only Child Brewing of Gurnee and Tighthead Brewing Co. of Mundelein will be in attendance.
The Libertyville farm celebrates its sixth-decade born day this year. On this milestone occasion, Lambs Farm will feature barrel train rides provided by the Lake County Farm Heritage Association, carts and games like painting Joseph the Camel (the most recognizable face at the yard), a bounce house, fare and libation tent, raffles, tractors, a live performance by a DJ and The Rockets (60s tribute band), shopping opportunities and so much more. Let’s not forget the cute puppies and kittens up for adoption. Lambs Farm Industries in Libertyville is a business that offers benefit programs for people with developmental disabilities.
Deerfield’s Harvest Festival is a splendid autumn party for the entire family. The event features an enormous fireworks display, a 5K the farmers market, kids activities, live tunes by local band Non For Profit, and delectable eats from Nothing Bundt Cakes, The Wild Rooster, IL Forno, Tropical Smoothie Café and more. Brew, wine, hard seltzer and water are available for purchase.
The thrills and chills are at Six Flags Great America as the legendary Fright Fest returns to the Gurnee Amusement Park. Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS is when the park is totally transformed for eight weekends in ghoulish fashion and features live shows, street entertainment, haunted houses and, of course, riding all of the coasters and thrill rides at night. Then, as Halloween approaches, the kids can embark on a unique trick-or-treat trail. Fright Fest is open on weekends until Halloween.
You haven’t lived unless you’ve been to Didier Farms Pumpkinfest. Everyone loves all the extravagant memories from the Lincolnshire/Prairie View Farm. The farm favorite features hayrides, pony rides, camel rides, kiddie rides, an exotic petting zoo, a parakeet exhibit, a corn maze and pig races (the sprinting porkies only gallop on the weekends). Don’t forget to visit Grandma D’s Bake Shop for scrumptious pies, cookies, fudge, homemade apple cider, kettle corn and pumpkin donuts. The farm’s doors are open through Halloween. The farm, originally purchased by John Link, the father of Mary Sue Didier, has been owned by a Didier descendant since 1912.
The city’s famed ArtWauk “paints” the town with sculptures, film, theatre, comedy, music, performance art, food and more. The free admission Saturday art event opens the doors to all art galleries throughout Waukegan. So fill your artistic void with the ever-extravagant monthly ArtWauk in Downtown Waukegan. In addition to the portraits, sculptures and other creative vibes, munch on some delicious dining options downtown or feel the flow of the tunes from the live entertainment.
"There'll be swingin' and swayin' and records playing. Dancing in the street." Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum throws the party of a century as it features drinks, music, a glow party, eats, a coloring contest, games and of course, space for you to dance the night away.
Ready to compare apples to apples. These succulent red and green treats are celebrated and placed in our pies, salads and doused in caramel (our personal favorites). The Long Grove Apple Fest also features other apple-inspired treats, live entertainment and family fun at beautiful, quaint Historic Downtown Long Grove. The annual fest was ranked no. 18 on Thrillist’s Illinois Cities Food & Drink list. The manzana party's live entertainment includes Sixteen Candles, Libido Funk Circus, ARRA, Murley, Charlie Foxtrot and more.
