Budget-friendly fun: Pumpkin Fest returns to Wheaton's Cosley Zoo
Top pick
Autumn at the zoo
Get in the spirit of autumn at Cosley Zoo's annual Pumpkin Fest. Kids can play in a straw pyramid and cornstalk tunnel. Plus, apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, corn stalks and straw bales will be for sale. And, of course, visit the zoo's animal residents. Wheaton's zoo is at 1356 N. Gary Ave. $4-$5; free for kids 17 and younger, zoo members and Wheaton Park District residents (with ID). cosleyzoo.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 31
Free
Life on the farm
Experience what a working organic farm is like while on a hayride tour during the Prairie Crossing Farm Fall Festival at the farm, 32400 N. Harris Road, Grayslake. Plus, buy fresh produce at a farmers market. Free. Enter Prairie Crossing via Route 45 at Jones Point Road and follow signs to the farm. Event parking is on both sides of Harris Road. libertyprairie.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Autumn Harvest Fest
Put your creative juices to work during the scarecrow-building contest at the annual Arlington Heights Autumn Harvest Fest at North School Park, Eastman Street at Arlington Heights Road. Plus, there's all-day entertainment, a farmers market, a petting zoo, story time, face painting, crafts and food vendors. Free. ahpd.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Big band in Barrington
The 18-piece band Deerfield performs music made famous by big-band greats Count Basie, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and others as part of the 175th anniversary celebration at the Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington. Free, but donations for the not-for-profit Family Services of Barrington are welcome. (847) 836-5540. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
$15 and under
Fairy tale fun
The family production "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" takes a different twist on some classic fairy tales. See this College of Lake County's Theatre Department production at the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for Performing Arts at the CLC campus, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake. $8. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Oktoberfest at the Settlement
Sample German food and beer, listen to German music and enjoy family activities at Naperville Oktoberfest at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $15. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Look to the stars
Remember your favorite film stars on movie stills and posters and in rare videos, DVDs and other items at the Golden Age of Hollywood Show at the Holiday Inn North Shore, 5300 W. Touhy Ave, Skokie. See lobby cards, sheet music, star autographs, comics, collectible toys, film scripts, movie magazines and more. $5; free for kids younger than 18 accompanied by an adult. For information, call Frank at (773) 350-1714 or see goldenageofhollywoodshow.com. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
'Mrs. Doubtfire'
See the late Robin Williams in one of his most popular roles in the 1993 comedy "Mrs. Doubtfire" at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Admission is $1. The film, rated PG-13, also stars Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan. paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5