Festivals Sept. 13-19: Glendale Heights Oktoberfest, Fright Fest, Des Plaines Fall Fest, West Dundee Heritage Fest and more

Starts before Friday

Swadeshi Mela, The Indian Fair: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 12-15, in the Mall of India parking lot, 776 Route 59, Naperville. Indian handicrafts, handlooms, forest produce and millets, plus handmade crafts, textiles, jewelry, food, cultural performances, workshops, activities and ’90s fashion walks. Garba Night at 5 p.m. Friday for $20 for ages 10 or older. Padmashri Kailash Kher concert at 6 p.m. Saturday ($30-$250). Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, $5 for 15 and older on Saturday and Sunday. theswadeshimela.com.

Glendale Heights Oktoberfest: 5-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, from Thursday, Sept. 12, through Sunday, Sept. 22, at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights. German food and beer and live entertainment. Free; $5 for ages 17 and older after 5 p.m. glendaleheightsoktoberfest.com.

St. Charles Jazz Weekend: Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 12-15, at St. Charles venues. Jazz performances throughout the weekend. The Dance Lab hosts a free swing group class at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. On Saturday at 1st Street Plaza, St. Charles North Jazz Workshop with special guest Derrick Gardener at noon and St. Charles East Jazz Workshop with special guest Jimmy Farace at 2 p.m. Performers include: Frank Catalano, Andy Schlinder Duo, Ten Cat Swing, Paul Abella Trio, Jimmy Farace Quartet, Harry Tonchev Trio, Neal Alger Duo, Terry Bartolotta Duo, Jack Macklin, Erik Skov Trio, Tina Jenkins Crawley, Extraordinary Popular Delusions, Samuel Wyatt, Andrew Egizio Trio, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Nick Glover Trio, Steve Knight Trio, Aimee Gwen Duo, John Wesley Band, Wayne Messmer Quartet, Javier Red Trio, Diego Rodriguez Big Band, Chris White Jazz Trio and Andrew Lawrence Trio. stcjazzweekend.com.

Friday, Sept. 13

Alzheimer’s Fundraising Pancake Breakfast: 8-10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Rakow Center’s Adult Activities Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. In honor of World Alzheimer's Day Sept. 21, the park district is partnering with the Carpentersville Police Department and the Carpentersville Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4790 for a pancake breakfast, with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Association. All-you-can-eat break­fast with pancakes, sausage and refreshments. $5 (cash only). dtpd.org.

La Fiesta de Elgin: 3-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, in downtown Elgin, and 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. A Mexican Independence Day celebration brings together community partners including the Gail Borden Public Library, Centro de Informaçion, Elgin Hispanic Network and Friends of the Masons. On Friday, events include cultural performances, a car show and a retail vendor market. Saturday features the return of the Hispanic Heritage caravan at noon, interactive props, food and drink vendors, and fireworks, as well as live music from DJ Eddy-P, Banda Peñasco de Zacatecas, Los Sementales de Nuevo Leon, La Potencia de La Musica Norteña and Banda La Sinaloense. elginil.gov/2525/La-Fiesta-de-Elgin.

North Aurora Cuisine at the Crossroads: 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Riverfront Park, 25 E. State St., North Aurora. 10 food trucks and live DJ music. Free admission and parking. eventbrite.com.

Downtown Wheaton Summer Music Series: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, and 5:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at various locations in Wheaton. Friday: Matt and Molly at Suzette’s Creperie, 211 W. Front St. Saturday: Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman at 5:30 p.m. at Suzette’s Creperie and Nathan Fisher at 6 p.m. at Adelle’s, 535 W. Liberty Drive. downtownwheaton.com/summermusic.

Des Plaines Fall Fest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lake Park, 2200 Lee St., Des Plaines. Live music, carnival rides and games, family entertainment, KidsZone from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and History Center Tent from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Car show on Sunday in the Lakeview Center parking lot, 1177 Howard Ave. Free. fallfestdesplaines.com.

Fridays Rock! and Roll in the Meadows: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Kimball Hill Park, 3266 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Performance by The All My Brothers Band and Mike & Joe. Free. cityrm.org.

Heritage Fest: 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in downtown West Dundee. Annual festival with fireworks show at 8 p.m. Friday; Dundee Lions 5K and 1.75-mile walk at 8 a.m. Saturday; arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; car show from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; business expo; and community breakfast from 8-11 a.m. Sunday. Music from One of the Boyzz at 6:30 p.m. and ARRA at 9 p.m. Friday; Dundee Scottish Pipe Band at 10 a.m., Doc Diamond at noon, Bishop Super Band at 1:30 p.m., Brandon Reisdorf Quartet at 3 p.m., Controlled Burn at 4:30 p.m., Chris Moreno Band at 6:30 p.m., and Modern Day Romeos at 9 p.m. Saturday; and Starlites from 8-10 a.m., Crossover from 10-11 a.m., and The Lennys! from 3-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. wdundeeheritagefest.org.

Star Party: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, 13119 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock. Northwest Suburban Astronomers point out highlights in the night sky as they aim their telescopes at globular and open star clusters in the Milky Way, as well as at planetary nebulae and the Andromeda Galaxy. nsaclub.org.

Too Fighters: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Memorial Park Bandshell, 225 Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton. Wheaton Park District Summer Entertainment Series features the Foo Fighters tribute band from 8-9:30 p.m. with opener Rearview, a Pearl Jam tribute band, from 6-7:15 p.m. $10. Tickets: memorialparkwheaton.com.

Family Campout: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, to 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn. Enjoy the splash park, mini golf course, a movie in the park with hot dogs, pizza, soft drinks and snacks, camping, and a continental breakfast in the morning. Camping gear is not provided. Fee is per tent. $40-$50. Register at gepark.org/register.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Kiwanis Kite Fly: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Margreth Riemer Reservoir Park, 745 W. Wood St., Palatine. Free kites for the first 200 kids, who must be present to receive a kite. Sponsored by the Palatine Kiwanis Club. Free. palatineparks.org/event/kiwanis-kite-fly.

Lombard Touch-a-Truck: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Lombard Common, 433 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard. Police cars, fire trucks, dump trucks and more. Kids’ Corner for games and activities. New sensory hour from 9:30-10:30 a.m. with no horns or sirens. Free car seat safety checks by the police department. Free. lombardparks.com.

Fall on the Farm: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Family-friendly event with barrel train rides, rope making and touch-a-tractor, a live remote with 102.3 Free Country’s Hannah B, festive crafts, games, autumn sweets and more. $8 for adults, $15 for kids. lambsfarm.org/.

Happy Times Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays, from Saturday, Sept. 14, to Sunday, Oct. 27, at Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Family activities and attractions for all ages, including amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales, and fall treats such as apple cider doughnuts, fudge and more. Free entry; rides/attractions ticketed. happytimespumpkinfest.com.

Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Bimonthly show that hosts vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.

Touch-A-Truck: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Pioneer Park, 500 S. Fernandez Ave., Arlington Heights. Kids can interact with vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Sensory-friendly from 10-10:45 a.m., with no lights or horns. Free. ahpd.org.

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15, at 3201 N. Broadway, Chicago. More than 120 artists, live music on two stages, local cuisine, kids’ activities and more. $5 suggested donation. lakevieweastfestivalofthearts.com.

Worldwide Day of Play: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Century Park Pavilion, 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills. A day of play featuring backyard games and contests. Free. vhparkdistrict.org.

Decades Fest: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at The Lot, 525 Central Ave., Highland Park. Music from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s and a “Decades of Music” scavenger hunt through downtown businesses. Free. cityhpil.com.

Depot Days: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15, at the Museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., Lisle. Indoor and outdoor demonstrations and activities that celebrate local history. LisleHeritageSociety.org.

Ikebana Exhibition: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. The Sogetsu School of Illinois show features 50 Ikebana (Japanese floral arrangements) on display. $12.95-$20.95. chicagobotanic.org.

Naper Pride Fest: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Third annual event featuring live music and performances, beer garden and food vendors. $10 online or $15 at the gate; free for kids 17 and younger. facebook.com/NaperPride19.

Rep’s Fest: Doors open at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15, at Rep’s Place, 3200 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Two-day music festival featuring Madina Lake at 6 p.m. and Funky Monks at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Hairbangers Ball at 3 p.m., Sins N Roses at 5:30 p.m. and the Bears game at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Fundraiser for the Rolling Meadows Fire Department. Free admission. repsplace.com/.

Bluesmobile Cruise Nights: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the East Metra parking lot, near the intersection of Route 83 and Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect. Classic cars, entertainment and more. mplions.org/cruise-nights.

Moon Festival Mid Autumn Celebration: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Pacifica Square, 4360 E. New York St., Aurora. Cultural performances, cosplay, K-pop, ramen race, inflatable arena with laser tag, and vendors with diverse goods and services. Free. eventbrite.com.

Yappy Hour: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Bridges Beer Garden, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Therapy dogs, mini horses, raffles and more. Benefits Soul Harbour Ranch. Free. heparks.org/event/yappy-hour.

Hops & Props: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Schaumburg Regional Airport, 905 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg. Vintage aircraft, live music, food trucks, and vendors selling beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages will be in the Schaumburg Airport hangar and ramp. 21 and older. Free admission. villageofschaumburg.com.

Rock the Block: 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, on Main Street in Lake Zurich. Annual block party with music, food and activities. Free. lakezurich.org.

15th Annual Bourbon & Beer Fest: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at The Vine, 101 Center St., Grayslake. Live bands, food vendors, cigars, and over 20 breweries with more than 40 beers and 80 types of whiskeys to try. VIP entry is at 6 p.m.; general admission is at 7 p.m. $50, $80 for VIP, $25 for designated driver. beerfests.com.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: Saturday, Sept. 14, through Nov. 3 at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Thrills by day and frights by night with haunted houses, scare zones, spine-chilling shows and rides. sixflags.com/greatamerica/events/fright-fest-2024.

Sunday, Sept. 15

Lake Ellyn 1-Mile Classic & Kids Dash: 8-9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Run a 1-mile course around scenic Lake Ellyn Park. Awards will be presented for each age group/category. Adults may accompany kids for the Kids Dash (a shortened version of the race) but do not need to register. $20 per person. Register at gepark.org/register.

Cantigny Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Cantigny Park south parking lot, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Vintage cars, entertainment, and food and beverage options. First 200 people through the gate receive a free limited edition T-shirt. DJ music by Carousel Sound and live music by The Beaux Band from noon to 3 p.m. cantigny.org/event/car-show.

Elmhurst French Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in a city parking lot at Park and Prospect avenues, Elmhurst. European-style market. bensidounusa.com/elmhurst.

Señorita Mariposa Story Walk: 9 a.m. to sunset daily from Sunday, Sept. 15, to Oct. 31, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A family-friendly outdoor exhibition featuring the Spanish-English bilingual book by Mister G. on the migration of a monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico. The book’s illustrated pages will be displayed on large-scale panels along Meadow Lake Trail. $12-$17. mortonarb.org.

Lindenhurst Artisan Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lindenhurst Center, 2082 E. Grand Ave., Lindenhurst. Local artisans and makers, food vendors, kids’ activities, YA author Zee Lacson book signing, caricatures, glitter tattoos, live music and more. Free admission. facebook.com/hteventspopup.

Mister G at the Arboretum: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Latin Grammy Award-winning author and musician performs original songs from his children’s albums and discusses his Spanish-English bilingual book, “Señorita Mariposa,” in the Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden from 10:30-11:20 a.m. Book and T-shirt signing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a Young Author Q&A from 1-2 p.m. in the administration and research center. $12-$17. Register: mortonarb.org.

Judd-A-Thon: 10:01 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville. Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873’s 11th annual 0.1K fundraising “race” to benefit VFW National Home for Children. $20 or $25 on race day. Register at napervfw3873.org.

Fall Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, off Route 31, South Elgin. Ride with the conductor in the Big Red Caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive. $5-$8. foxtrolley.org.

Mexican Independence Day Celebration: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in historic Woodstock Square, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Hispanic Connections hosts its eighth annual event with music, dance and food. Free. woodstockilchamber.com.

Autumn Opener: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Castaldo Park, Woodridge. Build-your-own scarecrow, games, trackless train rides, food and more. Park at the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center and take a hayride to the event. Free. woodridgeparks.org.

Barrington Hills Fall Festival: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Hills Park District Riding Center, 361 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills. Food, drinks, attractions, live music and more. Rain or shine. Free admission. barringtonhills-il.gov/fall-fest.

Shermerfest: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Village Green Park, Shermer and Meadow roads, Northbrook. Classic car and truck display, Northbrook Arts Commission’s “Chalk Up Northbrook,” music in the gazebo, Rotary Club of Northbrook Rubber Ducky Race at 3 p.m., food, mums for sale and more. Free. northbrookhistory.org.

Festival of Cultures: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton. Live entertainment, storytelling, hands-on activities and cultural booths. Kids can get passports stamped as they visit the festival’s cultural booths and participate in an interactive mural project. Music from Costas Colectivo (formerly Salsa del Norte), Funkadesi, The Institute of Traditional Irish Music (formerly Murphy Roche School of Music), and Wheaton College Gospel Choir. Free. wheaton.il.us/1106/Festival-of-Cultures.

Heirloom Apple Fest: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Durant-Peterson House in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Learn about apples popular during the 19th century. Suggested donation is $3 for adults and $1 for kids. ppfv.org.

Summer Concerts at Phil’s Beach: 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Phil’s Beach, 328 N. Main St., Wauconda. Better With Bacon will perform. Free. waucondaparks.com.

Glow in the Park Lantern Walk: 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Live music by Tres Moustache, balloon artist, face painting, food for purchase and more. At 7:15 p.m., join an illuminated paper lantern walk around the lake. Decorate a lantern on-site for the walk or bring your own; $10 per lantern to decorate on-site (while supplies last; cash only). Glen Ellyn Park District and Charlie’s Corner Foundation host this benefit for Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Free admission; cash donations to Lurie encouraged. gepark.org.

Summer Concerts at Phil’s Beach: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Phil’s Beach, 328 N. Main St., Wauconda. Better With Bacon will perform. Free. waucondaparks.com.

Monday, Sept. 16

Fall Color Festival: 9 a.m. to sunset daily from Monday, Sept. 16, to Oct. 29 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Themed events throughout the fall. $12-$17. mortonarb.org.

Wonderful World of Wheels: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at Wolf’s Crossing Community Park, 3252 Wolf’s Crossing Road, Naperville. Kids 1-5 can see, touch and experience a variety of community vehicles, including a police car, tractor and more. Free. napervilleparks.org.

Aurora's Mexican flag-raising ceremony: Noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at One Aurora Plaza, 8 E. Galena, Aurora. aurora-il.org/2413/Flag-Raisings.

Motor Monday Cruise Night: 5 p.m. to dusk Monday, Sept. 16, at The Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee. The village and Midwest Racing Preservation Association host cars of all different makes and models. Free. eastdundee.net.

Tuesday, Sept. 17

Wauconda Cruise Nights: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Route 176 and West Mill Street, Wauconda. Cars on display and family-friendly activities. Free to cruisers and spectators. waucondacruisenight.com.

Wednesday, Sept. 18

Car Fun on 21: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, on Church and Cook streets, Libertyville. Classic car show featuring cars, trucks and motorcycles 25 years and older, music and food from Rosati’s Pizza. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Thursday, Sept. 19

Food Truck Thursdays: 4:30 p.m. to dusk Thursday, Sept. 19, at Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park. A rotating selection of food trucks and live entertainment in the Ravinia District. Free. enjoyhighlandpark.com/food-truck-thursdays.

Hanover Township Fall Food Truck Festival: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Hanover Township, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett. Food, live music, beverage tent and carnival games. Free admission and parking. fallfoodtruckfest.com.

Movie in the Park: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Meineke Park, 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. Watch “Hocus Pocus” on the lawn. Bring a blanket or chair. Popcorn and snacks for purchase. Free. parkfun.com.