Festivals and Fairs

Festivals Nov. 1-7: Stews & Brews (and Booze & Blues), pumpkin smashes and more

Posted October 29, 2024 10:25 am

By Luke Zurawski

Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee runs through Sunday, Nov. 3, wrapping up its spooky seasonal run. Courtesy of Six Flags Great America

Starts before Friday

Fall Flower Show: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Nov. 24 at Wilder Park Conservatory, Church Street and Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst. A seasonal display of fall flowers. Free. epd.org.

Basement of the Dead Haunted House: 7-10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, Oct. 29-Nov. 3, at 42 W. New York St., Aurora. The haunted house features two attractions: Basement of the Dead, where guests navigate through the twisted corridors of an abandoned underground laboratory, and the Shattered 3D haunted house attraction. $24.99-$31.99. basementofthedead.com.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 6-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, 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. For ticket prices, visit sixflags.com/greatamerica/events/fright-fest-2024.

“Broadway by the Decade”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Porchlight Music Theatre performs a revue of iconic Broadway songs. $12. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show.

Friday, Nov. 1

LRS Pumpkin Smash: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Nov. 1-30, at 1350 N. Old Rand Road, Wauconda. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

MainStreet Libertyville’s First Fridays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, on Main Street, Libertyville. Music, refreshments and more. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Autumn Fest at Gallagher Way: 4-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago. Live music, lawn games, fire pits, food and drinks and more. Free. gallagherway.com.

McHenry Pumpkin Smash: 4-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Zion-Benton Township High School, 29353 N. Darrell Road, McHenry. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

Highland Park Pumpkin Smash: 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the Park District of Highland Park Hidden Creek Aqua Park Parking Lot, 1220 Fredrickson Place, Highland Park. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

Día de los Muertos: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in downtown Aurora. Dozens of participating businesses offer Dia de los Muertos art, activities, specials and more. Free. auroradowntown.org.

See dozens of creepy, giant inflatables and hear tales of local sightings at the Volo Museum’s Halloween Experience trolley tours Friday through Sunday, Nov. 1-3. Courtesy of Cynthia Wolf, Wolf Wordsmithing

Halloween Experience trolley tours: Full tours from 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2-3, at the Volo Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Hear tales of metaphysical sightings experienced on the Volo museum grounds over the years, then take part in a sing-along and head out toward Halloween Town to see dozens of creepy, giant inflatables over a 75-acre area north of the museum. $16.95; free for kids 4 and younger. volocars.com/train-tours-haunted-tour.

“Machinal”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 7-10, at Elmhurst University’s Mill Theatre, 253 Walter St., Elmhurst. Journalist and playwright Sophie Treadwell’s highly expressionist exploration of limitations and freedom, of justice and injustice. $5-$15. elmhurst.edu.

Saturday, Nov. 2

CLC Pumpkin Smash: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the College of Lake County, Washington Street entrance, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

Gurnee Pumpkin Smash: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Gurnee Village Hall Parking Lot, 325 N. O’Plaine Road, Gurnee. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

Glen Ellyn Pumpkin Smash: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Village Green Park, 130 S. Lambert Road, Glen Ellyn. Before smashing, weigh your pumpkins and ensure they are free of decorations and candles. Painted pumpkins cannot be accepted. Drop off your pumpkins and leave, or if you’d like to participate in smashing, bring a baseball bat or shovel. Free. gepark.org/calendar.

Vernon Hills Pumpkin Smash: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Hawthorn northeast mall entrance, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

Hampshire Holidays on State: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Main Street and Washington Avenue, Hampshire. Holiday shopping, music, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits and storytime with Santa, Olaf and the Grinch, food trucks, and more than 50 vendors selling gifts and handmade items. Free. facebook.com/hampshireareachamber.

Public Works Open House: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 2, at Public Works Center, 2305 Pembroke Ave., Hoffman Estates. Tour the Public Works facility and learn about the skills, tools and equipment used to maintain Hoffman Estates’ infrastructure. Interact with vehicles and equipment, including large plow trucks, loaders and excavators, aerial lifts and more. Light refreshments and giveaways. Free. hoffmanestates.org.

Family Holiday Movies: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Glen Art Theatre, 540 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Screening of “The Wizard of Oz.” Free. business.glenellynchamber.com/events/calendar/2024-11-01.

Unity in Art: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Park Place Family Recreation Center, 550 S. Park Blvd., Streamwood. Art and performances to help foster better understanding and relationships. Free. streamwoodparks.org.

Participating Geneva shops and restaurants will offer cocoa creations Saturday, Nov. 2, during the Cocoa & Chocolate Crawl. Daily Herald file photo

Champagne Walk and Brunch: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, in downtown Antioch. Sample champagne and browse the shops in downtown Antioch. For ages 21 and older. $45. antiochchamber.org.

The Kane County Flea Market comes to the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2-3. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

Kane County Flea Market: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Over 600 dealers display and sell antiques and collectibles indoors and outside. $6, free for kids younger than 12. kanecountyfleamarket.com.

Wauconda Pumpkin Smash: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Wauconda Township Office, 505 W. Bonner Road, Wauconda. Free compost giveaway. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

Pumpkin Smash and Bash: 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Flick Park, 3600 Glenview Road, Glenview. Have fun smashing your pumpkin and turning it into compost that will help nourish plants in the spring. Free. glenviewparks.org.

Josh Noel: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. Author and journalist Josh Noel will discuss and sign copies of his new book, “Malört: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit.” A taste of the beverage will be offered. Free. thebookstall.com.

Wayne Baker Brooks will headline Stews & Brews (and Booze & Blues), a celebration of comfort food and music Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Lot in Highland Park. Courtesy of Wayne Baker Brooks

Stews & Brews (and Booze & Blues): 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Lot, 523 Central Ave., Highland Park. Hearty food and live music, including Mississippi Heat at 5 p.m. and Wayne Baker Brooks at 7 p.m. Culminates with a People’s Choice competition for the favorite Stew and Brew. Free. enjoyhighlandpark.com.

Daddy Daughter Dance: 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Itasca Recreation Center, 350 E. Irving Park Road, Itasca. Dancing, desserts, crafts and more. $25-$30. Registration required at itascaparkdistrict.com.

Bridge Communities’ Sleep Out Saturday Rally: 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 21st annual event to raise awareness of families facing homelessness and funds for Bridge Communities’ transitional housing and mentoring program. An outdoor rally featuring music, games, speakers, food and giveaways will be held in partnership with the College of DuPage from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Lakeside Pavilion before Sleep Out participants spend a night outside. Register: Sleepoutsaturday.org.

Sunday, Nov. 3

See over 300 tables of model trains and accessories at The Great Midwest Train Show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton Sunday, Nov. 3. Daily Herald File Photo

Great Midwest Train Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. See over 300 tables of new and used model trains, accessories, parts and more. $7 online or $8 at the gate; cash only. Free for kids 11 and younger with an adult. trainshow.com.

Children’s Book Author Fest: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St., Geneva. Meet with local children’s book authors and hear their stories, discover new titles and buy books. gpld.org.

Warrenville Sunday Music Matinee: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Warrenville Public Library, 28W751 Stafford Place, Warrenville. Jazz duo with Petra van Nuis. Register at warrenville.com.

Fox Valley Concert Band: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, in the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. 2024-25 season opener. Free, donations accepted. norrisculturalarts.com/event/fox-valley-concert-band.

Monday, Nov. 4

Mundelein Pumpkin Smash: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at the Keith Mione Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Drop-off jack-o’-lanterns to be composted. Remove any candles, decorations and other materials. swalco.org.

A Taste of Ireland: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1250 W. Wilson St., Batavia. Irish music and dance. $40.50-$72.50. bataviafineartscentre.org/events.

Movie Mondays: 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. See Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film “Rear Window” with Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter. Doors open 45 minutes before. $1 at the door (cash only). paramountaurora.com/events.

Wednesday, Nov. 6

312 Comedy Festival: Various times Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 6-10, at numerous locations in Chicago. Festival of comedy performances, including Nate Bargatze, Russell Peters, John Crist, Nicole Byer, Ari Shaffir, Jeff Ross, Craig Robinson, Dan Cummins, Chad Daniels and more. For ticket information and the schedule, see 312comedyfestival.com.

Thursday, Nov. 7

First Nations Film and Video Festival: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie. The festival highlights Indigenous/Native American filmmakers from the United States, Canada, Central and South America and Mexico of all skill levels, providing them a venue for their works and voices. Free. skokielibrary.info/events/19548/first-nations-film-and-video-festival.

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