Festivals: Six Flags' Fright Fest, Oktoberfests, fall fests & many more

This weekend

ArtsFest-St. Charles: Runs through Sunday, Sept. 16, in venues around St. Charles. The eighth annual event, by the St. Charles Arts Council and St. Charles Park District, features multiple artistic disciplines in venues all over the city. The Gallery Crawl includes 11 art galleries/exhibitions, including the latest ArtsFest Pop-Up Gallery and the Norris Cultural Arts Center's signature “Vicinity Show,” as well as the park district's sculpture exhibition. Some fees apply. www.stcharlesartscouncil.org/artsfest/ or www.facebook.com/stcharlesartscouncil/.

Elgin Fringe Festival: Runs through Sunday, Sept. 16, at various locations in downtown Elgin. Features uncurated, uncensored dance, comedy, drama and music in cafes, theaters, storefronts and other locations. Fringe Central is at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. Ticket prices vary from free to $10. Tickets, as well as festival buttons ($3) for entrance to most shows, can be purchased at www.elginfringefestival.com.

Glendale Heights Oktoberfest: 5 p.m. to midnight Fridays, noon to midnight Saturdays, noon to 10 p.m. Sundays, and 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday through Sept. 23 at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights. German food and beer, music, pumpkin patch, plant sale, vendors with German products and more. Free; $5 for adults after 4 p.m. and free for kids 16 or younger. Free parking. www.glendaleheightsoktoberfest.com.

Rauetoberfest: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, and 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Beyond Stable Farm, 11129 Illinois Route 176, Woodstock. Live music, activities, traditional German food and beer. $5 at the gate; free for ages 10 and younger. rauecenter.org.

Rotary Club of Palatine Oktoberfest: 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14; noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 15; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Smith and Slade streets, Palatine. The 11th annual Oktoberfest is a tented event featuring authentic German music, food, beverages and activities for all ages. Free admission. www.palatinerotary.com/Oktoberfest.

Des Plaines Fall Fest 2018: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Lake Park, 2200 Lee St., Des Plaines. Carnival offers 20 rides, a midway with games and carnival eats. Unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $25. Free admission. fallfestdesplaines.com.

Gurnee's Touch a Truck: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the Hunt Club Park Community Center, 920 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee. See vehicles from the Gurnee Park District, Gurnee Public Works, Gurnee Police Department, Gurnee Fire Department, Warren Township, Burris Equipment and many more. Free. gurneeparkdistrict.com/.

Heritage Fest: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, in downtown West Dundee. On Saturday and Sunday, park at Spring Hill Mall and ride the free shuttle to the fest. Antique fair, arts and crafts fair, food, entertainment, business and nonprofit expo, pancake breakfast and kids' activities. Fireworks at 8 p.m. Friday over the Fox River. Lions Heritage Fest 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday. Cool Car Show from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on South Second Street. Baggo tournament at noon Sunday in Grafelman Park. Dundee-Crown Homecoming Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday. Free. www.wdundeeheritagefest.org.

Home Town Wauconda Fall Festival: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, and 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Transfiguration Parish Grounds, 348 W. Mill St., Wauconda. Food court, adult beer pong tournament, kids' games and bounce house and Teens Wheel of Cards. Live music by Cinful on Friday and Ethan Bell on Saturday. Admission is $3 for those 17 and older, free for those 16 and younger. www.waucondachamber.org.

Island Lake Concert in the Park: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Veterans Park, 332 W. State Road, Island Lake. Second Hand Soul will perform. Bring chairs, blankets, beverages and snacks. Free parking at Water Tower Park across the street and traffic control for safe crossing of Route 176. Free. villageofislandlake.com/events/.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16 and 21-22, and Friday through Sunday, Sept. 28 through Oct. 28, and Monday, Oct. 8, at Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Drive, Gurnee. Daytime hours are family-friendly, with shows and a trick-or-treat trail. Evening hours include haunted houses and costumed monsters. $57.99-$77.99. For hours and admission deals, see sixflags.com/greatamerica.

28th annual Fall Art & Crafts Adventure: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Hodges Park, 101 S. Courtland, Park Ridge. Explore a variety of work by the American Society of Artists at this juried show. Free. www.americansocietyofartists.info.

Great Inflatable Race: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Fun run with inflatable obstacles spread throughout the running course. $29.99-$49.99. lcfair.com/calendar/2018/9/15/great-inflatable-race.

Happy Trails Fishing Derby: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Jaycee Park, Silver Lake Road, Cary. New anglers will get a quick fishing lesson and learn about fishing etiquette in the shelter. Catch and release only. Fishing poles, tackle and bait will be provided or bring your own. Anyone older than 16 must have a current Illinois fishing license. Raffles and goody bags. Preregistration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Free. www.carypark.com.

St. John Palatine Craft Fair & Flea Market: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at St. John United Church of Christ, 1475 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. More than 100 booths, tours of the historic 172-year-old church with a historic pipe organ, cemetery tours, rescue dogs up for adoption, food tent, church bake sale and flea market, music and more. Free parking and admission. www.stjohnuccpalatine.org.

Art on the Prairie: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, outdoors at the Warrenville City Hall along Manning Avenue. Art and music festival featuring artist displays for purchase, artist demos, dance, children's art station and food. Free. warrenvilleparks.org.

DuPage Care Center Fall Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the DuPage Care Center, 400 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. 51st annual craft sale, craft vendors, garage sale, flea market, car show, raffle, kids' games and prizes, entertainment and food. Free. www.dpccfoundation.org.

Fall Lake County Home Improvement Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Homeowners can see exhibits and representatives from local and national home improvement companies, architects, builders and makers. Family-friendly event includes giveaways, prizes and food. Admission is free. www.homeshowevent.com.

Green Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Third annual fair featuring eco-friendly vendors, eco-friendly topics at the mini-workshop series, a performance from Ralph's World and more. New this year, a social media challenge with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Free. www.scarce.org.

Naperville Riverwalk Fine Art Fair: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, on Jackson between Main and Eagle, and along the Riverwalk, Naperville. 33rd annual juried art exhibition and sale sponsored by the Naperville Art League. Free admission. downtownnaperville.com.

Printer's Row Art Fest: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, at 1600 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. A new art festival is coming to Chicago's South Loop. Free. amdurproductions.com.

Autumn Fair: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Pony rides, a petting zoo, hayrides, crafts, games, a raffle, a birds of prey presentation and more. Climb to the top of the silo and enjoy the view across the prairie, play at Hawks Hollow Nature Playground and visit the Butterfly House. Free admission; fees for some activities. genevaparks.org.

Sam Adams' Lakeview Taco Fest: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, in the Southport Corridor, 3500 N. Southport, Chicago. In addition to more than a dozen restaurants serving up tacos, there will be fall brews, music, Mexican wrestling shows, a kids' area and artisans. $10 gate donation. www.LakeviewTacoFest.com.

Worldwide Day of Play: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Century Park Pavilion, Century Park North, 1400 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills. Vernon Hills Park District staff will lead old-school picnic games including sack races, hula hoop contests and the egg toss. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled. Free. www.vhparkdistrict.org/event/worldwide-day-play-2/.

Cary Main Street Fest: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, along West Main Street, Cary. Fifth annual fest features music, vendors, food, entertainment, games, talent show, voice competition, bags tournament, Steak Fry on Saturday and more. Cary Shuffle 5K benefiting Cary District 26 Education Foundation from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday at www.caryshuffle5k.org. $5 donation at the gate; fast pass can be purchased in advance. www.CaryMainStreetFest.com.

Lisle Depot Days: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16, at the Museums of Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., Lisle. Historical demonstrations, hands-on activities, petting farm and visit restored 19th-century buildings. Free. museum@lisleparkdistrict.org.

Brew at the Bridge: 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Hudson Crossing Park, 65 N. Harrison St., Oswego. Sample craft brews from more than 20 breweries, plus local food and live music. Tasting packages and additional tastes can be purchased at the gate. Free admission. $20 or $30 tasting packages available. www.brewatthebridge.com.

El Grito Festival and Parade: 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Carpenter Park, off Maple Avenue and Carpenter Boulevard in Carpentersville. Fundraising event for Carpentersville Family Resource Center. Parade at 10:30 a.m. from Meadowdale Shopping Center to the park. The festival features live music and food from 1 to 10 p.m. Free admission. www.facebook.com/CarpentersvilleFamilyResourceCenter.

Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Elmhurst History Museum grounds, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. More than 50 craft and microbreweries represented, plus ciders, music and snacks. Presented by the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation to benefit the Elmhurst History Museum and the Churchville Schoolhouse. General admission is $50. Early entry from noon to 1 p.m. is $65. $20 for designated driver. Elmhurst's free trolley will be available all afternoon. www.elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.

Fiestas Patrias Festival and Parade: 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at 130 N. Lincoln Ave., Aurora. The fest features two days of live music, dance, a carnival, dancing horse performances, exhibitors and food vendors. Parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. Sunday from Benton and River streets. Admission is free until 5 p.m. when major acts will perform; additional fees may apply. www.fiestaspatriasaurora.com or www.aurora-il.org.

It's Our River Day: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, in Cornish Park, 101 S. Harrison St., Algonquin. Sponsored by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the Village of Algonquin. At the 11th annual event, learn about local environmental, conservation and outdoor groups. Free. www.algonquin.org.

Jurassic Fest: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora. Enjoy dinosaur-themed games, crafts, snacks, inflatables and more. For kids 3 and older. $10. Register online at www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/event/jurassic-fest.

Legions of Craft Beer Fest: 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, in the Gurnee Mills Parking Lot E, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. Features 50-plus breweries, including hard-to-find favorites, live music and food trucks. All proceeds benefit local veterans at the Gurnee American Legion and Lake County Honor Flight. $40-$50. www.gurneelegionsofbeer.com.

Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Nights: 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Mount Prospect Train Depot, 13 E. Northwest Hwy., Mount Prospect. Classic cars and entertainment. Sponsored by the Mount Prospect Lions Club. Free. www.facebook.com/BMBCruiseNights.

Bonfire and Barn Dance: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Historic Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview. Enjoy wagon rides, live music and dancing, s'mores and storytelling by the fire. $5; free for kids younger than 2. www.glenviewparks.org.

Saturday Cruise Nights: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at 7600 Barrington Road at Tower Drive, Hanover Park. Classic cars, music and more. Free. www.hpil.org.

Waukegan ArtWauk: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, on Genesee Street in downtown Waukegan. Features live entertainment. Free admission. www.artwauk.com.

Annual Block Party 2018: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Enjoy food, live music, games, face painting and entertainment at Gorton's third annual block party. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch the family-friendly movie “How to Train Your Dragon” outdoors beginning at sundown. Free. gortoncenter.org/event/annual-block-party-2018/.

Guitars Under the Stars Fete: 5 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Danny's on Douglas beer garden, 231 Douglas Ave., Elgin. Annual music festival to benefit Almost Home Foundation for neglected and abused animals. Entertainment, puppy parade, raffle, photo booth and more. In case of inclement weather, it will be held indoors. Performers include Michael Drew Music students, Quarter Ton Plus One, Sam Dandals Band, JackDaddy and the Traffic Jam, and Friday Jackson. Admission: $20, includes all-you-can-eat pizza buffet; kids $10. www.thefete.org.

Artist Series Opening Night Festival: 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Wheaton College's Edman Plaza, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. First subscription event of Wheaton College's 2018-19 Artist Series season with music and refreshments. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. concert, The 5 Browns, cost $45, $40 for seniors, and $10 for students and kids. www.artistseries.org.

Fox Valley Marathon: 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, in downtown St. Charles. Ninth annual marathon, half marathon and Fall Final 20. A Boston qualifier. All races will start together. Free to spectators; registration fee is $100-$160 for participants. www.fv26.com.

Cantigny Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, in the south parking lot of Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. 13th annual car show with awards in a wide range of categories presented to the owners of 400 vintage vehicles on display. D.J. music, live concert at noon and food trucks. Free with $10 parking. cantigny.org/event/car-show/.

Crystal Lake Family Kite Festival: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Lippold Park lacrosse fields, 851 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake. Watch a professional kite flyers show. Purchase a professional kite or build a free paper kite, handed out to the first 250 kids on site. Pack a picnic lunch. Free. chicagokite.com.

Show & Shine Car Show & Swap Meet: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Camera Park, 101 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights. 36th annual car show featuring swap meet, crafts, food, music and games. Free. glendaleheights.org.

Caboose Days: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St., South Elgin. Ride with the conductor in the big red caboose or with the engineer in the locomotive. Fares are $5 for adults; $3 for seniors 65 and older; $2 for kids 3-11; and free for kids younger than 3. All-day passes cost $8. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org.

Pets-a-Palooza: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Mooseheart Child City and School, off Route 31, Batavia. Anderson Animal Shelter's fourth annual family- and pet-centered event celebrates pets. Pet education sessions, training demonstrations, pet contests, vendors, dogs and puppies from Anderson Animal Shelter and local rescue groups. www.andersonanimalshelter.org.

Cornfest Family Fun Day: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. Annual picnic featuring food, fishing, a giant wood pile and music. Free. www.grauemill.org.

Celebrate Naperville: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. In conjunction with Naper Settlement's “Me=We” and “Come As You Are” exhibits, discover artisans of dance, music and crafts from the Chinese and Indian communities. Free with general admission: $12, $10 for ages 62 or older, $8 for ages 4-12. www.napersettlement.com.

Durant Hearth Cooking: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Durant House in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Celebrate the fall harvest with hands-on demonstrations of the art of pioneer cooking. $3, $1 for kids. www.ppfv.org.

Fallapalooza: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Performance Pavilion at Heritage Park, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. All-ages autumn festival features music by Semple, petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, hayrides and more. Food and drinks available for purchase. Free. www.wheelingparkdistrict.com/events.

Family Fun Fest: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Lincolnwood Centennial Park, 6801 N. McCormick Blvd., Lincolnwood. Crafts, a bounce house, outdoor games, flexible flyer design, kayaking and more. Parking is available at the lot just north of the McCormick/Northeast Parkway intersection and at Lincolnwood Town Center. Free. www.lincolnwoodil.org/family-fun-fest.

Festival of Cultures: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. An afternoon of storytelling, culture, food, arts, activities, music and more, including community members at booths sharing their heritage and stories, live performances and food trucks. Free. www.wheaton.il.us.

Pioneer Day: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Elk Grove Historical Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village. Features a petting zoo, crafts and games, music and dancing, historic demonstrations and more. Visitors can also make an elk-styled hobby horse to display on their front porch, tour the farmhouse and view work by local artists in the barn. Free. www.elkgroveparks.org/Calendar/events/Pioneer-Day-6941732508.

Bartlett Historical Society Cemetery Walk: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Bartlett Cemetery, North Avenue at Oliver, Bartlett. Actors in costume portray citizens of early Bartlett. Easy walk with golf carts available. Ticket sales begin at 1:30 p.m. at the cemetery entrance. Last walk begins at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for ages 13 and older are $5; free for kids 12 and younger. village.bartlett.il.us/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/2417/229.

Concert in the Park: 3 to 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Batavia Riverwalk, downtown Batavia. The Batavia Community Band will perform marches, classics, Broadway show tunes, movie medleys and patriotic songs. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. In case of inclement weather, it will be held in the city council chambers, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Free. bataviaparks.org.

Glow in the Park Lantern Walk: 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. Activities, food, music and more until the sun goes down. Purchase a lantern kit from the park district for $10 or bring your own creation. Starting at 7:15 p.m., join the illuminated lantern parade around Lake Ellyn. The event is a benefit for Lurie Children's Hospital. Free admission. gepark.org/events/glow-in-the-park/.

This week

Wauconda Cruise Night: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 101 N. Main St., Wauconda. Family-friendly Cruise Nights are free to exhibitors and attendees. Main Street will be closed to traffic from Route 176 to Bangs Street. Free admission. www.waucondacruisenight.com/

Daily Herald Cruise Nights: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at Stratford Square Mall, 152 Stratford Drive, Bloomingdale. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, food trucks, giveaways and music. Free. www.facebook.com/DailyHeraldCruiseNights/.

MainStreet Libertyville's Car Fun on 21: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at Church and Milwaukee, Libertyville. Vintage cars will be displayed. Food available for purchase; music performed by local talents. To display a car, volunteers are available to assist at 5 p.m. on Brainerd Avenue. Free admission. www.mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Ecker Center Outsider Art Show and Sale: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Elgin Artspace Lofts Gallery, 51 S. Spring St., Elgin. Works showcasing a variety of mediums will be featured. Free admission includes a complimentary wine and cheese reception. www.eckercenter.org.