Festivals: Pumpkin fests, Oktoberfests, fall fests abound this weekend

This weekend

Didier Farms Pumpkinfest: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 30 at Didier Farms, 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. Hayrides, corn maze, pony rides, Animal Land, pig races, Pumpkin Playland, Sunshine Crafts and more. Free admission, activities require tickets. didierfarms.com/pumpkinfest.

Randall Oaks Fall Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 28 at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Hay bale maze, corn bin play area, fall treats and pumpkins for purchase and face painting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $3-$5. Weekends only: Pumpkin Enrichment for the Animals, bonfires from noon to 5 p.m. and hayrides for $2. Activities are included with zoo admission, with some exceptions. $3.25 residents; $4 nonresidents; free for kids younger than 2. (847) 428-7131 or www.dtpd.org.

Hofbräuhaus Chicago Oktoberfest: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday, through Oct. 28 at Hofbräuhaus Chicago, 5500 Park Place, Rosemont. Nightly Bavarian entertainment, freshly brewed "Oktoberfestbier," daily food specials, celebrity keg-tapping ceremonies and more. hofbrauhauschicago.com.

Lake County RV Outlet Show: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. See the latest in RVs and mobile homes. Presented by General RV Center. www.generalrv.com or lcfair.com.

Oktoberfest Chicago presented by Paulaner: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, at St. Alphonsus, 2900 N. Southport, Chicago. Bavarian party featuring brats, two music stages, Friday and Saturday night craft beer tastings, weekend Kinderfest and more. $5-$10, free for kids 12 and younger. www.oktoberfestchicago.org.

Six Flags Great America Fright Fest: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great American Parkway, 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 at the park. For admission deals, see sixflags.com/greatamerica.

Bolingbrook End of Summer Carnival: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28; 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at 375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook. Unlimited ride specials available for $25 from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; $30 from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. www.facebook.com/events/2106106452989764.

St. Alphonsus Liguori Oktoberfest: 7 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at St. Al's Parish Center, 411 N. Wheeling Road, Prospect Heights. This 21-and-over event includes a bratwurst or chicken dinner, traditional music by the band Paloma, dance by the Society of the Danube Schwabiens, imported German and domestic beer, a late-night menu and more. Tickets cost $25 at the door. www.saintalphonsusPH.org.

Johnny Appleseed Festival: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, in downtown Crystal Lake. Celebrate the season and community and enjoy a variety of apple-flavored delights. downtowncl.org.

Small Fest: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at The Growing Place Garden Center, 2000 Montgomery Road, Aurora. Celebrate all things tiny, plant mini gardens, go on mini camping adventures and play mini games. Includes hayrides. Activities priced individually. www.thegrowingplace.com.

Bus Day: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. Take trolley bus rides and see other buses that will be open and on display. Grounds open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $15; $13 for seniors; $11 for kids. www.irm.org.

Fall Fashion and Home Preview: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, at 1341 Randolph St., Chicago. Vendors will offer rugs and throws, lighting fixtures, indoor planting and fall fashion trends. Entertainment, food and beverages. Free shuttle bus from Water Tower Place. $15 valet parking at Randolph Street and Washington Boulevard entrances. $10 in advance or $12 at the gate general admission; $5 for students and seniors; free for kids younger than 12; group packages available. www.randolphstreetmarket.com.

Fall on the Farm: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Fall-themed crafts and activities including paint-a-pumpkin, tractors for kids to touch, barrel train rides, a bounce house and more. There will be a tent sale, food and beverage tent and music. Activities and tent sale open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., farmyard open until 5 p.m. $12 per child (includes all activities); $8 for ages 13 and older (includes farmyard and attractions; admission to Fall on the Farm activities an additional $4); free for kids 2 and younger. (847) 990-3749 or www.lambsfarm.org.

Harvest Fest: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Fishel Park, near Grove and Main streets, Downers Grove. Music, craft fair, bags tournament, pie-eating contest, vendors and more. Free. dgparks.org/harvestfest

Highwood Starving Artists Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, at 130 Highwood Ave., Highwood. Features bargains on jewelry, ceramics, fine art and more. Free admission. amdurproductions.com.

Sedgebrook Car Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Sedgebrook Retirement Community, 960 Audubon Way, Lincolnshire. An afternoon of automobiles, face painting, balloon art and more. Free. www.welcometosedgebrook.com.

31st Annual Scarecrow Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, in downtown Ottawa. See 40 scarecrows throughout downtown, chili cook-off, touch-a-truck, farmers market, face painting, giant bouncy houses, a vendor fair and more. enjoylasallecounty.com/event/31st-annual-scarecrow-festival/.

Chicago Japanese Matsuri: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, at NewCity Plaza, 1457 N. Halsted St., Chicago. Celebrate Japanese culture with authentic food, drink and performances. The event will feature more than 30 vendors and a variety of performances. Free admission; food and drink tickets cost $2, 12 for $20 or 25 for $40. do312.com/chicagomatsuri.

Fun on the Farm: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Dream Riders at the Midwest Center for Children's Development, 4701 N. Oak St., Crystal Lake. Fourth annual fundraiser features hay rides, games and prizes, a pumpkin patch, horse rides, face painting, concessions and a basket raffle. $10 per child; free for adults. www.dreamriderstlc.com.

Filling Station Oktoberfest Celebration: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Filling Station Pub & Grill, 300 W. Main St., St. Charles. Traditional German music, food, entertainment and beer. The Alpiners will perform at 6 p.m. Prizes and giveaways. Free admission. www.filling-station.com.

Glendale Heights Harvest Fest: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Heritage Park, 1736 Paul St., Glendale Heights. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides, face painting, crafts, fishing derby, canoe rides and chili cook-off. Free. glendaleheights.org

Fall Wine Walk: 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at 900 Skidmore in downtown Antioch. Visit 25 local businesses on the wine walk. Each attendee receives a wineglass, menu, wine bag and a bonus bottle of wine. Tickets cost $45 and are available online or in person at 806 Holbek Drive, Antioch. www.antioch.il.gov.

Hyde Park Jazz Festival: 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 29, and 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at various venues in Hyde Park, Chicago. Chicago's jazz scene will be prominently featured for two days during the 11th annual festival. See website for schedule and locations. Free, $5 donation suggested. The $125 Jazz Pass includes preferred seating in select indoor venues. hydeparkjazzfestival.org or www.cityofchicago.org.

Penrose Celebration of Funk Festival: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Penrose Brewing, 509 Stevens St., Geneva. Join brewers from around the country who specialize in wild, sour and funky beers. Food trucks will be on-site. General admission is $50; VIP (early entry from 1 to 2 p.m.) is $75; a limited number of Designated Driver tickets will be available for $10. Tickets must be bought online. www.brownpapertickets.com.

Bolingbrook Fall Fest: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex, 200 S. Lindsey Lane, Bolingbrook. Bolingbrook Park District's free family event includes live music, food, games and activities for the whole family, including archery, sack races, Bookmobile, petting zoo, bingo, a climbing wall and more. Music includes Retropolitan at 4 p.m. and Five Guys Named Moe at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Free. www.bolingbrookparks.org.

Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Nights: 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, 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.

Oktoberfest, Grape Stomp & Pig Roast: 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Lynfred Winery, 15 S. Roselle Road, Roselle. Two days of German sing-a-longs, grape spitting, grape stomping and cork tossing. $10; free for kids 13 and younger. www.lynfredwinery.com.

Oktoberfest: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Performance Pavilion at Heritage Park, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Wheeling Park District Oktoberfest features German and domestic beer, brats, music and more. Entertainment by IPA (International Polka Association) Tribute Band and 7th heaven. Free admission. www.wheelingparkdistrict.com/events.

Springbrook Celebration & Duck Race: 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. Music, games, beer and wine tastings and nature walks. One Duck Race raffle chance included with each ticket. Raffle ducks are $10 or three for $25; winner need not be present. Preregistration fee is $15 or $10 per child; day-of fee is $18 or $12. www.itascaparkdistrict.com.

Fall Fest: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 29, at 1321 Willow Road, Winnetka. Touch-a-truck, food, inflatables, pumpkin roll and more. Free. www.winpark.org/event/fall-fest/.

Lisle Ale Fest: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Prairiewalk Pond, west of Main street at Garfield and Burlington avenues, Lisle. Early entry at 3 p.m. More than 80 American beers, live music and local food at the sixth annual fest. Proceeds benefit the Lisle Area Chamber of Commerce and local service organizations. Regular entry: $49, $15 for designated driver; early entry from 3 to 4 p.m.: $59, $20 for designated driver. www.lislealefest.com.

Oktoberfest: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake, 5N600 Hanson Road, St. Charles. Pig roast, hot dogs, brats, inflatables, games, hayrides, bonfire, s'mores, craft vendors and more. Freewill donation. graceoflilylake.com

Saturday Cruise Nights: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7600 Barrington Road at Tower Drive, Hanover Park. Classic cars, music and more. Free. www.hpil.org.

Marmion Academy Oktoberfest: 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Marmion Academy, 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora. Featuring German food from 7 to 8:30 p.m., specialty Oktoberfest style beer and wine, silent auction and live music. $40. Register at marmion.org.

Fall Color 5K Run and Walk: 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. USATF course follows East Side Main Route. Kids Dash at 9:30 a.m. Post-race party with live music and complimentary Arbor Oak Amber Ale (for ages 21 and older) made from oak chips from the arboretum trees. $40-$55. Virtual runners get the technical T-shirt for $25. www.mortonarb.org/events/fall-color-5k-run-walk.

Fall 5K Stars & Stripes Shuffle: 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Armstrong Park, 391 Illini Drive, Carol Stream. Park district fundraiser benefits Veterans Memorial Plaza in Carol Stream Town Center. Chip-timed 5K run/walk on a certified course with awards in six age groups. Last-minute entries accepted at packet pickup and on-site until 8 a.m. the morning of the race. $35, $40 for nonresidents. www.csparks.org.

Walk for Wishes: 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Busse Woods Forest Preserve Grove 5, Elk Grove Village. Walk for Wishes is a costumed family walk to benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois. The event features an easy walk and entertainment for all ages. Participants are asked to fundraise. Registration: adult walkers $25, youth walkers $15, and free for virtual fundraisers. www.illinois.wish.org.

Rock Out Cancer: 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Food, museum exhibits, raffles, silent auction, two live performances by Johnny Cash tribute band June's Got the Cash and more. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and Cal's Angels. Museum admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $9 for kids 5-12, and free for kids 4 and younger. $20 to display a car. www.volocars.com.

Harper Hoedown: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Harper School, 1101 Dartmouth St., Wilmette. 15th Annual Harper Hoedown includes rides, games and prizes, music and food, zip line, obstacle course, dunk tank, raffle and more. $17 for kids 3-13, $12 for adults, free for kids 3 and younger. harperpto.com.

Indian Summer Festival: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Castaldo Park, 3024 71st St., Woodridge. Enjoy a bike ride or walk through the Woodridge Park District's parks while participating in family events and eating a variety of food. Make your own scarecrow with clothes brought from home. www.vil.woodridge.il.us.

Heirloom Apple Fest: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Learn about different types of apples, taste special old-fashioned apples and take some recipes home. Weather permitting, plus games and fun on the front lawn. $3, $1 per child. www.ppfv.org.

Laughing Lincoln Jubilee: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Free concert by the Naperville Municipal Band, Anne Hills and OMT. Beer, wine, food, games, juggler, penny pitching, magician, rail splitter, balloon artist, face painter, Uncle Sam and cornerstone dedication. Free; $10 donation for central lawn seating, $5 for those under 21. CenturyWalk.org.

Tavern Day: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Stacy's Tavern Museum, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. See life in the 1840s with crafts, corn-shelling, farm animals, tours and more. $8 adults, $4 kids. gehs.org.

Cemetery Walk: 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Grayslake Cemetery, Lake Street, just north of Belvidere Road, Grayslake. The Grayslake Historical Society host its annual living history tour of the Grayslake Cemetery with two performances. Costumed interpreters will bring to life stories of families buried in the cemetery and talk about major Grayslake and Illinois events that happened in their lifetimes. grayslakehistory.org.

This week

Fall Color Festival and Scarecrow Trail: 7 a.m. to sunset Monday, Oct. 1, through Oct. 31 at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. See scarecrow creations from local Scout troops set up around Meadow Lake and vote for your favorite. Free with Arboretum admission: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for kids 2-17 and free for kids 1 and younger. www.mortonarb.org.

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, through Oct. 31 at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Animals on display, straw pyramid, children's rides and thousands of pumpkins on the zoo lawn. $7 adults, $6 seniors, and free for kids, Wheaton Park District residents and zoo members. cosleyzoo.org

Lake Zurich Cruise Nights: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, on Main Street from Old Rand Road to Church Street, Lake Zurich. Features more than 40 vehicles on display from every era. Enjoy music and stroll through Lake Zurich's downtown shops and eateries. Trophies are awarded for spectator choice, along with fun car trivia and raffle prizes. Free. lakezurich.org/603/Cruise-Nights.

ComiCon: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the McHenry Public Library, 809 Front St., McHenry. The library's 20th annual ComiCon will feature comic creators, local comic book and gaming stores, a gaming room, kids' activities, a cosplay contest, free SWAG and snacks. mchenrylibrary.org.