Hello autumn: Fall fests, pumpkin patches and corn mazes

With summer ending, there’s no better way to welcome the fall season than autumn festivities. Check out these pumpkin patches, fall fests and corn mazes in the Chicagoland area.  

Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm

From animals and pumpkin picking to apple cider donuts and pumpkin cookies, Goebbert’s offers a variety of fall festivities for everyone. 

• When: September 9 - October 30 
• Where: 40 W Higgins Rd, South Barrington

Glendale Heights Oktoberfest

Glendale Heights brings German food, beer and entertainment for its annual authentic fall opener.

• When: September 14 - September 24 
• Where: Camera Park in Glendale Heights 

Norwood Park Fall Fest

Offering delicious food, live entertainment, local business shopping and a kid zone, Norwood Park is kicking off the cooler season the right way with laser tag, virtual reality and video games. 

• When: September 15 - September 16
• Where: Northwest Highway (between Raven & Newark) and Centennial Park 

Happy Time Pumpkinfest

Happy times are what this fest will bring, featuring amusement rides, shows, fall merchandise, pumpkin sales and fall treats. 

• When: September 16 - October 29
• Where: Didier Farms, Lincolnshire 

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up

This Chicago pop-up brings fall to life with corn mazes, food trucks, axe throwing, fortune tellers, gem mining and over 10,000 pumpkins. 

• When September 21 - November 5 
• Where: 1265 West Le Moyne Street

Oak Park Oaktoberfest 

Celebrate the changing seasons with a premier music lineup, fall foods from local restaurants, craft beers and a Kids Root Beer Garden. 

• When: September 22 - September 23 
• Where: Marion Street and North Boulevard, Oak Park 

Long Grove Apple Fest | Photo by theballadofsirfrankiecrisp and Creative Commons 

Long Grove’s Apple Fest 

Indulge in everything apples with specialty apple foods, live music and curated artisans showcasing their wares and talents.

• When: September 22 - September 24
• Where: 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove 

Oak Park Fall Fest 

This annual family-friendly event will be bringing pumpkins, kid crafts, nature activities, inflatables, yummy food and train rides. 

• When: September 24 
• Where: 515 Garfield Street, Oak Park 

Woodridge Autumn Opener 

The Autumn Opener features games, trackless trains, build-your-own scarecrows and more.

• When: September 24
• Where: Park at the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center, Woodridge 

St. Ben’s Oktoberfest 

Staying true to the customs of the Bavarian festival, St. Ben’s brings music, food, drinks, carnival rides and games. 

• When: September 29 - October 1 
• Where: 2215 W. Irving Park Road 

Wheaton Oktoberfest 

Held in conjunction with the Light the Torch 5k Night Run, Oktoberfest will feature pumpkin painting, a food and beer garden, rides and live performances by the Vest Dance Troupe, The Wayouts and Wurst Kase Scenario. 

• When: September 30 
• Where: Central Athletic Complex, Wheaton 

Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest | Photo by Tony Bailey and Creative Commons 

Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest 

The 36th Annual Apple Fest is a long-standing tradition for Lincoln Square, aiming to bring together the community and celebrate the beginning of fall. 

• When: September 30 - October 1 
• Where: Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Sunnyside 

Naperville Oktoberfest 

Traditional German cuisine and beer will feature alongside Oompah music, lawn games, professional pumpkin carvers and stein-holding contests. 

• When: October 6 - October 7 
• Where: Naper Settlement, Naperville 

Lombard Fall Fest 

This free event allows families to enjoy games, dancing, face painting, candy hunts, pumpkin patches and Boo Bingo. 

• When: October 7 
• Where: Lombard Common, Lombard 

Elmhurst Family Fall Fest 

Elmhurst brings the autumn spirit with fall festivities and a town-wide trick-or-treating.

• When: October 7
• Where: 511 South York Street, Elmhurst 

Morton Arboretum Glass Pumpkin Patch | Photo by Patricia Wilson and Creative Commons

Morton Arboretum Glass Pumpkin Patch 

This glass pumpkin patch allows guests to watch daily demonstrations by featured glassblowing artists as they take you step-by-step through the process and tools used to create these stunning pumpkin beauties.

• When: October 13 - October 15 
• Where: Morton Arboretum, Lisle

Hinsdale Fall Festival 

Hinsdale brings everything fall-related with inflatables, free pumpkins, costume contests, giveaways, food trucks and downtown trick-or-treating.

• When: October 14 
• Where: Burlington Park, Hinsdale  

Cantigny Fall Festival

Showcasing German-style food and beer, Cantigny is celebrating fall with live music, lawn games, craft vendors, hayrides, petting zoos, inflatables and pumpkin and plant sales. 

• When: October 14 - October 15 
• Where: 1 South 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton