October Events in Illinois

See events happening this October in Illinois.

Fall Festival at Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center

 Sept. 6-Oct. 31, 2025, South Barrington

You couldn’t ask for a better place to enjoy all the bounties of fall than Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center. Their fall festival, which goes from mid-September until the end of October, offers endless activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Visitors will enjoy the staples of any fall festival – corn maze, wagon rides and pumpkin picking – but that’s not all. Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center features attractions that you just can’t find anywhere else, such as a mechanical pumpkin-eating dinosaur, camel rides and a giraffe barn. To learn more, visit goebbertsgardencenter.com or call 847-428-6727.

Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival

Oct. 3-5, 2025, Highwood 

If you’re hoping to see a spooky-scary jack-o’-lantern this season, don’t miss the annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival. A main focus of the event has always been to beat the Guinness World Record for the most jack-0′-lanterns carved and lit at the same time, making for a can’t-miss display. Festivalgoers can also enjoy exciting activities, including all-you-can-carve pumpkins, trick-or-treating, a pumpkin parade, costume contest, petting zoo, carnival rides, delicious food and amazing live music all weekend long.

Learn more about this year’s festival at highwoodpumpkinfest.com.

Candlelight Walk at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site

Oct. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19, 2025, Petersburg

Genoa Harvest Festival

Oct. 4, 2025, Genoa 

Celebrate fall at the annual Genoa Harvest Festival. To kick off the event, bring blankets or lawn chairs for a free, family-friendly movie along with popcorn and hot cocoa in the Carroll Memorial Park. The main event follows on Saturday with activities in downtown Genoa, including rides, crafts, a farmers market, children’s activities and more than 70 artisan vendors. For more details, visit dekalbcountycvb.com or call 877-335-2521.

Jersey County Apple Festival

Oct. 4, 2025, Jerseyville

The Jersey County Historical Society is celebrating the harvest season with its annual Jersey County Apple Festival. To honor the long history of apple orchards in the region, the festival offers a wide variety of foods for visitors to sample, including locally grown apples, apple pies, cakes and fresh apple cider. Attendees of all ages will also enjoy musical entertainment, craft booths, a quilt raffle and a children’s play area with games, face painting, a bounce house and children’s activities.

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cheney Mansion in Jerseyville. To find more information, visit the Jersey County Historical Society on Facebook or call 618-498-3514.

Chilifest

Oct. 4-5, 2025, Taylorville

A can’t-miss tradition, the Taylorville Chilifest will be held at the downtown Taylorville square. This two-day event features a cornhole tournament, more than 100 crafts vendors, two stages of live entertainment, a pageant and, of course, chili! In fact, the event is heralded as an International Chili Society cook-off event.

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce presents the annual festival, and you can learn more at facebook.com/taylorvillechamber or the Taylorville Chillifest Facebook or by calling 217-824-4919.

Lake Shelbyville Touchstone Energy BalloonFest

Oct. 10-12, 2025, Shelbyville 

The Lake Shelbyville Touchstone Energy BalloonFest returns this October with three days of hot air balloon viewing and family fun. Stop by on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. for music, food vendors and more at Willow Ridge Winery. The Shelby County Airport will be the best spot for Saturday’s events with the evening featuring the balloon glow, a DJ, a bounce house and more kid-friendly activities, plus the annual Fireman’s Cookout. On Sunday morning, head to Dam East or Dam West recreation areas for the best view of the balloons as they fly over the beach. All events are weather permitting and at the pilot’s discretion. For more details, visit lakeshelbyville.com or call 217-774-2244.

Scarecrow Daze Festival

Oct. 11, 2025, Shelbyville 

Celebrate fall in downtown Shelbyville at the annual Scarecrow Daze Festival, the city’s largest street festival of the year. The town welcomes the season with scarecrows on display as well as themed decorations at homes and businesses. Other festivities include a parade from Forest Park to downtown, kids’ games and activities, live music, a scarecrow costume contest, and more than 50 food and crafts vendors. For more details, visit facebook.com/scarecrowdaze or call 217-774-2221.

PumpkinFest

Oct. 11, 2025, Waterloo

Visit Historic Downtown Waterloo for a day of fall food and fun at the annual PumpkinFest celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event hosts more than 100 vendors selling everything from clothing and accessories to jewelry, home decor and more. Other highlights include children’s games, hayrides, pumpkin painting, pumpkin-themed contests and more family-friendly activities throughout the day. For more information, visit waterloo.il.us/pumpkinfest or call 618-939-8600.

Old Settlers Days

Oct. 11, 2025, Kampsville

Take a step back in time at the Old Settlers Days weekend in Kampsville this October. Held annually on the banks of the Illinois River, the festival re-creates the early days of settlers in Calhoun County who crossed the Illinois prairie in covered wagons in the 1800s. Visitors will enjoy period demonstrations throughout the weekend in everything from blacksmithing, bow building and woodworking to pottery, soap making and more. The festival also features live music both days, food vendors, artisans and traders, and children’s activities, including pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo and more. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. For more details, visit the Old Settlers Days page on Facebook.

Burgoo Festival

Oct. 11-12, 2025, Utica 

This unusual food festival celebrates more than 50 years with its namesake stew and family-friendly activities including a classic car show, music, blacksmithing demonstrations, children’s games and more. Volunteer vegetable choppers and kettle stirrers prep the burgoo, a traditional pioneer beef and vegetable stew, over a wood-burning fire for 12 to 18 hours on Saturday. Festivalgoers can dig in starting at 9 a.m. Sunday. Call (815) 667-4861 or visit lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org/burgoo for more details. 

Galena Country Fair

Oct. 11-12, 2025, Galena 

Held in picturesque Grant Park, the Galena Country Fair happens every Columbus Day weekend. The fair features a bustling farmers’ market, plus more than 150 vendors selling their handmade arts and crafts.

Guests can enjoy live entertainment, traditional Irish dancing and dozens of tasty eats, including caramel apples, homemade French fries, funnel cakes, fudge and more. Stop by the Country Bake Shop for more delicious goodies, and take home locally grown produce from the farmers’ market.

Proceeds from the volunteer-organized fair go back to the community through a grant program. For more information, visit GalenaCountryFair.com.

Shadows of the Blue and Gray

Oct. 11-12, 2025, Princeton

Hailed as “the most authentic and spectacular Civil War re-enactment in Illinois,” this annual event celebrates and educates guests on a pivotal point in America’s history.

The two-day event takes place at City County Park and includes events for all ages. Be sure to catch the grand entrance of President and Mrs. Lincoln, followed by an address and Lincoln lookalike contest. You’ll also see period music and dance, crafts and battle demonstrations by re-enactors in authentic uniforms.

Learn more about Shadows of the Blue and Gray at shadowsbluegray.com or call 815-878-9861.

Pike County Fall Pickin Days

Oct. 17-19, 2025, Pike County

Discover the beauty of Western Illinois in autumn by taking a scenic drive through Pike County for Fall Pickin Days while stopping in several local towns. During the event, 15 of the county’s towns will offer a unique roster of events, activities, craft vendors and food specialties for those passing through.

For more information about the event, visit the Pike County Fall Pickin’ Days page on Facebook.

Pumpkin Festival

Oct. 18, 2025, Jacksonville

Head to the Downtown Square in Jacksonville this October for Jacksonville Main Street’s annual Pumpkin Festival. Slated for Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event offers fall fun for the whole family with food and merchandise vendors, a kids’ costume contest, a pumpkin pie-eating competition, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo and much more. Festival tickets are $10 per person and allow guests to participate in all activities offered.

For more details, visit jacksonvillemainstreet.com/pumpkin-festival or call 217-245-6884.

Scarecrow Festival

Oct. 18, 2025, Dixon

Dixon’s annual Scarecrow Festival returns this October for a day of fall-themed festivities on six city blocks decorated with scarecrows on display throughout town. The festival invites guests to enjoy more than 100 booths and activities, including craft vendors, pumpkin painting, games, street performers, a petting zoo, flower pot decorating, pumpkin bowling, a doughnut-eating contest and more. There will also be food trucks, a riverfront performance by the Dixon Municipal Band and the annual Pumpkin Derby at 1 p.m. featuring pumpkin “racecars” competing for the title of fastest racer down Hennepin Avenue. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 815-284-3361 or visit discoverdixon.com/events/scarecrow-festival.

Galva Craft Show

Oct. 18, 2025, Galva 

Celebrating more than 45 years, the Beta Sigma Phi sorority chapters craft show features more than 100 craftspeople displaying unique, handcrafted items at Galva High School. Items include seasonal decorations, candles, jewelry, toys and more, plus apples, pumpkins and mums. Food will also be served, featuring the famous Beta Sigma Phi homemade barbecue sandwiches and other dishes. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is $2, benefitting community service projects. For more information, visit galvacraftshow.weebly.com or the Galva Craft Show page on Facebook.

Vulture Fest

Oct. 18-19, 2025, Makanda

Every October, soaring red-headed turkey vultures migrate over Makanda and surrounding areas signaling the arrival of fall, and the village celebrates the season with its two-day Vulture Fest event. Plan a visit to enjoy the stunning fall colors of southern Illinois and stick around for the live music, food, shopping and art vendors. Vulture Fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, and admission is free.

Visit facebook.com/makandaboardwalkevents or villageofmakanda.com/tourism-events or call 618-457-0360 for more details.

Fall Fox Valley Antiques Show and Sale

Oct. 18-19, 2025, St. Charles

Buried treasure awaits you at the Fall Fox Valley Antiques Show and Sale at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.

Antique lovers can find authentic pieces from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries at this online event, drawing dealers from all over the U.S. and Canada. Produced by the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association. Admission costs $10. For more information, visit csada.com.

Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off

Oct. 19, 2025, Alton 

Head to Alton this fall for some friendly local competition at the annual Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off hosted by Alton Main Street. The cook-off invites both amateur and professional chefs to compete for prizes in four categories: Individual, Organization, Business and Restaurant. Attendees can vote for their favorite chili in the People’s Choice competition for the coveted silver ladle. The event also features live music from Big George Jr. and the NGK Band.

This year’s cook-off takes place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at The Lodge at The Lovejoy located at 401 Piasa St. in Alton. Tickets are available at the door and cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Admission includes a sample of chili from each team. Visit downtownalton.com/chili-cook-off or call 618-463-1016 for more details.

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival

Oct. 22-26, 2025, Sycamore 

A tradition for more than 50 years, the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival provides Halloween fun for kids of all ages.

The festival began in 1962, stemming from an idea by Sycamore resident Wally “Mr. Pumpkin” Thurow to offer citizens a fun and creative activity for Halloween. Since then, the event has grown into the city’s largest annual gathering with a yearly average of more than 1,000 entries in the decorated pumpkin display and close to 2,000 participants in the 10K race. The festival also has two carnivals, two indoor craft shows, nonprofit vendors and a closing parade on Sunday. A giant cake-cutting ceremony kicks off the festivities.

Learn more about the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival and see a schedule of events at sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.

BatFest

Oct. 25, 2025, Batavia

Enjoy a frightfully fun Halloween celebration at BatFest in downtown Batavia on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including trick-or-treating, the Batavia Mothers’ Club Halloween parade, a costume contest, a pumpkin bowl and more. Bring your best jack-o’-lantern from home for the pumpkin-carving contest.

To learn more, visit downtownbatavia.com/event/batfest or call 630-761-3528.

Flannel Fest

Oct. 25, 2025, Champaign

As we transition from summer to fall, the weather turns colder, and we trade shorts and tank tops for pants and long-sleeved shirts. You know fall has truly arrived when you start seeing more people wearing flannel prints – after all, fall and flannel go hand in hand. Celebrating this iconic fabric, Champaign invites attendees to wear their favorite flannels and indulge in a day of fun activities held at Hessel Park. Timberwork’s Lumberjack Show will be performing demonstrations throughout the festival, such as axe throwing, logrolling and speed carving. In addition to live music, food trucks and craft beer, visitors can also enjoy arts, crafts, games and even competitions – like the annual mustache competition, a guaranteed fan favorite. Learn more at champaignparks.com/flannelfest.

Oblong Fall Follies & Nighttime Parade

Oct. 25, 2025, Oblong

Get in the Halloween spirit at the Oblong Fall Follies & Nighttime Parade on Saturday, Oct. 25. This daylong community celebration features everything from craft and food vendors to pumpkin decorating, live music, games, contests, pageants and more. The festival also hosts the state’s largest nighttime parade, which begins at 7 p.m. on Main Street and features everyone’s favorite Halloween-themed characters, from Ghostbusters to Harry Potter and more. For more details, visit theonlyoblong.com.

Share Your Illinois Event

Are we missing your favorite July events in Illinois? Send the details to ilfbpartners@farmflavormedia.com, and we may feature them on this website and in a future issue of Illinois Partners magazine.