It's time for fall family fun in Chicagoland and we can hardly wait! We are lucky to have so many fall attractions and events in Chicagoland where families have been making fall memories for years. From picking apples and pumpkins, to Halloween fun ... Macaroni KID is busy collecting all the details for you and your family to make the most of autumn. Here is a preliminary look at some fun events coming our way, so you can get a head start on all the action. Check back often as this list will continue to grow with updated dates and links.
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Attractions open all season long:
Activate
Activate is the world’s first active-gaming concept where guests take on physical and mental challenges in interactive game rooms with technology that reacts in real time. Players can choose their difficulty level and track their scores through their personalized electronic wristband. Activate is currently offering a group gift card promo. Book an event for a group of 20+ players by Nov. 15 (paid in full) and receive a $50 Activate gift card.
Fall Fest - Lincoln Park Zoo
September 25 - November 1
Dive into the wonderful world of autumn, from picking the perfect pumpkin to sipping festive drinks, with Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Fall Fest. This free, family-friendly celebration is full of harvest days fun this October. Fest guests can enjoy a pumpkin walk, live pumpkin carvers, a festive pop-up bar, animal chats, musical entertainment and more!
Festive Activities:
- Live professional pumpkin carvers
- Patch’s Bar & Grill, a festive fall food pop-up
- Pumpkin Patch
- Animal Viewing
- Stilt Walkers, and more...
Ticketed experiences:
- AT&T Endangered Species Carousel
- Lionel Train Adventure
- Rides
F1 Arcade
Now open in River North at the old Rock Bottom Brewery, get ready to gather your crew, sip on handcrafted cocktails (or mocktails), and take the wheel in a state-of-the-art Formula 1® simulator for an adrenaline-fueled adventure like no other. Looking for a family activity that's actually fun for everyone? Every racer gets their own full-motion simulator for 30 minutes of head-to-head racing, with family packages from $39 — as low as $11.80 per person. Easy to play, built for ages 7 and up.
The Forge Enchanted Adventure
September 25 - November 1
Three worlds. One glowing trail. Thousands of artisan-designed pumpkins lighting up the quarry after dark. After sunset the quarry trail becomes something else entirely. A glowing path leads you through three themed worlds of artisan designed, backlit pumpkins, built display by display into creatures, spells and pranks you can walk right up to. It is a walk, not a ride, and it is made for every age.
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up
September 19 - November 1
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is located on over 2 acres in Goose Island. Experience a larger than life, outdoor, multi-sensory adventure in the heart of Chicago. Spend an autumn night outside making memories without having to travel to the suburbs while you get lost in Chicago’s largest corn maze, mine for gems, binge on apple cider donuts, and try your luck at carnival games! All ages are welcome. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 7pm. 18 and up can also try their hand at axe throwing.
Minecraft Experience Villager Rescue at EXP Rosemont
Now through October 10
Embark on an hour-long rescue mission at EXP Rosemont as you journey through multiple Minecraft biomes — collect resources, craft items, battle mobs, and help save the villagers in this real-life interactive experience.
Built for Minecrafters of all ages — explorers, creators, and first-timers alike — this limited-time Minecraft experience is not to be missed.
River Walk Fall Fest
Saturdays, September 19 - October 31
Every Saturday you will find live music, access to hayrides on the river, pumpkin patch, games for all ages, fall cocktails, beer, apple cider donuts, photo ops and more at the Island Party Hut. Fun for all ages.
Santa's Village Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival
September 19 - October 25
Enjoy the Amusement Park and Petting Zoo plus special fall-only attractions including the Pumpkin Patch, Corn Play Pit, Spooky Houses, Harvest Menu, and more!
Six Flags Great America Kids Boo Fest
September 19 - November 1
We visit Great America every fall. It's the perfect time to go. The temperature is usually a little cooler, the lines are shorter, and the changing colors of all the leaves, really make it quite picturesque. Add to that all the fun Fall, Halloween decorations, and seasonal menu items, and it is an enjoyable day even for non-riders. The park has three different kids' areas for the less daring, and everyone can enjoy the live shows, including the new Monster Bash, an interactive Halloween party for tiny goblins. On Saturdays and Sundays, kids can get in costume too and join characters on a Trick or Treat Trail. At 5:45pm, The Uprising Parade: Nightly Call of the Dead begins. This is the cue for kids 13 and under to make their way to the park exit or dare to be scared by Fright Fest.
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Apple Orchards
It's a bit of a drive to get to the best Apple Orchards from Chicago, but the memories are worth it.
All Seasons Orchard
August 30 – October 26
All Seasons has long been one of our favorites, not just for all the fun, but also their excellent customer service. In addition to a wagon ride to go apple picking among 15,000 apple and pear trees, including Honeycrisp apples, spend the day exploring the 30+ Fall family friendly activities in the barnyard including the corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch and more! Pony rides, lives shows and apple cannon available on weekends. Our favorite activities are the zip lines, the cow train, and unlimited access to the jumping pillow (as opposed to some popular pumpkin farms that charge for each three-minute jumping session) Don't leave without trying an apple cider slushie!
14510 IL Route 176
Woodstock, IL 60098
815-338-5637
Apple Holler
September 17 - November 16
Now picking Paula Red, Summerset, Gala, Sweet MAIA, Blondee, Golden Supreme, McIntosh, and Honeycrisp Apples. In addition to apple picking, Farm Park Fun is open every day! Enjoy activities such as a Corn Maze, Little Red Haybarn, Giant Slide, Corn Palace Corn Box, Straw Mountain, and visit the Goats at the Golden Goat Bridge, PLUS Pony Rides for kids and Peddle Cart Rides on the weekends! This is another top choice. And let's face it, I'm all about the seasonal food. Check out the Red Barn Cafe!
5006 South Sylvania Ave
Sturtevant, WI 53177
262-884-7100
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
October 2 - October 4
Don't want to drive too far, usher in the Fall with the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce's 39th Annual Apple Fest! Apple Fest is a long-standing tradition in Lincoln Square, bringing community together to celebrate the beginning of autumn.
Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Wilson
Pumpkin Picking
Get a jump start on pumpkin picking.
Goebbert's Farm & Garden Center
September 5 - November 1
There is a ton of stuff to do. Admission price includes access to the farm as well as admission to Animal Land, Little Farmer’s Play Yard and Haunted House, Wagon Ride & Magic Show. Goebbert's is probably most famous for the Pumpkin Eating Dinosaur, which is located in Animal Land. Get up close and personal while feeding giraffes at eye level too. That's my favorite attraction! Advance purchase is recommended. Pony ride, camel ride, jumping pillow, and gem mining are all additional fees.
40 W. Higgins Rd.
South Barrington, IL, 60010
847-428-6727
Happy Times Pumpkinfest
September 16 - October 31
There is no admission fee, but all activities and rides require individual tickets. They have many mechanical kiddie rides, camel rides, pony rides, Animal Land Zoo with Pig Races, Pumpkin Playland, and more!
Didier Farms
16678 W. Aptakisic Rd.
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
847-634-3291
Johansen Farms Children's Zoo & Pumpkin Patch
Now through October 31
Admission is $18.95 on the weekdays, and $23.95 on the weekends in September and $26.95 on the weekends in October, with children under two always free. All rides and attractions are free and unlimited with paid zoo admission, including Pony Rides (offered Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm in October), animals & baby chicks to hold, Giant Air Slides, Hay Rides, Train Rides, Corn Maze, Sports Zone Inflatables, Toddler Pooh Bear Park, and Noah’s Miniature Golf Course! Johansen Farms is really pretty and great for younger kids.
710 W Boughton Rd.
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
630-759-8711
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Leaf Peeping
The Illinois Fall Color Report projects that autumn colors will peak in the Chicago area mid-October. Just another great reason to visit the Chicago Lakeshore, Millenium Park, Lincoln Park, The Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden, Garfield Conservatory, The Forest Preserves, or take a drive out to Galena or Starved Rock for a real foliage show!
The crisp autumn breeze is rolling in and Lake Geneva’s Grand Geneva Resort and Spa is offering a variety of ways for guests to get outside and enjoy the upcoming fresh fall air, incredible Midwest fall foliage, and traditional seasonal offerings and treats. Of course, guests can simply walk around the resort’s stunning glacier-carved 1,300-acre campus to enjoy the Midwest’s magical autumn colors. Keep an eye on the Wisconsin Fall Color Report for optimal leaf-looking opportunities.
Halloween Activities
Check out our Halloween Happenings 2026 Guide
