13 Fall Festivities in Central Illinois

Summer is flying by, and I’m not quite sure if I’m ready to say goodbye. However, the promise of crisp fall air and colorful leaves just around the corner makes the transition a bit easier. Now is the perfect time to get ahead and plan your fall festivities before the new season begins.  

Pumpkin Farms to Visit

Start the season off strong by visiting pumpkin farms in the Heritage Corridor. Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm is kicking off the season with a sunflower harvest where you can take Instagrammable photos in a sunflower field and pick flowers to take home.

Following the sunflower harvest, there are 4 pumpkin farms opening in September: Bronkberry Farms, Dollinger Family Farm, Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm, and Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm where you can expect a full day of fall fun from hayrides, corn mazes, farm animals and of course pumpkin picking!

Heap’s Sunflower Harvest - 09/05/2026 – 09/13/2026 

Dollinger Family Farm Opening Day - 09/14/2026 

Fall on the Farm - 09/15/2026 – 10/31/2026 

Siegel’s Pumpkin Fest - 09/19/2026 – 11/01/2026 

Heap’s Giant Pumpkin Farm Grand Opening - 09/19/2026 

Fall Festivals

Set a reminder for these 2 upcoming festivals, the 77th Grundy Corn Festival and the 56th Annual Burgoo Festival. Now, if you can, I highly encourage you to attend both festivals because they’re both unique in their own way. While both celebrate tradition and community, one celebrates the agricultural history in Grundy County where you can snack on sweet corn, and the other celebrates a pioneer stew called Burgoo which is cooked overnight outdoors and only served Sunday morning. On top of enjoying sweet corn and hot Burgoo stew, you can shop markets, enjoy live entertainment and plenty of festival activities. 

77th Grundy County Corn Festival: 09/23/2026 – 09/27/2026 

56TH Annual Burgoo Festival: 10/10/2026 – 10/11/2026 

October and Halloween Happenings

Once October hits I know we’re all excited for all things spooky, but until then Ginger Road Brewing Company and Camp Aramoni are bringing a taste of Germany to Starved Rock Country with their very own Oktoberfests. It’s your chance to expand your taste buds and indulge in traditional German foods.  

Oktober Fest - 10/03/2026 

Oktoberfest Brunch - 10/11/2026 

As we get into mid-October the Halloween festivities are starting to pop up on our calendar. We’ve got the perfect excuse for you to throw on your costume early and wear it as you shop a Halloween Market or Brews and Boos. 

Trackside Halloween Market - 10/17/2026 

Brews & Boos – 10/23/2026 

There’s no Halloween without candy, so gather the family for an afternoon in Lemont for Lemontster Trick-Or-Treating and start stocking up on Halloween candy. If you’re looking for some spooky fun, Camp Tuckabatchee’s Haunted Camp Tuck will have spooky and not so spooky attractions for the entire family to enjoy. 

Lemontster Trick-Or-Treating – 10/24/2026 

Haunted Camp Tuck – 10/10/26 – 10/11/26, 10/17/26 – 10/18/26, 10/24/26 – 10/25/26, 10/30/2026 – 10/31/2026 

 There’s plenty to keep all the fall vibes going strong and the Halloween excitement growing. As the fall months approach more events will be popping up on our calendar. I hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer and have even more fun planning your fall!