Goodbye, summer, and hello, fall! While the weather is cooling and the sun is setting earlier, fall is arguably our favorite season. You can finally slip on a cozy sweater, sip on apple cider, and take in all the festivities. While festivals happen year-round, we love autumn and especially what it brings. Here are our favorite fall festivals in Chicago!
P.S. – This running list will continuously update as more fall festivals in Chicago are announced.
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at Burnham Park
A vibrant cultural showcase includes musical performances, traditional dances, opera, and fashion shows to celebrate an essential Asian festival where families reunite to honor the harvest, usually under a full moon.
📅 When: September 21, 2024
📍Address: 1200-5700 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
💰Cost: Free
3rd Annual Fall Festival
Head to the third annual Fall Fest at The Green at 320! Put on your favorite flannel and celebrate the beginning of fall with live music, axe throwing, fall-themed photo ops, delicious food and drinks, and more. The event is free and open to the public!
📅 When: September 24—25, 2024
📍Address: 1200-5700 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
💰Cost: Free
Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
During the weekends and select holidays, the Lincoln Park Zoo celebrates fall with seasonal decor, music, story times, professional pumpkin carving, and more.
📅 When: September 27—October 27, 2024
📍Address: Lincoln Ave. and W. Leland Ave., Chicago
💰Cost: Free
Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus Church
Looking for fall festivals in Chicago that celebrate Oktoberfest? We have a bunch! Oktoberfest Chicago will be held in and around Lakeview’s St. Alphonsus church. The Bavarian Fall Festival in Chicago will offer a variety of beers, bratwurst, and pretzels, as well as two stages featuring Bavarian music and cover bands. Additionally, there will be a separately ticketed craft beer festival on Friday and Saturday nights.
📅 When: September 27—29, 2024
📍Address: 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago
💰Cost: Free
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
One of our favorite fall festivals in Chicago, the Autumn Event, is back in Lincoln Square for an apple-filled weekend. At the festival’s marketplace, you can shop for autumnal goods, including apple doughnuts, apple cider, and apple-flavored beer. Catch live music performances, and bring the kids for seasonal activities.
📅 When: October 5—6, 2024
📍Address: Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Sunnyside, Chicago
💰Cost: Free