Record Roundup: 25+ alternatives for fall enjoyable within the North Shore

The temperature is dropping and the leaves are on the point of flip — simply in time for a wealth of seasonal actions throughout the North Shore. 

Take inventory of the plethora of fall and Halloween occasions in your space with this roundup of festivals, family-friendly bashes, costumed-skates and extra. 

We miss one thing? Let us know at [email protected].

JUMP TO: WINNETKA | WILMETTE | HIGHLAND PARK | GLENCOE | NORTHFIELD | KENILWORTH

Winnetka

Fall Fest: 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 27, Skokie Playfield, 540 Hibbard Road

Winnetka’s annual Fall Fest will characteristic meals vehicles, music from an interactive DJ, and alcoholic drinks. Adult admission is free however kids should receive a $20-$25 wristband to reap the benefits of a plethora of video games, inflatables, face portray, a petting zoo, hay journey and pony rides. 

Family Campfire: 6-7:45 p.m. on Oct. 10, Crow Island Woods, 1140 Willow Road

Families seeking to loosen up collectively round a campfire, roasting scorching canines and s’mores to the tune of instrumental people music, can register online for $10-$15. The Winnetka Historical Society will even provide informational walk-throughs to the native log cabin. 

Pumpkins within the Woods: 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 24, Hubbard Woods Park, 939 Old Green Bay Road

The Winnetka Parks District will rework Hubbard Woods Park right into a pumpkin patch for this fall occasion, one replete with pumpkin adorning, carnival video games, bounce homes, a DJ and Halloween costume contest. Families should register online for $5-$7 to obtain a pumpkin and decorations. Costume contest registration will start at 4:30 p.m. and have most unique, scary and humorous classes.

Halloween Party on Ice: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Oct. 25, Winnetka Ice Arena, 490 Hibbard Road 

Don your finest Halloween costume and lace up your ice skates to glide round to some spooky music at Winnetka’s ice rink. Admission is $2 per skater and skates can be found for hire at $4. No costume masks overlaying all the face might be allowed in. 

Wilmette

North Shore Artisan Market: 10a.m.-4p.m., Sept. 13-14, Wilmette Station, 722 Green Bay Road 

After first launching in Northbrook final 12 months, the North Shore Artisan Market has expanded to downtown Wilmette. The fall market will reportedly characteristic “100 talented artisans” in meals, trend, artwork and residential items. The celebration of small and native companies will even be simply accessible from the Wilmette Metra station. 

Wicked Wilmette: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oct. 17, Lakeview Center at Gillson Park, 800 Gillson Park Drive

This 12 months’s Wicked Wilmette occasion has relocated due to development at Hibbard Park however will nonetheless embrace a variety of actions like face portray and hay rides. “Spooky Stations”  all through the park will give away treats, and a pumpkin patch will characteristic a adorning station. Costumes are inspired. Registration is required for kids solely and prices $26 for residents, $32 for nonresidents. 

Spooky Skate: 1-2:30 p.m., Oct. 26, Centennial Ice Rinks, 2300 Old Glenview Road

Take to the ice for a spooky public skate session in Wilmette that may embrace video games, a fancy dress contest and extra. Entry is $5 for these in costume or free for these 5 years previous and below and in costume. Otherwise, entry is $4 for these 5 years previous and below, $8 for college kids and $9 for adults. Rental skates might be obtainable. 

Wilmette Children’s Theater fall manufacturing: ‘Elf the Musical Jr.’: Nov. 7-16, Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Road

Tickets will go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 21 for the native kids’s theater’s manufacturing of “Elf the Musical Jr.” The reveals will then run for 2 weekends in November: Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 14-16. Limited seating is accessible so order on-line or on the Community Recreation Center’s entrance desk. 

Highland Park

Oktoberfest within the Ravinia District: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sept. 20, Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave.

Highland Park’s fifth annual celebration of German beer, meals and Bavarian music will kick off with the town’s first official BBQ contest. Other festivities to the day-long occasion will embrace dancing, stay leisure, Oktoberfest video games like a stein-holding contest and family-friendly actions. Entrance is free.

Scarecrow Fest & Downtown Concert: 4-8 p.m., Sept. 26, Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.

Send off this 12 months’s downtown live performance sequence with a festive fall afternoon that may embrace stay scarecrow puppets and stay music at Port Clinton Square. Four completely different bands will carry out: Mary Macaroni, Istvan & His Imaginary Band, Ben Tatar & the Tatar Tots and Saturday June Band. More than 24 festive scarecrows adorned by native companies may be discovered scattered all through downtown Highland Park. Check online here for a schedule of the performances and photos of final 12 months’s scarecrows. 

Highland Park Hoe Down: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunset Woods Park, 1801 Sunset Road

Looking for one thing new to do that fall season? Highland Park’s inaugural hoe down will present a day of stay music from an area band, actions by way of garden video games and grub from meals vehicles. The Big Rigs & Boots will spotlight vehicles and tractors earlier within the day from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Habitat for Humanity might be available as will a enjoyable composting occasion. Entrance is free and for all ages. 

Stews & Brews: 5-9 p.m., Oct. 11, Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.

Downtown Highland Park’s fourth annual Stews & Brews competition will as soon as once more characteristic loads of consolation meals and scorching drinks for this fall season. On faucet might be a variety of craft beers, spiced wines, scorching toddies and mulled ciders, simply as there might be a variety of chilis, pozoles, stews, stroganoffs, goulash, pot pies and heat soups. Live music will even be current at this free, all-ages occasion. 

Pick and Paint Pumpkin Quest: 10-11 a.m., Oct. 16, Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road

Walk by means of one in every of Highland park’s mini pumpkin patches and choose a gourd to brighten with city-provided craft provides like paint, stickers, and googly eyes. Registration is required at $15 per youngster (ages 2-5) for residents and $18 for nonresidents. 

Fall Skating Exhibition: 5-6:30 p.m., Oct. 24, Centennial Ice Arena, 3100 Trail Way

Attend this determine skating showcase from younger skaters within the Highland Park District’s Learn to Skate program. Entrance is free and people focused on becoming a member of within the subsequent fall session, which runs from Oct. 20 to Dec. 18, can e mail Deb Jenssen at [email protected] for info.

Halloween Candy Stroll: 3:30-5 p.m., Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Avenue

The metropolis’s annual sweet stroll could have fall actions and collaborating companies handing out sweet obtainable within the Ravinia District at Jens Jensen Park. Attendance is free. 

Scary Halloween Miniature Golf: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 25, River’s Edge Mini Golf, 2205 Skokie Valley Rd.

Interested in some household enjoyable on the miniature golf vary? Come in-costume and obtain a free spherical at River’s Edge 18-hole course. No registration is required. The first 9 holes are ADA accessible.

Trunk or Treat: 3:30-5 p.m., Oct. 30, Hidden Creek AquaPark, 1220 Fredrickson Place

Those much less inclined to go door to door this Halloween can nonetheless rejoice the season with a family-friendly Trunk or Treat occasion hosted by park district workers and area people teams in Highland Park. Kids ages 2 and up and accompanied by a registered grownup are invited to go automotive to automotive whereas adorned trunks hand out sweet. Costumes are inspired; entry is free. 

Dia De Los Muertos: 1-3 p.m., Nov. 1, Park Fitness, 1207 Park Avenue West

Join in on an all-ages celebration of conventional dance performances, stay music and hands-on craft actions at Highland Park’s Day of the Dead vacation occasion. The occasion is free, requires no registration, and can characteristic sugar cranium face portray. Those focused on contributing to the neighborhood altar, or ofrenda, to honor a liked one can contact Jessica Soto at [email protected] for info. 

Glencoe

Bier on the Pier: 4 p.m., Glencoe Beach, 160 Hazel Ave.

This fall celebration could have loads of stay music, domestically brewed craft beer, snacks and good views on deck. Only these 21 and up can enter and registration prices $20 for residents, $25 for nonresidents. Advance registration online here is inspired as restricted tickets could also be obtainable day-of on the door. 

Boo Bash: 5 p.m., Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Road

The Glencoe Park District will rework its Takiff Center right into a Halloween-themed playground the place children can trick-or-treat, watch performances and take part on seasonal actions. Costumes are inspired, as is strolling or carpooling since parking is proscribed. Registration is required as soon as per group. 

Halloween Hello: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 31, Downtown Glencoe, 675 Village Court

The Village of Glencoe could have heaps on provide this Halloween, with trick-or-treating at collaborating downtown companies — which might be clearly demarcated with a “Halloween Hello” signal of their window — and a Ghosts within the Garden occasion placed on by the Glencoe Historical Society in a adorned Eklund Garden. Village Hall will even have a particular deal with on provide. 

Community Garden Pumpkin Smash: 10:30 a.m., Nov. 8, 380 Old Green Bay Road

Want an environmentally pleasant and enjoyable option to toss your pumpkin after Halloween is over? Come to this Glencoe neighborhood backyard to smash the pumpkins for compost. The occasion is free and welcome to all ages. 

Turkey Time Bingo: 6 p.m., Nov. 14, Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Road

This family-friendly occasion will placed on 10 bingo video games with an assortment of “wacky prizes.” Entrance is free and all ages are welcome, although area is proscribed on a first-come, first-served foundation. 

Turkey Chase: 4 p.m., Nov. 21, Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Road

This 12 months’s turkey fun-run will begin at Ravine Bluffs Park and proceed north alongside the Green Bay Trail. All ages are welcome at this free occasion, although the run is designed for younger kids and advance registration is inspired. Children have to be accompanied by an grownup. 

Northfield

Boo Bash: Oct. 24, Willow Park, 401 Wagner Road

This Halloween get together will characteristic video games, crafts, a balloonist and a prepare journey by means of the park for youths ages 3 to eight. Attendees are inspired to convey a deal with bag and put on costumes. Children have to be accompanied by an grownup. 

Kenilworth

Historical Society Walking Tour: 1:30 p.m., Sept. 21 and Oct. 12, Kenilworth Train Station, 400 Richmond Road

The Kenilworth Historical Society is internet hosting two extra strolling excursions this fall in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center. This 12 months’s new route will concentrate on properties designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Geroge Maher and Franklin Burnham situated south of Kenilworth Avenue and east of the railroad tracks. The tour is two-hours lengthy and tickets are available online at $10 for members of the historic society.

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