Lincoln Square Apple Fest, Fright Fest and More Fall Festivals to Visit Around Chicago

With fall finally in session, seasonal festivals are hitting the streets in Chicago.

From music festivals to Halloween events, here are some ways to enjoy autumn around the city:

Oktoberfest Naperville

Naperville's two-day take of the popular German festival will include games, food, local and traditional beer, as well as polka and rock music. Guests can head to the festival Friday and Saturday.

Ticket information is available here.

Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest

The 35th rendition of Lincoln Square's long-standing tradition will run Saturday and Sunday, offering the community an opportunity to ring in the fall season with markets, entertainment and apples, of course. More information can be found here.

Fall Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo invites zoogoers to its free fall celebration each year. The festival's eighth rendition will feature pumpkin patches and hay mountains, as well as ticketed attractions like a 65-foot Ferris wheel and a harvest maze.

While the event's hours of operation will vary, it will take place Fridays through Sundays from until Oct. 30.

Ravinia Carnival

The Highland Park block party is taking place Friday and Saturday at Jens Jensen Park. The fall event features live music and family-friendly activities. More information can be found here.

Harvest Fest at Indian Boundary

Music will ring Sunday throughout Chicago's Indian Boundary Park and Cultural Center. The event welcomes visitors to pick and decorate pumpkins, enjoy carnival-themed games and play with inflatables. Other than a $5 fee for the pumpkin, the event will be free.

Fright Fest

Fright Fest, Six Flags Great America's spookiest celebration, is back at the Gurnee amusement park for its 31st terrifying season with haunted houses, live performances, spooky scare zones, rides after dark and more.

The event began Sept. 17 and will run until Oct. 31, which is the night of Halloween.

The amusement park is currently only open Saturdays and Sundays. However, the park will also open on select Mondays and Fridays through the duration of Fright Fest. Hours of operation vary by day.

Boo! at the Zoo

Brookfield Zoo will transform its grounds with Halloween-themed décor and events throughout spooky season.

A series of programs will run Saturdays and Sundays throughout Oct. 8-23 for visitors, who are all encouraged by organizers to show up in costume.

Ticket and time information are available here.

Fall Fest at Jefferson

Arts and crafts and Halloween costume swaps will all take place Oct. 9 at Chicago's Jefferson Memorial Park. The event will be free.

Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns

The Chicago Botanical Gardens will light up the night with more than 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins etched with images of classic Halloween characters, celebrities and nods to Chicago.

Visitors can stroll among the garden's pumpkin-lit trails, partake in live carving demonstrations and sip on drinks. The event will take shape Oct. 12-16 and 19-23.

Ticket and time information are available here.

All Hallows Eve

Naperville invites kids 16 years old and younger to its two-day festival that will be filled with outdoor activities and performances, some of which include axe throwing, laser tag and an immersive skit inspired by Harry Potter.

The event will be held Oct. 14-15, and ticket information is available here.

Open House Chicago

Chicago Architecture Center's free public festival will give locals behind-the-scenes access to architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites across the area Oct. 15-16.

Over 150 sites that are generally closed to the public will open their doors for visitors.

Sites and their hours of operations will be available here.

Howlin' at the Moon

From fire dancers to liquid light shows, Halloween-themed attractions and performances will ring throughout Naperville at the Chicago suburb's festival geared toward those over the age of 21.

While walking through the festival grounds, which will feature art galleries and markets, guests can grab a bite at the Food Truck Graveyard or drinks at the Booze Bar.

The event will run Oct. 21-22. Ticket information is available here.