Illinois Fairs, Festivals & Events

Information provided on
this website and in our publications is as current as possible at time of inclusion.
It is suggested that you always call ahead to confirm dates, times and locations before planning any trips.

Click on a link listed below to view a list of fairs, festivals and events for that month

October 2008	November 2008
December 2008	January 2009
February 2009	March 2009
April 2009	May 2009

Event dates and details are subject to change. This information is intended for general information only. We strongly advise you to confirm the information provided here before beginning yourtrip or making your travel plans.

We also encourage you to submit events happening in your area for publication on this website or in a future issue of Backyard Excursions.

October 2008

October - Weekends Shades of Autumn Fall Festival
Stade Dairy Farm, McHenry, IL • 815.675.6396 • www.shadesofautumn.net

October Worlds Largest Corn Maze
Richardson Farm, Spring Grove, IL • 815.675.9729 • www.richardsonfarm.com

October Fun at the Orchard
Royal Oak Farm Orchard, Harvard, IL • 815.648.4141 • www.royaloakfarmorchard.com

Ocotber 1-25 "Kita y Fernanda"
16th Street Theater, Berwyn, IL • 708.795.6704 • www.16thstreettheater.org

October 1-31 Pumpkin Barn
May Family Pumpkin Barn, East Dubuque, IL • 815.747.6832
www.mayfamilypumpkinbarn.com

October 3-4 Knox County Scenic Drive
Spoon River Valley, Knox County, IL • 309.343.2485 • www.visitgalesburg.com

October 4 Unity Temple Concert Series: Maurice Brown Effect
Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.utconcerts.com

October 3-4 Galesburg Scarecrow Festival
Standish Park, Galesburg, IL • 309.343.2485 • www.visitgalesburg.com

October 4 Little Italy
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Chicago, IL • 312.742.2036 • www.cityofchicago.org/tourism

October 4 Chicago Neighborhood Tours
Hyde Park & Kenwood, Chicago, IL • 312.742.2036 • www.cityofchicago.org/tourism

October 9-12 Weed Ladies Fall Floral Sale
Naper Settlement, Naperville IL • 847.382.1480 • www.napervillewinefestival.com

October 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31 & November 1 Terror on the Railroad
Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL • 800.BIG.RAIL • www.irm.org

October 10-12 Scarecrow Festival
Downtown St. Charles, IL • 800.777.4373 • www.visitstcharles.com

October 10-13 Punkin Chuckin' Contest
Green Acres Farm, Groveland, IL • 888.765.6588 • www.pumpkincapital.com

October 10-30 Haunted Decatur Halloween Tours
Prairie Fire, Decatur, IL • 888.446.7859 • www.haunteddecatur.com

October 10-November 1 Murder Mansion in Forest Park
The Park District of Forest Park, Dixon, IL • 815.284.9645 • www.pdofp.org

October 10-11 Knox County Scenic Drive
Spoon River Valley, Knox County, IL •309.343.2485• www.visitgalesburg.com

October 11 Monthly Skywatch at Cernan Earth
Cernan Earth and Space Center, Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.triton.edu/cernan

October 11-12 Old Settlers Days
Riverside Park, Kampsville, IL • 618.465.2114 • www.greatriverroad.com

October 11-12 Indian Summer Festival
Lincoln Memorial Garden, Springfield, IL • 217.529.1111 • www.lmgnc.org

October 17 Blues and Bluegrass
H.I. Lincoln Building, Franklin Grove, IL • 815.456.3030 • www.franklingroveil.org

October 17-18, 24-25, 31 & November 1 Terror on the Railroad
Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL • 800.BIG.RAIL • www.irm.org

October 17-19, 24-31 Boo at the Zoo
Scovill Zoo, Decatur, IL • 217.421.7435 • www.decatur-parks.org/zoo

October 17-19 Early Tin Dusters Fall Color Run
Downtown Quincy, IL • 217.223.1000 • www.quincy-cvb.org

October 17-November 16 The Medium At Large
Village Players Performing Arts Center , Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.village-players.org

October 18 An Evening with Judy Collins, Folk Music Legend
Dominican University Performing Arts Center, Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.dom.edu/pac

October 18, 24-25 Train of Terror
2954 S. Walnut Rd., Freeport, IL • 815.232.2350 • www.thefreeportshow.com

October 18-19 Trail Of History
Glacial Park, Ringwood, IL • 815.338.6223 • www.mccdistrict.org

October 18 Colonial Days Celebration
His Rest Bed & Breakfast, Freeburg, IL • 618.539.3665 • www.HisRestBB.com

October 19 17th Annual Tale of the Tombstones
Forest Home Cemetery, Forest park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.visitforestpark.com

October 22-26 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival
Dekalb County Courthouse Lawn, Sycamore, IL • 815.895.3157 www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com

October 24-25 All Hallows Eve - A 19th Century Halloween
Naper Settlement, Naperville IL • 847.382.1480 • www.napervillewinefestival.com

October 24-25, 31 & November 1 Terror on the Railroad
Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL • 800.BIG.RAIL • www.irm.org

October 24 Chicago Neighborhood Tours
Wicker Park & Bucktown, Chicago, IL • 312.742.2036 • www.cityofchicago.org/tourism

October 26 The Ernest Hemingway Foundation Second Annual Wine Auction
Pleasant Home , Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.ehfop.org

October 26 32nd Annual Frank Lloyd Wright Races
Oak Park River Forest High School, Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.oakparkparks.com

November 2008

November 1 Terror on the Railroad
Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL • 800.BIG.RAIL • www.irm.org

November 1 Murder Mansion in Forest Park
The Park District of Forest Park, Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.pdofp.org

November 1 Chicago Neighborhood Tours
Greek Chicago, Chicago, IL • 312.742.2036 • www.cityofchicago.org/tourism

November 1 Living Beautifully at Frank Lloyd Wright's Home & Studio
Frank Lloyd Wright's Home & Studio, Oak Park, IL • 312.742.2036 • www.gowright.org

November 1-16 The Medium At Large
Village Players Performing Arts Center, Oak Park, IL • 708.524.7800 • www.village-players.org

November 7-8 Weed Ladies Fall Floral Sale
Naper Settlement, Naperville IL • 847.382.1480 • www.napervillewinefestival.com

November 7-9 Greater Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Festival
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield, IL • 217.243.3159 • www.bluegrassmidwest.com

November 8 Victorian Secrets
Naper Settlement, Naperville IL • 847.382.1480 • www.napervillewinefestival.com

November 8- 9 Antique Expo
Will County Fairgrounds, Peotone, IL • 708.672.9216 • www.visitchicagosouthland.com

November 11 Veterans Day
Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL • 708.688.8000 • www.czs.org

November 14 Christmas Walk & Festival of Trees
Downtown Amboy, IL • 815.857.3814 • www.encounterleecounty.com

November 15 Chicago Neighborhood Tours
South Shore Neighborhoods, Chicago, IL • 312.742.2036 • www.cityofchicago.org/tourism

November 19-December 1"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
Circle Theatre, Forest Park, IL • 708.771.0700 • www.circle-theatre.org

November 22 Taste of the Neighborhoods
Chicago neighborhoods, Chicago, IL • 312.742.2036 • www.cityofchicago.org/tourism

November 23 Chamber Series - PROJECT
Dominican University Performing Arts Center, River Forest, IL • 708.488.5000 • www.dom.edu/pac

November 29 Light Up Streator
Streator City Park, Streator, IL • 815.674.1999 • www.streator.org

December 2008

December 1"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
Circle Theatre, Forest Park, IL • 708.771.0700 • www.circle-theatre.org

December 5 Christmas in the Village
Main St. and Ellice Dinges Center, Sublette, IL • 815.849.5582 • www.encounterleecounty.com

December 5-6 Holiday Lights in Homewood
Downtown Homewood, IL • 708.206.3375 • www.homesweethomewood.com

December 6 Victorian Holiday Traditions
Naper Settlement, Naperville IL • 847.382.1480 • www.napervillewinefestival.com

December 12 Christmas Celebration
Downtown Franklin Grove, IL • 815.456.3030 • www.encounterleecounty.com

December 12-14 Christmas Memories
Naper Settlement, Naperville IL • 847.382.1480 • www.napervillewinefestival.com

December 12-13 Holiday Fest
Downtown Paw Paw, IL • 815.627.9331 • www.encounterleecounty.com

JANUARY 2009

January 31 Knox College International Fair
Knox College, Galesburg, IL • 309.343.2485 • www.visitgalesburg.com

FEBRUARY 2009

February 14-15 Galesburg Historical Society Chocolate Festival
Antique Mall (downtown Galesburg), Galesburg, IL • 309.343.2485 • www.visitgalesburg.com

MARCH 2009

APRIL 2009

April 16-18 Rootabaga Jazz Festival
Cherry Street Restaurant & Bar , Galesburg, IL • 309.343.2485 • www.visitgalesburg.com

MAY 2009

May 2-3 Kites Over Lake Storey
Lake Storey, Galesburg, IL • 309.343.2485 • www.visitgalesburg.com

Backyard Excursions is a travel idea resource guide providing a rich variety of destinations and attractions in the Great Lake states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois. Discover great vacation ideas including family activities, romantic getaways, accommodations, entertainment, shopping, tours, museums, sports, recreation activities and more, all in “your own BACKYARD." Visit locations in Michigan like Frankenmuth, Mackinaw, Traverse City, Bay City, Midland and Ludington. Take a road trip to Shipshewana, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Greenfield or Antique Alley, Indiana. Explore Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Youngstown and Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Take an excursion to Chicago, Springfield, Peoria or Rock Island, Illinois. Plan a weekend in Green Bay, Black River Falls, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Dells or Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The destinations are endless, yet not so far away.