​7 Fun Things to do in Chicago This Fall

chicago fall events 2017It’s that time of the year again.

Leaves are starting to change color, the weather is starting to cool, and an unmistakable crisp can be felt in the air.

Fall has arrived in Chicago and that signals the start of a wide variety of outdoor festivals and other fun things to do before Old Man Winter casts his freezing spell over our city. There is no better city in the world to celebrate fall time than Chicago. Pound for pound, we have more fun things to do than anywhere else.

If you’re not actively planning at least 2-3 weekend activities per month, you’re truly missing out on one of the most spectacular seasons that Chicago has to offer.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 7 fun things to do in the fall time in Chicago. There’s something for everyone on this list.

STAMMTISCH OPEN HAUS – OKTOBERFEST

If you attend one Oktoberfest this year, make sure it’s the Stammtisch Open Haus. It’s the most authentic Oktoberfest in all of Chicago. It’s held in the German American Cultural Center and features authentic beer, brats, and yodeling. The Paloma Band of Chicago will be playing live on stage. There’s nothing more fun than doing the Chicken Dance with thousands of other Oktoberfest patrons in your Dirndl or Lederhosen.

When: 7:30pm Friday, October 20th

Where: DANK Haus 5th floor ballroom, German American Cultural Center

4740 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625

Admission: Free! (Free parking after 6pm @ MB Financial Bank lot)

The Haunted Halloween Ball

Come dressed to impress in your best Halloween costume as you join over 3,000 ghouls, goblins, and revelers in the Grand Ballroom at the Navy Pier. The event features DJ Metro (official DJ of the Chicago Bulls) and several cash bars spread throughout. Before you go, be sure to read our blog post on teeth-friendly cocktails in Chicago. The Grand Ballroom is the perfect venue for this event and its 80-foot domed ceiling provides views of the lakefront. The age limit is 21 and over so bring your ID!

When: October 28th 8pm-2am

Where: Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier

600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Admission: $15-$100

Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm & Garden Center

If partying the night away in an alcoholic stupor isn’t your idea of fun, then you can always check out one of the biggest and most popular pumpkin farms. Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm is located 35 miles outside of Chicago – and rightfully so. You’re not going to find an authentic pumpkin patch in the middle of downtown. Being that the Midwest was and still is primarily farm land, we’re fortunate to be located within a reasonable driving distance of the country.

Located in the scenic town of Hampshire, the pumpkin farm features pony rides, a mini zoo and of course, pumpkins! If you have young children, this is the perfect place to take them. Even if you don’t have children, adults can still take in the crisp fall air as they search for the perfect pumpkin to care before All Hallows Eve.

When: Open now!

Where: Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm

40 W. Higgins Rd. South Barrington, IL, 60010

Admission: $12-$15 – Visit their website for more information regarding various events and the cost.

Basement of the Dead

No fall outing is complete without a visit to one of the most popular haunted houses in all of the greater Chicago area. Basement of the Dead is one of the highest rated haunted houses in the area. Buzzfeed voted it the #1 scariest haunted house in all of Illinois. Based in Aurora, it features highly rated scare actors and even a roomful of psychopathic clowns! Check out the online reviews, everyone is raving about the Basement of the Dead.

When: Now through November 4th

Where: ½ Block west of Hollywood Casino, right on the Fox river.

2 West New York Street, Aurora, IL

Admission: $25 General admission/$45 VIP

Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns – Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicagoans are fortunate in that we live in the Midwest. As such, we don’t need to go too far to see the fall colors. If you don’t want to spend hours on the road on your quest to view the fall foliage, try stopping by the Chicago Botanic Garden. Spread out over 285 acres, you’ll definitely get your fill of reds, yellow, and orange leaves. You can explore the park on foot or on the tram.

The Night of 1,000 Jack-o’Lanterns is a paid event that takes place at the Chicago Botanic Garden that features 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins. The event starts at 6pm and is only open to ticket holders. The regular park closes at 5pm.

Best of all, admission to the park is 100% free!

When: Thursday-Sunday, October 26th-29th, 2017

Where: 1000 Lake-Cook Rd, Glencoe IL 60022

Admission: For the Botanic Garden itself, admission is free. For admission to the Night of 1,000 Jack-o’Lanterns - Adults: $14, Children $12. Children 2 and under: free

Chicago International Film Festival

The 53rd Chicago Film Festival is a must-see for any Chicagoan. One of the biggest cultural events of the year, Sir Patrick Stewart will be honored by the festival. If you have a day off and have an interest in movies and cinematography, you have to check it out. It’s a great place to take a date and show him/her how cultured you are. No matter what your style or taste in movies is, there’s something for everyone.

When: October 12th-26th, 2017

Where: 212 W Van Buren St., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60607

Admission: “Moviegoer Pass”: $135 non-members; “Passport Pass”: $260 non-members

Dia de Los Muertos – Chicago Public Library

Aka “Day of the Dead”, this event is held in many Latin-American countries and has made its way up to the Chicago Library. It originally started to celebrate the lives of deceased ancestors. Brightly colored skulls (fake) and skeletons (also fake) along with candies and sweets make this a cultural event that closely mirrors Halloween.

When: Starts October 15th

Where: Oct. 15 at Chicago Public Library’s Dunning branch, 7455 W. Cornelia Ave., 4 p.m

Admission: Free

Summary

From haunted houses to pumpkin farms to world-famous film festivals, Chicago has more to do in the fall time than any other city in America. Best of all, you don’t have to drive countless hours or hundreds of miles to participate in any of the events. It’s all in your proverbial backyard!

As the saying goes: “Winter is coming” and if you don’t at least get out 2-3x in the fall time, you’re going to be kicking yourself when December/January rolls around and you’re stuck inside because the weather is in the single digits.