10 Fall Fests Worth Checking Out This Weekend

It's all about the German food and beer, apple cider doughnuts and enjoying great live music outside before winter hits. That's right -- fall with its comfortable temps and beautiful fall colors are underway in the Chicago area. And this weekend is jam-packed with fun fall festival that will draw all ages.

So, before it's time to get in the spirit for Halloween, here are some great fall festivals worth checking out over the coming weekend.

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October 5 to October 7 Fall Fests

Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles: Make your own scarecrow and then hit the town to vote for your favorite. Over 100 hand-made and mechanical scarecrows will be on display during this three-day fest, which runs from Oct. 5 to Oct. 7. There is also an arts and crafts show, live music and carnival rides. Admission is free. If you want to sign up to make your own scarecrow, entrant applications are now being accepted. More information via the event website.

American Aid Society of German Descendants Oktoberfest in Lake Villa: Sept. 22, Sept 29 and Oct. 6. This fest is held over three consecutive Saturdays with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Music is provided by lively German bands and a variety of entertainment is on hand. Food and drinks are available all evening. More information via the event website.

Naperville Oktoberfest in Naperville: Naperville's Oktoberfest will be held under a large heated tent on Oct. 5 and 6 at Naper Settlement. Live music ranging from classic German oompah music to classic rock along with German beer and cuisine will be be on hand. All proceeds benefit the Naperville Heritage Society. More via the event website.

Batavia Oktoberfest in Batavia: Batavia's Oktoberfest has added an extra day this year--making the typical two-day festival now a three-day fest. Running from Oct. 5 to Oct. 7, the last day of the festival will be a family day, with kid-focused entertainment on stage and a Xfinity Sports Zone viewing area for football fans. The Oktoberfest is held in downtown Batavia and includes authentic German food, music, entertainment and beer. More via the event website.

Highwood Pumpkin Festival in Highwood: The festivities kick of Thursday evening with free admission, live music and all-you-can-carve pumpkins. The fun will continue Friday through Sunday as fest organizers again hope to draw enough pumpkin carvings to break the Guinness World Record of 30,851 pumpkins carved and lit at once. Held in downtown Highwood, proceeds go toward Make-A-Wish Illinois. The festival is sponsored by HGTV and HGTV Magazine. All lit jack-o-lanterns will be placed on pumpkin walls throughout the Festival grounds, with ceremonial wall lightings Friday and Saturday nights, and the grand lighting on Sunday evening. The fest includes live music, a food court, three bars, costume and pie eating contest, carnival, pony and camel rides, a petting zoo, kids crafts, vendors galore and the 3rd annual Superhero 5k Run/Walk honoring "Superman Sam" Sommer, Highwood resident and Make-A-Wish child that lost his battle with cancer in 2013, and more. More via Patch.com.

Fall Color Festival at Morton Arboretum in Lisle: The Fall Color Festival celebrates the most brilliant season at The Morton Arboretum. Take in 1,700 acres of seasonal splendor, as hundreds of thousands of trees from 40 countries blaze with fiery orange, warm gold, and vivid crimson. Those stopping out can hike or bike, drive scenic roads or visit the children’s garden. This weekend, the Morton Arboretum will host family jack o' lantern hikes where those stopping out can explore the night life of owls, bats and spiders. The hikes on Saturday, Oct. 6, and Sunday, Oct. 7, are from 6 to 7:30 p.m., 6:15 to 7:45 p.m., 6:30 to 8 p.m., 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Another highlight at the Morton Arboretum right now is a "Troll Hunt," featuring six colossal trolls crafted from reclaimed wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Explore the arboretum and try and track down those trolls! More via the Morton Arboretum website.

Fall Bulb Festival at the Chicago Botanic Garden: Of course, as the fest's name suggests, there will be hundreds of bulbs available to choose from and purchase. The fest held at the botanic garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But there are also family activities, live music, a harvest market, cider, wine and beer to purchase and an amazing gourd mountain for selfies. Many local vendors will offer baked goods, honey, roasted nuts, fresh jams, and much more. Amid live music, children of all ages can admire the gourd mountain, find their way around the straw-bale maze, and participate in family activities. Indoors, there will be varieties of daffodils, tulips, crocus, mums, asters, peonies, potted amaryllis, paperwhite narcissus, and more. Expert staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer tips. All proceeds benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden. More via the Chicago Botanic Garden website.

Other area fests worth checking out this weekend include:

• Pumpkin Fest at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton: The family festival at the zoo in Wheaton runs all month.
• Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest: The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6
• Harvest Fest in Glencoe: Runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 6 at Kalk Park. Glencoe's Harvest Fest includes family games, attractions, and entertainment. Pumpkins are available for purchase.

Did we miss an awesome fall festival worth mentioning? E-mail the editor at amie.schaenzer@patch.com.

Photo caption: Polish girls, dressed with traditional Polish costume enjoy drinking beer after participating in the opening parade during day 2 of Oktoberfest beer festival on September 22, 2012 in Munich, Germany. Photo credit: Getty Images

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