Weekend Windup {Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs October 19-22, 2023}

 

Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs October 19-22, 2023

Another spooky fall weekend is here! Here are my picks for family fun in the Chicago suburbs this weekend:

Ongoing

February 4-December 23 Viking's Voyage, Geneva History Museum, learn about the history of the replica Viking ship in Geneva which started as an attraction at the World's Columbian Exhibition in 1893, $5 per adult, $2 kids and seniors, free for members, closed Sundays and Mondays

May 2 - November 3 Infrastructure: Creating 19th Century Clothing Then and Now, exhibit starts with the fabric scrapbook of Hannah Ditzler Asplaugh. Her memories of creating and recreating 19th century clothing over 50 years inspired the exhibit.  Explore the connection of clothing and memory as well as how the fashions were made then and now. See website for hours and admission.

September 9 - January 7 Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dreamworld, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, creatures from Mexican folklore that are composites of multiple animals, free exhibit

September 16 - October 28 Pumpkin Daze, Abbey Farm, Aurora, corn maze, pumpkin picking, wagon rides, and so much more fun -- see website

September 16 - October 29 World's Largest Corn Maze at Richardson Adventure Farm, see website

through October 29 Shades of Autumn Festival: Apple picking, pumpkin picking, a corn maze, a pumpkin cannon, farm animals to meet, a hayride, and so much more fun makes Stade's Farm & Market an easy family fall fun favorite! Plus, there is always something great to pick up in the farm market. The event has already started for this year and runs through October 29.

September 9 - January 7 Picasso 50 Years Later, Elmhurst Art Museum, works by Picasso and his contemporaries, with admission

Pumpkin Weekends: Pumpkin Weekends in October at Blackberry Farm treat families to pumpkin fun while visiting the farm. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, pumpkin-themed activities as well as special events each day. Purchase tickets online. You can also enjoy the event on Columbus day.

Through October 31 The Halloween Experience, Elgin, on select days, a drive-through Halloween experience, $15 pp but a variety of packages exist, see website for tickets, family-friendly 

October 17-31 Pleasant Prairie Halloween Lights Tour, Pleasant Prairie, WI

Carol Stream Halloween Decorating Contest: Every year, Carol Stream has a village Halloween Decorating contest! Residents can enter through October 20 this year. Pay attention to the Carol Stream website -- they will post a map of the village's spooky houses.

Fall is for hiking! Check out my Chicago Suburban Hiking Recommendations for ideas. Also, see 20 Chicago Suburbs Forest Preserve for Fall Colors!

Thursday, October 19

October 19-21 Pinball Expo, Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 100s of pinball and arcade games on free play, tournaments, talks, viewings, and much more, $45 day pass, $125 for three days, kids ages 12 and under are free

Friday, October 20

October 20-21 All Hallows Eve, Naper Settlement, $20 pp

October 20 Boonanza, Wheeling, 4PM-7PM, carnival games, magic shows, hayrides, pumpkin moonwalk slide and more, free

October 20 & 21 Pumpkin Night Hike for Families, Fullersbook Woods, Oak Brook, 5:30pm-8pm, hikes leave every 15 minutes, $10 pp, under 18 must be with an adult, 3 and under free

Saturday, October 21

October 21-22 Civil War Encampment and Battle, Hainesville

October 21-22 Creating Glass Pumpkins: At Mundelein's Patterson Glassworks, fall is the time to craft glass pumpkins! Open Houses for creating glass pumpkins are October 14 & 15, 21 & 22 and November 4 & 5, 11 & 12. The experience is $45-$95 depending on size and type of pumpkin. The Open House runs 11AM-4PM each day. Call 847-949-0013 to book your time. 

October 21-22 Cottages in the Woods, Geneva, Good Templar Park, 10AM-4PM, visit the Swedish stugas, learn about Swedish arts of rosemaling and dalamaling, each stuga will be selling charming wares, more

October 21-22 Halloween Happenings, Downers Grove, October 21 - window painting and living cemetery, October 22 Halloween costume contest and trick-or-treating, see website for times

October 21 Fall Bash, Deer Park Town Center, 12PM-3PM

Sunday, October 22

October 22 Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, 10AM-2PM, find all of the pumpkins hidden along Giants Hollow Trail, costumes encouraged but not required, free