Here are the winners for Best Taco and Best Mexican Restaurant in the 2025 Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley and Sauk Valley Favorites contests.

The 75-25 Reserve Light Whiskey won high honors at the Heartland Whiskey Competition.

Watch football and baseball playoff games at one of these lively sports bars in northern Illinois.

Check out these delightfully frightening haunted houses in northern Illinois, guaranteed to bring the scares this season.

The Monster Mash Balloon Bash is Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, while the Ottawa Scarecrow Festival is also Saturday.

It's a weekend of fall fun in Ottawa, with the Scarecrow Fest Saturday and Fall Fest on Sunday.

Festival 56 has appointed Marc Bitler as its new Producing Artistic Director, marking his return to the Princeton theater company after a decade away.

Enjoy tricks, treats and scares at the Bureau County Fairgrounds this weekend!

Tickets for each show are $15 and can be purchased online at festival56.com or by calling the box office at 815-879-5656. A four-ticket Sound Stage Pass is also available for a $10 savings.

Check out these award-winning pizza places in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, as well as the Sauk Valley and Illinois Valley, to celebrate National Pizza Month during October.

The fully immersive experience, including the macabre aspects of death in the Victorian Era, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, according to a Hegeler Carus news release.

Check out these fantastic fall festivals in Sycamore, St. Charles, Utica, Aurora and more.

The rural Oglesby farm provides a unique agritourism experience.

The Treehouses of Starved Rock are steps away from Starved Rock State Park’s system of picturesque hiking trails, canyons, waterfalls and bluffs.

These northern Illinois pumpkin farms are ready to welcome guests for a day of family-friendly fall fun.

For the entire month, wine lovers are encouraged to host small, casual get-togethers to celebrate their love of wine.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will kick off its season Saturday, Sept. 27. Bill's Barktober Fest is also happening Saturday in downtown Ottawa.

From wine tastings to historic tours, Galena is the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway.

The Lumberyard is a recreation and shopping destination, and home to Refuge Coffee and The Rusty Rooster, an eclectic home decor store.

‘Lincoln’s Ottawa: Stories from Valley View’ take guests on a tour of several historic sites in the Illinois Valley related to Abraham Lincoln.

Looking for an outdoorsy getaway this season? Check out these four destinations in northern Illinois.

The Napa Valley winery is known for high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

While many Oktoberfest celebrations happen in September, here's a list of German-themed beer festivals happening in October.

Try the Mega Hike at Starved Rock State Park.

The final Third Friday event of the season is Friday, Sept. 19 in downtown Ottawa. Princeton's Artisan

Events include Vintage Illinois Wine Festival, Redbud Creek Farm Fall Festival and more.

National Cheeseburger Day is Thursday, Sept. 18!

Bureau County is home to a number of exciting fall and holiday events in 2025.

In addition to the extensive wine selection, attendees can enjoy live music, browse wares from local vendors and sample food from local food trucks.

The BBQ & Blues Fest is set for Friday, Sept. 12, while the Jazz'N the Street Festival is Saturday, Sept. 13.

The pair of celebrations Sept. 12 & 13 will bring food vendors and musical acts to downtown La Salle.

Plein air painting, which derives its name from the French term for “painting outdoors,” originated in the 19th century when artists began leaving their studios to capture natural light and scenery firsthand.

Engle Lane Theatre in Streator will present the comedy “Moon Over Buffalo”, with performances running through Sept 12.

Heritage Corridor Destinations partners with NCIArtworks for series of pop-up gallery shows.

West coast winemaker Dave Merfeld of Northstar Winery continues to promote Merlot, the often-maligned wine varietal.

Pluto Fest is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Streator City Park, while the Fall Food Truck Festival is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. just south of the park. Both events are on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The fall months bring several craft beer festivals throughout northern Illinois.

The Sumthins will perform at Ottawa's Washington Square Park on Saturday night.

Illinois' oldest continuing county fair returns this week with a packed schedule.

The festival honors Rev. Owen Lovejoy’s contributions to the Underground Railroad and offers a blend of historical experiences and modern-day fun.

Wine on the Hill events, which feature live music in the afternoons, and Cave Tasting Experiences run through October at August Hill Winery in Peru.

The Illinois Valley Sportscard and Collectibles Show will return next week on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Peru Mall.

Check out this list of apple orchards in northern Illinois for perfect family fun this fall!

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with Wine on the Hill in Peru, Music in the Park in Ottawa or at Court Street Pub's Block Party in Ottawa.

Streator’s Labor Day parade will return this weekend, continuing a tradition revived last year by the Streator Chamber of Commerce after a three-year break.

Check out this list of outdoor gardens and parks in the Illinois Valley and suburbs to enjoy in spring and summer.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

Mezzacorona has made a unique Pinot Grigio from high-altitude sites in the Italian mountains.

Make the end of summer more memorable by planning a getaway at a unique resort or bed & breakfast in northern Illinois

Country star Trace Adkins performs at the Bureau County Fair in Princeton Thursday, Aug. 21.