“Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience” is now open at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Camp Duncan off Route 12 in Ingleside. The experience runs through Nov. 2.

Jeremy Kahn Quartet with Vocalist Petra Van Nuis will perform on Oct. 11.

The self-proclaimed Bozologist — he’s written the book on Bozo — has taken his massive collection of toys, merchandise, research, and historical ephemera and put it in one place in downtown Elgin.

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.

BG Hospitality Group owns the Gia Mia locations, Livia Italian Eatery, Ella's Italian Pub, Fire + Wine and moto imōto.

Lisa Ann Walter is known for her role as Melissa Schemmenti on ABC’s smash hit “Abbott Elementary."

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 Taylor Swift–themed event is a celebration of community, music and local businesses.

Fans of Rock ‘n Roll music are in for a treat Oct. 5 when FoxFest returns to Geneva venues.

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

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 public is welcomed to stroll downtown Geneva from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 for the seventh annual Autumn Fest and Self-Guided Jack-O'-Lantern Walk, with 90 merchants participating.

The 2025-26 season opens Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 at the McAninch Arts Center, located on the campus of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

October is a jam-packed month at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, with events for adults-only and the whole family.

Activities include a creative fall craft, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a bounce house and a make-your-own-scarecrow craft.

The St. Charles Singers, led by founder and music director Jeffrey Hunt, will open its 41st concert season in October with “Time to Explore,” a program that illuminates how classical composers have availed themselves of folk melodies.

The St. Charles Public Library will host a free concert on Oct. 5 featuring violist Daniela Bisenius and pianist Bobby Schiff as part of its Sunday Concert Series.

The restaurant, which specializes in Cajun-influenced American fare, opened over Labor Day weekend.

Participants can paint pumpkins, “Touch-A-Tractor,” play games, ride pedal tractors, create nature crafts and enjoy live folk music and seasonal treats.

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

The MAC, located on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn, opens its 2025-26 season with Steve Solomon's 'My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy' Sept. 28.

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

Montoya will perform at Rock 'N Ravioli in downtown St. Charles Sept. 25.

The event runs from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Aurora on Friday, Sept. 26.

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

The fall events include October's Roots & Wine Dinner and November's Friendsgiving Farm Dinner.

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

Local hosts team up with artists, who either make new work or set up ready-made pieces on front lawns, porches, balconies, windows or rooftops.

Try the Mega Hike at Starved Rock State Park.

The festive event will feature garden tours, hayrides, kids activities, live music, beer, food and more.

Batavia MainStreet will hold a Taylor Swift–themed Showgirl Lantern Walk in October to combine shopping, music and community spirit.

National Cheeseburger Day is Thursday, Sept. 18. Enjoy a juicy burger at one of these award-winning restaurants in Kane County.

The St. Charles Business Alliance has extended the application deadline for the 40th annual St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend’s scarecrow contest.

The festival opens Thursday, Sept. 18 and runs through Saturday, Sept. 20 in downtown Aurora.

The festive event will include craft beer samples and food from local vendors.

Beer, Bands and Barns, an outdoor music and brews festival, is Saturday, Sept. 20 at Dickson-Murst Farm in Montgomery.

Ludacris, Timbaland and more hip hop artists will perform at the second annual event Saturday, Sept. 20 at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva.

The Sugar Grove United Methodist Church will hold a Harvest On Harter event for community members to celebrate fall

Cantigny will offer a number of events this September, including a Revolutionary War Reenactment, Red Oak Farm Dinner, car show and more.

Additional shows include "Annie," "9 to 5" and "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story."

First Pour Fridays events feature wine, small bites and live music at the new Patrick J. Callahan Community Center.

The star of the brunch menu is The Greggory’s Big Baller Brunch, which includes a cooked-to-perfection 32-ounce Senku Wagyu Tomahawk, a buttermilk pancake tower with all the fixings, eight eggs any style, crispy hash browns and bottomless mimosas.

Sturdy Shelter Brewing’s third annual Oktoberfest will bring German traditions, live music and authentic food and drink to Batavia - in September.

Check out the rotating cast of food trucks parked near your favorite Kane County brewery for an evening of delicious food and drink.

The St. Charles Public Library will begin its annual Sunday Concert Series with a performance featuring the Elaine Dame Trio of Chicago as part of the 14th annual St. Charles Jazz Weekend.

Water Street Studios in Batavia will celebrate their 16th anniversary on Friday, Sept. 12.

The zoo's Frontera Farm-to-Table Dinner is Sept. 12, while Oktoberfest is set for Sept. 28. Many additional events are also scheduled throughout the season.

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