Labor Day weekend came and went, and with it the Frankfort Fall Festival, the anchor of the South Suburban calendar and one of the biggest weekends of our year. Yet if you thought things would quiet down from here, think again. The next several weeks are some of my favorite of the whole calendar: Oktoberfest season, the first pumpkin festivals, farm weekends and the first spooky events of the year. Here is what is on my list, with details I verified in early September. As always, give the host a quick check before you go, since dates and hours can shift.
Saturday, September 12: a full festival day
The second Saturday of September is stacked. Valparaiso holds its annual Popcorn Festival downtown along Lincolnway, a free day with the Popcorn Parade and more than 300 arts, craft and food vendors. That same evening, the Crown Point Wine Festival runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bulldog Park, with pours from wineries across Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan and the Chicagoland area. Two very different, both memorable ways to spend the day.
September 18 through 27: Oktoberfest season
Tinley Park Oktoberfest
September 18 through 20 at 18001 South 80th Avenue in Tinley Park. Traditional German food and beer, live music, rides and family fun, with a $10 entry. It is the official start of Oktoberfest season across the South Suburbs.
Palos Autumn in the Park
Palos Park's two-day September festival at the Village Green brings live music, a parade, food and a chili and BBQ contest, with free entry and free parking. This year's exact dates are posted on the village of Palos Park's page, so check there before you plan around it.
Schererville Street Fest
September 18 and 19 in Schererville. The street celebration appears on this year's calendars; confirm the exact schedule with the town's page before you head over.
Dyer Fall Family Fest
Saturday, September 19. A family friendly festival that marks the season's turn and a nice chance to wander Dyer with the community.
Harvest weekend, September 26
Portage holds its Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 26, and Valpo Brewfest takes over Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso the same day, with a Biergarten Kick-Off on Friday night, September 25. A satisfying autumn weekend on both sides of the state line.
The first weekend of October: pumpkins everywhere
Mokena Fall Fest
October 1 through 4 at Yunker Farm, 10824 La Porte Road in Mokena. Carnival rides, food vendors, a beer tent, kids' activities and live music, with $5 admission. One of the best-value family weekends of the whole season.
St. John Oktoberfest
October 2 through 4 in St. John, Indiana. German-style food, music and a warm community gathering to welcome the fall season in the Lake Central area.
Crown Point Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 3, noon to 10 p.m. at Bulldog Park. Free and family friendly, with live music, German food, a beer garden, hay rides and games. A great way to spend the first crisp weekend of the month.
Orland Park Great Pumpkin Party
Saturday, October 3 at Centennial Park, with two sessions: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Pony rides, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, barrel train rides, marshmallow toasting and a costume contest. Tickets are $5 for Orland Park residents and $7 for non-residents, and pre-registration is required because this one fills up.
Munster fall kickoff
Saturday, October 3 at Munster's Centennial Park. Munster's Parks and Recreation team hosts a favorite each fall: a pumpkin patch, characters, a candy hunt and pony rides. The happy official kickoff of Halloween month.
Odyssey Fun Farm
Tinley Park's Odyssey Fun Farm opens Sunday, October 4 and runs through October 30 at 18900 Oak Park Avenue for classic fall fun: hay rides, a pumpkin patch, a giant corn maze, a barnyard zoo and pony rides. A full day out with the kids.
October 9 through 17: even more festivals
New Lenox Fallapalooza
Saturday, October 10 from noon to 4 p.m. Bounce houses, train rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating and live music at the Village Commons in New Lenox. A gentle, happy way to spend an autumn afternoon with little ones.
Portage Elvis Festival
October 9 through 11 in Portage. A weekend in lakefront Portage built around the music of the King, with tribute performances for every generation.
Fair Oaks Farms Pumpkinfest
October 10 and 11, noon to 4 p.m. each day. Big pumpkins, carving, pumpkin-themed games and specialty Pumpkinfest mac and cheese at one of the state's favorite family destinations, an easy drive from DeMotte. Worth the drive for the whole family.
Later in October: the spooky season
LWSRA Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 25 at the Lincolnway Special Recreation Center, 1900 Heather Glen Drive in New Lenox. This free, family friendly trunk-or-treat with costumes and candy celebrates an inclusive, welcoming community. One of the sweetest events of the season.
Funland Frights at Zig-E's Funland
In St. John, Indiana, Zig-E's Funland at 8176 Wicker Avenue runs a haunted house on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, 6 to 11 p.m., through the season. If you like your scares on the milder side, laser tag and mini golf are at the same address.
One honest note: Munster's October beer festival has been canceled this year per the organizer's calendar, so if you are planning around it, keep that weekend open for something new.
Make the most of the season
Every community in the South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana has its own fall traditions, and there is almost always something worth keeping on the calendar between now and Halloween. Whether you are hopping between booths in Mokena, grabbing cider at a pumpkin farm in Tinley Park, or catching a hay ride in Crown Point, these Saturdays are what make a place feel like home.
And if you are thinking about moving to one of these communities, this is the best time of year to test the fit. Wander the patch. Linger at the bandstand. That is when you know. When you are ready to make the move, I would love to be in your corner for it. You Can With Joanne!™