October is rolling along, and this is the stretch where the season really shows off: the scarecrows go up, the pumpkin weeks hit their stride and the first haunted nights of the year open across both sides of the state line. I went back through the event pages this week and verified everything below with the organizers and venues themselves, so you can plan with confidence. As always, give each place a quick check before you head out, since hours can shift with the weather.
New Lenox's Scarecrow Stroll Opens October 10
New Lenox kicks off its 2026 Scarecrow Stroll on Saturday, October 10, at Village Commons, and it runs through Sunday, November 1. It is a free, self-guided trail of scarecrows built by local businesses, organizations and families, and it is one of the friendliest ways to spend a fall walk. Stroll the commons, vote for your favorite, and while you are out, that is exactly the relaxed pace of life the village is known for.
Lockport's Oktoberfest, October 9 and 10
Just down the Heritage Corridor, Lockport holds its Oktoberfest on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 at St. Dennis Catholic Church. Parish Oktoberfests are the heart-of-the-community kind of event I love: food, music, neighbors, and usually a tent worth lingering in. Give the parish a quick call or check its bulletin for the exact hours before you go.
One Honest Heads-Up: Munster's Ale Fest Is Taking the Year Off
If you had Munster's Ale Fest on your calendar for October 9, I have one of those annoying updates to pass along: it is canceled for 2026. Rather than plan around a closed gate, treat that Friday as the perfect evening to catch Tinley Park's farmers market the next morning instead, or make a night of Lockport's Oktoberfest.
Markets Keep Their Saturday Rhythm
Tinley Park's farmers market runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Harmony Square, so the October 10 edition is on, and Orland Park's Market at the Park holds its next Thursday edition on October 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Centennial Park West, 15609 Park Station Boulevard. Both are the kind of low-key stops where you run into half the people you know and come home with something good in the bag.
The Pumpkin Weeks Keep Going
Hobart's Johnson's Farm carries its Pumpkin Festival Weekends through the month, including October 10 and 11 and October 17 and 18, with pick-your-own pumpkins, the corn maze and the jumping pillows that keep kids busy for hours. Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen runs its Fall Fest window October 12 through 18, a solid choice if you want the full farm day, and The Forge: Lemont Quarries keeps its Enchanted Adventure pumpkin trail glowing Thursday through Sunday nights through November 1, as covered in our pumpkin-night guide. Each one has its own personality, so pick the vibe that fits your weekend.
Across the State Line: Pumpkinfest, Pottery and a Dunes Hike
Fair Oaks Farms holds its Pumpkinfest on October 10 and 11, with giant pumpkin displays, snacks and the farm's signature drinks, a fun day trip south toward DeMotte. For something hands-on, Beale Pottery in Westville, not far from Valparaiso, hosts its Rhythm and Raku Fest on Saturday, October 10 with pottery and live music in the fresh air. And Indiana Dunes State Park leans into spooky season this month with special programming, including a High Dunes Hike on Saturday, October 10; check the park's calendar for the full lineup and reservation details.
The Week After: Portage's Haunted Hayride Returns
Mark the nights of October 15 through 17 now, because Portage's Woodland Park Haunted Hayride is back at Woodland Park with gates opening at 6:30 p.m., concessions and food trucks on site, and a second run set for October 22 through 24. It sells out most nights, so arrive early. For the littlest ones, the hayride can wait; for the brave ones in the family, it is the highlight of the month.
Make a Weekend of It
This is the kind of month where a simple weekend plan, scarecrows on a Saturday, hayrides on a Friday, a market morning in between, is exactly how a place starts to feel like home. If you are weighing a move to any of these towns, come spend a weekend first: walk the stroll, ride the hayride, sit on a bench and watch the season. When you are ready to make the move for real, I would love to be in your corner. You Can With Joanne!™