The festival season is winding down in the sweetest way, and the calendar is already turning toward the holidays. The final farm-market Sundays are here, Halloween is right around the corner, and the first holiday kickoffs land in just a few weeks. I went back through the village calendars, downtown organizations and venue pages this week and verified everything below, so you can plan with confidence. As always, give each place a quick check before you head out, since dates and hours can shift.
This weekend, October 17 and 18: one last pumpkin patch and the final market Sundays
New Lenox holds a Pumpkin Patch on Pine Street at Grace Episcopal Church this Sunday, October 18 at noon, a gentle way to spend a fall afternoon with the family. And if you love the Frankfort Country Market, mark your calendar now: its Sunday mornings at Breidert Green run through October 25, so this weekend and next are your last chances for fresh produce and local goods until spring.
The festive week ahead, October 22 through 25
Frankfort gets into the storytelling spirit on Friday, October 23 with Ghost Stories on the Green, an evening of spooky tales fresh for the season; check the event listing for details and start time. Then on Sunday, October 25, Crown Point closes out its Halloween season with Scare on the Square, a gathering on the historic downtown square that is worth a walk, a coffee and a long look at the community. That same Sunday is the final Frankfort Country Market, so you can do a market morning and a square evening on the same day if you are feeling ambitious.
Halloween week, October 26 through 31
Orland Park has set its trick-or-treat hours for Saturday, October 31, so the village calendar is the best place to plan the day. And a fun detour for the week before: Stan's Donuts in Orland Park holds a spooky donut-decorating event on October 24; check with the shop for times if the kids (or you) want to decorate before the big night. Whatever your community's hours, the town-by-town lists posted on the village calendars have you covered.
Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11
Before the holiday lights come on, Veterans Day lands on Wednesday, November 11. Munster and Orland Park both hold ceremonies, and communities across the South Suburbs and Northwest Indiana have their own observances; check your town's calendar so you can honor those who served.
The holiday season kicks off, November 12 through 15
One honest correction: the Candlelight celebration some calendars list for November 12 through 14 belongs to downtown Frankfort, Kentucky, not Frankfort, Illinois. Our Frankfort's holiday season runs through December, with the Lighting of the Green and Midnight Madness detailed in the posts ahead.
Orland Park opens the World of Illumination's Cosmic Sleighride Christmas drive-through light show at Orland Square Mall on Friday, November 13, with the display running into January: a full light tour from the warmth of your car, which makes it a great option no matter the weather.
Tinley Park starts Calls from the Clauses on Sunday, November 15 at the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, the REACH program's Santa-letter event that runs through November 30. And Valparaiso stacks two ways to start holiday shopping: the 3 Little Birds Holiday Market opens Friday, November 13 at the Porter County Expo Center, and the Bearcat Holiday Craft Show brings 100-plus crafters to the Wheeler High School Fieldhouse on Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, November 21 and 22
Valpo keeps the momentum going with the Valpo Holidaze Craft and Vendor Show at the Porter County Expo Center on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 starting at 9 a.m. It is one of the region's biggest pre-Thanksgiving shows, and a lovely way to knock out early holiday gifts with local makers.
Thanksgiving week, November 26 through 29
Orland Park holds its Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 26 from 8 to 10 a.m., so if you like earning your pie, the village's recreation page is the place to register. Crown Point lights up its historic Courthouse Square on Friday, November 27 at 6:30 p.m. for the annual Tree Lighting, then opens its Winter Market on Saturday, November 28 at 10 a.m. at Wheeler Middle School. Orland Park closes the week with its Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Festival on Saturday, November 28: the Holiday Lights on Ravinia parade steps off at 5 p.m., the tree lights up at 6 p.m., and a holiday market with Santa and live entertainment runs until 8 p.m. That is a full, warm holiday weekend without leaving the region.
A look further ahead
Tinley Park's Parade of Lights returns in December, and Frankfort's Midnight Madness lands Friday, December 11. I will have the full details verified in the posts ahead, so keep an eye on the blog.
Make the most of the season
You do not need a big production to feel the season arrive. A pumpkin patch on a Sunday afternoon, a spooky story on the green, a craft show in November, a tree lighting on a Friday night: these small traditions are what make a place feel like home. And if you are weighing a move, this is the perfect stretch to come visit and test the fit. Wander the holiday market, watch the tree light up, feel the town gather. That is when you know. When you are ready, I would love to be in your corner. You Can With Joanne!™