15 Unique Small Town Fall Festivals in Illinois!
Fall is a magical time of year, with crisp air, the leaves changing colors, and an abundance of fall festivals in Illinois to help celebrate the changing of the season.
From pumpkin patches to apple orchards, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the season.
One of the best ways to experience fall while visiting Illinois is by attending one of the many fall festivals that take place throughout the state.
These festivals offer a chance to celebrate the harvest season and enjoy all that the autumn months have to offer.
Whether you’re looking for live music, delicious food, or family-friendly activities for the whole family, there’s something for everyone at these festivals.
From small town gatherings to larger events, fall festivals in Illinois are a great way to experience the community and culture of the state.
Significance of Autumn Celebrations
Autumn celebrations have been a part of human culture for centuries.
Traditionally, they were a way to give thanks for the harvest and prepare for the long winter ahead.
Today, fall festivals in Illinois continue to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the bounty of the earth.
Many fall festivals in Illinois incorporate elements of the state’s agricultural heritage.
You’ll find pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and corn mazes throughout the state.
These activities are not only fun but also educational, giving visitors a chance to learn about the crops that sustain us.
Fall Festivals in Illinois
I have a love-hate relationship with fall. It’s absolutely beautiful, but fall leads to winter, which is, well, cold. 🥶
However, there is something about the way the trees turn color that can make you stop and just enjoy the changing of the season in a very peaceful way.
Fall is a magical time of year, and there’s no better place to experience it than in Illinois.
Northern Illinois Festivals
Northern Illinois is home to a number of fall festivals, including the Rockford City Market and the Aurora Farmers Market.
Both of those events are great, but they are in the bigger cities. We are going to talk about those small town festivals.
Like the Northern Illinois Wine Fest in September, it is a must-visit event for wine lovers, featuring tastings from some of the region’s top wineries.
Let’s see all the festivals! ⬇️
Autumn Parade
Oregon, Illinois | Population: 3,600 | Located: Northern Illinois
This is a special event that lasts for two days, bringing together people from the community to celebrate the beginning of autumn.
Each year, it brings together residents and visitors alike to celebrate the season’s beauty and spirit.
Everyone can enjoy colorful floats, marching bands, and creative displays as they line the streets of Oregon.
The parade typically features local organizations, businesses, and schools showcasing their pride and creativity.
The Autumn Parade is a fun event where everyone in the town comes together to celebrate the start of fall and you will see true community participation. You will get to witness the warmth and camaraderie of small-town life, making it a highlight of the season for all who attend.
Burgoo Festival
Utica, Illinois | Population: 1,300 | Located Northern Illinois
The Burgoo Festival, hosted annually by the LaSalle County Historical Society, is a major fundraiser featuring vendors, food, and entertainment.
The annual festival has become one of northern Illinois’ largest fall festivals, attracting more than 250 vendors.
You might be asking what is “burgoo”!?
It is a traditional pioneer dish known as burgoo, cooked outdoors for up to 18 hours over a wood-burning fire.
Volunteers meticulously prepare the stew, blending ingredients like beef, vegetables, and special spices.
If you try it, you might decide you want the recipe, but you would be disappointed!
Guarded by “burgoomeisters,” the festival’s burgoo recipe remains a closely kept secret, drawing visitors to savor its unique taste and festive ambiance.
Galena Country Fair
Galena, Illinois | Population: 3,300 | Located: Northwest corner of Illinois
The Galena Country Fair offers a vibrant weekend filled with art, food, and family-friendly fun.
With over 100 hand-selected vendors showcasing high-quality, handmade items ranging from home decor to jewelry, there’s something for everyone.
Attendees can indulge in delicious food options like pork chop sandwiches, brats, and homemade fudge, while also enjoying a selection of beverages including craft beer and local wines.
Families can delight in live music, children’s games, a silent auction, and a playground, making it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway in Galena.
Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival
Highwood, Illinois | Population 5, 700 | Northeastern Illinois
The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival offers a great lineup of activities for all ages across a festive weekend.
On Thursday, kick off the fun with Community Appreciation Night featuring all-you-can-carve pumpkin stations and unlimited carnival ride specials.
You never know, you might find yourself carving out the perfect pumpkin!
Friday brings a lot of excitement, including live music, trick-or-treating, hayrides, and carnival rides, and more.
Saturday and Sunday continue the festivities with live music, hay rides, carnival rides, and games, along with special events like the Pet Costume Contest, Kids Costume Contest, and Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest.
This festival features over 50,000 pumpkins carved and lit up for the occasion.
Don’t miss the grand finale each evening as the Great Pumpkin Wall lights up, marking the end of another magical day at the festival.
Long Grove Apple Fest
Long Grove, Illinois | Population 8,300 | Located Northeastern Illinois
Long Grove Apple Fest is another popular festival that takes place in Long Grove, Illinois.
This festival is dedicated to celebrating everything apple-related.
You can enjoy apple cider, apple pies, and other apple treats. The festival also features live music, a craft booths, and a petting zoo.
Maple Park Fun Fest
Maple Park, Illinois | Population 1, 500 | Located: Northern Illinois
The Maple Park Fun Fest, celebrating its 25th year in 2024, offers a vibrant array of activities.
Events include a variety of sporting tournaments, craft vendors, and engaging entertainment such as live music and interactive performances.
Families can enjoy attractions like face painting, a petting zoo, and a rock climbing wall, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.
Food and beer gardens are part of the fun festivities.
The highlight of the festival includes a spectacular fireworks show, marking the culmination of the two-day celebration.
Richardson Adventure Farm
Spring Grove, Illinois | Population 5,500 | Located: Northeastern Illinois
Richardson Adventure Farms is a must-visit destination that provides a lot of fun family activities.
From the world’s largest corn maze to zip lining off a 50-foot observation tower and orbiting rides, there’s something for the entire family.
With wagon rides, slides, and a sprawling pumpkin patch, you are bound to have a fall fun experience suitable for families, friends, and adults alike.
Plan to spend several hours exploring all the farm has to offer and create unforgettable memories for everyone involved.
Sweet Corn Festival
Mendota, Illinois | 7,000 | Located: Northern Illinois
The Annual Sweet Corn Festival in Mendota promises four days of fun and flavor.
Drawing an estimated 60,000 visitors, the festival boasts the consumption of 50 tons of sweet corn alongside a plethora of activities.
Attendees can enjoy live music, carnival rides, parades, and a lively beer garden throughout the event.
The festival offers free sweet corn, cooked to perfection with the help of a vintage steam engine, in a tradition spanning over 70 years. How cool is that!?!
With great food from diverse food vendors, this festival celebrates the essence of Midwest harvest traditions, welcoming all to join in the festivities.
Vintage Illinois
Utica, Illinois | Population: 1,300 | Located Northern Illinois
Vintage Illinois, the state’s largest wine festival, returns to North Utica this year, continuing its tradition since 2003.
With each passing year, the festival’s popularity has soared, drawing in a diverse crowd.
Attendees can delight in live music performances while indulging in a variety of wines from local vineyards.
In addition to wine tasting, guests can explore offerings from local businesses and Canal Market vendors, including food from food trucks and nearby restaurants.
Vintage Illinois primarily caters to adults, with no specific activities planned for families.
Set in the Carey Memorial Park, this outdoor event invites guests to come prepared for any weather, promising a fun experience rain or shine.
Whether for a day trip or a weekend getaway, Vintage Illinois promises a memorable celebration of wine, music, and community in the heart of Utica.
Central Illinois Celebrations
Apple ‘n Pork Festival
Clinton, Illinois | Population: 7,000 | Located: Central Illinois
The Apple ‘n Pork Festival at the C.H. Moore Homestead & DeWitt County Museum.
This annual event celebrating fall flavors and traditions is a favorite for so many near and far.
Visitors can indulge in the aroma of smoked ham and spicy apple butter while exploring booths offering old-fashioned foods and browsing crafts and antiques at the flea market.
The festival offers a range of activities for all ages, including live music, a Civil War encampment, artisan demonstrations, tomahawk throwing, and more.
With free admission, attendees can enjoy delicious food, handmade crafts, live entertainment, and historic exhibits, making it a must-visit event on the last full weekend in September.
Arcola Broomcorn Festival
Arcola, Illinois | Population: 2,900 | Eastern Illinois
The Arcola Broomcorn Festival is a lively celebration that honors the town’s broomcorn industry.
This unique event features a parade, live music, 5 and 10k races, and arts, over 150 crafts vendors, and the unique National Sweeping Contest.
Families can enjoy delicious food, carnival rides, and games throughout the festival as well.
One highlight of the festival is the parade, which includes the awe-inspiring Lawn Rangers, a precision lawnmower drill team that marches in formation with lawnmowers and brooms.
Check this website out to find information on the festival, town history, and tourist information!
Prime Beef Festival
Monmouth, Illinois | Population: 8,700 | Location: West Illinois
The Prime Beef Festival celebrates the area’s rich agricultural heritage.
It’s a fun event filled with fun activities like carnival rides, live music, and delicious food.
Families come together to enjoy the festivities and support their community’s farmers and ranchers.
Watching the “Chicken Scramble & the Calf Tagging” might be entertaining enough to make the trip to see!
Southern Illinois Events
Centralia Halloween Parade and Fall Festival
Centralia, Illinois | Population 12,000 | Located Southern Illinois
Centralia’s Halloween Parade and Fall Festival in the historic downtown area promises a day filled with excitement and entertainment.
Starting at 9:00 A.M., the festival kicks off with a Craft Fair, Flea Market, and Car Show, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
Families can partake in free children’s games and activities, indulge in a chili cook-off, and savor delicious food throughout the day.
The highlight of the event is the Children’s Costume contest at 10:30 A.M., followed by a lively parade at 11:00 A.M., featuring marching bands, floats, and mechanized units.
The festivities continue into the evening with the Main Parade at 7:00 P.M., followed by awards at Carillon Park, where winners are celebrated and trophies awarded.
With fun for all ages and mouthwatering food, the Centralia Halloween Parade and Fall Festival is a beloved tradition spanning almost a century, inviting everyone to join in the celebration.
Murphysboro Apple Festival
Murphysboro, Illinois | Population: 7,000 | Southern Illinois
The Murphysboro Apple Festival, Southern Illinois’ oldest and largest alcohol-free festival, attracts over 45,000 visitors annually.
Held the second weekend after Labor Day, this event fills downtown Murphysboro with family-friendly activities like free entertainment, carnival rides, pageants, and apple-themed treats.
The festival kicks off with the Appletime Prayer Breakfast, uniting church leaders and the community in prayer and song.
The Festival Funland offers classic carnival fun for all ages, while the Appletime Stage hosts free music events throughout the festivities.
With its vibrant atmosphere and diverse entertainment, the Murphysboro Apple Festival is a beloved tradition that brings joy to all who attend.
Ridgway Popcorn Days
Ridgway, Illinois | Population: 800 | Southern Illinois
Ridgeway, Illinois, hosts an annual celebration on the second weekend in September every year.
The festival features games, contests, and, of course, plenty of popcorn to enjoy.
Visitors can watch parades filled with colorful floats and join in on the fun with activities like popcorn-eating contests.
It’s a delightful event that brings the community together to celebrate.
Shrimp Festival
Golconda, Illinois | Population: 650 | Southern Illinois
The Golconda Shrimp Festival in Southern Illinois celebrates delicious shrimp from local farms.
It was a big shock to me that you will find farmed shrimp (prawn) in southern Illinois! 😲
It’s been recognized as the #1 Food Festival in Illinois by National Geographic Traveler.
At the festival, you can enjoy a variety of shrimp dishes, along with barbecue and other tasty treats.
There’s also a beer and wine tent, live music on the Main Stage, and fun activities such as cornhole tournaments and helicopter rides.
With shopping options at the Farmer’s Market and arts and crafts vendors, as well as attractions like horse and carriage rides and visits to the local museum.
The Golconda Shrimp Festival promises a full day of enjoyment for families every third Saturday in September.
No matter where you are in Illinois, there’s sure to be a fall festival or event that’s perfect for you. So grab your friends and family and head out to one of these great celebrations!
