12 Illinois Autumn Food Fests Worth The Drive
Autumn in Illinois is measured not just in color but in flavor. Town squares and fairgrounds fill with the smell of frying pies, chili simmering in kettles, and pancakes flipped before sunrise.
I’ve waited in long cider lines with cold hands, wandered rows of vendors under bright leaves, and tasted desserts that felt tied to the season itself. Some of these festivals stretch back generations, others are new, stitched together from farms and local kitchens.
What they share is community-made edible. Here are twelve Illinois food fests worth planning your fall around.
1. Morton Pumpkin Festival, Morton
Every autumn, Morton becomes a pumpkin paradise. The Morton Pumpkin Festival is a beloved tradition celebrating the town’s title as the ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World.’
Visitors can indulge in pumpkin-flavored treats, from pies to pancakes. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by live music and a grand parade. A highlight for families is the pumpkin-decorating contest, where creativity knows no bounds.
Children enjoy carnival rides and games, making it a fun day out for all ages. This festival encapsulates the essence of autumn in Illinois with its warm, welcoming vibe.
2. Long Grove Apple Fest, Long Grove
Vendors stack caramel apples into shiny pyramids, cider flows in plastic cups, and the whole historic downtown smells like cinnamon and sugar. The streets feel festive yet relaxed.
The festival began decades ago, growing into a three-day event with live music, craft stalls, and an endless variety of apple treats. Its longevity mirrors Long Grove’s ability to preserve heritage while drawing crowds.
Here’s a tip: buy cider doughnuts while they’re still hot. The sugar melts instantly and makes waiting in line worthwhile.
3. Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest, Chicago
A brisk wind rattles the tents on Lincoln Avenue while vendors pour cider and slice pies. You catch whiffs of roasting nuts and hear jazz spilling from a nearby stage.
The fest is organized by the local chamber of commerce, with proceeds supporting neighborhood initiatives. Its mix of city bustle and orchard flavor gives it a rare balance.
I wandered here once with a cup of cider in hand. The sight of leaves swirling on pavement made Chicago feel almost like a small town.
4. Apple N’ Pork Festival, Clinton
Smoke drifts from grills as pork chops, roasts, and sausages sizzle alongside apple butter bubbling in kettles. The mix of savory and sweet defines the air.
The festival began in 1967 to support the C.H. Moore Homestead, and it’s now one of Illinois’ most established fall gatherings. Proceeds still benefit the museum, linking food directly to heritage.
Visitors often split meals, one ordering pork, another pie, then share under shade trees. The balance of abundance and history makes it feel grounded, not just indulgent.
5. Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, Sycamore
Jack-o’-lanterns glow across courthouse lawns, hundreds carved by residents and displayed on hay bales. The sight transforms downtown into an open-air gallery.
The tradition started in 1962 when a local teacher encouraged her students to decorate pumpkins. From that seed grew a parade, craft fair, and carnival that now draws thousands.
Travelers should wait until dusk, when the carved faces flicker to life. The pumpkins turn from decorations into a community chorus, lit from within.
6. Highwood Pumpkin Fest, Highwood
Downtown Highwood fills with stacked towers of pumpkins, some carved, others glowing in rows along sidewalks. The buzz of live music floats above the crowd.
The event holds fundraising records for most pumpkins lit, a claim that reflects the town’s dedication. Food trucks, brews, and pumpkin-inspired treats round out the weekend.
I walked through once at night, the pumpkins blazing like lanterns on every block. The sheer glow felt electric, proof that a small town can outshine expectation.
7. Festival Of The Vine, Geneva
The air here carries hints of roasted garlic and grilled skewers while jazz drifts from a corner stage. The crowd is a mix of wine tasters and families weaving between stalls.
What began in 1974 as a wine-focused celebration expanded to include food tents, chef demos, and artisan pairings. Geneva’s downtown provides the backdrop, brick storefronts and tree-lined streets setting the stage.
Visitors often sample small plates before moving to wine flights. It’s a progression designed to keep taste buds engaged from start to finish.
8. Galena Country Fair, Galena
Tents fill Grant Park with quilts, preserves, pies, and crafts, all framed by Galena’s hillsides rolling into the distance. The setting makes even simple purchases feel scenic.
Started in 1979 as a fundraiser, the fair now draws thousands each October, its proceeds supporting community projects. The mix of craft and cuisine mirrors Galena’s dual identity as historic town and tourist hub.
If you plan to go, arrive early on Saturday, the lines for pie and kettle corn grow quickly once the midday crowds arrive.
9. St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend, St. Charles
Riverside paths fill with scarecrows, each crafted by schools, businesses, or families. Some are whimsical, others elaborate, but all contribute to the festive sprawl.
Food vendors keep pace with the foot traffic: pumpkin soup, cider, spiced doughnuts served from tents. The combination of art and appetite keeps visitors circling the downtown core.
I walked the riverwalk once, biting into a cinnamon doughnut while scarecrows leaned in every direction. It felt like autumn had gathered itself into one walkable stretch.
10. Taylorville Chillifest, Taylorville
The scent of simmering chili fills Taylorville’s town square, steam curling above rows of booths. Each stand offers its own version, mild, fiery, meaty, or vegetarian.
Chillifest began in 1985 and quickly grew into a two-day event that includes cook-offs, pie contests, and live music. The town embraces it fully, welcoming both locals and visitors.
Smart travelers bring cash and appetite, tasting small portions from multiple booths is the only way to appreciate the range. A single bowl won’t capture the variety here.
11. A Bushel of Apples Fall Fest, Lake Zurich
Families haul wagons piled with apples through Paulus Park, where vendors line paths with caramel treats, pies, and jugs of cider. The atmosphere is distinctly family-oriented.
The festival is a newer addition, created to spotlight Lake Zurich’s community spirit and provide a seasonal anchor in early October. Its mix of food and crafts gives it broad appeal.
Apple-themed games keep children engaged, while food tents attract steady lines. Visitors often leave with a bag or two of fruit, literal souvenirs of the day.
12. Eckert’s AppleFest, Grafton
Orchard rows stretch over hills, where families pick apples by the bag before heading toward festival tents. The landscape itself is part of the draw.
Eckert’s farm has hosted AppleFest for decades, combining U-Pick traditions with live music, wagon rides, and contests. The farm’s size allows it to feel both festive and pastoral.
I picked apples at dusk once, then warmed my hands on fresh cider and pie. That simple loop, tree to basket to bite, felt like the essence of autumn.