We welcome Autumn in September! The autumnal equinox—the September equinox or the fall equinox—arrives on Saturday, September 23. We can expect temperatures to drop, leaves will start to change and pumpkin-flavored everything will be on menus! Fall is also a great time for leisurely walks and visits to beer gardens! Speaking of beer, we welcome the many Oktoberfest events in the Oak Park region! So mark your calendars and plan accordingly!
In Ernie's Footsteps
Sept 8, 2023
A 90-minute outdoor tour explores young Hemingway’s connections to Oak Park. Sites to be visited include the Birthplace Museum, Boyhood home, Oak Park & River Forest High School, Oak Park Public Library, Congregational Church and WW I War Memorial in Scoville Park. Your guide is Dr. Nancy Sindelar, author of Influencing Hemingway: The People and Places That Shaped His Life and Work. Includes guided walking tour and 1 copy of book, Influencing Hemingway (15 person max)
Location: Hemingway Home, Oak Park
LaGrange West End Arts Festival
September 9 & 10
This juried fine arts festival is a popular end-of-the-summer event for the community as well as for high-caliber artists from across the country. It's in the shadow of the landmark Stone Avenue Metra train station in the charming and historic West End of LaGrange surrounded by shady trees, small businesses and ample free parking. This picture-perfect setting is the ideal spot to shop and talk with artists in person, enjoy live jazz, culinary demonstrations from noted chefs, art classes and interactive fun for kids.
Location: Stone Ave Station, LaGrange
Brookfield Zoo Run
September 10, 2023
Join us on September 10 for the Brookfield ZooRun - with courses entirely within the world-renowned Brookfield Zoo! Each year more species lose their race for survival and disappear from the wild. But it is a race we can win, and YOU CAN HELP! The Chicago Zoological Society Animal Care and Conservation Fund is dedicated to making a difference for these species across the globe and with each race entry, funds are raised for this great cause.
Location: Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Berwyn's Oktoberfest
September 15 -16, 2023
Berwyn's Oktoberfest is on Friday, September 15 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm & Saturday, September 16 from Noon to 11:00pm. The event's mid-September kick-off coincides with the original Munich Oktoberfest, which starts on September 16th this year. The event boasts live music, an international food court, and the star of the event, the Beer Garden, which will feature special Oktoberfest seasonal selections among others! The event takes place in Berwyn's Depot District at the intersection of Windsor Ave & Grove Ave just off the Metra BNSF lines Berwyn station. Free admission + Family friendly. Oktoberfest is your answer to the end-of-summer blues!
Location: 3229 Grove Ave Berwyn
Oaktoberfest
September 22 - 23, 2023
Celebrate the changing seasons at Oaktoberfest in Downtown Oak Park. Enjoy a premier music lineup, delicious fall foods from local restaurants, specialty craft beers, and a Kids Root Beer Garden.
September 22 from 4pm to 10pm | September 23 from 12pm to 10pm
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La Grange Farmers Market
September 7,14, 21, 28 2023
The La Grange Farmers Market will run rain or shine every Thursday 7 am - 1 pm through October and will feature 30 local and regional small batch vendors. It's located on Harris Avenue between La Grange Road and Sixth Avenue. Convenient free parking is available nearby. The market will provide fruits, vegetables, flowers, breads and other items. The juicy produce is picked the day before you buy it, when it's ripe and ready to eat.
Location: La Grange
Oktoberfest at Brookfield Zoo
September 23, 2023
Zoogoers can toss on their lederhosen and enjoy live polka music from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. +
Oktoberfest beer, along with a seasonal menu with bratwurst, sausages, pretzels with cheese and more will be available for purchase.
Spot the Leinie’s mobile pedi-cab roaming the zoo!
Location: Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
Event Website
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Oak Park Farmers' Market
September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 2023
The Oak Park Farmers’ Market will be held from 7am to 1pm every Saturday from May through October! The Market is located in the Pilgrim Church parking lot, one block west of Ridgeland Avenue. Come early and don't miss the fan-favorite Donuts (often sell out before noon). Market patrons can sit at a table and enjoy fresh donuts while listening to live bluegrass music provided by local musicians.
Location: Pilgrim Church, Oak Park
Brookfield Farmers' Market
September 9,16, 23, 30 2023
The Brookfield Farmers Market located on the west side of Brookfield Village Hall. They are entering their 16th season in 2023. Each week you will find a variety of fresh locally grown vegetables, fruits, honey, bakery goods, sauces, soaps, and unique artisan pieces. Each week there are special events for the family. Join us for shopping and stay for a picnic in the park. Our market runs Saturdays from June 3rd through October 14th from 8am-1pm.
Location: Market, Brookfield
Pedal Oak Park
September 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30 - Oct 1, 2023
Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Explore its picturesque historic neighborhoods on a guided bicycle tour of 21 Wright-designed structures. Wright sites featured on this tour include Wright’s Home and Studio, Frank Thomas House, Heurtley House, Cheney House, Furbeck House and more. Bring your own bike or one can be provided (included in tour admission).
Location: Home and Studio, Oak Park
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Wright Around Oak Park
September 2-3, 9-10, 16-17,23-24, 30- Oct 1, 2023
The most comprehensive tour of Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park is an all-inclusive tour limited to eight persons. Begin your Oak Park experience with an expanded tour of Wright’s Home and Studio, the birthplace of Wright’s vision for a new American architecture. Step ahead of the crowd and trace Wright’s early years, from his Studio where the Prairie style was conceived, to Oak Park’s beautifully preserved private Prairie homes.
Location: Home and Studio, Oak Park
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Fall Fest Oak Park
September 24, 2023
Meet us at Fall Fest, Oak Park's annual family-friendly event in Rehm Park and the Oak Park Conservatory. Enjoy pumpkins, kids crafts, and nature activities at the Conservatory. Rehm Park hosts games & activities, inflatables, yummy food, Rehm Train Rides, and more!
Location: Oak Park Conservatory, Oak Park
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Side Yard Sounds
September 9, 22, 23, 2023
Join at Compound Yellow for Side Yard Sounds all month long featuring artists like DJ Baby Chocolate, Dan Burke, Regina Martinez, Kikù Hibino and many more! Compound Yellow is thrilled to be featuring these talented individuals. Suggested donations are encouraged at this free event to support the arts and programing that keeps this event accessible for all in our community.
Location: Compound Yellow, Oak Park
Forest Home Cemetery Bike Tour
September 24, 2023
Grab your bike for a tour of Forest Home Cemetery! Amy Binns-Calvey, who's tour is normally limited to the Haymarket monument and Radical Row, will branch out and show you other incredible treasures in the cemetery. The tour will include a Potawatami burial mound, the Ancient Order of Druids plot, a Civil War mortar (cannon), and much, much more.
Location: Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park
Riverside Hop Stop
September 30, 2023
Hop Stop is back in another undefeated collaboration between Riverside Foods and the Olmsted Society. With your commemorative tasting glass, you’ll be able to sample over 50+ offerings from local craft brewers, cideries, and Riverside’s own Quincy Street Distillery. Make use of the free bicycle valet, bring a designated driver, or take the Metra, which drops you right outside. There will be local food vendors, art activities for children, and live music to round out a wonderful outdoor family-friendly setting in the arboretum Village of Riverside.
Location: Riverside Train Station, Riverside
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Historic Olmsted Walking Tour
September 24, 2023
The Fredrick Law Olmsted Society offers regular monthly tours. The September tour covers the north division of Riverside! Come see the preservation of Olmsted’s vision for the area and catch a glimpse of his concern for humanity, nature, sense of community and the innovative and thoughtful essence of his work.
Location: Riverside Train Station, Riverside
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Bonfire and Brews
September 28, 2023
Are you interested in supporting local breweries and learning about their businesses and their passions? Come to the patio of Cheney Mansion this Fall to sample what they have brewing! Mix, mingle and chat with the team from Exit Strategy around the fire pits at Cheney Mansion as you taste what's brewing. Snacks will be available to help with your tastings.
Location: Cheney Mansion, Oak Park