Fall fun is in full swing across Gurnee and Lake County! From pumpkin crafts and outdoor movies to nature adventures, Halloween activities and colorful cultural celebrations, families have plenty of exciting ways to make memories together September 25–27. Pack your sweaters, gather the kids and discover your next weekend adventure!
- Family Fall Extravaganza 🎃
When: Friday, September 25, 5–6:30 p.m.
Where: Cook Park, 600 N. Main Street, Wauconda
Age fit: Preschool through elementary ages
Cost: Free
Registration: None listed
Why consider it: Pumpkin crafts, games, a balloon artist and a walk through the community scarecrow display make this an easy early-evening outing. Event details - Scarecrow Fest 🌾
When: Friday, September 25, 4–8 p.m.
Where: Port Clinton Square, 600–601 Central Avenue, Highland Park
Age fit: All ages; especially preschool and elementary children
Cost: Free admission; food and drinks are extra
Registration: None listed
Why consider it: Families can enjoy children’s concerts, face painting, pumpkin crafts, Wizard of Oz characters and more than two dozen creative scarecrows. Festival details - Park Party and Outdoor Movie 🎬
When: Friday, September 25, 6–10 p.m.
Where: Hartmann Park, 292 Oakwood Road, Vernon Hills
Age fit: All ages
Cost: Free admission; food-truck purchases are extra
Registration: None listed
Why consider it: Outdoor activities, food trucks and a movie under the stars provide a relaxed—and budget-friendly—Friday-night plan. Event details - Nature Discovery Day 🍂
When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–noon
Where: Nature’s Classroom at Bevier Park, 2255 York House Road, Waukegan
Age fit: All ages; activities are especially suitable for ages 4–12
Cost: Free
Registration: Preregistration is not required
Why consider it: Children can collect natural materials for collages, paint garden stones and explore the park through hands-on nature activities. Event details - Lake County Boat Show 🚤
When: Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, September 27, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake
Age fit: All ages; strongest fit for school-age children and teens interested in boats, fishing or outdoor recreation
Cost: Free admission and parking
Registration: None listed
Why consider it: Families can explore a large indoor selection of boats and marine equipment without paying an entrance fee. Official fairgrounds schedule - Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Great America 👻
When: Saturday–Sunday, September 26–27; park hours vary by day
Where: Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee
Age fit: Toddlers through elementary ages
Cost: Included with park admission; ticket prices vary
Registration: Advance dated admission is recommended
Why consider it: A pint-sized maze, trick-or-treat trail and daytime photo opportunities offer younger children Halloween fun without the nighttime scares. Event and ticket information - The Addams Family Candle-Making Movie Night 🕯️
When: Saturday, September 26, 6–8 p.m.; movie begins at 6:21 p.m.
Where: Romney Brown Candle Company, 170 Center Street, Grayslake
Age fit: Teens; the movie is rated PG-13
Cost: $40 per person, including a custom candle, pizza and themed dessert
Registration: Advance ticket purchase is required; seating is limited
Why consider it: Teens can make a personalized spooky candle while enjoying dinner, dessert and an indoor screening of The Addams Family. Tickets and details - Festival de Cultura, Comida y Vida 💃
When: Sunday, September 27, 2–6 p.m.
Where: Nippersink Forest Preserve, Route 120 west of Cedar Lake Road, Round Lake
Age fit: All ages
Cost: Free admission; food is available for purchase
Registration: None listed
Why consider it: Mariachi, folklórico dancing, Latin music, bilingual family programs and nature trails create a lively celebration of Hispanic heritage. Official Forest Preserves event information
Want to see more fun events like this? Go here to search events page.
