Your North Shore Fall Lineup

Pick a favorite Fall tradition or embark on a new adventure with these fantastic events relishing in the season’s bounty. Ghosts and goblins vie with buskers, artists and football players to entertain the whole family while markets burst with everything from farm-fresh food to handmade treasures to one-of-a-kind antiques. Get out and about all through Fall on Chicago’s North Shore.

 

Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston

Northwestern Football (Evanston)
Saturdays, Oct. 4, 18, 2025
Go purple for a big day out with the Big 10! A bonus to all the action, Northwestern Wildcats football sports an amazing view from their interim state-of-the-art venue right on the Lake Michigan shore. Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium hosts five home games. The rest are Saturday afternoon games meaning more time for dining and shopping in nearby Central Street Evanston and Downtown Evanston. Northwestern will play its final two games at Wrigley Field against Michigan (Nov. 15) and Minnesota (Nov. 22).
 

First Lady of Television, Northlight Theatre, Skokie

This Season on Stage (various locations)
Take a bow this fall as theatre season lights up Chicago’s North Shore with must-see performances. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts sets the stage with Killer Queen (Oct. 5), and Croce Plays Croce (Oct. 9). Music Theater Works shines with Godspell (Oct. 23-Nov. 16). Northlight Theatre brings The First Lady of Television (through Oct. 5), while Oil Lamp Theater stages Gaslight (Oct. 2-Nov. 2). Over at Theo, catch TLDR: Thelma Louise; Dyke Remix (through Oct. 12). And Writers Theatre rounds out the season with Shakespeare’s As You Like It (Oct. 30 to Dec. 14).
 

Makers Market, Evanston

Evanston Made’s Makers Market 
Sun., Oct. 5, 2025
You will score soooo many fabulous treasures at the Makers Market in Downtown Evanston. Buy unique, handmade goods like art, wearables, jewelry, candles, handbags and much more as you meet the local artists, artisans and makers. Held the first Sunday of the month half of the year, the popular event unfolds in a covered parking garage where it’s free to park, free to shop and kid and dog friendly.
 

Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns (Glencoe)
Oct. 8–12, 15–19, 22–26, 2025
Chicago Botanic Garden grows scary! Follow the eerily enchanting nighttime path, all aglow with artist-carved pumpkins illuminating tributes to Chicago sports teams, plant monsters, famous vampires, pets in Halloween costumes and 75 giant gourds (150 pounds each!). Costumes are encouraged for every boy and ghoul. Family-friendly activities abound with live carving, costumed characters, festive food, and bevs from hot local apple cider to themed cocktails at this ticketed event.
 

Scream Scene, Skokie

Scream Scene Haunted House (Skokie)
Fri., Oct. 10–Sat., Nov. 8, 2025
Beyond the BOO! Skokie has been scaring locals at this seasonal haunted house for nearly three decades. Each haunting of the Skokie Water Playground — abandoned this spooky time of year — features new characters, sets and scenes making each year more frightening than the last. If chainsaw maniacs and the insane clown maze don’t make you jump, give the Glow Stick Night a go (Nov. 1–2) where the only thing lighting your way is a single glow stick. Or wimp out at Lights-On night (Oct. 26). No one under 10; group sales available. 
 

Ravinia Festival, Highland Park

Ravinia Festival Fall Series (Highland Park)
Thur., Oct. 23-Sun., Oct. 26, 2025
Who says Ravinia is just for summer? The Fall Series is jam-packed with something for everyone. Hear the Rosamunde String Quartet (Oct. 23) bring classical brilliance, groove with Take 6’s (Oct. 24) smooth harmonies, rock out with kids’ favorite Justin Roberts (Oct. 25), and catch roots master Sam Bush (Oct. 25) doing his thing on mandolin and fiddle. Round it out with Ben Jones and Laurence Hobgood (Oct. 25 & 26) reimagining classics from Stevie Wonder to Rodgers & Hammerstein. Arrive early to wander the park at peak color and toast the season with a fall-inspired drink in hand.

Antiques + Modernism, Winnetka

Antiques + Modernism Show (Winnetka)
Thu., Oct. 30 (preview event); Fri., Oct. 31–Sun., Nov. 2, 2025
Fancy up the home with this stellar annual destination event whether you are an interior designer, a keen collector or a savvy treasure hunter. This shopping extravaganza ranges in styles from classic antiques from many eras to trailblazing modern looks in exquisite home furnishings, accessories, rugs, artwork, jewelry and more. Renowned for bringing together dozens of preeminent dealers from across the U.S. and Europe, with gorgeous pieces exclusively available for purchase. 
 

Winnetka Farmers Market, Winnetka

Farmers Markets (various locations)
Weekly; Apr. through Nov.
Fresh flavors and exciting extras follow you into Fall at our bonanza of North Shore farmers markets. An incredible array of vendors offers scrumptious fruits and veggies, home-baked bread and goodies, meats and cheeses, stunning seasonal flowers, even handmade jewelry, garden art and more. The community turns out for extras like yoga or Pilates sessions, art projects, live entertainment by local musicians and activities for the kids including pumpkin decorating.