From Romeoville to Pontiac, you’ll be surprised at all the hidden gems you discover during your wine-sampling excursion.

The Halloween Lights Trolley Tours run Thursday and Friday in Naperville, while the Great Midwest Train Show is Sunday in Wheaton.

Additional performers in the 2025-2026 season include the Soweto Gospel Choir, Cirque Kalabanté and many more.

The first fast-casual concept in the Bien Trucha Group will close for a rebrand Saturday, Nov. 1.

This show chronicles the amazing musical journey of the international pop star’s four-decade career from his time in Wham! through his illustrious solo career.

Discover the colors and activities of autumn at these parks in the Illinois Valley.

Check out these delightfully frightening haunted houses in northern Illinois, guaranteed to bring the scares this season.

The two-time Tony Award nominated musical is a family favorite that brings generations together to celebrate the magic of the holidays.

Check out these Halloween-themed events this weekend happening in the western suburbs.

Howlin' at the Moon, an event for adults 21 and over, is set for Friday and Saturday nights at Naper Settlement.

Steve Cochran and Company return Nov. 15 and The Second City's annual holiday revue is set for Nov. 20-Dec. 23 in Paramount’s Copley Theatre.

Check out these exciting family events happening in Glen Ellyn!

Celebrate local veterans at Cantigny Park with Brew It Forward on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Downtown Wheaton is offering a variety of family-friendly events to celebrate the holidays this season.

These northern Illinois pumpkin farms are ready to welcome guests for a day of family-friendly fall fun.

Upcoming events include

Watch football and baseball playoff games at one of these lively sports bars in northern Illinois.

British guitarist Steve Hackett celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Genesis album “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway."

Actors Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan and Elijah Wood will reunite with fans for "An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years," at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.

Comedian and actor Paul Reiser will be at the McAninch Arts Center on the College of DuPage campus Friday, Oct. 17.

Reiser will perform at the Glen Ellyn venue on Friday, Oct. 17.

Interactive highlights include responsive light sculptures, laser graffiti, enchanted fountains, train car installations, rooftop laser shows and more.

The Illinois Valley has several haunted tours that explore the supernatural this Halloween season.

National Dessert Day is Tuesday, Oct. 14!

October is a jam-packed month at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, with events for adults-only and the whole family.

Try Detroit style pizza at restaurants in Bartlett, Elgin, Algonquin and Naperville.

The Virginia hillside where Quaker Run Vineyard is located is an unlikely spot for growing grapes.

Featured will be selections from soaring Puccini and Verdi operas to musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein and themes of beloved movies.

GreenMan Theatre’s popular Graveside Stories Cemetery Walk returns Saturday, Oct. 18 at Churchville Cemetery in Bensenville, and Oct. 24-25 at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook.

Downers Grove will host several family-friendly Halloween events to celebrate the season.

The new season kicks off in October with a performance of 'Carmina Burana.'

Thousands of glass pumpkins will be on display at the Morton Arboretum from Friday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 12.

The political satire group will perform two shows on Sunday, Oct. 12 on the College of DuPage campus.

Looking for an outdoorsy getaway this season? Check out these four destinations in northern Illinois.

“Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience” is now open at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Camp Duncan off Route 12 in Ingleside. The experience runs through Nov. 2.

Performances are set for Oct. 10-11 and 14.

HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport is now open for the 2025 Halloween season.

Naperville Oktoberfest

The event will have live music by The Fall Guys, a special OAKtoberfest beer from Two Hound Red, apple cider doughnuts, apple cider, games and much more.

For the entire month, wine lovers are encouraged to host small, casual get-togethers to celebrate their love of wine.

The 2025-26 season opens Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 at the McAninch Arts Center, located on the campus of College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

Enjoy discounts to select shows and free programming during October.

Nick's Tavern in Lemont beat out Crystal Lake-based food truck Smash'D Burgers and Fries in a WGN competition for best burger in the Chicago area.

Brookfield Zoo is hosting an Oktoberfest on Sunday, Sept. 28, while Cantigny in Wheaton is hosting their Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28.

The free festival is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, and runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27.

From wine tastings to historic tours, Galena is the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway.

The MAC, located on the College of DuPage campus in Glen Ellyn, opens its 2025-26 season with Steve Solomon's 'My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy' Sept. 28.

The fall fun festival will open in Lake Zurich on Sept. 26 in Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road. Jack O’Lantern World in Lemont, to be held at The Forge Lemont Quarries, 227 Heritage Quarries Drive, will open for its first year Oct. 2.

The event runs from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Aurora on Friday, Sept. 26.

The Napa Valley winery is known for high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.