The Geneva Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Cocoa and Chocolate Crawl Nov. 8 for community members to stroll through the city and sample cocoa-inspired items.

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

Column: What’s happening in Batavia? BatFest returns this weekend, writes Lori Botterman.

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.

This event offers something for everyone — from costumes and crafts to music, games and treats.

The concert will feature vocalist José Carlos Díaz, BFH dance ensemble, cultural activities and more.

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

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

Frank Caliendo returns Oct. 25, 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.

Upcoming events include

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.

David Koechner is known for his roles as Todd Packer on "The Office" and Champ Kind from "Anchorman."

The Grand Opening Weekend lineup features live music, food trucks and special limited beer releases.

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

Cirque Mechanics will perform Friday, Oct. 24 while Rhinestone Cowgirls will perform Nov. 21.

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

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.

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

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

Alan Barillaro will launch his new middle-grade book "Bunns Rabbit."

Lumenaura, billed as an interactive light and sound experience in downtown Aurora, is on display through Oct. 26.

Lumenaura, a grouping of light and sound installations in downtown Aurora, runs through Oct. 26 and includes more special programming on Oct. 17 and 18.

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

The Friday, Oct. 17 show will feature an explosion of music and guitars, contemporary blues, high energy rock and soulful ballads.

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

‘Time to Explore’ program ventures into songs new to the choir’s repertoire. The concerts will feature the U.S. premiere of Irish folk-song settings by late-Romantic composer Charles Stanford.

Spooky features include exclusive raffles, a Best Witch Costume Contest and tarot reading by Annie Hex.

The St. Charles Scarecrow Weekend is Oct. 10-12.

Here are the winners for Best Taco and Best Mexican Restaurant in the 2025 Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley and Sauk Valley Favorites contests.

Jeremy Kahn Quartet with Vocalist Petra Van Nuis will perform on Oct. 11.

The self-proclaimed Bozologist — he’s written the book on Bozo — has taken his massive collection of toys, merchandise, research, and historical ephemera and put it in one place in downtown Elgin.

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.

BG Hospitality Group owns the Gia Mia locations, Livia Italian Eatery, Ella's Italian Pub, Fire + Wine and moto imōto.

Lisa Ann Walter is known for her role as Melissa Schemmenti on ABC’s smash hit “Abbott Elementary."

Check out these award-winning pizza places in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, as well as the Sauk Valley and Illinois Valley, to celebrate National Pizza Month during October.

The Taylor Swift–themed event is a celebration of community, music and local businesses.

Fans of Rock ‘n Roll music are in for a treat Oct. 5 when FoxFest returns to Geneva venues.

Check out these fantastic fall festivals in Sycamore, St. Charles, Utica, Aurora and more.

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

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

The public is welcomed to stroll downtown Geneva from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 for the seventh annual Autumn Fest and Self-Guided Jack-O'-Lantern Walk, with 90 merchants participating.

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.

Activities include a creative fall craft, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a bounce house and a make-your-own-scarecrow craft.

The St. Charles Singers, led by founder and music director Jeffrey Hunt, will open its 41st concert season in October with “Time to Explore,” a program that illuminates how classical composers have availed themselves of folk melodies.

The St. Charles Public Library will host a free concert on Oct. 5 featuring violist Daniela Bisenius and pianist Bobby Schiff as part of its Sunday Concert Series.

The restaurant, which specializes in Cajun-influenced American fare, opened over Labor Day weekend.

Participants can paint pumpkins, “Touch-A-Tractor,” play games, ride pedal tractors, create nature crafts and enjoy live folk music and seasonal treats.