n Oktoberfest
Sept. 23-24
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
(708) 688-8400
Toss on some lederhosen and enjoy live polka music at the zoo's beer garden. Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest beer and a seasonal menu featuring brats, sausages, pretzels with beer cheese and more will be available for purchase. Time: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
n Fall Color Wine Tasting
Sept. 28
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
Enjoy seasonal wines and live music in The Grand Garden amidst changing trees at the arboretum. Attendees can pre-order their favorite wines with Famous Liquors to pick up at a later date. Cases of wine are 10 percent off. Ten percent of all wine sales will be donated back to the arboretum. Designated driver tickets are available, which include a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage ticket, a cookie and an Arboretum-branded silicone wine glass. Time: 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets: $70, $25 for designated driver.
n Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct. 1
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
(630) 789-1986
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
Learn about the origin of this Chinese festival while enjoying Mid-Autumn delicacies, crafts, games, calligraphy and a special performance. Time: 2 to 4 p.m. RR
n Fall Festival
Oct. 7-8
Danada Equestrian Center
3S507 Naperville Road, Wheaton
(630) 668-6012
The DuPage County Forest Preserve District’s largest event returns for two days this year. Festivities will include equestrian performances and demonstrations in the outdoor arena, wagon rides, pony rides and other children’s activities, barn tours and more. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free, with small fees for some activities.
n Boo! at the Zoo
Weekends Oct. 7-22
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
(708) 688-8400
http://www.czs.org/booatthezoo
Families can have a howling good time at this annual Halloween celebration. Don a favorite costume and take memorable snapshots at the many Halloween-themed photo frames and vignettes, including the Howl-O-Scene. Backdrops feature pumpkins, bales of hay, black cat cutouts and more. Afterwards, tackle the Craized Maize corn maze on the Zoo’s East Mall or take a spin on the Creepy Carousel. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. activities, zoo open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $29.95, $20.95 for kids 3-11, $24.95 for seniors plus $17-$20 parking.
n Glass Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 13-15
Morton Arboretum
4100 Route 53, Lisle
(630) 968-0074
The 13th annual Glass Pumpkin Patch features demonstrations by artists as they turn bits of glass into stunning molten pumpkin masterpieces. Guests also can visit the Halloween tent to find enchanting and frightful works of art to decorate the home and garden. Glass pumpkins are available for sale from 1 p.m. Oct. 14 to 5 p.m. Oct. 16. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: free with timed admission of $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $11 for kids ages 2-17 and free for those 2 and younger.
n Hinsdale Fall Family Fest
Oct. 14
Burlington Park
30 E. Chicago Ave.
(630) 789-7090
http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr
Dress in a favorite Halloween costume and enjoy inflatables, food trucks, entertainment and crafts at this annual event. Free pumpkins will be available to the first 500 participants. The Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a costume contest at its booth from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with winners announced at 1:30 p.m. The Hinsdalean will take photographs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids can trick-or-treat at selected businesses in the downtown business district from noon to 3 p.m. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
n Halloween Cupcake Decorating
Oct. 15
Hinsdale Public Library
20 E. Maple St.
(630) 789-1986
http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
Kids in kindergarten through second grade are invited to listen to a story about fall and decorate Halloween themed cupcakes with frosting, crushed cookies, gummy worms and more. Time: 2 to 3 p.m. RR
