It’s Fall Y’All: NW Illinois October Festivals You’ll Love
October in Northwest Illinois is a season of pumpkins, parades, and small-town charm. Across Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties, local communities know how to celebrate autumn with family-friendly fall events in Illinois that bring neighbors and visitors together. From creative scarecrows in Dixon to community parades in Oregon, these gatherings showcase the traditions that make fall here special.
Oregon’s Signature Celebration: Autumn on Parade
October 4–5, 2025
The season kicks off in Ogle County with Autumn on Parade in Oregon, one of Northwest Illinois’ biggest and most beloved festivals. This two-day event has filled the courthouse square for over five decades with over 200 vendors offering handmade, homegrown, and homemade goods.
Kids love the Fun Zone, while food vendors serve up festival favorites. Antique tractors, car shows, and the Olde English Faire at Stronghold Castle add even more charm. On Sunday afternoon, the 54th annual Harvest Time Parade steps off at 1 p.m., complete with floats, marching bands, and local pride.
Lumberjack Fun in Rock Falls
October 4, 2025
Rock Falls hosts the Lumberjack Show at Selmi’s the same weekend. This one-day festival is a full slice of fall fun, with professional lumberjack shows, live woodcarving, kids’ lumberjack camp, hayrack rides, a haunted house, and plenty of seasonal activities. It’s a perfect mix of high-energy entertainment and family-friendly fall traditions.
Castle Tours in Savanna
October 4 and weekends through October
Head to Carroll County for Havencrest Castle October Tours in Savanna for something completely different. This 27-room mansion, once the private home of artists Alan and Adrianne St. George, opens for tours on weekends in October. Guests explore the castle through an audio-guided self-tour, taking in ornate interiors, elaborate artwork, and a glimpse of romantic Midwest history. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else in Illinois.
John Deere Historic Site Fall Fest
October 11–12, 2025
The following weekend, history comes alive in Grand Detour at the Fall Fest at the John Deere Historic Site. Visitors can watch blacksmith demonstrations, hop on a wagon ride, decorate pumpkins, or enjoy carriage rides around the grounds. Families will love the face painting, crafts, and live music. With its blend of agriculture, history, and classic fall activities, this event is a true crowd-pleaser.
Ogle County Farm Stroll
October 12, 2025
Also on Sunday, October 12, ten different farms in Ogle County invite visitors to slow down and enjoy the Ogle County Farm Stroll. This relaxed, open-farm event offers apple picking, orchard charm, and wide-open autumn views at ten farms. These are self-guided tours where a map can be obtained at the first stop you make. It’s the kind of simple, sweet experience that reminds you why fall in Illinois feels so special.
Dixon’s Scarecrow Festival
October 18, 2025
Mid-month, downtown Dixon transforms during the Scarecrow Festival. Six city blocks are filled with handmade scarecrows, each with its own personality. Visitors can enjoy a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, carnival games, pumpkin bowling, and the quirky Pumpkin Derby at 1 p.m. It’s a full day of small-town fun that blends creativity with plenty of laughs.
Rock Falls Spooktacular Golf Cart and UTV Lighted Parade
October 19, 2025
The next evening, Whiteside County glows with the Spooktacular Lighted Parade in Rock Falls. Golf carts and UTVs decked out in glowing Halloween decorations roll through the streets after dark. Costumes and community spirit make this nighttime parade a highlight of the season.
Mount Carroll Pumpkin Fest
October 25, 2025
The month closes in Carroll County with the Mount Carroll Pumpkin Fest in Mount Carroll. Free and family-friendly, this annual festival includes the Harvest Hustle 5K, kids’ games, inflatables, pumpkin decorating, live music, and plenty of food. The courthouse square becomes the heart of the celebration, wrapping up October with small-town warmth and charm.
Fall Fun Awaits in Northwest Illinois
No matter which corner of Northwest Illinois you explore this October, you’ll find fall traditions in Midwest small towns that mix food, music, and family fun. These festivals aren’t just events—they’re living snapshots of local culture, where neighbors gather and visitors are welcomed like old friends. Mark your calendar, bring your crew, and let Northwest Illinois surprise you with the kind of autumn magic only small towns can create.
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