One of the best things about living in the Midwest — other than the food — is the gorgeous scenery in the fall. Leaves and foliage burst open with a kaleidoscope of colors.

Another good thing about the fall is the number of festivals each town boasts. From the Festival of the Vine in Geneva to the Country-A-Fair in Schererville, there’s something to do every weekend to make autumn magical.

Here are some area festivals. While we try to be as accurate as possible, things happen after press time so be sure to check the websites or call to make sure nothing has changed.

Festival of the Vine: Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 6-8 at South Fourth and James streets, Geneva. Free to attend; tickets cost $1 and are sold in increments of $10. 630-232-6060; genevachamber.com/events/festival-of-the-vine.

Monee Fall Fest: Sept. 6-8 at 5130 W. Court St. Free. 708-534-8302; villageofmonee.org/251/fall-fest.

Party in the Park: 4-9:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Free. 847-438-5500; vhw.org/PartyInThePark.

Taste of Lemont: 5-11 p.m. Sept. 7 at Lemont Metra lot, 101 Main St. $10-$15. tasteoflemont.com.

Popcorn Festival: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Central Park Plaza, 68 Lafayette St., Valparaiso, Indiana. Free. 219-464-8332; facebook.com/valpopopcornfest.

Mundelein Arts Festival: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 7-8 at Courtland Commons, Courtland Street and Seymour Avenue. Free. 847-970-9235; mundeleincommunityconnection.org/community-events/arts-festival.

Fiestas Patrias Festival: 3 p.m. Sept. 7-8 at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $5-$20. 630-896–6666; paramountaurora.com/events/fiestas-patrias.

Scandinavian Day Festival: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 8 at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. $15; 12 and under free. 847-695-6720; scandinaviandayil.com.

Munster Monarch Festival: Noon-4 p.m., Sept. 8 at Heritage Park, 1154 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Free. 219-836-6900; munster.org and search events.

West Dundee Heritage Fest: Sept. 13-15 downtown along the river, near Main and South Second streets in West Dundee. Free. 844-551-3800; wdundeeheritagefest.org.

Fall on the Farm: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 14 at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. $8-$15. 847-362-4636; lambs-farm.prowly.com/344317-fall-on-the-farm.

Country-A-Fair: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 14. Redar Park, 1722 S. Park Ave., Schererville, Indiana. Free. 219-865-5530; facebook.com/ScherervilleParksandRecreation.

Decades Fest: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 14 at The Lot, 523 Central Ave., Highland Park. Free. 847-432-0800; enjoyhighlandpark.com/calendar.

Bacon Fest: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 14 at Founders Square Park, 6298 Central Ave., Portage, Indiana. Free. 219-762-1675; facebook.com/baconfestportage.

World Cultural Fest: Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 14 at Central Park Plaza, 68 Lafayette St., Valparaiso, Indiana. Free. 219-464-1122; valpovic.org.

Naperville Pride Fest: Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. $10-$15; 17 and under free. naperpride.org/naper-pride-fest-2024.

Vino al Fresco: 5-9 p.m. Sept. 14 at Thomas Centennial Park, 220 Broadway, Chesterton, Indiana. $10-$50. 219-926-5513; facebook.com/DunelandChamber.

Naperville Hispanic Heritage Festival: 5-9 p.m. Sept. 14 at Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave. Free. 630-220-0548; napervillehispanicfest.com.

Lake Zurich Rock the Block: 5-11 p.m. Sept. 14 at downtown Lake Zurich, 70 E. Main St. Free. 847-438-5141; lakezurich.org/450/Rock-the-Block.

Bourbon and Beer Fest: 7-10 p.m. Sept. 14 at The Vine Martini and Wine Bar, 101 Center St., Grayslake. $25-$80. 84-543-0900; bnbfest.com.

Oktoberfest: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 15 at Firemen’s Park, 675 Penfield St., Beecher. Free. 708-946-2271; facebook.com/ourpeacelutheran and search events.

Monarch Music Fest: 1-5 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Brewery Lodge and Supper Club, 5727N 600W Michigan City, Indiana. $20-$60. 219-879-3564 ext. 123; savedunes.org/monarch-music-fest.

Old Mill Fall Fest: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 15 Peotone Windmill, 427 W. Corning Ave., Peotone. 708-997-3414; peotonehistoricalsociety.org.

Acorn Fest: Sept. 20-21 at Crete Park, 515 First St., Crete. Free. 708-672-6969; facebook.com/cretepark.

Autumn in the Park Festival: Sept. 20-21 at Village Green, 8901 W. 123rd St., Palos Park. Free. 708-671-3700; palospark.org/426/2024-Autumn-In-The-Park-Festival.

Naperville Irish Fest: Sept. 20-21 at Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Free. 630-457-1943; wsirish.org/irishfest.

St. John’s Oktoberfest: Sept. 20-22 at St. John Evangelist Old Parish parking lot, 9400 Wicker Ave., St. John, Indiana. Free. 219-365-5678; stjohnoktoberfest.com.

Tinley Park Oktoberfest: Sept. 20-22 at the 80th Avenue Metra Train Station lot at 179th Street and 80th Avenue. Free. 708-532-5700; tinleychamber.org/oktoberfest-2.

Mount Prospect Oktoberfest: Sept. 20-21 at Emerson Street and Busse Avenue. Free. facebook.com/oktoberfestmp.

Libertyville Oktoberfest: Sept. 20-21 at Mickey Finn’s Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave. $25-$85. 847-362-6688; facebook.com/mickeyfinnsbrewery.

Apple Fest: Sept. 20-22 at 145 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. $5. 847-634-0888; longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest.

Bushel of Apples Fall Fest: Sept. 20-22 at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Free. 847-438-5146; facebook.com/phasethreebrewing.

Empanada Fest: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 21 at Whiting Lakefront Park, 1500 Park Road, Whiting, Indiana. Free. whitingempanadafest.com.

Will County Celtic Fest: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 21 at St. Joe’s Park, 700 Theodore St., Joliet. Free. 815-791-6424; facebook.com/IASCW.

Fall Family Festival: Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 21 at Pheasant Hills Park, 2301 Hart St., Dyer, Indiana. Free; $25 for kids’ zone wristband. 219-865-2505; facebook.com/dyerparksandrecreation.

Fest in the First: 3-8 p.m. Sept. 21 at Miller Beach Arts and Creative District, 540 S. Lake St., Gary, Indiana. Free. festinthefirst.com.

Joliet Pridefest: 12-7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park, 201 W. Jefferson St. Free. Facebook.com/JolietPrideNetwork.

Homewood Fall Fest and Chili Cook Off: Noon-9 p.m. Sept. 21 at Martin Avenue between Ridge and Hickory roads. Free. 708-798-3000; facebook.com/VillageofHomewood/events.

Brew at the Bridge: 1-7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Hudson Crossing Park, 65 N. Harrison St., Oswego. $25; each additional tasting ticket $2. 630-554-1010; brewatthebridge.com.

Water Lantern Festival: 4-9 p.m. Sept. 21 at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $16.68-$34.96; kids 7 and under free. 630-896-6666; waterlanternfestival.com/aurora.php.

Deerfield Harvest Fest: 5-9:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Robert York and Park Avenue. Free. 847-945-5000; deerfield.il.us/624/Harvest-Fest.

Taste of Lockport: 5-11 p.m. Sept. 21 at Ninth and Hamilton streets in front of City Hall. $10-$25. 815-588-8888; tasteoflockport.org.

Naperville River Walk Fine Art Fair: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 21-22 at Riverwalk Park, 171 Jackson Ave., Naperville. Free. 630-355-2530; facebook.com/NapervilleArtLeagueAndGallery.

Park Forest Art Fair: Sept. 21-22 at Village Green and Main Street. Free. 708-748-3377; tallgrassarts.org.

Two Brothers Oktoberfest: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 22 at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora; and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 28 at Two Brothers Tap House, 30W315 Calumet Ave, Warrenville. Free. 630-264-2739; twobrothersbrewing.com or facebook.com/TwoBrothersRoundhouse.

Fallapalooza: 1-5 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Performance Pavilion at Heritage Park, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Free. 847-465-3333; wheelingparkdistrict.com/events/fallapalooza.

Yorktoberfest: Sept. 27-28 at Riverfront Park East, 301 E. Hydraulic St., Yorkville. Free; $5 for wristband to drink alcohol. 815-553-4357; kiwanisyorktoberfest.org.

Lansing Autumn Fest: Sept. 27-28 at Fox Pointe, 18138 Henry St. Free. facebook.com/LansingLACE.

East Dundee Oktoberfest: Sept. 27-28 at East Dundee Downtown Depot, 319 N. River St. Free. 847-426-2822; facebook.com/eastdundeeoktoberfest.

Huntley Fall Festival: Sept. 27-29 at Deicke Park and the Huntley Park District Recreation Center Complex, 12015 Mill St. Free. 847-669-8935; huntleyfallfest.com.

Greek Fall Festival: Sept. 27-29 at Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 1855 W. 5th Ave., Aurora. Free. 630-851-6106; auroragreekfest.com.

Elim Dutch Festival: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28 at Elim Christian Services, 13020 S. Central Ave., Crestwood. Free. 708-389-0555; elimcs.org/dutch-festival.

Harvest Festival: 12-6 Sept. 28 at Rule Park, 33325 N. Sears Blvd., Wildwood. Free. 847-223-7275; wildwoodparkdistrict.com/event/harvest-fest-event.

Oktoberfest: Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 28 at The Lot, 525 Central Ave., Highland Park. Free. 847-432-0800; enjoyhighlandpark.com/oktoberfest.

Oaktober Fest: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 28 at Flossmoor Park, 2523 Flossmoor Road; and at the Metra parking lot at Flossmoor Road at Sterling Avenue. Free. 708-798-2300; facebook.com/FlossmoorIL.

Brookfield Zoo Oktoberfest: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 28 at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road. $20.95-$29.95; parking $17-$20. Children 2 and under free. 708-688-8347; rookfieldzoo.org//Oktoberfest.

The Bizarre Bazaar: 1-7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso, Indiana. $5. facebook.com/roguesyndicatenwi.

Fall Harvest Craft Festival: Sept. 28-29 at Central Park, 698 N. Broad St., Griffith, Indiana. Free. 219-741-6690; facebook.com/GriffithFallHarvestCraftFestival.

Tinley Park Fall Arts and Crafts Fair: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 4 at McCarthy Park, 16801 S. 80th Ave. Free. 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org/event/14726.

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest: Oct. 1-31. Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. $9-$10; kids 17 and under free. 630-665-5534; cosleyzoo.org.

Oktoberfest: Oct. 4-5 at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $15-$20. 630-420-6010; napersettlement.org /237/Oktoberfest.

Sts. Dennis and Joseph Catholic Academy Oktoberfest: Oct. 4-6 at St. Joseph School, 529 Madison St., Lockport. Free. 815-838-8173; facebook.com/sjs21stoktoberfest.

Fall Arts and Crafts Show: Oct. 4-6 at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $5. 847-680-7200; lcfairgrounds.com/events/arts-and-crafts-show-october-2024.

Oktoberfest: Oct. 4-6 at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove. Free. 847-821-6140; buffalocreekbrewing.com.

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival: Oct. 4-6 at Highwood Metra Station, 317 Green Bay Road, Highwood. Free. 847-668-1213; highwoodpumpkinfest.com.

Griffith Oktoberfest: Oct. 4-6 at Central Park, 600 N. Broad St., Griffith, Indiana. Free. facebook.com/GriffithOktoberfest.

Great Pumpkin Party: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave., Orland Park. $3-$7. 708-403-5000; orlandpark.org/departments/recreation-parks/special-events.

Brothers’ Field Fall Fest: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5 at Brothers’ Field, 340 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free. 847-805-8660; brothersfieldlonggrove.com/events/brothers-field-fall-fest.

Harvest Festival: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Founders Square Park, 6300 S. Founders Square, Portage, Indiana. Free. 219-762-5425; www.portagein.gov/374/Harvest-Festival.

Fall Wine Walk: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5 at Fox Pointe, 18138 Henry St., Lansing. $45. 708-474-4170; business.chamberoflansing.com/events/details/fall-wine-walk-2024-451.

Morton Arboretum Cider and Ale Fest: Noon-4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Lincoln Ave., Lisle. $35-$75. 630-968-0074; mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/cider-ale-festival.

DIY Scarecrow Day: Noon-4 p.m. Oct. 5 at Brothers’ Field, 340 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. $5. 847-634-0888; longgrove.org/event/diy-scarecrow-day.

Crown Point Oktoberfest: Noon-10 p.m. Oct. 5 at Bulldog Park, 183 S. West St., Crown Point, Indiana. Free. 219-662-3290; crownpoint.in.gov/398/Oktoberfest.

Porter’s Perfect Pint Festival: 1-5 p.m. Oct. 5 at Hawthorne Park, 500 Ackerman Drive, Porter, Indiana. $20-$70. 219- 926-6211; porterpint.com.

Harvest Fest: 3-6 p.m. Oct. 5 at Centennial Park, 16028 127th St., Lemont. Free. 630-257-6787; facebook.com/lemontpark/events.

Pumpkin Trains: Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, 507 Mulberry St., North Judson, Indiana. $8-$20. 574-896-3950; hoosiervalley.org/train-rides/special-events.

Scarecrow Walk: Oct. 5-31 at Heritage Park, 14240 W. 151st St., Homer Glen. Free. 708-301-0632; homerglenil.org/2661/Scarecrow-Walk.

Fox Fall Fest: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 6 at 354 Main St., Oswego. Free. 630-554-3505; facebook.com/FoxFallFest.

Fox Lake Fall Fest: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Grant Township Center, 26725 W. Molidor Road, Ingleside. Free. 224-225-1404; foxlake.org/423/Fall-Festival.

Scarecrow Weekend: Oct. 11-13 at Riverside Avenue between Main Street and Illinois Avenue, St. Charles. Free. 630-443-3967; scarecrowfest.com.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation Harvest Powwow: Oct. 12-13 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 N. Manchester Road, Wheaton. $7-$17; children 3 and under free. 773-585-8613; harvestpowwow.com.

South Holland Family Fall Fest: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave. Free. 708-868-0606; fpdcc.com/event/family-fun-day-2.

Valpo Fall Harvest Festival: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 12 at Central Park Plaza, 68 Lafayette St., Valparaiso, Indiana. Free. 219-464-8332; valparaisoevents.com/event/fall-harvest-festival.

Scarecrow Fest and Walk: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 19 at The Lot, 525 Central Ave. Free. 847-432-0800; enjoyhighlandpark.com/scarecrow.

Pumpkin Fest: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Central Park, 250 Library Lane. Grayslake. $20. 847-223-7529; glpd.com/event/pumpkin-fest-5.

Warrenville Fall Festival: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Recreation Center, 3S260 Warren Ave. $5. 630-393-7279; warrenvilleparks.org/event/fall-fest-2.

Stews and Brews (& Booze and Blues): 5-9 p.m. Nov. 2 at The Lot, 525 Central Ave. Free. 847-432-0800; enjoyhighlandpark.com.

Turkey Testicle Festival: 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at Parkside Pub, 11721 E. Main St., Huntley. $20. 847-669-8496; www.parksidepub.com/ttf.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter.