From late September to the end of October, Greater Peoria puts on a seasonal show like nowhere else—and stunning foliage is just the beginning. Join us in our neck of the woods this autumn. Make the most of your foliage day trip, road trip, or weekend getaway with our list of memorable things to do in Greater Peoria this fall, excerpted from the September/October 2023 Calendar of Events.
Wildfire Fall Concert Series at Wildlife Prairie Park {Hanna City} // September 1 + 29, 2023
The first and last Friday in September, grab a lawn chair and head to Wildlife Prairie Park for their free concert series on the main bricks.
Mackinaw Grape Stomp + Harvest Festival at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard {Mackinaw} // September 3, 2023
Get ready to get your feet wet in the wine! Enjoy a fun day of winemaking as well as food by Haddad’s mobile food truck Tony’s on Wheels and live music by the StereoTypical.
Pekin Marigold Festival at Mineral Springs Park {Pekin} // September 7-10, 2023
Held in the Marigold Capital of the World, don’t miss this annual festival to honor Pekin’s favorite son, Senator Everett Dirksen. Enjoy the yearly parade, crowning of Miss Marigold, carnival, live music, amazing food, vendor show, and more!
Elmwood Fall Festival {Elmwood} // September 7-9, 2023
This is a quintessential midwestern fall festival—you can expect not only the amusement rides but carnival games, food, bingo, music, and a parade on Saturday.
Havana Oktoberfest {Havana} // September 8-10, 2023
Havana Oktoberfest is an amazing weekend filled with culture and fun. Get ready for food and drinks, vendors, live music, a carnival and parade, contests, polka pace race and fun for all!
Cannabis Camp {West Peoria} // Coming 2023
Cannabis Camp is the premier cannabis event of the summer in downstate Illinois. This consumption event celebrates all-natural health and wellness treatments, specifically cannabis. There will be a variety of vendors from around the state with booths set up to offer educational materials, purchasable items, and giveaways. We will also have food trucks, live art, yoga, music, and more!
Morton Pumpkin Festival {Morton} // September 13-16, 2023
The Morton Pumpkin Festival is the perfect fall festival for any pumpkin lover in the Pumpkin Capital of the World! This four-day festival is packed with events like the Pumpkin Weigh-Off, the Pumpkin Princess pageant, Pumpkin Classic 10K, live entertainment, parades, carnival rides, pumpkin foods, and soooo much more!
Peoria Oktoberfest at the Peoria Riverfront Festival Park {Peoria} // September 15-17, 2023
Come and experience the magic world of the big tent where one leaves Peoria and enters Germany! This three-day event showcases German heritage through song, dance, food, drink, cultural exhibits and much more. Do not miss the talented German bands and musicians on multiple stages, vendors and much more!
Bridge to Bridge {Peoria Heights, Chillicothe, Lacon, Henry, Spring Bay} // Check Back in 2024
This charming festival takes place in five of Greater Peoria’s quintessential river towns along the Illinois River. Stop along the route from Peoria Heights to Chillicothe to Lacon to Henry to Spring Bay and experience art fairs, vendor markets, live music, family games, fishing, food, and more!
Autumn Market {Chillicothe} // September 14, 2023
Support our local farmers and artisans! Shop produce, baked goods, handicrafts, and more, while enjoying music by The Mountain Men (5-6pm), and munchies from Swanee’s Pretzels, DeMarchi’s Espresso, Grill Em All, and Triple Dipple’s. Adoptable pets will also be available for meet-and-greets with potential families!
Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair at the Peoria Riverfront Festival Park {Peoria} // September 23 + 24, 2023
The Peoria Fine Art Fair has been bringing original art to central Illinois for 60 years. As one of the oldest art organizations in the country, the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair is nationally recognized and showcases national, regional and local artists. The Art Fair features original works of art, including jewelry, painting, ceramics, photography, digital art, and more.
Taste in Canton {Canton} // September 24, 2023
The streets in downtown Canton will be closed off for this local food festival!! Expect a variety of tastings from local restaurants and food trucks, a wine and beer garden, live music and inflatables for the kiddos. Oh, and don’t forget the pie eating contest!!
Spoon River Scenic Drive Fall Festival {Sanctioned sites throughout Fulton County} // October 7, 8, 14, + 15, 2023
Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Fall Festival is a celebration of arts, history, and culture throughout Fulton County. Each of the communities participating (Astoria, Bernadotte, Canton, Duncan Mills, Lewistown, Smithfield and more) are displaying a multitude of arts, crafts, flea markets, foods, history and heritage.
Peoria Food and Wine Festival {Peoria Heights} // October 12, 2023
The Peoria Food and Wine Festival is perfect for foodies and wine connoisseurs as the festival showcases local food and wines! Every year the Peoria Food + Wine Festival benefits local charities–this year proceeds will be donated to The Young Minds Project.
U-Pick Farms and Orchards {Greater Peoria} // Whether you’re looking to pick sweet corn, pumpkins, gourds, apples, pears, vegetables, mums, or more, check out these amazing options to pick-your-own produce in the Peoria Area. For a list of farms and orchards, read Peoria Area U-Pick Farms + Orchards
Halloween Events, Activities, + Adventures {Greater Peoria} // For spooky activities and events in September and October, check back soon on the list of Halloween events and activities.
Haunted Houses, Trails + Manors {Greater Peoria} // Leaves changing colors and pumpkin spice mean the arrival of fall and Halloween and the opening of haunted attractions across Greater Peoria. Check back soon for haunted attractions in the Greater Peoria Area.
