What’s Happening This Weekend: Fall Fair, Boo! at the Zoo, Bears-Packers & More | Oct. 9–11

Paul Froiland

1 day ago

5 min read

Skip the marathon crowds. From Berwyn to Brookfield, Oak Park and Chicago, there is plenty happening closer to home this weekend.

Fall is officially in full swing.

FitzGerald’s is basically turning Roosevelt Road into a weekend-long fall party, Brookfield Zoo has trick-or-treating and pumpkin-eating animals, Oak Park has architecture and farmers markets, and Sunday brings Bears-Packers from Lambeau.

Here are some of the best things happening around the near west suburbs and Chicago Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11.

BERWYN

FitzGerald’s Fall Fair 5

Saturday & Sunday | 11 a.m. | FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road

One of our top picks of the weekend.

FitzGerald’s Fall Fair returns Saturday and Sunday with live music, BBQ and plenty of fall atmosphere on the patio. Admission is free, with a $5 suggested donation, and the event is all ages.

Saturday night continues with Groove Witness in the Sidebar at 6 p.m., also free.

On Sunday, the Fall Fair rolls directly into one of FitzGerald’s most entertaining annual traditions.

Honky Tonktoberfest

Sunday | Doors 11 a.m. | Music 11:30 a.m.

Country music meets Oktoberfest.

The 5th Annual Honky Tonktoberfest, hosted by Wild Earp, brings live music to two stages along with German food from Babygold Barbecue and Oktoberfest beer.

Admission is free and the event is all ages, although advance free RSVPs are currently listed as sold out. If you are planning to head over without one, check with FitzGerald’s first.

And because this is Chicago in October...

Bears vs. Packers

Sunday | Noon

The Bears head to Lambeau Field for the first Bears-Packers game of the season, and FitzGerald’s Sidebar is hosting its Bears Brunch beginning at noon.

The game was recently moved from its original 3:25 p.m. kickoff to noon on FOX.

Friday Night at FitzGerald’s

If you want to start the weekend early:

5 p.m. — Hillbilly FrolicFree happy hour music on the patio.

6:30 p.m. — The Nightmare Before ChristmasThe movie screens outside as part of FitzGerald’s Fright Nights. Free and all ages.

8:30 p.m. — Terrapin FlyerThe Chicago-area Grateful Dead tribute takes over the club. 21+ and ticketed.

Halloween Ceramic Paint Night

Friday | 6–7 p.m. | North Berwyn Park District Community Center

Need something more kid-friendly?

Choose a Halloween ceramic piece and paint it at the North Berwyn Park District Community Center, 1619 Wesley Avenue.

Pieces start at $5 and painting supplies are included.

BROOKFIELD

Boo! at the Zoo

Saturday & Sunday | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Brookfield Zoo Chicago

This is probably the best family pick of the weekend.

Boo! at the Zoo runs throughout October, with the biggest slate of activities happening Saturdays and Sundays.

This weekend includes:

Trick-or-treating from 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Costume parades at noon and 3 p.m.
Halloween inflatables
Seasonal crafts
Character appearances
Dinosaur shows
Pumpkin decorating
Sgt. Sauerkraut’s Polka Band from noon–4 p.m.

And yes, the animals get pumpkins too.

Saturday: goats at 10:30 a.m. and bats at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday: binturong at 10:30 a.m. and lemurs at 2:30 p.m.

Boo! at the Zoo activities are included with zoo admission.

Brookfield Farmers Market

Saturday | 8 a.m.–1 p.m. | Brookfield Village Hall

The outdoor market season isn't quite finished yet. Grab coffee, produce, baked goods and locally made products Saturday morning before heading elsewhere for the day.

OAK PARK

Oak Park Farmers’ Market

Saturday | 7 a.m.–1 p.m. | 460 Lake Street

One of the longest-running and best-known farmers markets in the western suburbs continues Saturday mornings through November 14.

This weekend includes vendors, a bake sale benefiting First Baptist Church, the Oak Park Public Library Book Bike and more.

Art Deco in Central Oak Park Walking Tour

Saturday | 10–11:30 a.m.

Oak Park is known around the world for Frank Lloyd Wright, but there is a lot more architecture hiding along Lake Street.

The Oak Park River Forest Museum leads this walking tour through downtown Oak Park highlighting overlooked Art Deco buildings.

The tour begins at the Medical Arts Building, 715 Lake Street.

Tickets: $10 / $8 museum members.

Ikebana at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

Saturday & Sunday | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

The Ohara School Chicago Chapter fills the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Playroom with traditional Japanese ikebana floral arrangements.

The display is incorporated into regular Home and Studio tours, with members of the Ohara School available outside to discuss the art and demonstrate techniques.

Admission is $24 general admission and free for Frank Lloyd Wright Trust members.

Stories From ’76

Sunday | 3–4 p.m. | Oak Park River Forest Museum

Remember America’s Bicentennial?

The museum is inviting visitors to share memories, photographs, souvenirs and stories from 1976 while museum staff display pieces from the collection.

A different and very local way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

RIVER FOREST

“Bone” Appétit at Trailside Museum

Saturday | 3 p.m. | Free

Watch feeding time with Trailside Museum’s animal ambassadors while learning more about their diets, behaviors and natural history.

Trailside follows it Sunday with Weaving With Weeds: Cattail Mat at 1:30 p.m., a free adult workshop that requires registration.

LA GRANGE

Skeletober

If you don't need a scheduled event, downtown La Grange is an easy October walk.

Skeletober brings decorated skeleton displays to downtown businesses throughout the month, along with seasonal restaurant specials and a skeleton scavenger hunt.

Grab lunch or dinner and see how many displays you can find.

WORTH THE DRIVE

Lincoln Park Wine Fest

Friday–Sunday | Jonquil Park, Chicago

Wine Fest celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend with outdoor wine tastings, food and live entertainment.

Friday: 5–10 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

If wine sounds better than running 26.2 miles, we understand.

OUR WEEKEND PICKS

Best family outing: Boo! at the Zoo

Best free event: FitzGerald’s Fall Fair

Best Sunday: Honky Tonktoberfest + Bears-Packers

Best morning: Oak Park Farmers’ Market

Best something-different pick: Art Deco walking tour

Best date idea: Lincoln Park Wine Fest

One Weekend Heads-Up

The Chicago Marathon is Sunday morning, so downtown and several Chicago neighborhoods will have significant street closures and traffic restrictions.

If your weekend plans are in Berwyn, Brookfield, Oak Park, River Forest or the western suburbs, you may have picked the right weekend to stay west.

Did we miss something?

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If your business, organization or neighborhood has an event coming up, send it our way.

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Sources

Event details, times and pricing were checked against organizer and venue listings. Schedules and specials can change, so we always recommend confirming directly with the venue before heading out.