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 2022 Calendar of Events.

Wildfire Fall Concert Series at Wildlife Prairie Park  {Hanna City}   //   September 1, 8, 22, 29, 2022   //    Every Thursday 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 4, 2022   //   Get ready to get your feet wet in the wine! Enjoy a fun day of winemaking as well as food by The Mackinaw Lions Club and live music by the Mystery Machine.

Pekin Marigold Festival at Mineral Springs Park   {Pekin}   //   September 8-11, 2022   //   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! This year's festival theme is ‘Back In Time’ as we celebrate the festival's 50th year!

Elmwood Fall Festival  {Elmwood}   //   September 8-10, 2022   //    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 9-11, 2022   //    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}   //   September 10, 2022   //    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 14-17, 2022   //    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 16-18, 2022   //    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}   //   September 17-18  //   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!

Fall Dessert Tour   {Chillicothe}   //   September 17, 2022   //    The Fall Dessert Tour is a part of the Bridge to Bridge event. You won’t want to miss this walkable dessert tour with 18 local businesses participating!

Fall Craft Show at Shore Acres Park   {Chillicothe}   //   September 17, 2022   //    The Fall Craft show is a part of the Bridge to Bridge event. Join the fun for a great day at the park with amazing makers, crafters, and vendors. Bring the family and enjoy delicious food + great music. Leashed pets are welcome!

Autumn Market   {Chillicothe}   //   September 21, 2022   //    This market is full of local farmers and artisans. Shop produce, baked goods, sweet treats, hand-crafted goodies, and more! Enjoy music by the Roundstone Buskers and snacks from food trucks like El Zarape Taco Truck and Swanee's Soft Pretzels.

Autumn Market in the Garden at the Luthy Botanical Garden   {Peoria}   //   September 24, 2022   //    Enjoy a creative community of artists, craftsmen, foodies and collectors coming together to bring the charm and excitement of the fall to Luthy Botanical Garden.

Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair at the Peoria Riverfront Festival Park  {Peoria}   //   September 24-25, 2022   //    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 of Canton  {Canton}   //   September 25, 2022   //    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 1, 2, 8, 9   //   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.

Schlachtfest at Hickory Grove Park  {Dunlap}   //   October 2, 2022   //    This years’ Schlachtfest will be a combined celebration of German-American Day and a kick-off to German-American Heritage month. The event will feature German music, beer, food, activities, games along with an art and craft fair.

Peoria Food and Wine Festival  {Peoria Heights}   //   October 13, 2022   //    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 out this list, excerpted from the September/October 2022 Calendar of Events:  Halloween in Greater Peoria 2022

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 out these 5 terrifying haunted attractions in the Greater Peoria Area