ROCKFORD, IL — There are plenty of festivals across the region ready to help you enjoy the fall season. Some are free, others charge admission, but all promise plenty of fall activities.
Here are some worth checking out.
Glow in the Garden Festival
Glow in the Garden brings a glowing evening to the gardens along the Rock River at Nicholas Conservatory. Families can enjoy free garden activities, release floating lanterns in the lagoon for a small fee, and take part in a glowing 5K run/walk at dusk. There’s also a kids’ fun run where participants dash under glowing arches.
When: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 19
Where: 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford
For more: nicholasconservatory.com/glow-in-the-garden
PEC THING
A massive antique and flea market held twice a year, drawing over 500 vendors selling vintage items, collectibles, crafts, and baked goods. Entry to the event is $5, and children 12 and under are free. Free parking is available.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21
Where: Fairgrounds Driveway Main Gate 1 500 W. 1st. St. Gate, 2, Pecatonica
For more: winnebagocountyfair.com/pec-thing
Downtown Beloit Fall Festival
The Downtown Beloit Fall Festival is the area’s second-largest fundraiser, supporting its historic downtown district. The festival kicks off with an opening band from 4:30-6:30 p.m., followed by the headliner, Dirt Road Rebelz, from 7-10 p.m. Local businesses stay open late, and food offerings are on-site. Children under 13 get in free; all others pay $10.
When: 4:30-10 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: 300 block of State Street, downtown Beloit, Wisconsin
For more: visitbeloit.com/event/downtown-beloit-fall-festival-2025
Monarch Festival
The Monarch Festival is a hands-on, family-friendly celebration of insects, especially monarch butterflies. Visitors explore educational booths about butterfly life cycles, migration, camouflage, and pollinator habitats. Highlights include interactive crafts, a nature nook, insect displays, and butterfly gardens around the museum aimed at conservation awareness and local involvement.
When: 4:30-7 p.m. Sept 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28
Where: 737 N. Main St., Rockford
For more: burpee.org/monarch-fest
Loves Park Oktoberfest
Celebrate German culture at Loves Park’s annual Oktoberfest with German cuisine from Café 20 in Marengo, traditional beer, dancing, and cultural booths. Festivities include children’s activities, stein-holding and stein-racing contests, the tapping of the keg with former Loves Park Mayor Darryl Lindberg, and the crowning of Miss Oktoberfest 2025. Admission is $5 for pre-sale tickets at participating local locations; $10 day of the event.
When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 27
Where: Loves Park City Hall, Loves Park
For more: 61st Annual 2025 GSR OKTOBERFEST on Facebook
Stillman Valley Fall Festival
A free, family-friendly weekend celebration in the heart of Stillman Valley, featuring a wide array of attractions, from an indoor craft show, car and tractor displays, horticulture exhibits, and a quilt show to a parade, live music, food vendors, and more. The festival also includes a fun Kid Zone with bounce houses, pedal pulls, a pickleball tournament, a 5K fun run, and even an evening fireworks show.
When: Starts about 7 a.m. Sept. 27, ends about 3 p.m. Sept. 28
Where: 120 N Walnut St, Stillman Valley
For more: stillmanvalleyfallfestival.com
Community Celebration
Rock Valley College hosts a free Community Celebration packed with activities for all ages. Families can enjoy live music, food trucks, and a beer garden operated by District Bar and Grill. Children’s activities include a sensory station, a bouncy obstacle course, pumpkin decorating, a jumbo joust, a foam party, face painting, and more. Local organizations will also be on-site to connect with the community.
When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 27
Where: Rock Valley College campus, via the North Mulford Road entrance in Rockford
For more: Community Celebration | A Family Fun Event on Facebook
Whiskey and Wine
Now in its sixth year, this tasting event features whiskey and wine from around the globe under the City Market Pavilion. It’s the Rockford City Market’s largest fundraiser, supporting small local businesses. Guests enjoy tastings paired with live music in a lively evening setting.
When: 5-7 p.m. Sept. 27
Where: Rockford City Market Pavilion, 115–199 N. Water St., in Rockford
For more: Whiskey and Wine at the Rockford City Market Pavilion on Facebook
Fall ArtScene
ArtScene, a biannual gallery walk that began in 1987, transforms neighborhoods across Rockford into vibrant pop-up art galleries. Visitors can explore a wide range of work, from paintings and photography to sculpture, quilts, jewelry, and more, all created by regional artists. The free, self-guided event also encourages stops at local restaurants and shops for a complete arts-and-culture experience.
When: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 3, 4–9 p.m. Oct. 5
Where: Multiple venues across Rockford, including galleries, studios, retailers, and cultural sites throughout downtown, Midtown, and surrounding neighborhoods.
For more: artsforeveryone.com/artscene
Cider N’ Cinnamon Arts & Crafts Fair
This long-standing Rockford tradition, now over 50 years strong, kicks off the holiday shopping season with an indoor/outdoor fair featuring more than 75 local vendors. Expect handmade jewelry, vintage finds, treats like kettle corn and cider donuts, live music, and festive seasonal gifts. Admission is free.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5
Where: Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road, in Rockford
For more: edgebrookshops.com/events/cider-n-cinnamon-arts-craft-fair
Autumn on Parade
Autumn on Parade has been a community tradition for more than 50 years. More than 200 booths line the Ogle County Courthouse Square with baked goods, produce, jewelry, quilts, and handmade items. Families can enjoy a kids’ Fun Zone, a food court with dozens of options, and live entertainment.
When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 4; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 5
Where: Ogle County Courthouse Square, 105 S. Fifth St., in Oregon
For more: autumnonparade.com
Wolf Hollow Witches Market
The fifth annual Wolf Hollow Witches Market brings a unique, Halloween vibe to the Boone County Fairgrounds.
Attendees can explore stalls featuring magical art, artisan crafts and divination services.
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Oct. 4
Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, 8847 IL-76, in Belvidere, Illinois
For more: wolfhollowoddities.com/witchesmarket
Fall Diddley Craft Show
The Fall Diddley is a volunteer-run craft show offering nearly 300 handmade items, from folk art and pottery to dried florals, jewelry, and more. It’s hosted by the Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County, with all net proceeds supporting local nonprofit agencies focused on mental health services. Admission is $10 per person (12 and older).
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 12
Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 IL‑76, Belvidere
For more: mhrl.org/falldiddley.html
Spirits & Spirits
The Coronado Performing Arts Center invites guests to an evening of ghost stories and drinks. VIP ticket holders receive early access for a pre-party featuring exclusive tastings, appetizers, a souvenir glass, and ghost-themed theater tours. General admission includes tastings of whiskey, wine, and craft beer, snacks, and a souvenir glass. A designated-driver ticket option includes snacks, water, and the theater experience without alcohol. A portion of the proceeds supports the Land of Lincoln Theatre Organ Society.
When: VIP pre-party begins at 3 p.m.; general admission runs 4–6 p.m. Oct 4.
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center in Rockford
More: coronado.asmrockford.com/events-tickets
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Looking for fall feels? Get these 14 Rockford area fall events on your calendar
Reporting by Jack Ivanic / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
