Explore Your Community

As events may be canceled or rescheduled at the last moment, please first check with the host or venue when making plans to attend an event.

“Here I Have Lived: Home in Illinois” Through Jan. 21, 2024. Explore stories of home. Visitors can connect through artifacts, videos and interactive features and learn how people have imagined, created and found home in Illinois. presidentlincoln.illinois.gov. Free with admission. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., 217-558-8844.

Old Capitol Farmers Market Saturdays and Wednesdays, 8am-12:30pm, through Oct. 28. Shop for fresh local produce, baked goods and products. Old Capitol Farmers Market, Fourth and Adams streets, 217-544-1723.

PrideLinc Senior LBGT Connections Thursdays, 11:30am. Weekly congregate meals open to LBGTQ seniors and an ally or caregiver. Includes time for education and socialization. Meals provided by Senior Services of Central Illinois. Call by Tuesday for a Thursday meal. Visit the Facebook page for more information. AgeLinc, 2731 S. MacArthur Blvd., 217-787-9234.

First Friday Open Studio First Friday of every month, 6-8pm. Visit the current exhibit and visit artists at work. Ask about their work, what inspires them, and why they chose their particular medium to learn more about why artists do what they do despite the odds. pharmacygallery.com. Free. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St., 801-810-9278.

Boo Crew Haunted House Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 28. Travel the Trail of Lost Souls and the haunted house. Boo victims should be at least age 10, but matinee hours are available for youngsters. Concessions available. Box office opens at 6:30pm. Haunting begins around 7pm, rain or shine. Get tickets early for this popular frightening experience. $25-$40, matinee hours $15 and $7 for children. boocrew.com. 11083 Buckhart Road, Mechanicsburg.

Carillon concerts Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm and 6:30 pm.; Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6:30pm. Master carillonneur, Carlo van Ulft, and assistant carillonneurs play a variety of music from original carillon compositions to arrangements of popular classics and pop music. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.

The Art of Jazz Oct. 12 and Nov. 16, 7-9pm. The Art of Jazz, curated by Brazilian guitarist Jose Gobbo, continues through the fall months, bringing various guest artist musicians and vocalists to these popular monthly jazz evenings at the Pharmacy Gallery. Enjoy an evening of live music and view the exhibits on display. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St., 801-810-9278.

“Transformation” Wednesdays-Saturdays through Oct. 28, 11am-5pm. Features art made from ceramic wall tiles by Gary Beaumont and mixed media assemblage by Katherine Pippin Pauley. Springfieldart.org. SAA Collective Gallery, 105 N. Fifth St. 217-544-2787.

UIS Star Parties Fridays through Oct. 27, 8-10pm. All ages. The event will take place at the UIS Observatory on the roof of the library. Patrons encouraged to pre-register. Brookens Library, One University Plaza, 217-206-8342.

Botanical Garden Group Tours Through Dec. 15, noon to 4pm. Guided tours available for groups of 10 or more members of the general public. Call one week in advance to book a tour. Washington Park Botanical Garden, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.

Fall Bird Hikes Thursdays through Oct. 19, 8-9am. Matt Hayes of the Illinois Audubon Society leads walks through Adams Wildlife Sanctuary in search of both resident and migratory birds. Sightings will be submitted to Cornell’s eBird database. Hikes begin at parking lot. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 Clear Lake Ave. 217-544-2473.

Chatham Jaycees Oktoberfest Sep. 30, 11am-9pm. Traditional(ish) Oktoberfest with food, fun and German and American music. Veterans Memorial Square, 101 N. Main St., Chatham.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sep. 30, 8:30am. Hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, all funds raised by 2-mile event further the care, support and research efforts of the association. Free to register. Participants asked to make a commitment to raising funds to advance the fight against Alzheimer’s. Those raising $100 receive T-shirt. Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 847-324-0372.

Echoes of Yesteryear Oct. 1, 12-4pm. A walk through Oak Ridge Cemetery. Actors in period costumes will tell personal stories of seven people who made significant contributions to our community. Last tour begins at 3:15pm. Refreshments available for purchase. Hosted by the Sangamon County Historical Society. Free. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 217-525-1961.

Terror on the Square Oct. 6, 7pm-midnight. Every Friday and Saturday through October and also on Halloween. A terrifying haunted tour with mystifying illusions. Do you dare to step into the 1930s funeral home knowing that terror awaits? $23. Visit terroronthesquare.com for details and tickets. Terror on the Square, Petersburg, 119 S. Seventh St.

Candlelight Walk Oct. 6-7, 7pm. A wonderful opportunity to experience village life at night. Period-clothed interpreters will be inside many of the log homes and shops to talk about life in 19th century Illinois. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, Petersburg, 15588 History Lane, 217-632-4000.

Fall Harvest Festival Oct. 7, 9am-4pm, Oct. 8, 10am-4pm. Visit the garden for artisan demonstrations and exhibits, children’s activities, fairy house building, tree troll program, photo contest, music and entertainment. Admission $8. Children age 10 and younger free. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive, 217-529-1111.

Whinnie’s Apple Fest Oct. 7-9. Celebration of all things apple and fall in honor of Whinnie, the miniature horse. Get your photo taken with Whinnie and enjoy pumpkin painting and face painting. Free. Jefferies Orchard, 1016 Jefferies Road, 217-487-7582.

Ride in Honor Oct. 8, 1pm. Motorcyclists as well as drivers of cars and trucks invited to this ride in honor of veterans. Stops include Camp Butler National Cemetery, Spaulding Area Veterans Memorial, Oak Ridge Cemetery and New Berlin Area Veterans Memorial. Begins at Staab Funeral Home and ends at VFW Post 755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road. Sponsored by Staab Family. Bike $10, co-rider $5. Proceeds support veterans’ organizations. See Facebook page for info. Staab Funeral Home, 1109 S. Fifth St., 217-528-6461.

Oak Ridge Tree Tour Oct. 14, 1-4pm. Some of the trees in the cemetery can be traced back to before Lincoln’s time, while others have been propagated from historic and rare trees from around the temperate world. Walk a designated route, stopping to speak with guides who will identify some trees and their stories. Suitable for all ages. Follow the signs inside the cemetery entrance. Free. Oak Ridge Cemetery, 1441 Monument Ave., 217-789-2340.

Carve for the Carillon Oct. 14-15, 11am-4pm. Scooped pumpkins will be ready for your creative carving. Bring your carving tools, family and friends. The carved pumpkins will be displayed at the following week’s Jack O’Lantern Spectacular. Rain or shine and while supplies last. carillon-rees.org. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-4116.

ROASTED: Hot Pots & Picnic Oct. 14, 3-9pm. This is a ceramic raku event. Glaze a pot and fire it in an outdoor kiln, and it is ready to take home that night. Ceramic raku at its best. Enjoy the fire, dinner, drinks and music by Square of the Roots and Bluesmattic Blues Band. Admission $25; plus pot $45. Children 12 and younger $20. Additional pot $15. Admission increases day of event. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-544-2787.

Boo Bark Party Oct. 14, 11am-2pm. Canine costume contest, pumpkin decorating and vendors. Check with the Animal Protective League for canine attendee guidelines. Donations accepted. Proceeds benefit the APL. Stuart Park, 1800 Winch Lane (north of Jefferson Street), 217-544-7387.

Senior Dogs Rock Oct. 15, 11:30am-6pm. Three bands take the stage in this benefit for The Helping Paw Project, which finds homes and medical care for older dogs. Event includes silent auction, 50-50 drawing and more. See Facebook page for more information. Weebles, 4136 N. Peoria Road, 352-228-0015.

Underground Railroad Fall Bus Tour

Oct. 15, 1-4pm. This Underground Railroad tour begins at Illinois College and hits several sites before its final tour stop at Woodlawn Farm. Riders will be brought back to Illinois College. Adults $20, children under 10 $15. Call for reservations beginning four weeks prior to tour. Illinois College, 1101 W. College Ave., Jacksonville, 217-479-4144.

Pumpkin Festival Oct. 21, 10am-2pm. Tons of family activities including petting zoo, smallest and biggest pumpkin contest, pumpkin games, pie-eating contest, pumpkin drop and much more. Central Park Plaza, 32 N. Central Park, downtown Jacksonville, 217-245-6884.

Sites of Springfield Oct. 21, 1pm. A historical tour of Col. James Culver’s iconic Springfield buildings. Presentation and refreshments at the Lincoln Park Pavilion, followed by a bus tour. Seating is limited and pre-registration required. Presented by Springfield Area Home Builders Association. $25 presentation; $85 includes tour. Lincoln Park, Fifth Street and Sangamon Avenue, 217-698-4941.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Oct. 20-21, 6:30-9:30pm. Nothing quite compares to this Halloween tradition. Carillon music, lighting and sound effects and food vendors. And hundreds of carved pumpkins on display, too, of course. Adults $10, Children 4-11 $7, children 3 and younger free. carillon-rees.org. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-546-3853.

Monster Mash Halloween Dance Oct. 27, 7-9pm. Dress up in your Halloween costumes for this Springfield Park District event featuring thrills, refreshments, treat bags, face painting and a costume contest. And dancing, too. Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 217-585-2941.

Zoolie Ghoulie Oct. 27, 1-8pm and Oct. 28, 11am-6pm. Grab your little ghouls and goblins and have a wild time wandering through the zoo’s spectacularly spooky Halloween scenes for some safe trick or treating. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Drive, 217-585-1821.

Fall Festival Oct. 28, 10am-4pm. Smell the hardwood fires and listen to the 19th century sounds as interpreters in period-style clothing demonstrate daily tasks throughout the historic village such as candle dipping, soap making, blacksmithing, spinning wool, gardening and natural dyeing. Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, Petersburg, 15588 History Lane, 217-632-4000.

Buffalo Bonanza Nov. 4. For 47 years, the Bicentennial Bison by John Kearney has been anchoring the SAA’s courtyard. Celebrate the sculpture with this Western-style extravaganza featuring food, drinks, dancing and music. Admission fee. Proceeds will go to restoration of the sculpture. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-544-2787.

Girls on the Run Fall 2023 5K Nov. 11, 10-11:30am. Race is a celebration of, and for, girls completing a 10-week season of Girls on the Run programming. Positive energy abounds as girls dance to warmup music, get their hair “happied” and gather with their teammates to hold hands as they head to the starting line. $20-$40. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road. 217-726-9808.

This article appears in Fall 2023.