Fall Festival Preview: Community Events Coming to Naperville this September and October
Naperville · Community Photo
Life in Naperville residents are about to enter the busiest, most colorful stretch of the year, with the Naperville Irish Fest, a returning Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement, and a full month of pumpkin, apple, and Halloween events all landing between mid-September and early November.
What's on the Horizon
The Naperville Irish Fest returns to Central Park for its sixth year on September 18 and 19, with a pre-fest night at Quigley's Irish Pub the evening before. Naper Settlement hosts its own Oktoberfest October 2 and 3, and the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair brings juried artists to the downtown waterfront September 19 and 20. Rounding out the month, All Hallow's Eve at Naper Settlement (October 16–17) and Howlin' at the Moon (October 23–24) bring the historic village's fall programming to a close before Halloween week.
Family Favorites
The Naperville Half Marathon and 5K on October 18 draws runners from across the western suburbs, and the DNA Halloween Hop brings trick-or-treating right to the downtown streets on October 25. For younger kids, the Pumpkin Race at Rotary Hill on October 24 is a lighthearted, only-in-Naperville tradition, and Naper Settlement's Day of the Dead observance at the Grand Pavilion on November 1 offers a meaningful close to the season.
How to Plan Ahead
Naperville Irish Fest tickets are $10 each (or two for $15) through September 11, so advance purchase saves money. Downtown parking garages, including the Central Parking Facility on Chicago Avenue, are the most reliable option for festival weekends since street parking near Central Park fills quickly. For Naper Settlement's fall lineup, checking the individual event dates in advance helps avoid double-booking a weekend that already has a lot going on.
Why Fall Is Special in Naperville
Naperville's fall calendar is dense in the best way, with downtown, the Riverwalk, and Naper Settlement all hosting distinct events within a few weeks of each other. It's a season that shows off the city's strong sense of community, its walkable downtown, and its knack for turning ordinary fall traditions, like a pumpkin race, into something residents genuinely look forward to every year.
Stay ahead of the fall calendar — explore more on Life in Naperville.
Want to live somewhere with a rich annual event calendar? Connect with Ruth Sheahan.
Source: City of Naperville, WTTW Chicago
