The Lombard Lilac Ledger 2026 Guide to Pumpkin Patches & Fall Festivals

Fall fun is officially underway across the western suburbs!

Pumpkins, apple cider donuts, corn mazes, hayrides, orchards and fall festivals are filling the calendar from September through early November. Whether you're looking for a quick afternoon close to home or want to make a full day of it, the Lombard Lilac Ledger has rounded up some of our favorite fall destinations within driving distance of Lombard, Glen Ellyn and Villa Park.

Some are traditional pumpkin patches. Others have grown into full fall destinations with rides, animals, food, corn mazes and entertainment. And we've even included a pumpkin patch where you won't find a single real pumpkin!

Save this guide and come back to it all season long.

CLOSE TO HOME:

Cosley Zoo Pumpkin Fest — Wheaton

October 1–31
1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton

You don't have to travel far for fall fun. Cosley Zoo's annual Pumpkin Fest transforms the zoo into a seasonal destination throughout October, with thousands of pumpkins displayed across the lawn.

It's an especially nice choice for families with younger children or anyone looking for an easy fall outing close to home.

16th Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch — The Morton Arboretum, 

October 9–11 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle

Here's a completely different kind of pumpkin patch — and it's practically in our backyard!

The Morton Arboretum's 16th Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch returns with a spectacular display of more than 8,000 one-of-a-kind blown-glass pumpkins created by glass artists from around the country.

Visitors can browse and purchase pumpkins in traditional fall colors as well as unusual shapes and vibrant contemporary designs. Artists will also demonstrate how molten glass is transformed into these unique works of art, with glassblowing demonstrations throughout the weekend and additional flameworking demonstrations Saturday and Sunday.

The Glass Pumpkin Patch is located on the West Lawn near the Visitor Center and is included with regular Arboretum admission.

LLL Tip: This isn't your traditional pumpkin farm. It's part fall outing, part art show and a beautiful opportunity to visit the Arboretum as the leaves begin changing color.

Cantigny Fall Fest — Wheaton

September 26–27 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton

Cantigny's two-day Fall Fest is another great option right in our backyard. The celebration includes a large vendor market, live music, garden tours, food trucks and children's activities including crafts, bounce houses and a petting zoo.

Festival admission is free, with a parking fee and additional charges for some activities.

Sonny Acres Farm Fall Festival — West Chicago

September 19–October 30
29W310 North Ave., West Chicago

A longtime western suburban fall tradition, Sonny Acres combines pumpkins with daytime hayrides, farm animals, amusement rides, seasonal food and entertainment.

For those who prefer their fall fun a little scarier, the farm also offers haunted attractions on select October nights.

Johansen Farms — Bolingbrook

September 15–October 31
710 W. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook

Johansen Farms is especially geared toward families with younger children, with a children's zoo, corn maze, hayrides, train rides, giant slides, miniature golf and plenty of animals.

Don't need all the attractions? Families can also visit the pumpkin patch and open market area without purchasing admission to the children's zoo. Stop in for pumpkins, fall decorations, apple cider donuts and other seasonal treats.

Abbey Farms Pumpkin Daze — Aurora

September 19–November 1
2855 Hart Rd., Aurora

Abbey Farms' Pumpkin Daze offers a full day of fall fun with acres of pumpkins, a large corn maze, hayrides, farm animals and an activity area.

Keller's Farmstand Fall Festivities — Oswego

September 12–October 25
2500 Johnson Rd., Oswego

Keller's Oswego farm combines several favorite fall traditions in one destination, including apple picking, a U-pick pumpkin patch and weekend Fall Festivities.

Good to know: Keller's has multiple locations, but the Oswego farm is the location offering the U-pick pumpkin patch and Fall Festivities.

Bronkberry Farms — Plainfield

18061 Bronk Rd., Plainfield

Bronkberry offers a smaller farm experience for families who don't necessarily want a huge amusement-style fall festival. Look for pumpkins, apples, mums, seasonal treats, hayrides and special fall events.

WORTH THE DRIVE:

Windy Acres Farm Fall Fest — Geneva

September 12–November 1
37W446 W. Fabyan Pkwy., Geneva

Windy Acres offers another western suburban option for a day of pumpkins and seasonal activities. Pair it with some time exploring Geneva and you've got an easy fall day trip.

Kuipers Family Farm — Maple Park

September 18–November 1
1N318 Watson Rd., Maple Park

Kuipers is a full fall destination with its Pumpkin FunFarm, corn maze, haywagon rides, play attractions and plenty of seasonal treats. Apple picking is also part of the fall season.

Woody's Orchard & Fun Farm — Plano

Fall activities through October 31
3223 Creek Rd., Plano

Woody's combines an orchard with a large family fun farm. Visitors can find apple picking, pumpkins, children's attractions, rides, slides, photo opportunities, apple cider and those all-important cider donuts.

Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm — Minooka

September 19–October 31
4853 US-52, Minooka

Heap's offers a U-pick pumpkin experience along with hayrides, farm animals, mazes and children's play areas.

For those looking for something a little spooky, the farm also offers after-dark activities on select dates.

Puckerville Farms — Lemont

September 23–October 31
13332 Bell Rd., Lemont

If you're looking for something simpler and more traditional, Puckerville is worth considering. The seasonal farm offers pumpkins, gourds, mums, cornstalks, hay bales, fall decorations and hayrides.

It's a nice alternative for families who don't necessarily want to purchase admission to one of the larger fall festivals.

Siegel's Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Fest — Crest Hill

17250 Weber Rd., Crest Hill

Siegel's is for families looking for a bigger fall outing. Pumpkin Fest features a wide variety of attractions, children's activities, farm fun, seasonal food and access to the pumpkin fields.

MAKE A DAY OF IT

Want to venture a little farther? These destinations require more driving from Lombard, Glen Ellyn and Villa Park, but they offer some of the Chicago area's biggest fall experiences.

Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm Fall Fest — Homer Glen

September 4–November 8
13341 W. 151st St., Homer Glen

Bengtson's is one of the Chicago area's larger fall destinations, with pumpkins, entertainment, food and enough attractions to turn a visit into an entire day out.

Goebbert's Farm — Pingree Grove

August 21–October 31
42W813 Reinking Rd., Pingree Grove

Goebbert's is much more than a pumpkin patch, with a large fall festival, animals, attractions, food and plenty to keep families busy.

Goebbert's Farm — South Barrington

September 5–November 1
40 W. Higgins Rd., South Barrington

The South Barrington location provides another option for families looking for the Goebbert's fall experience.

Richardson Adventure Farm — Spring Grove

September 12–November 1
909 English Prairie Rd., Spring Grove

If your family loves corn mazes, Richardson Adventure Farm belongs on the fall bucket list. This is a destination-style outing, so set aside plenty of time to explore.

Stade's Farm & Market — McHenry

September 5–November 1
3709 Miller Rd., McHenry

Stade's offers another large farm experience and makes a fun northern Illinois fall day trip.

Didier Farms Pumpkin Fest — Lincolnshire

September 16–October 31
16678 Aptakisic Rd., Lincolnshire

Didier Farms offers another northern suburban option for families looking to add a different pumpkin farm and fall experience to their seasonal adventures.

All Seasons Orchard — Woodstock

August 29–November 1
14510 IL-176, Woodstock

Head toward Woodstock for another full fall day trip combining the orchard and farm experience.

Jonamac Orchard Fall Fest — Malta

September 1–October 31
19412 Shabbona Rd., Malta

For families who don't mind heading farther west, Jonamac offers another opportunity to enjoy orchard season, fall activities and a day in the country.

Santa's Village Fall Fest — East Dundee

September 6–October 26
601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee

Santa's Village trades some of its Christmas spirit for autumn fun during Fall Fest, giving families another option beyond the traditional pumpkin patch experience.

HOW MANY CAN YOU VISIT THIS FALL?

You could make an entire season out of this list!

Start close to home with Wheaton, Lisle or West Chicago. Head to Aurora, Bolingbrook, Geneva or Oswego another weekend. Then save one of the larger destination farms for that perfect crisp October day.

Whether your family's fall tradition is finding the perfect pumpkin, getting lost in a corn maze, taking the kids on a hayride, watching glass artists create pumpkins or simply tracking down the best apple cider donut, there's no shortage of choices around Chicagoland.

Save the Lombard Lilac Ledger 2026 Fall Fun Guide and come back to it throughout the season.

And now we want to hear from you!

Which pumpkin patch or fall festival is your family's favorite? Is there a hidden gem we missed?

Send it our way — we may add it to our fall list!

Editor's Note: Dates, hours, admission prices, and attractions can change, particularly because of weather. Before making the drive, check directly with each farm or venue for current information.