There is something to do for all interests this weekend in Chicago Southland. Whether you’re looking for concerts, Fall Festivals or outdoor events, you will find it just beyond the city limits.

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Festivals

Friday, September 18th - Saturday, September 19th
AUTUMN IN THE PARK FESTIVAL
Village Green
8901 West 123rd Street, Palos Park
(708) 671-3700
Autumn in the Park Festival is a community fest that features music, food and BBQ rib / chili competition. There is something for all ages.
F 5-10:30PM; Sa 11AM-11PM

Saturday, September 19th
SOUTH HOLLAND FALL FESTIVAL
Veterans Park
160th Place and South Park Avenue, South Holland
(708) 339-8493
There will be all-day activities for all ages, it is sure to be a fun-filled day for the whole family!
Activities include our Annual Car Show, Bocce tournament, food vendors, Poptastic Popcorn, Inflatable Jump and Slide, Hay Rides, Face Painting, Kids Garage Sale, Live Music and more! The will close out the day with a Movie in the Park at dusk: Big Hero 6 with free popcorn provided!
11AM

Saturday, September 19th
HOMEWOOD FALL FESTIVAL & ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF
Ridge Road between Martin Avenue and Harwood, Homewood
(708) 206-3393
The 14th Annual Homewood Fall Fest features live entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, pumpkin patch, Mr. D's Magic Show, art vendors, outdoor movie and more!
11AM-10PM

Saturday, September 19th
PUNKTOBERFEST
350 Brewing Company
7144 183rd Street, Tinley Park
(708) 206-3393
Liters of 350 Oktoberfest and SAUSAGES! Open to the public and no ticket needed. The PUNKtoberfest SPECIAL of $15 gets you a commemorative 1 Liter tankard filled with 350 Brew PUNKtoberfest seasonal lager &
a smokin' hot Bratwurst w/ all the fixins! Refill that bad boy for only $9.
12PM

Sunday, September 20th
OLD MILL FALL FEST
H.A. Rathje's Peotone Mill
427 West Corning Avenue, Peotone
(708) 328-4072
Explore three floors of this German Windmill built in 1872. Antiques, exhibits and demonstrations of old time crafts. There is something for all ages.
11AM-5PM

Arts and Culture

Saturday, September 19th - Sunday, September 20th
60th ANNUAL PARK FOREST ART FAIR
Park Forest Village Green
Cunningham Drive and Main Street, Park Forest
(708) 748-3377
Hosted by Tall Grass Arts Association, this free event is the second-oldest juried art fair in the Chicago area. It draws artists throughout the country and they appreciate attendees approaching their tent to talk about their art. New this year is a Children's art street, known as Children's Art Alley. There will also be food vendors and music in the evening in connection with the Park Forest Main Street Music Fest, starting around noon. This will feature Tom Mac Group with Neil Alger and Larry Gray, Blu Willie T & da Mid-Nite Lovers and more.
10AM-5PM

Saturday, September 19th
25th ANNUAL WORLD'S LARGEST STEPPERS CONTEST
Tinley Park Convention Center
18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park
(708) 444-1100
Hosted by The Majestic Gents, there will be a VIP reception with complimentary wine and hot H'ors D'oeuvres beginning at 6:30PM. General admission will begin at 8PM and the contest will start at 9PM sharp. Music by DJ Cross and Mellow Khris.
8PM Admission, 9PM Contest begins

Sunday, September 20th
MY FAIR AUDREY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO AUDREY HEPBURN
John and Angeline Oremus Theater at Moraine Valley Community College Fine and Performing Arts Center
9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills
(708) 974-5500
When you think of Audrey Hepburn, you think of timeless beauty. But Audrey was so much more than a pretty face and a killer clavicle. From WWII refugee to Academy Award winner, from UNICEF beneficiary to UNICEF ambassador, Audrey led a remarkable and exemplary life. Actress, fashion icon, wife, mother and tireless humanitarian, Audrey is as much beloved today as she was half a century ago. Enjoy a “lovely” cruise down “Moon River” and discover all of Audrey'’s treasures. Join acclaimed Chicago cabaret artist Hilary Ann Feldman for her touching, funny, and enlightening tribute to this extraordinary woman. Pedal pushers and ballet flats optional!
2PM & 5:30PM

Sunday, September 20th
OPERA UP CLOSE - VIVA ITALIA!
Governors State University Center for Performing Arts
1 University Parkway, University Park
(708) 235-2222
Travel with us to ITALY, the birthplace of opera, as we celebrate the wide array of Italian operatic music. This program will feature five singers performing Act 3 of La Boheme, Puccini's timeless love story, as well as Neopolitan songs, arias, duets and ensembles from operas by Verdi, Donizetti and Rossini. Featuring sopranos Desiree Hassler and Carla Jenzen, mezzo soprano Pamela Williams, tenor John Concepcion and baritone, Michael Cavalieri.
4PM

Concerts

Friday, September 18th
RASCAL FLATTS RIOT TOUR 2015
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park
(312) 559-1212
Everyone's favorite country trio Rascal Flatts are making their way to Hollywood Casino Ampitheatre and there's gonna be a riot! The lively threesome will be bringing their singalong hits on the Riot Tour, and are going to be joined by special guests American Idol's Scotty McCreery and The Voice's RaeLynn! Get your dancing shoes on and get ready to party!!!
7:30PM

Explore Nature

Friday, September 18th
FRIDAY NIGHT FISHING
Prairie Bluff Public Golf Club
19433 Renwick Road, Crest Hill
(815) 838-1183
The fish are sure to bite on this night! Bring your family, friends, fishing poles and wiggly bait and we will do the rest. Prizes for the longest bass, catfish, blue gill and most caught fish. This event is catch and release, so come rain or shine and bring your line! Pre-registration is required and all those attending must register.
7:30-10PM

Saturday, September 19th
NIGHT SKY PROGRAM
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
(708) 839-6897
Peek at the universe through telescopes, guided by the Chicago Astronomical Society. No registration required.
7-10PM

Saturday, September 19th
ARCHAEOLOGY DAY
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Avenue, South Holland
(708) 868-0606
Join the naturalists at Sand Ridge for activities that promote a better understanding and appreciation of historic Native American culture. Enjoy guided hikes, archaeology displays, activities and a traditional craft.
10AM-3PM

Farmers Markets

Click here for a complete list of the Farmers Markets throughout Chicago Southland.

Family Fun

Saturday, September 19th - Sunday, September 20th
CAMP BENEATH THE STARS
Centennial Park
15600 West Avenue, Orland Park
(708) 403-7275
Grab your tent and sleeping bag and head to Centennial Park to sleep beneath the stars! Activities include a cookout, bonfire and movie. This year's featured movie is BIG HERO 6. Campsites must be registered by an adult, 18 years or older. Dinner for four is included in the fee. We'll be cooking up s'mores for dessert—Yum!
Sa 4PM check in; Su 8AM check out

Saturday, September 19th
DJ JIMMY JAMZ AT ODYSSEY FUN WORLD
Odyssey Fun World
19111 South Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park
(708) 429-3800
This wacky kids DJ will make sure the little ones sleep soundly after his high energy performance! Jimmy Jamz uses props and disguises to compliment the wide variety of music that he plays for the kids. He even gets the parents involved during a ‘Dances from Around the World’ contest.
5-7PM

Sunday, September 20th
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BINGO FOR 5-12 YEAR OLDS
Paperback Trading Co.
8825 South Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Lawn
(708) 598-8442
Sunday Afternoon BINGO for the 5-12 year old children with gifts for everyone. FREE.
4-5PM

Learn Something New

Sunday, September 20th
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR
Blue Island Historical Society/Albee House
13018 Maple Avenue, Blue Island
(708) 371-8546
The Architectural Walking Tour will include Civil War era homes and homes of Civil War Veterans. Please join rain/shine and wear comfortable shoes!
1-4PM

Ongoing
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: SELF MADE IN AMERICA
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
700 East Tri-State Tollway, South Holland
(708) 596-8300
Last year the exhibit, "Abraham Lincoln: Self Made in America" came to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The traveling exhibit was created by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The exhibit features eight kiosks and covers Lincoln's childhood, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the 1860 Presidential election, the Civil War, the 13th Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation, his assassination and other important periods and events in his life. This is a temporary exhibit, so don't miss the opportunity to learn about a famous part of America's history!
Open 7 days a week

Shopping for Deals

Friday, September 18th – Sunday, September 19th
VILLAGE OF PARK FOREST AREA GARAGE SALE
Throughout Park Forest
(708) 748-1112
The Garage Sale is throughout the entire village. There is a map on the internet with all homes listed. This is the best time of year for visitors to buy great items for less money.
9AM-3PM

Friday, September 18th
JERRY ROSSEN PUBLIC AUCTIONS
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(708) 997-0245
Auctions will include antiques, collectibles, furniture and more!
6PM

Sunday, September 20th
RAT RODS, KUSTOMS & HOT RODS SHOW & SWAP MEET
Will County Fairgrounds
710 West Street, Peotone
(815) 478-4356

Sports

Saturday, September 19th
CHICAGO FIRE VS. ORLANDO CITY SC
Toyota Park
7000 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview
(708) 594-7200
As you can read from this preview of the upcoming match by Luke Srodulski (click here), “Chicago faces Orlando City SC for the fourth time this season and the third time in league play. Orlando enters coming off an impressive 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City -- which brought an end to a six-match winless spell -- while the Fire look to right the ship after a pair of shootout losses that left them wondering what might have been.”
7:30PM

Saturday, September 19th
10TH ANNUAL HERITAGE HAUL
Veterans Park
160th Place and South Park Avenue, South Holland
(708) 339-8493
This is in connection with the South Holland Fall Festival (listed above). Check-in/Day of race registration opens at 6:00AM and the kick-off Ceremony & Warm Up begins at 7:00AM. The 15-Mile Bike Race will start at 7:30AM and the Half Marathon begins at 7:45AM. There will be a 10K Run starting at 8:00AM and the 5K Run/Walk starts at 8:15AM. Kids Dash, Vendors & Other Activities will begin at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds to benefit the South Suburban College Foundation Scholarship Program and Local Youth Organizations.
6AM

Saturday, September 19th
SPAY THE STRAY 5K
Eisenhower Center
2550 178th Street, Lansing
(708) 474-8552
Please join the Humane Society Calumet Area and the Lan-Oak Park District in the Spay the Stray 5K Run and Walk in Memory of Bill & Helen Evans. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society Calumet Area. All registrations taken by the Humane Society.
9AM

Saturday, September 19th
BIKE THE TRAIL
Village Green
Oak & Kansas Streets, Frankfort
(815) 464-2811
Bike the Old Plank Trail and choose from 3 different routes. This Family Fun sponsored by the Lincoln Way Special Recreation Association (LWSRA). All proceeds benefit the LWSRA. Open to the public for all to enjoy!
10AM-1PM

Sunday, September 20th
ZOO RUN RUN
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
(708) 688-8000
Each year, more species lose their race for survival. But the race can be won, and you can help.
8:30AM

If you’re planning further ahead, please check our calendar of events.