Things To Do This Weekend September 30-October 2, 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 09/29/2022
Performance art, savory food, artistic pumpkins and spooky vibes are on the docket for things to do this weekend September 30-October 2, 2022.Don't forget to join the shutterbug shenanigans in the #LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest. There are five categories in which to compete and lucky winners will receive a $100 VISA gift card.
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When you're looking for a place to whet the whistle on the Lake County Libation Trail, follow our autumn guide for spots to grab a cold craft beer, crafty cocktail or delicious vino.
The fall season means that it is time for festivals galore. We made this handy guide to find a celebration near you.
Here are the things to do this weekend September 30-October 2, 2022.
1. Spooks & Spirits: Lake County, IL Autumn Celebration
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Sit for a spell and enjoy the potions from the Spooks and Spirits: Lake County, Illinois Autumn Celebration. In the land of lakes, a six-week experience highlights the area’s family festivities, spine-tingling scares, and the seasonal offerings of breweries, wineries and distilleries created by the Lake County Libation Trail. Get thrills by day and frights by night as you brave the coasters and haunted attractions of Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. You can be A-MAIZE-D by corn mazes or pumpkin patches at Didier Farms Pumpkinfest in Lincolnshire and Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. Get scared silly at the Dungeon of Doom Haunted House in Zion. The county hosts plenty of fall festivals and costume parades celebrating the change of seasons. Adults ages 21 and older can find locally made craft beers, vinos and spirits from over 30 stops provided by Lake County Libation Trail’s breweries, wineries and distilleries. Check out the latest Halloween events and travel packages at VisitLakeCounty.org/Spooks. The Spooks and Spirits: Lake County, Illinois Autumn Celebration runs through Halloween.
Friday-Sunday, September 29-October 2; various times. Various locations around Lake County.
2. Bushel of Apples Fall Fest and Jack-o"-Lantern World at Paulus Park
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Lake Zurich is celebrating lighted pumpkins and craft beer this weekend at Paulus Park. Jack-O’-Lantern World takes over the park starting Friday. The fantastic visual of thousands of illuminated, hand-carved pumpkins by over 50 local artisans is a unique seasonal sight. This orange-fruit display showcases a three-fourths mile trail highlighted by 17 immersive themed worlds of the jack-o’-lanterns. The event runs on select days through Halloween, and visitors must register online at TheJackoLanternWorld.com for their timeslots. Running concurrently with the pumpkin fest, Lake County Libation Trail partner Phase Three Brewing Company presents A Bushel of Apples Fall Fest. The Lake Zurich brewery unveils this seasonal brew (also donning the A Bushel of Apples namesake) as they partner with Chicagoland-based Affy Tapple to make the renowned golden ale. The sudsy festivities feature food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities.
Friday-Sunday, September 29-October 2; Jack-O-Lantern World, various start times (for all three days). Admission: $14-$24. A Bushel of Apples Fall Fest, Fri.: 3-9 p.m. Sat.: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission: 5$ charitable donation for a wristband; kids are free. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.
3. Fox Lake Fall Fest in Ingleside
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Visit the Grant Township Center in Ingleside this Sunday for the Fox Lake Fall Fest. The celebration features music, craft vendors, pumpkin carving, food, refreshments and more. This family-friendly festival also features a rolling video games theatre, the Patch 22 Petting Zoo with pony rides, a kite exhibit, jugglers, balloon animals, costumed characters and an inflatable bounce house. The Fox Lake Police and Fire Departments showcase their a touch-a-truck area and other activities. The village of Fox Lake and the Grant Township are partnering this year for the free festival. Visit FoxLake.org for more information.
Sunday, October 2; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: free. Grant Township Center, 26725 Molidor Rd., Ingleside.
4. Three Embers Restaurant Reopens in Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
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Three Embers Restaurant inside the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort officially reopens this Friday. The contemporary American restaurant boasts a seasonal menu that highlights locally-sourced ingredients. While Three Embers Restaurant eases back into a full-time operation, they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays and require guests to make a reservation. Visit ThreeEmbersRestaurant.com for reservations and to see the menu.
Friday-Saturday, September 30-October 1; 5-9 p.m. Three Embers Restaurant inside the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
5. Lions of Illyria at James Center for the Performing Arts
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Experience the fantastical land of Illyria at the James Lumber for the Performing Arts. College of Lake County Theatre Department stages its first production of the year, “Lions of Illyria.” The Robert Kauzlaric authored-story gets told through the eyes of Violet, a lioness on a quest to find her missing twin brother. After a storm separates the siblings on the open seas, she lands in the country of Illyria. Throughout the story, Violet disguises herself as a male and becomes entangled in the antics of the mythical land’s inhabitants. Violet meets a peacock that is in love with a gazelle. The show’s protagonist bears the brunt of a clownish warthog and his dodo sidekick. But it won’t be long until Violet finds herself involved with matters of the heart in this incredible land of love, mayhem and monkeys. Experience this comedic tale this weekend only. Visit JLCenter.CLCIllinois.edu to purchase tickets.
Friday-Sunday; September 30-October 2; Fri.: 7:30 p.m., Sat.: 7:30 p.m., Sun.: 2 p.m. Admission: $3. James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake.
6. Dungeon of Doom Haunted House in Zion
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Gather a group of fearless friends and visit the legendary Dungeon of Doom in Zion. The 45,000-square-foot Zion facility is home to sheer horror, features spooky attractions and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Dungeon of Doom’s layout contains all the scenarios mentioned below under one roof. Guests enter at the start of the haunted house and pass through each section. The Underworld is an endless maze filled with wasteland creatures. Wander the never-ending corridors of Mercy General Hospital. Explore and survive the foreboding passages of The Gateway. Do not let paranoia get the best of you in The Condamned. Slaughter House Mania is a gory gallery where participants are at risk of ending up on the chopping block. New for this year is Buried Alive, a horror experience that gives thrill-seekers the claustrophobic sensation of being buried six feet deep without a coffin. Visit DungeonOfDoom.com for tickets. Dungeon of Doom Haunted House is open on select days through November 5.
Friday-Saturday, September 30-October 1; 7-11 p.m. Admission: $30-$55. Dungeon of Doom Haunted House, 600 29th St., Zion.
#LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest has multiple categories to compete in and chances to win a $100 VISA gift card. Get snapping!
Speaking of photography, check these spots out when looking for that ideal autumn photoshoot.
Fall weather means festivals galore. Click here to find an experience near you.
Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® at Six Flags Great America has something for the whole family to enjoy.
Click here to find more things to do this weekend September 30-October 2, 2022.
