Things To Do This Weekend September 16-18, 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 09/15/2022
Delicious drinks, haunted happenings, festivals and a celebration of independence in South American countries. The things to do this weekend September 16-18, 2022 offers experiences that ease you into the autumn season.
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Spooks & Spirits: Lake County, IL Autumn Celebration offers something for everyone. Find tasty drinks for the adults and sweet fall treats for the kids.
These are things to do this weekend September 16-18, 2022.
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 16-18; various times. Various locations around Lake County.
Thrills and chills abound at Six Flags Great America with Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS®. Indulge in the Gurnee theme park's haunted houses, roller coasters, scare zones and live. The spooky spectacle features musical performances in the streets of Six Flags Great America. New for this year is Kids BOO Fest The kid-friendly festival keeps the amusements tame during the day. Children can trick or treat on the Character Candy Trail, navigate through a hay maze and jive in the Monster Bash Dance Party. When the clock strikes 6 p.m., creatures adorned in ghoulish garb roam the park, while spooking people walking through the scare zones. There are six haunted houses, each with its unique theme. The haunted houses require an extra pass and the park entrance fee. After 6 p.m., the festivities are geared to individuals ages 13 and older. Visit SixFlags.com for performance times, tickets, haunted house and additional information. Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® runs on select days through Halloween.
Saturday-Sunday, September 17-18; Sat.: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun.: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission: Starts at $55, haunted attractions require separate admission. Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
Didier Farms Pumpkinfest begins Saturday. The Lincolnshire farm features edible creations, kid's rides, an animal land zoo, pig races (only on the weekends), straw and corn mazes, a pumpkin playland, horse-drawn rides and everyone's favorite enormous orange berry. New for this year is the "Wheels of Agriculture Game Show," where participants can test their knowledge of all things farming. After the farmyard fun, walk to Grandma D's Bake Shop for taffy apples, gourmet eats, and sweet fall treats or get lunch at the Pumpkin Patch Café to wrap up the day. Admission to this pumpkin party is free, and all other rides and amusements require tickets that can be purchased for $1. Didier Farms Pumpkinfest runs through October 30.
Saturday-Sunday, September 17-18; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: free. All activities and rides are individual tickets only and can be purchased at the main ticket booth. Didier Farms, 16678 Aptakisic Rd., Lincolnshire.
Deerfield's Harvest Festival is a splendid autumn party for the entire family. This free seasonal celebration features the village's farmers market, a touch-a-truck event with balloons for the kids, an annual bags tournament and music in the evening. The festival's main stage features retro rock band Rosie and The Rivets during the day and multi-genre cover band Maggie Speaks in the evening. Delectable eats from Nothing Bundt Cakes-Deerfield, La Humita on Wheels, The Wild Roaster, My Funnel Truck LLC, Lucky Burger, Donut Jester, Tamales Express, Judy's Pizzeria and The Happy Lobster are available for purchase. Purchase craft beers, wine, hard seltzer and water at the beer tent.
Saturday, September 17; Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-noon. Festival: 4-9:30 p.m. Free admission. Deerfield Road and Park Avenue, Deerfield.
Spend an afternoon downtown along Whitney Street at the Grayslake Craft Beer Festival while you sip, sample and savor brews. Discuss beer styles and flavors with knowledgeable representatives of the breweries present. Lake County Libation Trail partners serving adult beverages at the suds party include Light the Lamp Brewery of Grayslake, Buffalo Creek Brewery in Long Grove and 9th Hour Brewing Co. of Lake Villa. The craft beer showcase features live music from Total Recall Chicago and Real Time Noise. Local Grayslake eateries will attend with fare from BBQ'd Productions, Dogs N Suds Drive-In, The Pink Cupcake and Serna's Grill. Regular admission tickets cost $45. The fest also provides a discounted admission for designated drivers at $15. Visit GrayslakeBeerFest.com for festival information and tickets.
Saturday, September 17; noon-5 p.m. Admission: $45-$85. Designated Driver: $15. Grayslake Craft Beer Festival, on South Whitney Street between Center Street and Park Avenue, downtown Grayslake.
¡Feliz Dia de la Independencia Mexicana en Waukegan! On Sunday, observe several Latin Independence Days at the City of Progress's Fiestas Patrias Festival as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Chile celebrate their respective freedom holidays in September. The Waukegan fest is highlighted by a parade led by grand marshall, Waukeganite and the Illinois House of Representative Rita Mayfield, live bands, artists, dancers, a kid zone equipped with bounce houses and mouth-watering Latin cuisine and more. The free admission fiesta will be an unforgettable experience.
Sunday, September 18; noon-9 p.m. Admission: free. Various locations in downtown Waukegan.
For more things to do this weekend, click here.
September is full of festivals and experiences for the entire family.
Spooks & Spirits: Lake County, IL Autumn Celebration has something for the entire family.
#LetsSnapLakeCounty Photo Contest runs through the end of Halloween. Send us your best pictures!
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