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ILLINOIS:  January  -  February  -  March  -  April  -  May  -  June  -  July  -  August  -  SEPTEMBER  -  October  -  November/December

Check previous year if event is not yet updated to current year

2020 ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 2020
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
(see also: 2019  -  2018  -  2016  -  2015)

September 11-13, 2020
Festival of the Vine
Geneva, Illinois
Geneva restaurants create an array of specialties under an outdoor tent at the "Flavor Fare" partnered with wine and live musical entertainment. An arts and crafts show, flower market, horse-drawn carriage rides and several exceptional wine tasting and dinner events also take place around the historic downtown.

September 25-27, 2020  Long Grove Apple Fest - Long Grove, Illinois
Visitors are invited to explore the many delicious ways to enjoy fall’s favorite fruit–from live music and entertainment to apple pies, apple cider donuts, caramel apple lattes, apple martinis, and more! Local restaurants and specialty shops will carry a wide range of apple-inspired treats, while local farmers will have baskets full of a variety of tree-ripened apples.
 

2019 ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 2019
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events waiting for new dates

September 5, 2019  Journeys: A Culinary Odyssey - Chicago, Illinois
Join the American Liver Foundation, Great Lakes Division for this first of its kind event where guests satisfy their passion for exquisite cuisine and celebrate those who pave the road to liver health.  The evening showcases the signature dishes of our culinary experts and takes you beyond the usual restaurant fare. Unleash your inner “foodie” and experience a distinct evening of dining while helping to fund the research, education, and advocacy efforts of the American Liver Foundation.

September 5-7, 2019 - El Paso Corn Festival - El Paso, Illinois
The schedule of events includes a carnival, musical entertainment, pancake breakfast, children's games, parade, vendors, and more.

September 6-8, 2019  49th Annual Arcola Broom Corn Festival
Arcola, Illinois
Arcola celebrates its heritage as the 'Broom Corn Capital of the World' with the renowned annual Broom Corn Festival. Visitors can see broom activities, arts/crafts, free entertainment, great food, and a gigantic parade with the Famous Lawn Rangers. The event, held the weekend after Labor Day, honors Arcola’s position in the late nineteenth century as a center of broom corn production.

September 7, 2019 - Toy Tractor Show - Quincy, Illinois
Quincy Senior High School Gym, 3322 Maine St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  ?For more info call (217) 440-9721.

September 7-8, 2019 - Windy City Wine Festival - Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City Wine Festival has been DISCONTINUED.

September 7-8, 2019 - 30th Annual Antique Power Days Two-Day Farm Toy Show - Salem, Illinois
Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.  ?Auction is at 10 a.m. Saturday.  ?For more info call (618) 775-8425

September 11-14, 2019 - 53rd Annual Morton Pumpkin Festival
Morton, Illinois
Home of the Nestlé/Libby's pumpkin packing plant, over 80% of the world's canned pumpkin is processed here in Morton. In September 1978, then Governor James Thompson declared Morton, Illinois, 'The Pumpkin Capital of the World.' Includes Pumpkin Games; Pumpkin Festival Carnaval, Food & Entertainment; Pumpkin Craft Faire.    Attendance: 70,000.

September 11-14, 2019  68th Annual Murphysboro Apple Festival
Murphysboro, Illinois
The longest, continuous running festival in southern Illinois, featuring the largest parade in our region! Tens of thousands of people come out every year to enjoy the events and shows.  Includes Apple Peeling Contest, Apple Pie Eating Contest, Apple Pie & Apple Butter Contest, Apple Blossom Contest, App-L-Ympics, Entertainment, Free Kids Fair, etc. (2nd weekend after Labor Day)

September 13, 2019  The Whisky Extravaganza - Chicago, Illinois
Features a sampling of unlimited expressions of the world's finest whiskies.   Each event is held at the finest hotels and private clubs in the United States to ensure an elegant, comfortable and relaxed environment. Tickets by advance purchase only.

September 13-15, 2019  Wheat Fair & Festival--Okawville Agricultural Products Fair - Okawville, Illinois
Queen pageant, carnival rides, food & drinks, antique tractor pull, farm & homemaking exhibits, and parade.

September 14-15, 2019  Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Fest
Chicago, Illinois
Southern hospitality meets Midwest outdoor fun!  Smoked meats and barrel-aged bourbon whiskeys take the spotlight.  Beyond ticketed afternoon bourbon tastings and plenty of mouth-watering chicken, ribs (and more), there are also two stages of soulful music.  There are also artisans, plus a kids’ area filled with fun family-centric activities.

September 14-15, 2019
Cary Main Street Fest
Cary, Illinois
The outdoor fall festival features craft beer selections, local restaurants and businesses, a marketplace of vendors and artists, live entertainment and a children’s area.  Craft beers and select wines to complement the fall flavors that will augment the menus of participating eateries; a fine arts component to showcase the talents of local artists, featuring live art creation and interactive displays; and, a lineup of live entertainment on the main stage, while the family stage highlights theater, dance, magic and other interactive children’s programming.  $5 Donation requested.  Hosted by the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.  Cary Main Street Fest proceeds benefit local school groups and nonprofits, in addition to funding chamber projects and annual programming.

September 15, 2019
Grand Cochon Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Grand Cochon, is the epic finale to the multi-city touring culinary competition. The winner will be crowned the "King or Queen of Porc".

September 15-18, 2019
Food Marketing Institute Annual Business Conference
Chicago, Illinois
The Food Marketing Institute's Annual Business Conference provides a tremendous opportunity for suppliers to interact with their distributor trading partners.

September 20-22, 2019 - Dwight Harvest Days - Dwight, Illinois
Crafts, flea markets, kiddie attractions, downtown entertainment, car show, parade and band competition are highlights of the weekend, attracting over 10,000 people each year! Sunday's parade is led by hundreds of basset hounds and their owners from around the world.   Attendance: 10,000

September 20-22, 2019 - Long Grove Apple Fest - Long Grove, Illinois
Visitors are invited to explore the many delicious ways to enjoy fall’s favorite fruit–from live music and entertainment to apple pies, apple cider donuts, caramel apple lattes, apple martinis, and more! Local restaurants and specialty shops will carry a wide range of apple-inspired treats, while local farmers will have baskets full of a variety of tree-ripened apples.

September 21, 2019 - Annual Paxton Swine 'n Dine - Paxton, Illinois
The mission of the Paxton Swine ‘n Dine is to improve the exposure of Paxton’s historic downtown area and to highlight Paxton’s genuine hometown qualities, businesses, and local attractions.  Through such a large community event, several out-of-town guests and residents of surrounding areas have been able to explore Paxton’s downtown area and create new bonds of friendship and trust within our business district.  This is a day full of activities, live music, and tons of great food. The town of Paxton presents a great family day that’s fun, affordable, and very well supported by the surrounding communities and areas.

September 21, 2019 - 8th Annual Brew at the Bridge - Oswego, Illinois
Enjoy Oswego's craft beer festival along the Fox River this September! Craft beer enthusiasts are welcome to sample those beers from the Midwest area. The festival will feature breweries who have earned top reputations in the Chicagoland area as well as emerging breweries whose stellar kegs are ready to pave a new trail. Those invited breweries will have staff at the festival to answer questions about their selections. Guests can also enjoy live music in the shady park of Hudson Crossing in downtown Oswego Brew at The Bridge will also feature food which serves as the perfect compliment to a cold craft beer on a sunny afternoon.

September 21-22, 2019 - Vintage Illinois at Starved Rock
Utica, Illinois
Held in Matthiessen State Park, the festival features live music and wine tasting from 27 Illinois vineyards.

September 21-22, 2019 - Farm Heritage & Harvest Festival
Grayslake, Illinois
Lake County Fairgrounds. The event, co-sponsored by the Lake County Farm Heritage Association, features hundreds of tractors, cars, engines and other farm machinery. Daily highlights include a tractor parade, sheep herding demonstrations, live music, scarecrow making, wagon and barrel train rides and a petting zoo.

September 21-22, 2019 - Sam Adams Lakeview Taco Fest
Chicago, Illinois
Whether one prefers their shells filled with traditional chicken, steak, chorizo and beef, or stuffed with imaginative ingredients such as mushrooms, seafood, goat and duck, this fall fest is a wildly popular fixture to the Windy City’s food scene. More than a dozen local eateries challenge themselves to make the tastiest tacos.  The fest also features special beer and taco pairings, two music stages, crowd-pleasing Mexican wrestlers, activities for kids, and visitors can text vote for Chicago’s “Best Taco.”  A $10 suggested donation benefits the Friends of Lakeview & the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.

September 25-29, 2019 - 71st Annual Grundy County Corn Festival
Morris, Illinois
Events include Farm Fair, Taste of Corn Festival, Chili Supper, Art Show, Carnival, Talent Show, Corn Grain & Flower Show, Parade, Antique Tractors & Farm Machinery and Much More!

September 26-28, 2019  39th Annual Honeybee Festival - Paris, Illinois
Free entertainment, food, craft vendors, beer tent, parade, carnival rides, antique tractors and more!

September 27-29, 2019 - Chicago Gourmet - Chicago, Illinois
Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet is a celebration of food and wine showcasing more than 100 of Chicago’s finest restaurants and chefs, as well as hundreds of renowned vintners, spirit makers and premium breweries from around the world. Dozens of live cooking demonstrations, expert seminars, gourmet tastings, and book signings by internationally renowned chefs, master sommeliers and winemakers.  The fun—and tasty—Hamburger Hop kicks off the weekend, an exclusive Grand Cru wine tasting is featured on Saturday and Sunday, and the Bon Appétit and Chicago Gourmet Dine Around extends the event beyond Millennium Park into some of the area’s best restaurants.

September 27-29, 2019  Oktoberfest Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
One of Chicago’s most popular celebrations of fall and all things Bavarian — Oktoberfest Chicago at St. Alphonsus — returns for its 18th year of seasonal revelry. It takes place both in and outside the iconic church located in Chicago’s West Lakeview neighborhood.  Includes craft beer tasting nights on Friday and Saturday in the parish’s German Beer Hall.  Another highlight (in addition to beer, brats, pretzels, and pop and Bavarian music acts on two stages) is Saturday & Sunday afternoon’s “Kinderfest” featuring games and other activities for youngsters and families.
 

2018 ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 2018
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events waiting for new dates

September 1-2, 2018 - Cider and Sliders Festival - Chicago, Illinois
What a combination! Apple-infused beers and the iconic mini-burger better known as the slider will pair up at this inaugural fest in Chicago’s vibrant West Lakeview neighborhood.  Held on Lincoln Avenue between Roscoe and Addison (3400-3600 N.), it’s a Labor Day weekend happening to celebrate both the twilight of summer as well as showcase tasty sliders from area eateries and 50-plus ciders at ticketed afternoon tastings.  In addition to flavor-laced craft brews and patties, visitors will also be treated to two stages of music, a kids’ activity area and arts & crafts.

September 8-9, 2018  Chicago Bourbon & Barbecue Fest
Chicago, Illinois
Southern hospitality meets Midwest outdoor fun!  Smoked meats and barrel-aged bourbon whiskeys take the spotlight.  Beyond ticketed afternoon bourbon tastings and plenty of mouth-watering chicken, ribs (and more), there are also two stages of soulful music.  There are also artisans, plus a kids’ area filled with fun family-centric activities.

September 8-9, 2018  County Fair Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
County Fair Chicago is a new festival that highlights great food and refreshments, craft beer, live music, and an artisanal market. The Fair adds a twist to the Chicago event scene by hosting various blue-ribbon competitions in the art, food & drink, garden, and community philanthropy categories. The whole family will have the opportunity to learn a new craft or skill from an assortment of artisans leading demonstrations and presentations. Street fest meets rooftop gardening meets organics from the ‘burbs. Sponsored by Binny’s Beverage Depot and SCA.  $10 Admission.  WHERE: Directly behind 4901 W. Irving Park Rd (Lamon/Dakin parking lot).  Proceeds from the event are utilized to benefit the beautification of the Six Corners community and local charities.
 

2016 ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 2016
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events still waiting for new dates

September 10, 2016 - 13th Annual Food, Wine & Brew Festival
Mokena, Illinois
Taste a variety of food, wines and craft beers from local restaurants.  Enjoy the festival atmosphere, browse the local artisans and listen to live musical performances. $25 advance sales, $30 day of event.  Includes etched tasting glass, 16 food and beverage sampling tickets, live entertainment, sweepstakes raffle.

September 17-18, 2016  3rd Annual Andersonville City Made Fest
Andersonville, Chicago, Illinois
The Andersonville Development Corporation (ADC) presents the 3rd Annual Andersonville City Made Fest, the only all-local street festival that highlights Chicago-made beer, music and products in the historic Andersonville neighborhood. Fans will enjoy the best that Chicago has to offer: local craft brews, cuisine and music. So, if it isn't from Chicago, it won't be found at City Made.
 

2015 ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 2015
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events still waiting for new dates

September 12-13, 2015  Illinois Gourd Show - Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Botanic Garden.

September 15-18, 2015  International Dairy Show - Chicago, Illinois
ProFood Tech will Replace International Dairy Show in April 2017, in Chicago Illinois.