Illinois Events of Interest

Discover festivals, car and air shows, rodeos, parades, farmers markets, fairs, and other annual events with the new Ohio Events of Interest Pages.

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October
Illinois Events of Interest Near US Route 6: October 2026

The following events are held in Illinois communities directly on US Route 6 or within a short, practical detour. Dates and details were checked against organizer, municipal, chamber, or tourism websites on September 6, 2026. Confirm schedules before traveling.

October 3

State Street Market

Community: Geneseo, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Directly on the corridor
Event type: Arts, crafts, shopping, and community market
Date: October 3, 2026
Description: A curated outdoor market featuring regional makers, independent merchants, food, and fall activities in downtown Geneseo.
Official website: https://geneseo.org/events

The Geneseo Chamber lists the State Street Market as one of its official signature events.

October 4

Ottawa Fall Fest and Parade

Community: Ottawa, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Directly on the corridor
Event type: Fall festival, parade, food, and community celebration
Date: October 4, 2026
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Description: Downtown Ottawa welcomes autumn with a community parade, live music, local vendors, food trucks, and free children’s activities.
Official website: Ottawa Fall Fest and Parade

The fifth annual celebration is scheduled for downtown Ottawa on October 4, 2026.

October 10

Fallapalooza and Empty Bowls

Community: New Lenox, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Approximately 2 miles from US Route 6
Event type: Fall festival, food fundraiser, music, and family activities
Date: October 10, 2026
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: New Lenox Village Commons
Description: A free community festival with live blues music, craft beer, bounce houses, train rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and the Empty Bowls fundraiser.
Official website: https://newlenox.net/404/Fallapalooza

Empty Bowls supports the New Lenox Township Food Pantry through the sale of hand-painted bowls and soup tastings from area restaurants.

October 10 and 11

LaSalle County Burgoo Festival

Community: North Utica, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Approximately 3 miles from US Route 6
Event type: Heritage celebration, food festival, arts and crafts, and community tradition
Dates: October 10 and 11, 2026
Times: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Description: One of northern Illinois’ largest fall festivals, featuring more than 375 vendors, pioneer-style burgoo stew, live entertainment, blacksmith demonstrations, crafts, antiques, and children’s activities.
Official website: https://www.lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org/burgoo

The traditional stew cooks outdoors overnight and is served beginning Sunday morning. The festival is the LaSalle County Historical Society’s largest annual fundraiser.

October 16

Cruise the Canal: Fall Foliage

Community: Geneseo, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Directly on or close to the corridor
Event type: Heritage, historical, and scenic event
Date: October 16, 2026
Location: Lock 24, Hennepin Canal State Parkway
Description: A guided fall-color tour of the historic Hennepin Canal featuring local history, wildlife, and seasonal scenery.
Official website: https://geneseo.org/events

The 90-minute experience is led by local historian Steve Kastorff.

October 17

Bureau County Fairgrounds Halloween Parade

Community: Princeton, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Directly on the corridor
Event type: Halloween event and parade
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 West Peru Street
Description: A family-oriented Halloween parade held at the historic Bureau County Fairgrounds.
Official website: https://bureaucountyfair.com/fairgrounds-events/

The fairgrounds invites individuals and community organizations to register as parade participants.

October 22

Witches, Brews and Boos

Community: Geneseo, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Directly on the corridor
Event type: Halloween celebration, shopping, food, and community tradition
Date: October 22, 2026
Location: Downtown Geneseo
Description: A candlelight downtown celebration with seasonal shopping, dining, beverages, costumes, and Halloween activities.
Official website: https://geneseo.org/events

Downtown State Street businesses remain open for this evening community celebration.

October 25

Downtown Tinley Boo Bash

Community: Tinley Park, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Approximately 2 miles from US Route 6
Event type: Halloween festival and community celebration
Date: October 25, 2026
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Harmony Square, 6700 North Street
Description: A family Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating at business booths, DJ entertainment, activities, food, and beverages.
Official website: https://www.tinleypark.org/government/departments/marketing_department/boo_bash.php

The Village of Tinley Park organizes this annual event primarily for families with younger children.

Throughout October

New Lenox Scarecrow Stroll

Community: New Lenox, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Approximately 2 miles from US Route 6
Event type: Arts, crafts, fall display, and community tradition
Typical schedule: Scarecrows remain on display through Halloween
Location: New Lenox Village Commons
Description: Businesses, organizations, and families create imaginative scarecrows that visitors can view throughout October.
Official website: https://www.newlenox.net/390/Scarecrow-Stroll

The Village has confirmed the annual tradition, but the complete 2026 display dates have not yet been published.

October 31

Princeton Farmers Market

Community: Princeton, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Directly on the corridor
Event type: Farmers market, local food, and agricultural event
Date: October 31, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon
Description: A seasonal market offering locally grown produce, baked goods, handmade merchandise, and products from regional vendors.
Official website: Bureau County Tourism Events

Bureau County’s official calendar confirms an October 31 market date.

Scarecrow Row

Official website: https://geneseo.org/events
Community: Geneseo, Illinois
Relationship to US Route 6: Directly on the corridor
Event type: Halloween event, arts display, and family celebration
Date: October 31, 2026
Location: Geneseo City Park
Description: Children can trick-or-treat around the park while viewing creative scarecrow displays produced by local participants.

November

December

Within each state page, the annual events are arranged January through December, with each listing showing the event name, community, typical date or month, event type, short description Around 120 characters to ensure safe viewing on smaller screens., official event link, and a link to the individual Event of Interest article when one exists. This will make the state pages useful as evergreen trip-planning resources rather than just lists of posts.