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Wheaton French Market-2023

Wheaton French Market—New Location!

Downtown Pavilion Main & Liberty St., Wheaton

Hours: April 8–October 28 Saturdays, 8:00 am–2:00 pm Late-season Hours: November 4–25 Saturdays, 9:00 am–1:00 pm Stop out and meet friends and neighbors at the expansive Wheaton French Market. It is open for the 2023 season and it has a brand new home: the Downtown Pavilion (corner of Main & Liberty Streets). Explore an astonishing variety of local produce, baked goods, honey, fresh flowers, crafts, jewelry, candles, artisan foods, music, unique gifts, and more!

Pumpkin-Fest-2023-Cosley Zoo

Pumpkin Fest at Cosley Zoo

Cosley Zoo 1356 N Gary Ave, Wheaton, Illinois

October 1–31 | Daily 9:00 am–5:00 pm | Cosley Zoo Enjoying the beautiful fall colors at Cosley Zoo is a must-do for autumn! Come see the animals and take in the thousands of pumpkins scattered on the zoo’s lawn. Children’s rides are also available for an additional fee. Purchase apples, gourds, cider, cornstalks, various sizes of straw bales, and don't forget your pumpkins! Check out the fall merchandise in the Wild Side Gift Shop, too! Proceeds from your purchases benefit Cosley Zoo. Regular admission rates apply. Browse More Information >

Wheaton Chili Cookoff

15th Annual Downtown Wheaton Chili Cookoff

Downtown Wheaton 100 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL

Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 1:00–5:00 pm $15 Friends of Downtown Wheaton | $20 General Admission | $60 Chili Crew 4-Pack It’s back... the Chili Cookoff returns to Downtown Wheaton this October! Your favorite Downtown eateries compete for your vote with their unique spin on this fan-favorite dish. Ticketholders will enjoy unlimited chili tastings before voting on the tastiest recipe. Join us for this festive fall event... admission includes UNLIMITED tastings, so bring your appetite. This event will sell out, so buy your tickets now! Featuring live music by... The Wheaton Dad Band (@WheatonDadBand) Check-in begins at 12:00 pm (location TBD), and at 5:00 pm we'll...

Cantigny Fall Festival

Cantigny Fall Festival

Cantigny Park 1s151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton, IL

Friday, Oct. 13: 4:00–11:00 pm | Saturday, Oct. 14: 10:00 am–11:00 pm | Sunday, Oct. 15: 10:00 am–4:00 pm Parade Field For the first time, our fall festival will be an entire weekend! The fun begins Friday night, October 13, from 4:00–11:00 pm featuring German-style food and beer, with live music under a big tent on the Cantigny parade field! Hang out in the tent or cozy up on the Adirondacks around a firepit or play lawn games outside of the tent. We’ll do it again on Saturday night after a fun day featuring 100 craft vendors, hayrides, petting zoo, inflatables,...

Danada-Equestrian-Tractor-Drawn-Rides

Danada Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides

Danada Equestrian Center 3S507 Naperville Rd, Wheaton, IL

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1:00–3:00 pm | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1:00–3:00 pm Enjoy a 30-minute ride while learning about a forest preserve’s heritage and natural areas. Rides begin at 1, 1:45, and 2:30 p.m., and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting at noon the day of the ride. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $5 per person ages 5 and up; under 5 free. No registration. Questions? Call 630-668-6012 for Danada (including calls for private group rides). Find Out More Information >

Downtown Wheaton Trick-or-Treating

Downtown Wheaton 100 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL

The Halloween Spirit Returns to Downtown Wheaton! Saturday, October 28 | 10:00 am–1:00 pm From Trick-or-Treating to the I-Spy Scavenger Hunt, you and your little ones are sure to have a wicked good time! Please note the extended time for this event this year! Bring your little ghosts and goblins to Downtown Wheaton for a head start on this year's candy collection! Don't Miss the I-Spy Halloween Scavenger Hunt Throughout October Search throughout Downtown Wheaton to find spooky Halloween signs hidden inside participating businesses. Browse All the Details of These Spooktacular Events >

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Nights of Lights | Park Lighting Ceremony

Adams Park 303 W Wesley St., Wheaton, IL

Friday, November 24  |  4:30pm ​Nights of Lights returns to Adams Park for its fourth year! Join us for the park lighting on November 24 at 4:30pm and enjoy this display through the holiday season. Featuring over 55,000 bulbs lighting the trees and an animated light display at the fountain, a walk through Adams Park will “wow” the whole family. Thank you to the City of Wheaton for providing this wonderful display throughout the holiday season. ​Nights of Lights continues through January 7, 2024. This event is open to the public at no cost. Read More Details >

Christmas-Parade-and Tree Lighting

Wheaton Christmas Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting

Downtown Pavilion Main & Liberty St., Wheaton

Friday, November 24, 2023 | 6:00–7:30 pm ​The tradition continues; join us for the annual Wheaton Christmas Parade for a magical evening of lights, music, and community Downtown Wheaton. The parade will travel from Wheaton Avenue at Wesley Street south to Front Street, turning east (left) on Front Street, and finishing at Cross Street.  Immediately following the parade, head over to the new south pavilion for the Downtown Wheaton Christmas Tree Lighting! Join us for the second annual Downtown Wheaton Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, immediately following the Wheaton Christmas Parade. Enjoy the tree daily 4:00–10:00 pm through January 7, 2024. Browse...

Christmas-at-Cantigny-2023

Christmas at Cantigny

Cantigny Park 1s151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton, IL

McCormick House and Gardens: Lights and Music The inaugural Christmas at Cantigny celebrates the new McCormick House and brings Christmas lights, music, and family fun to the gardens and grounds. The renovated McCormick House will be open to the public for the first time since 2020, with the first floor lavishly decorated for the holidays. Cantigny’s holiday light show offers a magical experience. Walk a guided path through the gardens and be captivated by lighting that enhances traditional holiday decorations. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit and don’t miss the chance to admire the hundreds of famous Cantigny poinsettias on...

Ice-a-Palooza

Ice-A-Palooza

Central Athletic Complex 500 S Naperville Rd, Wheaton, IL

Break your winter blues and experience Ice-A-Palooza Saturday, February 3 | 11:00 am–1:00 pm | Central Athletic Complex Ice Rinks Ice-A-Palooza is a free outdoor event featuring skating, entertainment, food truck, character visits and more! Event details: Preschool Activities Tent & Outdoor Games | 11:00 am–1:00 pm Hot Cocoa Bar | Enjoy a cup of delicious hot cocoa with all your favorite toppings – $3 S’mores Kits Meet & Greet Ice Queen & Ice Princess | 11:00 am–1:00 pm Rusty, the Chicago Steel Mascot | 11:00 am–12:15 pm Curious Crow Food Truck Chili, grilled cheese with tomato soup, Smash Burger with...