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Kick off Oktoberfest in Downtown Wheaton! September 20 | 1:00–5:00 PM Check out local business specials while enjoying live music performed by the traditional Bavarian band, Die Musikmeisters! The band will play while strolling through downtown. Read More Details >
Monday, September 22 | 10:00–11:30 AM | Prairie Patch Play Area | FREE | All Ages Celebrate the start of fall at Lincoln Marsh! Families are invited to spend time together at the Prairie Patch Play Area where children can create, discover and play with nature. Enjoy activities, crafts and open play. Registration requested. Program is held entirely outdoors, please dress appropriately. Questions? Contact the Lincoln Marsh office at lincolnmarsh@wheatonparks.org or at 630-871-2810. More Information > Get Tickets >
Celebrate the season with us at Cantigny’s Annual Fall Festival September 27 & 28 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Parade Field This family-friendly weekend features a vibrant Fall Market, live music, guided garden tours, and a variety of food trucks offering tasty bites. Kids can enjoy hands-on crafts, bounce houses, and a delightful petting zoo, creating memories for all ages. Activities to Enjoy at Fall Fest: Garden Tours (Meet your guide in the Visitors Center): Wander through stunning autumn gardens and enjoy picture-perfect moments. 10:30, 11:30, 2:15, and 3:15 Petting Zoo: Meet friendly farm animals. ($) Paint-a-Pumpkin: Create a festive...
October 1–31 | Daily 9:00 am–5:00 pm | Cosley Zoo Taking in the beautiful fall colors at Cosley Zoo is a must-do! 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 >
October 4 | 1:00–5:00 pm | Downtown Wheaton Participating Restaurants The Chili Cookoff returns to Downtown Wheaton this October for its 17th year! 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! $15 Friends of Downtown Wheaton $20 General Admission $60 Chili Crew 4-Pack Don't miss the fun and live music by The Wheaton Dad Band,...
October 17 | 5:15–8:30 pm | Cosley Zoo Take an evening stroll through the zoo and enjoy family-friendly seasonal decorations and activities. Finish your visit by decorating a pumpkin, or take one to go and decorate it at home! Get your costumes together and register early to secure your spot. All ages are welcome. $12.95 per person for ages 2–adult. Admission is free for ages 1 and under, but a ticket is required. Browse More Information >
Enjoy trick-or-treating in Downtown Wheaton Saturday, October 25 | 10:00 am–1:00 pm Prepare for a wicked good time when you bring your little ghouls and goblins to Downtown Wheaton for a head start on this year’s candy collection! Participating businesses include: A Baby Naturally* Altiro Latin Fusion* BABAM Baby Doll Bakery* Bat's Collectible Empire* Billy Bricks* Burma O'Clock Calson Glass & Mirror* DoodleBug Workshop* Dough DuPage Art League Egg'lectic Cafe* Elase Med Spa* Extract Juicery Organic Cafe* Five & Hoek Coffee* Frocks and Frills Vintage* GIA MIA* Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream* Hale Street Cantina High Rollers Company* Holsteins...
November 4-December 11 Let’s get festive! The City of Wheaton and the Wheaton Park District are proud to present the annual Light Up Wheaton decorating contest. All Wheaton residents, businesses, houses of worship and community organizations, and neighborhoods are invited to participate in this free, friendly competition—all themes and holidays welcome! Showcase your fun, creative, out-of-the-box decorating ideas in what has quickly become one of Wheaton’s favorite holiday traditions. Awards will be given in three categories: Most Creative, People’s Choice, and Mayor’s Choice. Registration closes December 11.* *All registered participants must submit a photo of their entry (along with address)...
Night of Lights in Adams Park | 5:00 PM Nights of Lights returns to Adams Park for its sixth year! Join us for the park lighting on November 28 at 5 p.m. 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. This event is free and open to the public. Thank you to the City of Wheaton for providing this wonderful display throughout the holiday season. More Details > Christmas Parade | 6:00 PM The tradition...
November 28–December 30 | 9:00 AM–9:00 PM | Cosley Zoo A winter visit to Cosley Zoo has become a favorite family tradition. Cosley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, hot chocolate and a unique assortment of holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop. Cosley Zoo has four varieties of trees ranging from 4’ to 11’! Wreaths, greens, and garland are also available for purchase. All proceeds from this event benefit Cosley Zoo. Christmas lights turn on at 3:00 PM Hot Chocolate is available weekdays...