Things to Do in Naperville This Weekend: Oct 9–11
Things to do in Naperville this weekend: the inaugural Taste of Naperville kicks off, glass pumpkins take over the Morton Arboretum, and fall festivals run across DuPage County. Seven verified picks, all checked against organizer listings.
By Naperville Guide · Published October 9, 2026
Peak fall weekend in the western suburbs, and it's stacked. The Taste of Naperville debuts today with $5 bites across downtown, the Morton Arboretum's glass pumpkin patch opens Friday, and two big fall festivals run Saturday and Sunday. For the full October picture beyond this weekend, our October events guide has the rest of the month.
Friday, October 9
Taste of Naperville (inaugural)
A brand-new, 10-day culinary event celebrating Naperville's restaurants: participating downtown restaurants offer signature bites on a special menu priced at $5, $10, $15, and $20. Opening day is today — grab the cheap bites early before the weekend crowds. Pair it with our cheap eats near the Riverwalk picks if you want to keep the whole day under budget.
Glass Pumpkin Patch at The Morton Arboretum
The Arboretum's 16th annual glass pumpkin patch opens today: more than 8,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins displayed on the West Lawn near the Visitor Center, with glassblowing demos running every 30 minutes (noon–5 p.m. Friday). It's part of the Fall Color Festival, so the timing is ideal for peak color. Member presale viewing runs 10–11 a.m. before general shopping opens at 11.
Homecoming Kickoff Concert — North Central College
North Central's annual homecoming concert puts the Chamber Singers, Chorale, Concert Choir, Orchestra, and Concert Winds on one stage at Wentz Concert Hall, with the Big Band playing a pre-concert set in the lobby at 7:15 p.m. Seven dollars for a full-ensemble college music night downtown is hard to beat.
Saturday & Sunday, October 10–11
Fall Festival at Danada
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's largest annual event returns to the Danada Equestrian Center: trick riding, vaulting, carriage driving, barn tours, pony rides, wagon rides, live music, and food trucks. Admission and parking are free; some activities carry a fee.
Pumpkin Weekends at Blackberry Farm
Aurora's Blackberry Farm runs its fall weekends through October 25, and this weekend adds a pumpkin carver (Saturday 1–3 p.m.) and a face painter (Sunday noon–3 p.m.), both included in the $11 admission. Train rides, hay wagons, ponies, and pumpkin picking round out the day — a full fall outing for the price of a movie ticket.
Scarecrow Weekend in St. Charles
Worth the drive up Route 64: the 41st annual Scarecrow Weekend fills downtown St. Charles with 120+ handmade scarecrows on display and up for voting, plus live entertainment, family zones, food, and the Autumn on the Fox craft show. Admission, parking, and trolley rides are free.
Chicago a cappella: "Northern Lights"
Back at Wentz Concert Hall on Sunday afternoon: ten voices performing Scandinavian folk-inspired choral music on the theme of the Nordic sky, light, and folklore. Tickets run $10–$50 on a sliding scale, with student and member discounts — a quieter cap to a busy weekend.
Weekend planning tips
- Taste of Naperville runs through October 18 — the $5 and $10 bites are the play; they sell through, so early in the 10-day run is better than the last weekend.
- Fall Festival at Danada is free but the parking areas fill fast mid-day; arrive before noon if pony rides are on your kid's agenda.
- Morton Arboretum admission covers the pumpkin patch and the Fall Color Festival grounds — buy timed entry online ahead of time for Saturday, the busiest day.
- Checking Halloween plans later this month? Our Halloween guide covers trick-or-treat timing, the downtown Halloween Hop, and Naper Settlement's spooky nights.
Weekend FAQ
What are the cheapest things to do in Naperville this weekend?
Fall Festival at Danada is free (Sat–Sun in Wheaton), Scarecrow Weekend in St. Charles is free all weekend, and the Taste of Naperville's $5 bites across downtown are the cheapest eats of the year.
Is Taste of Naperville really new?
Yes — 2026 is the inaugural edition, organized by Dine Naperville. It runs October 9–18 with $5/$10/$15/$20 signature bites at participating downtown restaurants.
Can kids go to the glass pumpkin patch?
Yes — the Morton Arboretum's Glass Pumpkin Patch is family-friendly, with glassblowing demos every 30 minutes. Admission is included with regular Arboretum entry.
Where can I find more Naperville events after this weekend?
Our Naperville events page is refreshed regularly, and the October events guide covers the rest of the month.
Sources & verification. Details verified October 9, 2026 against organizer listings (naperville.com events, mortonarb.org, dupageforest.org, foxvalleyparkdistrict.org, stcharlesil.gov, northcentralcollege.edu, artsdupage.org); hours and prices change — confirm before heading out.