With the leaves changing colors and temperatures beginning to dip below 60 degrees, autumn arrives with a score of aesthetic and spooky activities to enjoy. Here is a list of fall activities in and around Naperville for all ages to enjoy. 

Abbey Farms

This Aurora farm is celebrating its 70th anniversary with another season full of fall activities and beauty. The Pumpkin Daze festival lasts from Sept. 21 to Oct. 27 and features pumpkin patches, mazes, and the Abbey’s famous bakery items ,including apple cider and pumpkin spice donuts. The Abbey is expanding to plant an apple orchard, which began in 2018, and is planning an upcoming food event called Taste of Abbey Farms, scheduled to begin Nov. 4. Abbey Farms is a non-profit to support the Monks of Marmion Abbey, who bought the land for the farm in 1949. Hours and ticket pricing vary for events but can be found on the Abby Farms website, https://www.abbeyfarms.org.

2855 Hart Rd, Aurora, IL

Halloween Movies

While December’s holiday movies often steal the cinema show, October and November are the perfect opportunity to pull out the pumpkin-spice popcorn and watch your favorite spooky movies. Some may prefer horror movies like The “Sixth Sense,” “The Shining,” or “A Quiet Place.” Others tap out at “The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,” “Hocus Poccus,” and “Harry Potter;” the bravest may even attempt to make it through “Coraline.” Whatever your scary or aesthetic preferences, the cold weather and spooky spirit makes October and November perfect for catching up on all of your Halloween favorites. 

Don’t see your favorite fall movie? Tweet it to @centraltimestwitter.

Fall Color Festival

Throughout October, The Morton Arboretum is welcoming autumn with festivals, activities and nature trails for all ages. Walk the Scarecrow Trail and vote on your favorite local scout-made scarecrows or go on a Troll Hunt, featuring reclaimed wooden sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Bike or walk through 1,700 acres of colorful trees from 40 countries and enjoy the crisp air and changing leaves. The Arboretum hosts a variety of crafts and trick or treat experiences and an adults-only Cider and Ale Festival. For more dates or pricing information, visit The Morton Arboretum website, https://www.mortonarb.org.

4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL

Johansen’s Farm

This seasonal Bolingbrook farm is the perfect place for harvest fun and aesthetic outings. Johansen’s doubles as a children and family park and petting zoo and a market for visitors to purchase colorful mums or fall decorations. The bakery sells renowned pies and apple cider donuts and the Autumn Treat Shop sells sweets and condiments. The farm is only open during fall and spring, and this season, Johansen’s  is ready with an extensive pumpkin patch and animal experiences, including holding baby chicks. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. but for more information, visit https://johansenfarms.com.

710 W Boughton Rd, Bolingbrook, IL

History Speaks Lecture: A Peek into the Native American Way of Life Through Their History and Oral Traditions

This event, part of Naper Settlement’s History Speaks Lecture series, features a presentation by Kim Sigafus, an award winning writer and photographer who is a member of the Ojibwa people and the White Earth Indian Reservation. Sigafus will perform traditional drumming, singing, and discuss Native American culture in the past and present. The event is scheduled for Nov. 10, with ticket pricing and information on the Naper Settlement website. 

For more information, visit thier website at https://www.napersettlement.org.