What is happening in Downers Grove this fall?
Downers Grove hosts the 49th Annual Fine Arts Festival September 12 and 13, Oktoberfest September 18 and 19, and the Downtown Market every Saturday through October 17, followed by scavenger hunts, window painting, and a historic cemetery walk in October.
Two consecutive weekends in September carry most of the fall calendar here, and they could not be more different. One closes Main Street for juried artists. The other fills the commuter lot with a German band and a brat-eating contest. Both are worth clearing your schedule for. Here is what is actually happening downtown between now and Halloween.
September 12 and 13: The Fine Arts Festival Turns 49
The Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street in the middle of downtown.
Juried artists show work across painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, fiber, mixed media, wood, and sculpture. Live music plays throughout both days, there is a free children's art activity, and admission does not cost anything. The downtown shops and restaurants stay open around it, which is the whole point. You come for the art and end up having lunch on a patio.
This is the 49th year, which means next fall is the fiftieth. Worth noting if you like being able to say you were there the year before.
September 18 and 19: Oktoberfest
One week later, the 13th Annual Downers Grove Oktoberfest takes over the train commuter lot on Burlington Avenue between Main Street and Forest Avenue, Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19.
Expect live music across multiple stages, authentic German food and beer, a Kids Zone, and the Battle of the Bands that has become a fixture. The event is hosted by the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, and proceeds go directly to programs for District 58 students and staff. Cadence Kitchen and The Foxtail sponsor it, which is a nice illustration of how tightly the restaurants and the schools are wound together in this town.
Admission and ticket details change year to year, so check dgoktoberfest.org before you go. In past years children, active military, and veterans have gotten in free during daytime hours.
Every Saturday Through October 17: The Downtown Market
The Downtown Downers Grove Market runs every Saturday through October 17. September and early October are the best weeks of the entire season, when the summer produce overlaps with apples, squash, and the fall harvest.
After October 17 it closes for the year, so you have a limited number of Saturdays left.
October: Scavenger Hunts, Painted Windows, and a Cemetery Walk
October is quieter but arguably more fun if you have kids.
The Downtown Fall Scavenger Hunt runs on Thursdays and Fridays through the month, sending people between storefronts on evenings when downtown would otherwise be slow. Halloween Window Painting turns the downtown storefronts over to student artists. And the Downers Grove Historical Society hosts its Living Cemetery walk, where costumed interpreters portray actual residents buried in the village's historic cemetery. That last one is genuinely one of the better local traditions and most people who have moved here recently have never heard of it.
The Park District also runs fall programming at Fishel Park, including Flannel Fest and Dog Daze. Dates shift, so check the Village events calendar as October gets closer.
One Practical Note About Downtown This Fall
Construction is underway at Linda Kunze Plaza next to the Main Street Train Station, and on five new amenity areas throughout the downtown business district. The train station stays open, and the Market continues in the same general area through September.
Expect some fencing and rerouted foot traffic. It has not disrupted any events so far, but if you are meeting someone downtown, build in a few extra minutes for parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival in 2026?
Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Downers Grove. Admission is free.
When is Downers Grove Oktoberfest 2026?
Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19, in the train commuter lot on Burlington Avenue between Main Street and Forest Avenue. It is hosted by the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58.
How long does the Downtown Downers Grove Market run?
Every Saturday through October 17, 2026.
This calendar is one of the reasons people who move to Downers Grove tend to stay. If you are thinking about buying or selling here, call or text Rob Brannigan at 847.609.0570 or visit robbrannigan.com. Rob is a REALTOR® with @properties | Christie's International Real Estate and a lifelong Downers Grove resident.
Additional Resources
- Linda Kunze Plaza Is Under Construction, and It Is Not the Only Downtown Project
- The New Restaurants Coming to Downtown Downers Grove This Fall
- 10 Best Coffee Shops in Downers Grove and the Western Suburbs
Written by Rob Brannigan (IL License #475.164040), RENE + SRS. Lifelong Downers Grove resident. Data-driven guidance for sellers and buyers in Downers Grove and surrounding communities.
